Deep Wide View of Orion Constellation Immersed in a Giant Reddish Cloud of Hydrogen
The image features an HaRGB deep wide view of Orion Constellation immersed in the reddish hues from hydrogen alpha emission, where the larger semi-circle (Sh2-276) that stands around the belt and sword of Orion, also known as Barnard’s Loop, is shiningly visible like a dense intricate wave across the scene. Located at a distance of 1600 light-years away, the entire loop spans at about 300 light-years across in space and belongs to an even bigger Molecular Cloud of dust and gas, made up of molecular hydrogen and helium. These clouds are the birth place for stars, forming out of the material in the cloud. I always wanted to make an image like that showing all the beautiful reddish hydrogen that is surrounding one of the most spectacular and colourful regions of the entire night sky as seen from Earth, comprising known wonders like M42, Horse Head, LDN 1622, the large Lambda Orionis Ring and the bluish (OIII) Witch Head Nebula, close to Rigel star. As I only had the particular setup (Samyang 35mm f1.8 with Poseidon C Pro) available and prepared for this target two months before Orion constellation starts to set early against the western horizon and weather was not collaborating too, Orion was almost setting from our Observatory at Dark Sky® Alqueva, Portugal, which made a bit challenging to get this image done. Basically I only had 40 minutes of available sky for each clear night between February and March 2025, so to collecting 7h of good data it took me several nights which I could do it in one single night if it was done in the beginning of Winter. But here it is and I hope you enjoy the result.
PT: A imagem revela um campo amplo e profundo de HaRGB imerso nos tons avermelhados da emissão hidrogénio-alfa, onde parte do semicírculo maior (Sh2-276) que fica ao redor do cinturão e da espada de Orion, também conhecido como Loop de Barnard, é visível brilhando como uma onda densa e intrincada que atravessa toda a imagem. Localizado a uma distância de 1.600 anos-luz de distância, todo o Loop se estende por cerca de 300 anos-luz de diâmetro no espaço e pertence a uma Nuvem Molecular ainda maior de poeira e gás, composta de hidrogénio molecular e hélio. Estas nuvens são o local de nascimento de estrelas, formando-se a partir do material presente na nuvem. Desde há muito tempo que sonhei em captar uma imagem como esta, mostrando todo incrível hidrogénio avermelhado que envolve uma das regiões mais espetaculares e coloridas de todo o céu noturno, visto a partir da Terra, abrangendo algumas pérolas celestes bem conhecidas do grande público como a M42, Cabeça de Cavalo, LDN 1622, o grande Anel Lambda Orionis e a nebulosa azulada (OIII) Cabeça de Bruxa, situada junto à estrela Rigel. Como só tinha a configuração específica que usei (Samyang 35mm f1.8 com a Poseidon C-Pro) disponível e preparada para este alvo dois meses antes da constelação de Orion começar a pôr-se no horizonte Oeste e o bom tempo não colaborou muito, Orion já estava quase a pôr-se a partir do nosso Observatório no Dark Sky® Alqueva, Portugal, o que tornou um pouco desafiante fazer esta imagem. Basicamente, só tive 40 minutos de céu disponível para cada noite limpa entre Fevereiro e Março de 2025. Assim, para recolher 7 horas de dados, demorei várias noites, o que conseguiria fazer numa única noite se a imagem tivesse sido feito no início do Inverno. Mas aqui fica o resultado e espero que gostem!
Above: Crop and rotated image, as well as the monochromatic starless view of Ha channel. Right image shows the annotated version produced with PixInsight script, based in several known catalogues to identify the main objects in the image. Below there is the portrait version.
PT: Acima: Um crop da imagem, com rotação, e uma versão monocromática sem estrelas do canal Ha separado. A imagem da direita mostra a versão legendada com anotação produzida pelo script do PixInsight baseado em vários catálogos reconhecidos, identificando assim os principais objectos visíveis na imagem. Em baixo, a versão retrato da mesma imagem.
Technical details | Detalhes Técnicos
Omegon 76ED Apo triplet on a EQ6-Pro auto-guided in N.I.N.A | Poseidon-C Pro Camera from Player One Astronomy | Sub Exp. 5 min with Anit-Halo PRO Dual-Band Filter 2″ (Ha+OIII) 3nm from Player One Astronomy | Total integration of 8h (7,3 in HaOIII + 0,5 h in RGB). Processing on PixInsight 1.9.3 and Photoshop CC 2025. Cumeada Observatory from Dark Sky® Alqueva Reserve, Reguengos de Monsaraz, Portugal.
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View of the Chromosphere During Partial Solar Eclipse 2025 – Images and Time Lapse
Captured on 29th March 2025, a high-resolution image and time lapse sequence features the chromosphere activity on a special day, when a Partial Solar Eclipse was visible from from our Dark Sky® Alqueva Observatory, in Portugal, reaching about 30% of occultation. The time lapse sequence comprises two hours and 442 images and the same data was processed in two total different ways to shows the details on the “surface” of the chromosphere with the moon revealing its dark disc, but as well as processed with a curves inversion to help show the prominences and the light flow around, with a nice level of depth and detail. In the 4k video we can see a transition between both visions while close to the maximum of the eclipse, is possible to see a little flare at the center of the image. These are real images and not AI generated in any sense!! They have been captured with a Lunt LS100 solar telescope and a Player One Apollo-M Max.
PT: Captada a 29 de Março de 2025, as imagens de alta resolução e sequência de time-lapse mostram a actividade da cromosfera num dia especial, quando foi visível um Eclipse Solar Parcial a partir do nosso Observatório Oficial do Dark Sky® Alqueva, na aldeia da Cuemada, em Reguengos, Portugal, atingindo cerca de 30% de ocultação do disco solar, por parte da Lua. A sequência time lapse compreende duas horas e 442 imagens, sendo que os mesmos dados foram processados de duas formas totalmente diferentes para mostrar os detalhes na “superfície” da cromosfera com a lua a revelar o seu disco escuro, mas também processados com uma inversão das curvas, para ajudar a mostrar as proeminências e o fluxo de luz circundante, com um bom nível de profundidade e detalhe. No vídeo 4k podemos ver uma transição entre essas duas visões distintas. Perto do máximo do eclipse, é possível ver um pequeno flare no centro da imagem. De referir, que estas são imagens reais e não geradas por (IA) inteligência artificial !! Foram captadas com um telescópio solar Lunt LS100 e uma câmara Player One Apollo-M Max.
