M8 Lagoon Nebula

Here's my 1st attempt at M8. I found I'm just a wee bit out of focus so will try harder next time (need to make a "Hartmann Mask" for the new scope).

Sky-Watcher SW254N with EQ5 pro mount, Meade DSI IIc camera 20 images @ 15 sec each.

The Lagoon Nebula (catalogued as Messier 8 or M8, and as NGC 6523) is a giant interstellar cloud in the constellation Sagittarius. It is classified as an emission nebula and as an H II region.

The Lagoon Nebula was discovered by Guillaume Le Gentil in 1747 and is one of only two star-forming nebulae faintly visible to the naked eye from mid-northern latitudes. Seen with binoculars, it appears as a distinct oval cloudlike patch with a definite core. A fragile star cluster appears superimposed on it.

My Telescope Setup

Thought I would post some photos of my normal setup for the evening.

New Ring Nebula photo

I was able to capture a new and better photo of the Ring Nebula last night. New Skywatcher telescope is working very well... Think I finally have everything dialed-in. Still learning the methods with the Meade DSI IIc camera so would hope photos will be getting better and better.







Sky-Watcher SW254N with EQ5 pro mount, Meade DSI IIc camera set on 15 sec Fits3P photos total of 30 images stacked. Very minor "tweeking" with Meade Image pro program.

M27 Dumb Bell Nebula

M27 Dumb Bell Nebula

The Dumbbell Nebula (also known as Messier 27, M 27, or NGC 6853) is a planetary nebula (PN) in the constellation Vulpecula, at a distance of about 1,360 light years.

This object was the first planetary nebula to be discovered; by Charles Messier in 1764. At its brightness of visual magnitude 7.5 and its diameter of about 8 arcminutes, it is easily visible in binoculars, and a popular observing target in amateur telescopes.

Sky-Watcher SW254N with EQ5 Pro

DSI IIc

Single 5 sec image

M57 Ring Nebula

Finally got the Sky-Watcher telescope aligned correctly. Here's 1st photo of M57.


The famously named "Ring Nebula" is located in the northern constellation of Lyra, and also catalogued as Messier 57, M57 or NGC 6720. It is one of the most prominent examples of the deep-sky objects called planetary nebulae (singular, planetary nebula), often abbreviated by astronomers as simply planetaries or PN.








Sky-Watcher SW254N with EQ5 pro
Meade DSI IIc
single 5 sec exposure.

Sky-Watcher 1st light

Well I caught first light last night (Aug 8th, 2009). Set up went okay however I have a few modifications that I need to work on. I'm finding the alignment is a little difficult with this scope as I'm used to my Meade ETX. However once it is set up everything seems to work very well. Started off looking at the moon. Much more detail with the larger aperture scope (10" vs approx 4"). Played with the new lenses that came with the Sky-Watcher scope, but reverted back to my Celestron zoom lens as it appears to work very well with this scope. The moon filter works great to allow you to see without going blind from the bright glow from the moon. Moved over to Jupiter and was able to see the bands very clearly with 4 moons. Then just for the heck of it I pointed the scope to M13. Verryyy impressive (see photo). The photo doesn't do justice. It was like looking a a million points of light especially when zoomed into 9mm! Going to work on getting the finder scope aligned as it seems to be quite a ways off. Also going to add some quick release bolts to the tube clamps, I installed "Wilcox rings" yesterday. (will add photos when done).
So far very impressed!

Sky-Watcher 254N with EQ5 pro
Meade DSI-IIc camera


M13 Hercules Cluster Sky-Watcher 10" reflector with Meade DSI-IIc camera 5-15 sec images