Vaonis’ Post

Astronomy, astrophotography and space images are wonderful to look at but like many aspects of our field, it requires visual abilities that not everyone has. #Accessibility is important, esp. when we share our images of the cosmos so that everyone has access to enjoy them. I have put together a little checklist that can be used as guidelines when writing your alt-text for your images. Many platforms now also allow you to set up your settings so that you can't actually publish the post until the alt-text is in - which serves as a good reminder. I hope this is useful! 👇 (background image is an old photo of mine) #Astronomy #Astrophotography #Astrodon #ScienceCommunication #AltText  

Nebulae, which are massive clouds of dust and gas, are popular targets for deep-sky astrophotography due to their size and colour combinations. They also happen to make great targets for beginners because they are easier to focus, frame, and process compared to dimmer, smaller objects. We've put together a list of the brightest nebulae in the night sky for your next clear night. How many have you checked off your list? ☑ https://lnkd.in/gQdXMwXM

If you'd have told me a year ago, that I would be photographing two COLLIDING GALAXIES from my light-polluted garden in the Netherlands, I would've thought that you had gone insane. But here we are; -in about a year time, I have been fortunate enough to practice the MOST fascinating hobby I could have ever dreamt of; Astro-Photography. What a dream come true, to be able to capture these beautiful gems floating around in space at impossibly large distances. Last week, -after a few wintery months of clouded night-skies, I finally had the opportunity again to capture 2 full nights of data on various galaxies. It felt like a fresh breath of air again to set up my scope, polar align, point to the desired DSO (Deepspace-object) and to start imaging again! The final photo, I hear you ask? I proudly present to you; My try at photographing Messier 51 (aka. The Whirlpool Galaxy), which floats about 31.000.000 lightyears away from us. Something to think about: The light captured with my telescope has traveled a staggering 31 million years before it entered our atmosphere and hit my camera sensor. You are literally looking 31 million years into the past! This is why I love this hobby! 🤩 For more astrophotography, follow my journey on Instagram: https://lnkd.in/eXnCjRWz #astrophotography #space #galaxy #deepspace #telescope #spacephotography

**Book Review: "Space: The Universe Never Seen Before" by Smithsonian** "Space: The Universe Never Seen Before" by Smithsonian is a captivating exploration of the cosmos, bringing to life the wonders of the universe through stunning imagery and detailed descriptions. The book is an impressive blend of scientific insight and visual grandeur, making it a must-read for both space enthusiasts and casual readers alike. One of the most striking aspects of the book is its breathtaking photography. Each page showcases the beauty of the universe, from the vibrant colors of nebulae to the intricate details of distant galaxies. The imagery alone is enough to transport readers to the far reaches of space. Smithsonian’s narrative complements the visuals perfectly, offering clear and engaging explanations of complex astronomical phenomena. The book delves into the history of space exploration, the latest discoveries, and the cutting-edge technology used to explore the cosmos. It’s an educational journey that is as informative as it is awe-inspiring. "The universe is not only stranger than we imagine, it is stranger than we can imagine." **#SpaceExploration #UniverseWonders #SmithsonianBookReview #CosmicJourney**

🔭🌠 Attention all astrophotographers and stargazers! Your skills are needed to help scientists at the University of Reading study the broken tail of the comet C/2021 S3 PanSTARRS, which is set to pass by Earth this spring. The comet's tail may detach due to powerful solar winds as it passes through our solar system 🌬️ Your photographs can help researchers understand solar wind conditions and forecast potential solar storms that may impact our planet 🌎 C/2021 S3 PanSTARRS will be visible through the end of March. You'll need a small telescope or a camera with a big lens to capture it 📸 The study's findings could help improve space weather forecasts and better protect our planet from solar storms. Plus, your photos could be archived by the British Astronomical Association! Email your photos, along with the image location and time, to s.r.watson@pgr.reading.ac.uk. Let's make a big contribution to some important science! 🔬 #Astrophotography #CometWatch #ScienceCommunity https://lnkd.in/gCAfBei6

Planetary imaging was always a distant dream for me, until I realized recently that the devil (beauty) is in the details. Astrophotography is a rewarding hobby/passion that offers a unique perspective on the beauty of the Universe. Looking at Jupiter through a telescope versus seeing a processed planetary camera image offers so much depth, so much details that are otherwise invisible to the naked eye. Astrophotography reminds us of the immense majesty and artistry present in the cosmos. Here are some pictures captured by me in this journey so far. These pictures are a testament to the endless hours spent in imaging Jupiter from my balcony, processing the images in various softwares to get the final result. Although these are considered very "rudimentary images" from an astrophotographer's standpoint, I am very excited to explore this new found passion. #astronomy #passionwithpurpose #planetaryimaging

Astrophotography is the most inspirational aspect of astronomy. Take for example this "Double Lunar Analemma" by Betul Turksoy. A laborious process of two months and fortunate weather conditions led to this breathtaking photo.

The Lagoon Nebula, also known as Messier 8 or M8, is a giant interstellar cloud in the constellation Sagittarius. It is a stellar nursery, where new stars are actively forming. The nebula is about 4,000-6,000 light-years away from Earth and is one of the brightest and most massive star-forming regions in the Milky Way. Its distinctive shape resembles a lagoon, hence its name. The Lagoon Nebula is visible to the naked eye under dark skies and is a popular target for amateur astronomers and astrophotographers. This was an observation made with the Las Cumbres Observatory 0.4m telescope with exposure time of 300 seconds for each of the Red, Blue and Green filters. The raw images were processed with Fits liberator and the Gimp software at PACS e-Lab. To learn about how to perform Astrophoto Visual Development on deep space bodies, explore our website: https://lnkd.in/dF7eY4Aw #education #astronomy #webtelescope #SpaceExploration #citizenscience #research #africa #astrophotography #space

The Pleiades, The Pleiades, also known as the Seven Sisters, is an open star cluster located in the constellation of Taurus. It is one of the closest star clusters to Earth and is easily visible to the naked eye. The cluster is dominated by hot, young blue stars, with the brightest members forming a distinctive group of stars resembling a small dipper. In Greek mythology, the Pleiades were the daughters of Atlas and Pleione, and they were pursued by Orion. The cluster has been observed and referenced by various cultures throughout history. Today, it is a subject of scientific study, providing valuable insights into stellar evolution and dynamics. This was an observation made by PACS e-Lab citizen astronomers with the Las Cumbres Observatory's 0.4m telescope with exposure time of 300 seconds for each of the Red, Blue and Green filters. The raw images were processed with Fits liberator and the Gimp software. To learn about how to perform Astrophoto Visual Development on deep space bodies, explore our website: https://lnkd.in/dVYJFqnX #education #space #astronomy #webtelescope #spaceexploration #citizenscience #research #africa #astrophotography

Astrophotography is the most inspirational aspect of astronomy. Take for example this "Double Lunar Analemma" by Betul Turksoy. A laborious process of two months and fortunate weather conditions led to this breathtaking photo.