Above are still images captured at different times. Below is possible to watch the video time lapse sequence compiling 442 shots processed, each one as result of a stack of the best 200 frames from each raw video. The final result is a 4K high resolution time lapse movie comprising around 2h of images.
PT: Acima duas imagens captadas com alguns minutos de intervalo. Em baixo é possível ver o vídeo time lapse compilando 442 captações processadas, cada uma como resultado de um stack dos melhores 200 frames de cada vídeo raw. O resultado final é um filme time lapse de alta resolução de 4K que condensa cerca de 2h de imagens.
Technical details | Detalhes Técnicos
LUNT LS100 BF1800| Player One Apollo-M Max | Stack of 200 frames for each single image, captured in average seeing conditions from Dark Sky® Alqueva territory, Portugal.
Important Note | Nota Importante: Never look and point a telescope or any other optical equipment directly to the sun without a proper and specialized safty filters! It can blind you forever. PT: Nota Importante – Nunca aponte um telescópio ou qualquer equipamento óptico directamente para o sol e observe através dele sem filtros especializados e seguros. Causará cegueira irreversível!
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How to Order – Simple and easy, just “copy and paste” the link of this page or the image you choosed and fill it in the form below, with the size you want and any detail you wish to include on the message, like your country, name and postal address. Free Shipping included to all prints (except frames). For US and Europe the delivery is 4-8 working days, while to Portugal and Spain is normally 2-6 working days. After submitting the order through the form, I will contact you for the payment method (Paypal available or bank transfer) and with other questions related to your print(s) or requests. Once payment is confirmed, your order is shipped within 24h. In case you wish, I can send you separtely with no additional cost, a postcard autographed and numbered of the same image you have just bought, as a seal and proof of art work authenticity from the author. Let me know what is your wish.
Large Solar Promience and AR-Flare in motion from 8th January 2025 – Time Lapse
The image and time lapse reveals the chromosphere activity on 18th January 2025, with a large prominence in motion, while an Active Region (sunspot) visible in the corner was releasing a nice eruptive filament (prominence in front of the disc). Stability of the atmosphere was average to poor, but I could capture enough images to produce the time lapse. They have been captured with a SW Esprit 120mm and a Quark Prominence filter, with the new Apollo 428M Max Pro camera from Player One Astronomy. Below is possible to watch the video time lapse sequence compiling 162 shots processed, each one as result of a stack of the best 200 frames from each raw video. The final result is a 4K high resolution time lapse movie comprising around 50 minutes of images.
PT: A imagem e time-lapse revelam a actividade da cromosfera no dia 18 de janeiro de 2025, com uma grande proeminência em movimento, enquanto uma Região Activa (mancha solar) visível no canto inferior direito libertava um belo filamento eruptivo (proeminência na frente do disco). A estabilidade da atmosfera era mediana com momentos de forte instabilidade, mas ainda assim foi possível conseguir captar imagens suficientes para produzir um time lapse. As imagens foram captadas com um SW Esprit 120mm e um filtro Quark Prominence, com a nova Apollo 428M Max Pro camera da Player One Astronomy. Em baixo é possível ver o vídeo time lapse compilando 162 captações processadas, cada uma como resultado de um stack dos melhores 200 frames de cada vídeo raw. O resultado final é um filme time lapse de alta resolução de 4K que condensa cerca de 50 minutos de imagens.
Technical details | Detalhes Técnicos
SW Esprit 120ED Professional | EQ-6 Pro mount | Daystar Quark Prominence filter| Player One Apollo 428M Max Pro |Focuser Sesto Senso 2 | Stack of 200 frames for each single image, captured in average seeing conditions from Dark Sky® Alqueva territory, Portugal.
Important Note | Nota Importante: Never look and point a telescope or any other optical equipment directly to the sun without a proper and specialized safty filters! It can blind you forever. PT: Nota Importante – Nunca aponte um telescópio ou qualquer equipamento óptico directamente para o sol e observe através dele sem filtros especializados e seguros. Causará cegueira irreversível!
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How to Order – Simple and easy, just “copy and paste” the link of this page or the image you choosed and fill it in the form below, with the size you want and any detail you wish to include on the message, like your country, name and postal address. Free Shipping included to all prints (except frames). For US and Europe the delivery is 4-8 working days, while to Portugal and Spain is normally 2-6 working days. After submitting the order through the form, I will contact you for the payment method (Paypal available or bank transfer) and with other questions related to your print(s) or requests. Once payment is confirmed, your order is shipped within 24h. In case you wish, I can send you separtely with no additional cost, a postcard autographed and numbered of the same image you have just bought, as a seal and proof of art work authenticity from the author. Let me know what is your wish.
A Faint Giant Prominence in Motion Captured on 21st December, 2024
Captured last year on December 21, from Dark Sky® Alqueva region, Portugal, a high-resolution image and time lapse sequence features the chromosphere activity. This was my first light with the new Apollo 428M Max Pro camera from Player One Astronomy, and thanks to its high sensitivity and low noise cooled at -10, I was able to reveal this giant faint prominence in motion, dozens of times larger than our planet Earth. Stability of the atmosphere was average and the prominence was so so faint that I had to overexpose during the capture to reveal details, using then a black disc on post processing to cover the surface like a coronograph, helping drive our attention to most interesting regions of the image. The final result is a 4K high resolution solar time lapse footage comprising around 1h15 of photos.
