Latest updates

Dec 07, 2023: SH2-185 (gam Cas Nebula, Ghost of Cassiopeia)
SH2-185, also known as the γ Cas nebula or the Ghost of Cassiopeia, is a mixed emission/reflection nebula in the constellation Cassiopeia. The nebula is ionized and illuminated by the star γ Cas and formed by its stellar wind. The region also features some faint background nebulae, primarily visible in the infrared spectrum.

Click on the images for detailed information and full resolution pictures.

SH2-185 (gam Cas Nebula, Ghost of Cassiopeia) SH2-185 (gam Cas Nebula, Ghost of Cassiopeia)

Dec 04, 2023: Milky Way from Perseus to Cassiopeia
A 35°×25° wide-field view of the Milky Way in the constellations Perseus, Camelopardalis, and Cassiopeia is presented in different color composites. This region is full of known and unknown nebulae.

Click on the preview images for detailed information and full resolution pictures (>100 MPixel).

Milky Way from Perseus to Cassiopeia Milky Way from Perseus to Cassiopeia Milky Way from Perseus to Cassiopeia Milky Way from Perseus to Cassiopeia Milky Way from Perseus to Cassiopeia Milky Way from Perseus to Cassiopeia

Dec 01, 2023: SH2-101 (Tulip Nebula) and jet nebula from black hole Cyg X-1 (update)
SH2-101 (also known as Tulip Nebula) is an emission nebula in constellation Cygnus. The images also show a nebula formed by the jets of Cygnus X-1, a black hole in a binary system which is accreting its companion star.

Click on the images for detailed information and full resolution pictures.

SH2-101 (Tulip Nebula) and jet nebula from black hole Cyg X-1 (update) SH2-101 (Tulip Nebula) and jet nebula from black hole Cyg X-1 (update) SH2-101 (Tulip Nebula) and jet nebula from black hole Cyg X-1 (update) SH2-101 (Tulip Nebula) and jet nebula from black hole Cyg X-1 (update)

Nov 24, 2023: Discovery of an emission nebula in direction of Tarazed
An emission nebula has been discovered in close apparent proximity to Tarazed (aka γ Aql). The diameter of the nebula is about 27.4 arcmin and its center is about 7 arcmin away from Tarazed, which is known to be an X-ray source. However, it is most likely not the ionization source of the nebula.

Click on the image for detailed information and full resolution pictures.

Discovery of an emission nebula in direction of Tarazed

Mar 29, 2023: Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) near SH2-230 on Feb 08, 2023
On February 8 comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) was close to the large nebula complex SH2-230 in constellation Auriga. The comet was observed between 17:25 and 20:00 UTC.

Click on the preview images for detailed information and full resolution pictures and videos.

Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) near SH2-230 on Feb 08, 2023 Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) near SH2-230 on Feb 08, 2023 Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) near SH2-230 on Feb 08, 2023

Mar 23, 2023: Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) on Feb 07, 2023
Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) was captured on Feb 07, 2023 in short time window between sunset and moonrise.

Click on the preview images for detailed information and full resolution pictures.

Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) on Feb 07, 2023 Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) on Feb 07, 2023

Mar 17, 2023: Comets C/2022 E3 (ZTF) and C/2022 U2 (ATLAS) near the galactic plane
On Feb 06, 2023 there was a close apparent approach between comets C/2022 E3 (ZTF) and C/2022 U2 (ATLAS). In that night ZTF also crossed the galactic plane. That unusual event was observed between 17:10 and 00:40 UTC.

Click on the preview images for detailed information and full resolution pictures and videos.

Comets C/2022 E3 (ZTF) and C/2022 U2 (ATLAS) near the galactic plane Comets C/2022 E3 (ZTF) and C/2022 U2 (ATLAS) near the galactic plane Comets C/2022 E3 (ZTF) and C/2022 U2 (ATLAS) near the galactic plane

Feb 01, 2023: Milky Way in Cassiopeia and Cepheus
A 24°×35° wide-field view of the Milky Way in constellations Cassiopeia, Cepheus, and the north-eastern part of Cygnus is presented in different color composites. This region is full of smaller emission nebulae. For many of them the ionization sources an thus the distance can be determined which provides an insight in the 3D structure of the milky way in that direction.

Click on the preview images for detailed information and full resolution pictures (>100 MPixel).