PT: Captada no ano passado, a 21 de Dezembro, a partir do Dark Sky® Alqueva, Portugal, uma imagem de alta resolução e sequência de time-lapse revela a actividade da cromosfera neste dia. Esta foi a “first light” com a nova câmara Apollo 428M Max Pro da Player One Astronomy, e graças à sua alta sensibilidade e baixo ruído, arrefecida a -10º, foi possível revelar esta proeminência gigante e ténue em movimento, dezenas de vezes maior que o nosso planeta Terra. A estabilidade da atmosfera era mediana e a proeminência tão ténue que tive de sobre-expor o disco solar durante a captura para revelar alguns detalhes, utilizando posteriormente um disco negro no pós-processamento para cobrir a superfície como um coronógrafo, ajudando assim a dirigir a nossa atenção para as regiões mais interessantes da imagem. O resultado final é um time lapse em alta resolução 4K, composta por cerca de 1h15 de imagens.
Above are still images captured at different times. Below is possible to watch the video time lapse sequence compiling 211 shots processed, each one as result of a stack of the best 200 frames from each raw video. The final result is a 4K high resolution time lapse movie comprising around 1h15 of images.
PT: Acima duas imagens captadas com alguns minutos de intervalo. Em baixo é possível ver o vídeo time lapse compilando 211 captações processadas, cada uma como resultado de um stack dos melhores 200 frames de cada vídeo raw. O resultado final é um filme time lapse de alta resolução de 4K que condensa cerca de 1h15 de imagens.
Technical details | Detalhes Técnicos
SW Esprit 120ED Professional | EQ-6 Pro mount | Daystar Quark Prominence filter| Player One Apollo 428M Max Pro |Focuser Sesto Senso 2 | Stack of 200 frames for each single image, captured in average seeing conditions from Dark Sky® Alqueva territory, Portugal.
Important Note | Nota Importante: Never look and point a telescope or any other optical equipment directly to the sun without a proper and specialized safty filters! It can blind you forever. PT: Nota Importante – Nunca aponte um telescópio ou qualquer equipamento óptico directamente para o sol e observe através dele sem filtros especializados e seguros. Causará cegueira irreversível!
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Buy a Fine Art Print or Wall Decor of this Image – Make your order Now!
You can choose the best style of print do you preffer to decorate in a fashion way your walls. Metal Prints with durable and vivid colors, Acrylic, Canvas or the highest quality Gallery Print – a 6 colour UV direct printing on acrylic glass (2mm) including light colours and reinforced by an aluminium dibond plate (3mm). Those type of Prints can highlight the final work in an artistic way, showing the photograph as a piece of art. I work with two high quality specialized Labs in US and in Europe, using Kodak Professional Endura Premier Metallic papers and Fujifilm Crystal Archive DP II Professional. You can select the image above or freely navigate to more than 800 photographs available in my gallery – each one with their own story and magic – and choose the photograph you would love to have in your home or office.
How to Order – Simple and easy, just “copy and paste” the link of this page or the image you choosed and fill it in the form below, with the size you want and any detail you wish to include on the message, like your country, name and postal address. Free Shipping included to all prints (except frames). For US and Europe the delivery is 4-8 working days, while to Portugal and Spain is normally 2-6 working days. After submitting the order through the form, I will contact you for the payment method (Paypal available or bank transfer) and with other questions related to your print(s) or requests. Once payment is confirmed, your order is shipped within 24h. In case you wish, I can send you separtely with no additional cost, a postcard autographed and numbered of the same image you have just bought, as a seal and proof of art work authenticity from the author. Let me know what is your wish.
Nostalgia with a Glimpse of our Future while Reaching out Other Distant Worlds like Mars
When one day we could reach other places in the Solar System…like Mars, nostalgia will come, specially when we realise that we no longer be able to watch our beautiful blue skies of Earth atmosphere. Instead, the rocky red planet Mars, will show a yellow pale glow on a dusty atmosphere and humans will not be able to breath and feel the outside air fresh on their skin. We are so lucky to be here…Now, in this small glimpse of the evolution of humankind! The time lapse was captured last year on the moonrise, from Mertola, at Dark Sky® Alqueva, in Portugal when my wife Apolónia Rodrigues was enjoying the moment, and for a second, seems to catch the Moon with her hand.
PT: Quando um dia pudermos alcançar outros lugares do Sistema Solar…como Marte, a nostalgia virá, principalmente quando percebermos que não voltará a ser possível contemplar os nossos belos céus azuis a partir da atmosfera terrestre. Em vez disso, o planeta vermelho e rochoso Marte mostrará um brilho amarelo pálido numa atmosfera poeirenta e os humanos não conseguirão respirar e sentir o ar fresco do exterior na sua pele. Temos muita sorte em estar aqui…agora, neste vislumbre passageiro da evolução humana! O time lapse foi captado no ano passado ao nascer da lua, em Mértola, no Dark Sky® Alqueva, quando a minha companheira Apolónia Rodrigues estava a desfrutar do momento e, por um segundo, “apanhou-a” com a sua mão.
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You can choose the best style of print do you preffer to decorate in a fashion way your walls. Metal Prints with durable and vivid colors, Acrylic, Canvas or the highest quality Gallery Print – a 6 colour UV direct printing on acrylic glass (2mm) including light colours and reinforced by an aluminium dibond plate (3mm). Those type of Prints can highlight the final work in an artistic way, showing the photograph as a piece of art. I work with two high quality specialized Labs in US and in Europe, using Kodak Professional Endura Premier Metallic papers and Fujifilm Crystal Archive DP II Professional. You can select the image above or freely navigate to more than 800 photographs available in my gallery – each one with their own story and magic – and choose the photograph you would love to have in your home or office.
How to Order – Simple and easy, just “copy and paste” the link of this page or the image you choosed and fill it in the form below, with the size you want and any detail you wish to include on the message, like your country, name and postal address. Free Shipping included to all prints (except frames). For US and Europe the delivery is 4-8 working days, while to Portugal and Spain is normally 2-6 working days. After submitting the order through the form, I will contact you for the payment method (Paypal available or bank transfer) and with other questions related to your print(s) or requests. Once payment is confirmed, your order is shipped within 24h. In case you wish, I can send you separtely with no additional cost, a postcard autographed and numbered of the same image you have just bought, as a seal and proof of art work authenticity from the author. Let me know what is your wish.
Total Lunar Eclipse Close-up Immersed in a Layer of Clouds
After finishing this image I thought….well many people will probably think that this is AI, because it seems that the moon is in between the clouds which would be odd and impossible of course, but no, this is not AI! It is a true image of the Eclipsed Moon as seen behind an intense layer of passing clouds, creating this crazy optical illusion. Below a short time lapse sequence of this moment shows how real it was. Using an HDR technique I could then recover the details on the bright side of the moon, the region not fully immersed in the Earth Shadow. Captured with a 600mm lens from Costa da Caparica, Portugal.
PT: Depois de terminar esta imagem, pensei… bem, muitas pessoas provavelmente pensarão que isto é IA, porque parece que a lua está entre as nuvens, o que seria estranho e impossível, claro, mas não, isto não é IA! Mas uma imagem verdadeira da Lua eclipsada vista por detrás de uma camada intensa de nuvens passageiras, criando esta louca ilusão de ótica. Abaixo, uma curta sequência de time-lapse deste momento, revela o quão real foi este evento celestial. Utilizando uma técnica HDR, consegui recuperar os detalhes do lado brilhante da Lua, a região não totalmente imersa na sombra da Terra. Captado com uma lente de 600 mm a partir da Costa da Caparica, Portugal.
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You can choose the best style of print do you preffer to decorate in a fashion way your walls. Metal Prints with durable and vivid colors, Acrylic, Canvas or the highest quality Gallery Print – a 6 colour UV direct printing on acrylic glass (2mm) including light colours and reinforced by an aluminium dibond plate (3mm). Those type of Prints can highlight the final work in an artistic way, showing the photograph as a piece of art. I work with two high quality specialized Labs in US and in Europe, using Kodak Professional Endura Premier Metallic papers and Fujifilm Crystal Archive DP II Professional. You can select the image above or freely navigate to more than 800 photographs available in my gallery – each one with their own story and magic – and choose the photograph you would love to have in your home or office.
How to Order – Simple and easy, just “copy and paste” the link of this page or the image you choosed and fill it in the form below, with the size you want and any detail you wish to include on the message, like your country, name and postal address. Free Shipping included to all prints (except frames). For US and Europe the delivery is 4-8 working days, while to Portugal and Spain is normally 2-6 working days. After submitting the order through the form, I will contact you for the payment method (Paypal available or bank transfer) and with other questions related to your print(s) or requests. Once payment is confirmed, your order is shipped within 24h. In case you wish, I can send you separtely with no additional cost, a postcard autographed and numbered of the same image you have just bought, as a seal and proof of art work authenticity from the author. Let me know what is your wish.
Total Lunar Eclipse Over the Atlantic Ocean revealing a Lunar Corona
Views of the last Total Lunar Eclipse, with an eclipsed Moon immersed in a layer of iridescent clouds, revealing a Lunar Corona over the Atlantic Ocean, as seen from Costa da Caparica, Portugal. Below a time lapse sequence as a Reel, show the event in motion.
PT: Vista do último Eclipse Lunar Total, com uma Lua parcialmente eclipsada imersa numa camada de nuvens iridescentes, revelando uma Coroa Lunar sobre o Oceano Atlântico, captada a partir da Costa da Caparica, Portugal. Em baixo, um time lapse em forma de Reel revela o evento celeste em movimento.
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You can choose the best style of print do you preffer to decorate in a fashion way your walls. Metal Prints with durable and vivid colors, Acrylic, Canvas or the highest quality Gallery Print – a 6 colour UV direct printing on acrylic glass (2mm) including light colours and reinforced by an aluminium dibond plate (3mm). Those type of Prints can highlight the final work in an artistic way, showing the photograph as a piece of art. I work with two high quality specialized Labs in US and in Europe, using Kodak Professional Endura Premier Metallic papers and Fujifilm Crystal Archive DP II Professional. You can select the image above or freely navigate to more than 800 photographs available in my gallery – each one with their own story and magic – and choose the photograph you would love to have in your home or office.
How to Order – Simple and easy, just “copy and paste” the link of this page or the image you choosed and fill it in the form below, with the size you want and any detail you wish to include on the message, like your country, name and postal address. Free Shipping included to all prints (except frames). For US and Europe the delivery is 4-8 working days, while to Portugal and Spain is normally 2-6 working days. After submitting the order through the form, I will contact you for the payment method (Paypal available or bank transfer) and with other questions related to your print(s) or requests. Once payment is confirmed, your order is shipped within 24h. In case you wish, I can send you separtely with no additional cost, a postcard autographed and numbered of the same image you have just bought, as a seal and proof of art work authenticity from the author. Let me know what is your wish.
Partial Total Lunar Eclipse 2025 Over the Atlantic Ocean as seen from Portugalt
Views of the last Total Lunar Eclipse over the Atlantic Ocean, almost reaching the maximum visibility – in between the clouds – and under the morning nautical twilight as seen from Costa da Caparica, Portugal. Below a time lapse sequence as a Reel, show the event in motion.
PT: Vista do último Eclipse Lunar Total sobre o Oceano Atlântico, quase a atingir a visibilidade máxima – por entre as nuvens – e sob o crepúsculo náutico matinal, captado a partir da Costa da Caparica, Portugal. Em baixo, um time lapse em forma de Reel revela o evento celeste em movimento.
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Buy a Fine Art Print or Wall Decor of this Image – Make your order Now!