Milky Way in Cassiopeia and Cepheus Milky Way in Cassiopeia and Cepheus Milky Way in Cassiopeia and Cepheus Milky Way in Cassiopeia and Cepheus Milky Way in Cassiopeia and Cepheus

Dec 01, 2022: HII region around California Nebula (NGC 1499)
Around the California Nebula (NGC 1499) there is a huge HII region which lies behind the dust in constellations Perseus and Taurus and thus is only visible in the voids and less dense regions of these molecular clouds. A 30°×30° wide-field view is presented which (probably) shows entire nebula.

Click on the preview images for detailed information and full resolution pictures (>100 MPixel).

HII region around California Nebula (NGC 1499)

Nov 30, 2022: Milky Way in Cygnus
A 32°×26° view of the Milky Way in the constellation Cygnus is presented in different color composites. This region is full of emission nebulae which are partially obscured by dark nebulae near the galactic plane.

Click on the selected previews below for detailed information, full resolution pictures (>100 MPixel) and more views from that region.

Milky Way in Cygnus Milky Way in Cygnus Milky Way in Cygnus Milky Way in Cygnus Milky Way in Cygnus

Nov 06, 2022: Milky Way from Monoceros to Gemini
A 21°×40° view of the Milky Way in the constellations Monoceros, Orion and Gemini is presented in different color composites. That part of the sky is full of famous HII regions (e.g. Monkey Head Nebula, Cone Nebulae, Rosette Nebula, Seagull Nebula), but there are only a few reflection nebulae.

Click on the selected previews below for detailed information, full resolution pictures (>100 MPixel) and more views from that region.

Milky Way from Monoceros to Gemini Milky Way from Monoceros to Gemini Milky Way from Monoceros to Gemini Milky Way from Monoceros to Gemini

Nov 03, 2022: Milky Way from Vulpecula to Aquila
A 30°×28° wide-field view of Milky Way in the constellations Vulpecula, Sagitta and Aquila is presented. That region is characterized dense dark nebulae at the galactic plane and only a few larger emission nebulae in constellation Vulpecula.

Click on the selected previews below for full resolution images (>100 MPixel), more views and detailed information.

Milky Way from Vulpecula to Aquila Milky Way from Vulpecula to Aquila Milky Way from Vulpecula to Aquila

Oct 28, 2022: M63 in H-alpha and continuum light (final version)
M63 is a spiral galaxy in constellation Canes Venatici.

The image is calculated with and without H-alpha information. By toggling between the two variants the correlation between HII gas clouds and bluish regions (containing young stars and probably also OIII gas) can be visualized.

Click on the animation for detailed information and full resolution pictures.

M63 in H-alpha and continuum light (final version)

Oct 27, 2022: NGC2403 and NGC2404 in H-alpha and continuum light (final version)
NGC 2403 is a spiral galaxy in Camelopardalis. NGC 2404 is one of many large HII region within the galaxy.

The image is calculated with and without H-alpha information. By toggling between the two variants the correlation between HII gas clouds and bluish regions (containing young stars and probably also OIII gas) can be visualized.

Click on the animation for detailed information and full resolution pictures.

NGC2403 and NGC2404 in H-alpha and continuum light (final version)

Oct 22, 2022: Milky Way from Scutum to Ophiuchus
A 50°×16° wide-field view of Milky Way that covers large parts of the constellations Scutum, Serpens Cauda and Ophiuchus. That part of the sky is characterized by HII regions near the galactic plane, the large emission nebula SH2-27 (Zeta Ophiuchi Nebula), and dense star clouds, more or less hidden behind dark nebulae.

Click on the selected previews below for full resolution images (>100 MPixel), more views and detailed information.

Milky Way from Scutum to Ophiuchus Milky Way from Scutum to Ophiuchus Milky Way from Scutum to Ophiuchus

Oct 14, 2022: NGC 4244 (Caldwell 26) in H-alpha and continuum light (final version)
NGC 4244 (also known as Caldwell 26) is an edge-on spiral galaxy in constellation Canes Venatici with extended star-forming regions showing strong H-alpha emissions.

The image is calculated with and without H-alpha information. By toggling between the two variants the correlation between HII gas clouds and bluish regions (containing young stars and probably also OIII gas) can be visualized.

Click on the animation for detailed information and full resolution pictures.

NGC 4244 (Caldwell 26) in H-alpha and continuum light (final version)

Oct 13, 2022: M101 in H-alpha and continuum light
M101 (also known as Pinwheel Galaxy) is a large spiral galaxy in constellation Ursa Major. It contains many bright HII regions. Some of them even have their own NGC numbers.

The image was calculated with and without H-alpha information. By toggling between the two variants the correlation between HII gas clouds and bluish regions (containing young stars and probably also OIII gas) can be visualized.

Click on the animation for detailed information and full resolution pictures.

M101 in H-alpha and continuum light

Oct 07, 2022: NGC 4395, NGC 4399 to NGC 4401 in H-alpha and continuum light (final version)
NGC 4395 is a low surface brightness galaxy constellation Canes Venatici. NGC 4399 to NGC 4401 are bright HII regions inside the galaxy.

The image was calculated with and without H-alpha information. By toggling between the two variants the correlation between HII gas clouds and bluish regions (containing young stars and probably also OIII gas) can be visualized.

Click on the animation for detailed information and full resolution pictures.

NGC 4395, NGC 4399 to NGC 4401 in H-alpha and continuum light (final version)

Oct 06, 2022: M51 in H-alpha and continuum light (final version)
M51 (also known as Whirlpool Galaxy) are two interacting galaxies in constellation Canes Venatici. The larger one (M51A or NGC 5194) is a spiral galaxy, the smaller companion (M51B or NGC 5195) is a distorted a dwarf galaxy.

The image was calculated with and without H-alpha information. By toggling between the two variants the correlation between HII gas clouds and bluish regions (containing young stars and probably also OIII gas) can be visualized.

Click on the animation for detailed information and full resolution pictures.

M51 in H-alpha and continuum light (final version)

Sep 30, 2022: NGC 4565 and NGC 4562 in continuum light (final version)
NGC 4565 is a edge-on spiral galaxy in constellation Coma Berenices. Together with the smaller smaller NGC 4562 it belongs to the Coma I group.

Click on the picture for detailed information and full resolution pictures.

NGC 4565 and NGC 4562 in continuum light (final version)

Sep 29, 2022: IC 2574 in H-alpha and continuum light
IC 2574 (also known as Coddington's Nebula) is a very faint dwarf galaxy in Ursa Major. It is a member of the M81 group and contains very active star-forming regions showing strong H-alpha emissions.

The image was calculated with and without H-alpha information. By toggling between the two variants the correlation between HII gas clouds and bluish regions (containing young stars and probably also OIII gas) can be visualized.

Click on the animation for detailed information and full resolution pictures.

IC 2574 in H-alpha and continuum light

Sep 23, 2022: M94 in H-alpha and continuum light (final version)
M94 is a spiral galaxy in constellation Canes Venatici with two ring structures. The inner ring is an active star formation region and contains a lot of young blue stars and HII regions, the broader outer ring is very faint.

The image was calculated with and without H-alpha information. By toggling between the two variants the correlation between HII gas clouds and bluish regions (containing young stars and probably also OIII gas) can be visualized.

Click on the animation for detailed information and full resolution pictures.

M94 in H-alpha and continuum light (final version)

Sep 22, 2022: NGC 2903 in H-alpha and continuum light (final version)
NGC 2903 is a barred spiral galaxy in constellation Leo.

The image was calculated with and without H-alpha information. By toggling between the two variants the correlation between HII gas clouds and bluish regions (containing young stars and also OIII gas) can be visualized.

Click on the animation for detailed information and full resolution pictures.

NGC 2903 in H-alpha and continuum light (final version)

Sep 08, 2022: Pleiades (M45)
Different views (up to 6.3° × 3.9°), resolutions (up to 63MP) and color composites (false color with near infrared and true color) of the Pleiades and the surrounding reflection nebulae.

Click on the image for detailed information and full resolution pictures.

Pleiades (M45) Pleiades (M45)

Mar 18, 2022: Orion region (update)
A 24°×34° view of the constellation Orion is presented in different color composites. That region is full of emission and reflection nebulae. Most of them lie within the Orion-Eridanus superbubble which consists in smaller bubbles most likely formed by supernovae. The H-alpha data seem to reveal a previously unknown bubble.

The images where re-calculated with new data and improved image processing.