You can choose the best style of print do you preffer to decorate in a fashion way your walls. Metal Prints with durable and vivid colors, Acrylic, Canvas or the highest quality Gallery Print – a 6 colour UV direct printing on acrylic glass (2mm) including light colours and reinforced by an aluminium dibond plate (3mm). Those type of Prints can highlight the final work in an artistic way, showing the photograph as a piece of art. I work with two high quality specialized Labs in US and in Europe, using Kodak Professional Endura Premier Metallic papers and Fujifilm Crystal Archive DP II Professional. You can select the image above or freely navigate to more than 800 photographs available in my gallery – each one with their own story and magic – and choose the photograph you would love to have in your home or office.
How to Order – Simple and easy, just “copy and paste” the link of this page or the image you choosed and fill it in the form below, with the size you want and any detail you wish to include on the message, like your country, name and postal address. Free Shipping included to all prints (except frames). For US and Europe the delivery is 4-8 working days, while to Portugal and Spain is normally 2-6 working days. After submitting the order through the form, I will contact you for the payment method (Paypal available or bank transfer) and with other questions related to your print(s) or requests. Once payment is confirmed, your order is shipped within 24h. In case you wish, I can send you separtely with no additional cost, a postcard autographed and numbered of the same image you have just bought, as a seal and proof of art work authenticity from the author. Let me know what is your wish.
M31 Immersed in Cosmic Clouds of Glowing Ionized Hydrogen in a Colorful Starry Scene
5 Years after my first attempt of capturing Andromeda galaxy surrounded by faint Ha clouds taken with a DSLR camera back in 2020, and inspired by the recent discover by STROTTNER-DRECHSLER-SAINTY of the OIII emission arc, I decided to get back to M31 and try my Luck. The image features a long integration of around 80h in HaOIII emission using a dual band filter, to show the colorful field of faint glowing ionized hydrogen gas where the galaxy seems to be immersed in. Despite these faint clouds, all the galaxy shape has a strong emission visible with Ha 3nm filter. The large-scale clouds formations visible in the foreground, belongs to our own Milky Way as well as the several distinct colorful stars which surrounds the diffuse spiral shape. While its spiral arms stand out in visible light, the arms look like rings in the GALEX ultraviolet views. Being sites of intense star formation, the rings have been interpreted as evidence that Andromeda collided with its smaller neighbouring elliptical galaxy M32 more than 200 million years ago. Even with all my efforts and challenges along the way, 80h where not enough to achieve the demanding level of good data needed for revealing the faint OIII arc, specially difficult in OSC cameras, so after analysing the data with the help of my experienced friend Yann Saint, I took the decision of not include the OIII data on the arc for being insufficient to reveal the proper expected shape and detail. Still, the OIII signal included and visible in the arms of M31 could reveals dozens of planetary nebulae. With approximately 220,000 light-years across, Andromeda is the largest galaxy of the Local Group, which also contains the Milky Way, the Triangulum galaxy, and about 30 other smaller galaxies. I also decided to present my final view of M31 in a little different way, framing with a rotation that could help conducts our attention to the most interesting parts of the immersive hydrogen scene, keeping in mind to preserve the natural level of brightness on the core, giving a final nice light flow. So I hope you enjoy my result. The image was captured from Dark Sky® Alqueva Observatory, Cumeada, in Portugal.
PT: 5 anos após a minha primeira tentativa de captar a galáxia de Andrómeda rodeada por nuvens fracas de H-alfa, captada ainda com uma câmara DSLR no ano de 2020, e agora inspirada pela recente descoberta de STROTTNER-DRECHSLER-SAINTY do Arco de emissão OIII, decidi assim voltar a forografar a M31. A imagem apresenta uma longa integração de cerca de 80h na emissão HaOIII usando um filtro de banda dupla, para mostrar o campo colorido de gás hidrogénio ionizado brilhante e ténue, onde a galáxia parece estar imersa. Apesar destas nuvens ténues toda a galáxia tem uma forte emissão visível com filtro Ha 3nm. As formações de nuvens vermelhas de grande escala visíveis em primeiro plano, pertencem à nossa Via Láctea, bem como as várias estrelas coloridas distintas que rodeiam a forma espiral difusa. Embora os seus braços espirais se destaquem na luz visível, os braços parecem anéis nas imagens ultravioleta do GALEX. Sendo locais de intensa formação estelar, os anéis foram interpretados como evidência de que Andrómeda colidiu com a sua galáxia elíptica vizinha mais pequena, M32, há mais de 200 milhões de anos. Mesmo com todos os meus esforços e desafios ao longo do caminho, 80h não foram suficientes para atingir o nível exigente de informação que permitisse revelar o fraco arco OIII, especialmente difícil em câmaras OSC. Pelo que após analisar os dados com a ajuda do meu experiente amigo Yann Saint, tomei a decisão de não incluir o sinal OIII relativo ao arco por ser insuficiente para revelar a forma expectável e os detalhes que pretendia. Ainda assim, o sinal OIII incluído e visível nos braços da M31 permitiu revelar dezenas de nebulosas planetárias. Com aproximadamente 220.000 anos-luz de diâmetro, Andrómeda é a maior galáxia do Grupo Local, que contém também a Via Láctea, a galáxia do Triângulo e cerca de 30 outras galáxias mais pequenas. Por fim, decidi apresentar a minha visão final da M31 de uma forma ligeiramente diferente, enquadrando-a com uma rotação que premitisse ajudar a direcionar a nossa atenção para as partes mais interessantes neste cenário imersivo de hidrogénio, tendo em mente preservar o nível natural de brilho no núcleo, dando um fluxo de luz mais charmoso e suave. Espero que gostem! A imagem foi captada a partir do Observatório Oficial do Dark Sky® Alqueva, na Cumeada, Reguengos, Portugal.
Above and Below: A portrait and rotated version, intended to help conduct the reader attention to the most interesting parts of the image.
PT: Acimea e em baixo: A versão em formato retrato e com rotação de 180º, com o objetivo intencional de ajudar a conduzir a atenção do leitor para as partes mais interessantes da imagem.
Technical details | Detalhes Técnicos
Omegon 76ED Apo triplet on a EQ6-Pro auto-guided in N.I.N.A| Camera ZEUS 455C Pro from Player One Astronomy | Sub Exp. 5 min with Anit-Halo PRO Dual-Band Filter 2″ (Ha+OIII) 3nm from Player One Astronomy | Total integration of 81h (78.5h in HaOIII + 2.5h in RGB) captured during 5 months between October 2024 and January 2025. Processing on PixInsight 1.9.2 and Photoshop CC 2025. Cumeada Observatory from Dark Sky® Alqueva Reserve, Reguengos de Monsaraz, Portugal.
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I hope you enjoy it as much as I do, and if you still want to support my work as an independent artist, you can buy this image as a Fine Art Print, a piece of Art to bring some magic to your sweet home! I will be deeply grateful for your kind support. I have created a special limited Edition of this Print supplied with a signed & numbered Certificate of Authenticity, global delivery with tracked & insured shipping, in a carbon neutral sustainable production, packaging and shipping. Explore the size options and prices by clicking on my Print gallery. Meanwhile, you can sign-up my newsletter to get early access of future Print releases.
Bluish Planetary Nebulae HFG1 and Abell 6 Immersed in a Glowing Field of Hydrogen Gas
Captured in HaOIII and RGB light, the image features a deep wide field view immersed in the glow of ionized hydrogen gas, where small planetary nebulae Abell 6 and larger HFG1 (Heckathorn-Fesen-Gull 1 nebula type) seems to live, in the constellation of Cassiopeia. Being both remnants from the last phase of a medium star like our Sun. HFG1 features a bluish arc shaped shock wave, created by the binary star system V664 Cas, which comprises a white dwarf and a red giant star only a few million kilometres apart from each other. The small bright bluish ball visible near the center of the image, is known as Abell 6. Those kind of planetary nebulae, has a short life span of only about 10,000 years, becoming then invisible due to a lack of ultraviolet light emitted by the stars that create them. The image was captured from Dark Sky® Alqueva Observatory, Cumeada, in Portugal.
PT: Captada em diferentes comprimentos de onda entre a luz Ha, OIII e RGB, a imagem apresenta uma visão ampla e profunda, imersa no brilho do gás hidrogénio ionizado, onde a pequena nebulosa planetárias Abell 6 e a mais extensa HFG1 (nebulosa planetária de tipo: Heckathorn-Fesen-Gull 1) parecem viver, na constelação de Cassiopeia. Sendo ambos remanescentes da última fase de uma estrela média como o nosso Sol. HFG1 apresenta uma onda de choque em forma de arco azulado, criada pelo sistema estelar binário V664 Cas, que compreende uma anã branca e uma estrela gigante vermelha, orbitando a apenas alguns milhões de quilómetros de distância uma da outra. A pequena bola azulada brilhante visível perto do centro da imagem, é conhecida como Abell 6. Este tipo de nebulosa planetária tem uma vida curta de apenas cerca de 10.000 anos, tornando-se então invisível devido à falta de luz ultravioleta emitida pelas estrelas que as criaram. A imagem foi captada a partir do Observatório Oficial do Dark Sky® Alqueva, na Cumeada, Portugal.
Technical details | Detalhes Técnicos
Taka FSQ-106ED at F3.6 – EM200 auto-guided in N.I.N.A| Poseidon-C Pro Camera from Player One Astronomy | Sub Exp. 5 min with Anit-Halo PRO Dual-Band Filter 2″ (Ha+OIII) 3nm from Player One Astronomy | Total integration of 54,5h (53h in HaOIII + 1,5h in RGB. Processing on PixInsight 1.8.9-2 and Photoshop CC 2024. Cumeada Observatory from Dark Sky® Alqueva Reserve, Reguengos de Monsaraz, Portugal.
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Buy a Fine Art Print or Wall Decor of this Image – Make your order Now!
You can choose the best style of print do you preffer to decorate in a fashion way your walls. Metal Prints with durable and vivid colors, Acrylic, Canvas or the highest quality Gallery Print – a 6 colour UV direct printing on acrylic glass (2mm) including light colours and reinforced by an aluminium dibond plate (3mm). Those type of Prints can highlight the final work in an artistic way, showing the photograph as a piece of art. I work with two high quality specialized Labs in US and in Europe, using Kodak Professional Endura Premier Metallic papers and Fujifilm Crystal Archive DP II Professional. You can select the image above or freely navigate to more than 800 photographs available in my gallery – each one with their own story and magic – and choose the photograph you would love to have in your home or office.
How to Order – Simple and easy, just “copy and paste” the link of this page or the image you choosed and fill it in the form below, with the size you want and any detail you wish to include on the message, like your country, name and postal address. Free Shipping included to all prints (except frames). For US and Europe the delivery is 4-8 working days, while to Portugal and Spain is normally 2-6 working days. After submitting the order through the form, I will contact you for the payment method (Paypal available or bank transfer) and with other questions related to your print(s) or requests. Once payment is confirmed, your order is shipped within 24h. In case you wish, I can send you separtely with no additional cost, a postcard autographed and numbered of the same image you have just bought, as a seal and proof of art work authenticity from the author. Let me know what is your wish.