The previews show a false color version with H-alpha and continuum, a pseudo color image only containing H-alpha (both with reduced stars) and an almost-true color image without star reduction. Click on the thumbnails for more information, selected details and full resolution pictures (>100 MPixel).

Orion region (update) Orion region (update) Orion region (update)

Mar 18, 2022: M33 to SH2-126 (update)
A 21°×42° view which covers most of the constellations Andromeda and Lacerta is presented. The center of the photographed region lies about 20° south of the galactic plane and is rich of high galactic latitude nebulae. Most famous objects are M33 (Triangulum galaxy), M31 (Andromeda Galaxy) and SH2-126, a large HII region in Lacerta.

The images where re-calculated with new data and improved image processing.

Click on the selected previews below for detailed information, full resolution pictures (>100 MPixel) and more views from that region.

M33 to SH2-126 (update) M33 to SH2-126 (update) M33 to SH2-126 (update)

Mar 07, 2022: Milky Way from Taurus to Perseus (update)
A 25°×35° wide-field view of Milky Way in the constellations Taurus, Auriga and Perseus is presented in different color composites. Many famous nebulae like Spaghetti Nebulae, IC 405 and IC 410 can be seen near the galactic plane. The region south of it is full of Molecular clouds. Behind them there lies a larger HII complex which contains the California Nebula.

The images where re-calculated with new data and improved image processing.

The previews show a false color version with H-alpha and continuum, a pseudo color image only containing H-alpha (both with reduced stars) and an almost-true color image without star reduction. Click on the thumbnails for more information, selected details and full resolution pictures (>100 MPixel).

Milky Way from Taurus to Perseus (update) Milky Way from Taurus to Perseus (update) Milky Way from Taurus to Perseus (update) Milky Way from Taurus to Perseus (update)

Mar 06, 2022: Iris Nebula and Molecular Clouds in Cepheus
A dusty 6.25° × 4.0° large region in Cepheus containing NGC 7023 (Iris Nebula) and VdB 4141 (Ghost Nebula). The image was shot with SDSS I', R' and G' filters. Regions known as dark nebulae are reddish because they become transparent in infrared light (mapped to red).

Click on the image for detailed information and full resolution pictures.

Iris Nebula and Molecular Clouds in Cepheus

Mar 03, 2022: LBN 1495 in Taurus Molecular Cloud
A 6.25° × 4.0° large view of the Taurus Molecular Cloud containing LBN 1495 and the Baby Eagle nebula. The image was shot with SDSS I', R' and G' filters. Regions known as dark nebulae are reddish because they become transparent in infrared light (mapped to red).

Click on the image for detailed information and full resolution pictures.

LBN 1495 in Taurus Molecular Cloud

Feb 26, 2022: SH2-105 (NGC 6888, Crescent Nebula, update)
New pseudo color images of SH2-105 (also known as NGC 6888 or Crescent Nebula), an emission nebula in constellation Cygnus which is ionized by a Wolf-Rayet star.

Click on the images for detailed information and full resolution pictures.

SH2-105 (NGC 6888, Crescent Nebula, update) SH2-105 (NGC 6888, Crescent Nebula, update)

Feb 26, 2022: M27 (update)
New pseudo color image of M27 (also known as Dumbbell Nebula), a planetary nebula in constellation Vulpecula.

Click on the images for detailed information, more views and full resolution pictures.

M27 (update)

Feb 26, 2022: SH2-86 (update)
New pseudo color image of SH2-86, an emission nebula in constellation Vulpecula.

Click on the images for detailed information, more views and full resolution pictures.

SH2-86 (update)

Dec 11, 2021: SH2-254 thru SH2-258
The nebula complex SH2-254 thru SH2-258 lies on the border between constellations Orion and Gemini and is a part of the GEM OB1 molecular cloud.

Click on the images for detailed information and full resolution pictures.

SH2-254 thru SH2-258

Dec 05, 2021: SH2-206 (NGC 1491)
SH2-206 (also known as NGC 1491) is an emission nebula in constellation Perseus. The interaction of the stellar wind of the ionizing star with a larger molecular cloud forms a small bubble-like structure.

Click on the images for detailed information and full resolution pictures.

SH2-206 (NGC 1491) SH2-206 (NGC 1491)

Nov 13, 2021: SH2-184 (NGC 281, Pacman Nebula) and IC 1590
SH2-184 (also known as NGC 281 or Pacman Nebula) is an emission nebula in constellation Cassiopeia containing many Bok globules and the very young star cluster IC 1590.