Planets Aligned with Zodiacal Light agains the Winter Path of Milky Galaxy
The faint path of Zodiacal Light shining along the ecliptic plane, also highlighting some of the brightest planets visible in the winter starry skies of Dark Sky® Alqueva region, Portugal. Best seen between late January and early April from the northern hemisphere at the end of nautical twilight, the zodiacal light is a faint light beam that extends along the ecliptic plane, where are located the constellations of the Zodiac. It is caused by the scattering of sunlight in cosmic dust particles that can be found scattered all over the Solar System. In conjunction and close to the horizon, against the faint light are shining planet Venus and Saturn. Neptune and Uranus are also marked on the photo, but not visible with naked eye. Follow the faint path we will find at the zenith, Planet Jupiter, not faraway from Pleiades star cluster. In the opposite direction, the red planet, Mars, is forming a perfect line with Castor and Pollux, the main bright stars from Gemini constellation. High in the sky, at the right side of Zodiacal light and close to the winter Milky Way path, Andromeda galaxy M31 and M33 are still visible. Below you can experience a Virtual Reality 360º in 7K resolution using your desktop, or smartphone with gyroscope. A great “in loco” experience can be achieved if you wear a VR glasses.
PT: A imagem revela o ténue percurso da Luz Zodiacal brilhando ao longo do plano da eclíptica, destacando também alguns dos planetas mais brilhantes visíveis nos céus estrelados de Inverno do Dark Sky® Alqueva, em Portugal. Mais facilmente visível entre o final de Janeiro e o início de Abril – a partir do hemisfério norte – ao final do crepúsculo náutico, a luz zodiacal é um feixe de luz suave que se estende ao longo do plano da eclíptica, onde se encontram as constelações do Zodíaco. É causada pela dispersão da luz solar em partículas de poeira cósmica que podem ser encontradas e espalhadas por todo o Sistema Solar. Em conjunção e perto do horizonte, contra a emissão esbranquiçada da luz zodiacal, brilham os planetas Vénus e Saturno. Neptuno e Urano também estão assinalados na imagem VR360, não sendo contudo visíveis a olho nu. Seguindo o caminho ténue até ao zénite, encontraremos o planeta Júpiter, e perto deste, o enxame estelar das Pleiades. Na direção oposta, o planeta vermelho, Marte, forma uma linha perfeita com Castor e Pólux, as principais estrelas brilhantes da constelação de Gémeos. No alto do céu e à direita da luz zodiacal, perto da trajetória da Via Láctea de Inverno, brilham as galáxias de Andrómeda M31 e M33. O leitor pode assim experienciar esta Realidade Virtual de alta-resolução 7K, usando o seu desktop ou smartphone com giroscópio. Uma ótima experiência “in loco” pode ser alcançada se usar óculos de realidade virtual.
BUY THIS PRINT | COMPRAR ESTA IMPRESSÃO
Buy a Fine Art Print or Wall Decor of this Image – Make your order Now!
You can choose the best style of print do you preffer to decorate in a fashion way your walls. Metal Prints with durable and vivid colors, Acrylic, Canvas or the highest quality Gallery Print – a 6 colour UV direct printing on acrylic glass (2mm) including light colours and reinforced by an aluminium dibond plate (3mm). Those type of Prints can highlight the final work in an artistic way, showing the photograph as a piece of art. I work with two high quality specialized Labs in US and in Europe, using Kodak Professional Endura Premier Metallic papers and Fujifilm Crystal Archive DP II Professional. You can select the image above or freely navigate to more than 800 photographs available in my gallery – each one with their own story and magic – and choose the photograph you would love to have in your home or office.
How to Order – Simple and easy, just “copy and paste” the link of this page or the image you choosed and fill it in the form below, with the size you want and any detail you wish to include on the message, like your country, name and postal address. Free Shipping included to all prints (except frames). For US and Europe the delivery is 4-8 working days, while to Portugal and Spain is normally 2-6 working days. After submitting the order through the form, I will contact you for the payment method (Paypal available or bank transfer) and with other questions related to your print(s) or requests. Once payment is confirmed, your order is shipped within 24h. In case you wish, I can send you separtely with no additional cost, a postcard autographed and numbered of the same image you have just bought, as a seal and proof of art work authenticity from the author. Let me know what is your wish.
All Sky VR 360 Reveals Zodiacal Light and Winter Planets Shining above Dark Sky® Alqueva fields
A full dome and 360º Virtual Reality nightscape scene reveals the faint path of Zodiacal Light shining along the ecliptic plane, also highlighting some of the brightest planets visible in the winter starry skies of Dark Sky® Alqueva region, Portugal. Best seen between late January and early April from the northern hemisphere at the end of nautical twilight, the zodiacal light is a faint light beam that extends along the ecliptic plane, where are located the constellations of the Zodiac. It is caused by the scattering of sunlight in cosmic dust particles that can be found scattered all over the Solar System. In conjunction and close to the horizon, against the faint light are shining planet Venus and Saturn. Neptune and Uranus are also marked on the photo, but not visible with naked eye. Follow the faint path we will find at the zenith, Planet Jupiter, not faraway from Pleiades star cluster. In the opposite direction, the red planet, Mars, is forming a perfect line with Castor and Pollux, the main bright stars from Gemini constellation. High in the sky, at the right side of Zodiacal light and close to the winter Milky Way path, Andromeda galaxy M31 and M33 are still visible. For another rotated version, click here. Below you can experience a Virtual Reality 360º in 7K resolution using your desktop, or smartphone with gyroscope. A great “in loco” experience can be achieved if you wear a VR glasses.
PT: Um cenário All Sky e de Realidade Virtual 360º revela o ténue percurso da Luz Zodiacal brilhando ao longo do plano da eclíptica, destacando também alguns dos planetas mais brilhantes visíveis nos céus estrelados de Inverno do Dark Sky® Alqueva, em Portugal. Mais facilmente visível entre o final de Janeiro e o início de Abril – a partir do hemisfério norte – ao final do crepúsculo náutico, a luz zodiacal é um feixe de luz suave que se estende ao longo do plano da eclíptica, onde se encontram as constelações do Zodíaco. É causada pela dispersão da luz solar em partículas de poeira cósmica que podem ser encontradas e espalhadas por todo o Sistema Solar. Em conjunção e perto do horizonte, contra a emissão esbranquiçada da luz zodiacal, brilham os planetas Vénus e Saturno. Neptuno e Urano também estão assinalados na imagem VR360, não sendo contudo visíveis a olho nu. Seguindo o caminho ténue até ao zénite, encontraremos o planeta Júpiter, e perto deste, o enxame estelar das Pleiades. Na direção oposta, o planeta vermelho, Marte, forma uma linha perfeita com Castor e Pólux, as principais estrelas brilhantes da constelação de Gémeos. No alto do céu e à direita da luz zodiacal, perto da trajetória da Via Láctea de Inverno, brilham as galáxias de Andrómeda M31 e M33. Para ver uma versão com rotação diferente, clique aqui. O leitor pode assim experienciar esta Realidade Virtual de alta-resolução 7K, usando o seu desktop ou smartphone com giroscópio. Uma ótima experiência “in loco” pode ser alcançada se usar óculos de realidade virtual.
BUY THIS PRINT | COMPRAR ESTA IMPRESSÃO
Buy a Fine Art Print or Wall Decor of this Image – Make your order Now!
You can choose the best style of print do you preffer to decorate in a fashion way your walls. Metal Prints with durable and vivid colors, Acrylic, Canvas or the highest quality Gallery Print – a 6 colour UV direct printing on acrylic glass (2mm) including light colours and reinforced by an aluminium dibond plate (3mm). Those type of Prints can highlight the final work in an artistic way, showing the photograph as a piece of art. I work with two high quality specialized Labs in US and in Europe, using Kodak Professional Endura Premier Metallic papers and Fujifilm Crystal Archive DP II Professional. You can select the image above or freely navigate to more than 800 photographs available in my gallery – each one with their own story and magic – and choose the photograph you would love to have in your home or office.
How to Order – Simple and easy, just “copy and paste” the link of this page or the image you choosed and fill it in the form below, with the size you want and any detail you wish to include on the message, like your country, name and postal address. Free Shipping included to all prints (except frames). For US and Europe the delivery is 4-8 working days, while to Portugal and Spain is normally 2-6 working days. After submitting the order through the form, I will contact you for the payment method (Paypal available or bank transfer) and with other questions related to your print(s) or requests. Once payment is confirmed, your order is shipped within 24h. In case you wish, I can send you separtely with no additional cost, a postcard autographed and numbered of the same image you have just bought, as a seal and proof of art work authenticity from the author. Let me know what is your wish.
Zodiacal Light and Winter Planets Shining with Andromeda above Dark Sky® Alqueva fields
The image reveals the faint path of Zodiacal Light shining along the ecliptic plane, also highlighting some of the brightest planets visible in the winter starry skies of Dark Sky® Alqueva region, Portugal. Best seen between late January and early April from the northern hemisphere at the end of nautical twilight, the zodiacal light is a faint light beam that extends along the ecliptic plane, where are located the constellations of the Zodiac. It is caused by the scattering of sunlight in cosmic dust particles that can be found scattered all over the Solar System. In conjunction and close to the horizon, against the faint light are shining planet Venus and Saturn. Follow the faint path we will find at the top left corner Planet Jupiter. Not faraway from Pleiades star cluster, will be also located Uranus, not visible though with naked eye. At the right center, Andromeda galaxy M31 is forming almost a perfect triangle with Jupiter and Venus, fulfilling the entire scene.
PT: A imagem revela o ténue percurso da Luz Zodiacal brilhando ao longo do plano da eclíptica, destacando também alguns dos planetas mais brilhantes visíveis nos céus estrelados de Inverno do Dark Sky® Alqueva, em Portugal. Mais facilmente visível entre o final de Janeiro e o início de Abril – a partir do hemisfério norte – ao final do crepúsculo náutico, a luz zodiacal é um feixe de luz suave que se estende ao longo do plano da eclíptica, onde se encontram as constelações do Zodíaco. É causada pela dispersão da luz solar em partículas de poeira cósmica que podem ser encontradas e espalhadas por todo o Sistema Solar. Em conjunção e perto do horizonte, contra a emissão esbranquiçada da luz zodiacal, brilham os planetas Vénus e Saturno. Seguindo o caminho ténue e encontraremos no canto superior esquerdo o Planeta Júpiter. Não muito longe do enxame estelar das Pléiades, encontra-se ainda o planeta Urano, embora não seja perceptível na imagem nem igualmente visível a olho nu. No centro direito, a galáxia de Andrómeda M31 forma um asterismo triangular quase perfeito com os planetas Júpiter e Vénus, situados nos extremos opostos desse triângulo equilátero, preenchendo todo o cenário deste retrato astronómico.
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Buy a Fine Art Print or Wall Decor of this Image – Make your order Now!
You can choose the best style of print do you preffer to decorate in a fashion way your walls. Metal Prints with durable and vivid colors, Acrylic, Canvas or the highest quality Gallery Print – a 6 colour UV direct printing on acrylic glass (2mm) including light colours and reinforced by an aluminium dibond plate (3mm). Those type of Prints can highlight the final work in an artistic way, showing the photograph as a piece of art. I work with two high quality specialized Labs in US and in Europe, using Kodak Professional Endura Premier Metallic papers and Fujifilm Crystal Archive DP II Professional. You can select the image above or freely navigate to more than 800 photographs available in my gallery – each one with their own story and magic – and choose the photograph you would love to have in your home or office.
How to Order – Simple and easy, just “copy and paste” the link of this page or the image you choosed and fill it in the form below, with the size you want and any detail you wish to include on the message, like your country, name and postal address. Free Shipping included to all prints (except frames). For US and Europe the delivery is 4-8 working days, while to Portugal and Spain is normally 2-6 working days. After submitting the order through the form, I will contact you for the payment method (Paypal available or bank transfer) and with other questions related to your print(s) or requests. Once payment is confirmed, your order is shipped within 24h. In case you wish, I can send you separtely with no additional cost, a postcard autographed and numbered of the same image you have just bought, as a seal and proof of art work authenticity from the author. Let me know what is your wish.