Click on the images for detailed information and full resolution pictures.

SH2-184 (NGC 281, Pacman Nebula) and IC 1590 SH2-184 (NGC 281, Pacman Nebula) and IC 1590

Oct 09, 2021: SH2-170
SH2-170 is a faint emission nebula in constellation Cassiopeia.

Click on the images for detailed information and full resolution pictures.

SH2-170 SH2-170

Sep 25, 2021: SH2-162
SH2-162 (also known as NGC 7635 or Bubble Nebula) is an emission nebula in constellation Cassiopeia. The interaction of the stellar wind of the ionizing star with a larger molecular cloud forms a bubble-like structure.

Click on the images for detailed information and full resolution pictures.

SH2-162 SH2-162

Sep 03, 2021: SH2-142
SH2-142 (also known as Wizard Nebula) is an emission nebula in constellation Cepheus which is ionized by the young star cluster NGC 7380.

Click on the images for detailed information and full resolution pictures.

SH2-142 SH2-142

Aug 28, 2021: SH2-112
SH2-112 is an emission nebula in constellation Cygnus.

Click on the images for detailed information and full resolution pictures.

SH2-112 SH2-112

Jul 28, 2021: SH2-105 (NGC 6888, Crescent Nebula)
SH2-105 (also known as NGC 6888 or Crescent Nebula) is an emission nebula in constellation Cygnus which is ionized by a Wolf-Rayet star.

Click on the images for detailed information and full resolution pictures.

SH2-105 (NGC 6888, Crescent Nebula)

Jul 19, 2021: SH2-101 (Tulip nebula)
SH2-101 (also known as Tulip Nebula) is an emission nebula in constellation Cygnus. The images also show (partially cropped) a nebula formed by the jets of Cygnus X-1, a black hole in a binary system which is accreting its companion star.

Click on the images for detailed information and full resolution pictures.

SH2-101 (Tulip nebula) SH2-101 (Tulip nebula)

Jul 07, 2021: M27
M27 (also known as Dumbbell Nebula) is a planetary nebula in constellation Vulpecula with an apparent diameter of about 16' (arcminutes). Most sources only state about 7'. But this is only the bright inner structure. This pictures also show the faint outer shell.

Click on the images for detailed information, more views and full resolution pictures.

M27

Jul 03, 2021: SH2-86
SH2-86 is an emission nebula in constellation Vulpecula with an apparent diameter of about 40 arcminutes. The nebula is not very bright but contains some interesting pillar-structures and Bok globules.

Click on the image for detailed information and full resolution pictures.

SH2-86

Jun 14, 2021: M33 to SH2-126
A 21°×42° view which covers most of the constellations Andromeda and Lacerta is presented. The center of the photographed region lies about 20° south of the galactic plane and is rich of high galactic latitude nebulae. Most famous objects are M33 (Triangulum galaxy), M31 (Andromeda Galaxy) and SH2-126, a large HII region in Lacerta.

Click on the selected previews below for detailed information, full resolution pictures (>100 MPixel) and more views from that region.

M33 to SH2-126 M33 to SH2-126 M33 to SH2-126

May 23, 2021: Orion region
A 24°×34° view of the constellation Orion is presented in different color composites. That region is full of emission and reflection nebulae. Most of them lie within the Orion-Eridanus superbubble which consists in smaller bubbles most likely formed by supernovae. The H-alpha data seem to reveal a previously unknown bubble.

Click on the selected previews below for detailed information, full resolution pictures (>100 MPixel) and more views from that region.

Orion region Orion region Orion region Orion region Orion region

Aug 15, 2020: Comet C/2020 F3 (NEOWISE)
Latest images of comet C/2020 F3 (NEOWISE) have been uploaded. Comet C/2020 F3 (NEOWISE) was captured between Jul 12 and Jul 25, 2020 using two different instruments. On several images a faint reddish gas tail that comes from H2O+ ions is visible (not sodium because a light pollution filter was used). A short animation the shows the movement of the gas tail is shown to.

Click on the selected previews below for detailed information, full resolution pictures and more views.

Comet C/2020 F3 (NEOWISE) Comet C/2020 F3 (NEOWISE) Comet C/2020 F3 (NEOWISE) Comet C/2020 F3 (NEOWISE)

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