The Heart of Milky Way Embracing the Trees from the Wonderful Fields of Dark Sky® Alqueva
Behind the dusty heart of our spiral galaxy there is a giant but gentle black hole pulsating and vibrating to keep everything perfectly balanced in our island of stars named Milky Way, which I prefer to call, our cosmic Home. Taken from Dark Sky® Alqueva territory, in Portugal.
PT: Escondido no centro do coração empoeirado da nossa galáxia espiral, existe um buraco negro gigante, mas gentil, pulsando e vibrando para manter tudo perfeitamente equilibrado nesta nossa ilha de estrelas chamada Via Láctea, e a que prefiro chamar….o nosso Lar cósmico. A imagem é o resultado de um disparo único em modo mosaico, captado numa das elegantes paisagens banhadas pelo Grande Lago Alqueva, a partir do território Dark Sky® Alqueva, em Portugal.
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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.
Arched Milky Way Shinning Bright above the Beautiful Dark Sky® Landscape of Alqueva Lake
The beauty of the entire arched arm of our Milky Way galaxy as seen in a mosaic captured from the northern hemisphere during the summer, while the core was shining above Alqueva lake, from Dark Sky® Alqueva territory, in Portugal.
PT: A imagem revela a beleza do braço arqueado da nossa Via Láctea, num mosaico captado durante o verão e a partir do hemisfério norte, enquanto o coração da nossa galáxia brilhava acima do Grande Lago Alqueva, a partir do território Dark Sky® Alqueva, em 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.
Rare View of Markarian’s Chain Immersed in the Reddish Hydrogen Gas of Virgo Cluster

The image features a deep wide-field scene captured at 530mm and comprising 76,5h of total integration exposure (18,5h in RGB + 58h in Ha), showing galaxies at a distance of 48 million light-years away from Earth, where lies the Virgo Cluster. This collection of galaxies located in the constellation of Virgo, forms the heart of the larger Virgo Supercluster from which the Local Group containing our own Milky Way galaxy, belongs. It’s also known that our own Milky Way galaxy has clouds of hydrogen gas within, lying between us and the Virgo cluster. The image shows more 833 galaxies visible and identified in the annotated version below, and immersed in some of these hydrogen-alpha clouds, while mixed with the clouds contained in the cluster itself. This region is also know as Markarian’s Chain, which includes the gigantic elliptical galaxy M87, the enormous elliptical galaxy M86 and M84, as well as the colorful galaxy M88. The image was captured from Dark Sky® Alqueva Official Observatory, in Portugal, over the course of 17 nights between February and May 2023.
PT: A imagem revela um campo amplo e profundo captado a 530 mm e que compreende 76,5h de exposição total de integração, mostrando galáxias a uma distância de 48 milhões de anos-luz da Terra, onde fica o Aglomerado de Virgem. Esta coleção de galáxias localizada na constelação de Virgem, forma o coração do maior superaglomerado de Virgem, do qual pertence o Grupo Local que contém a nossa própria galáxia, a Via Láctea. É sabido que a Via Láctea contém nuvens de gás hidrogénio, situadas entre nós e o aglomerado de Virgem. A imagem mostra 833 galáxias visíveis e identificadas na versão anotada abaixo, e imersas em algumas dessas nuvens de hidrogénio-alfa, misturadas com as nuvens contidas no próprio aglomerado. Esta região conhecida como a Cadeia de Markarian inclui a gigantesca galáxia elíptica M87, a enorme galáxia elíptica M86 e M84 , bem como alguma mais coloridas de onde se destaca a M88. A imagem foi captada a partir do Observatório Oficial Dark Sky® Alqueva, em Portugal, ao longo de 17 noites entre Fevereiro e Maio de 2023.
Above: A close-up view presented in landscape and portrait, intended to help conduct the reader attention to the most interesting parts of the image. Below: The annotated version produced with PixInsight script, based in several known catalogues to identify the main objects in the image like Messier; NGC-IC; PGC; ARP.
PT: Acima: Um crop da imagem apresentada numa versão de paisagem e retrato com o objetivo intencional de ajudar a conduzir a atenção do leitor para as partes mais interessantes da imagem. Em baixo, A versão legendada com anotação produzida pelo script do PixInsight baseado em vários catálogos reconhecidos, identificando assim os principais objectos visíveis na imagem como Messier; NGC-IC; PGC; ARP.
Technical details | Detalhes Técnicos
Taka FSQ-106ED at F5 – EM200 auto-guided in Asiair Pro| Nikon D850 modified | ISO3200 – Sub Exp. 5 min in RGB and Ha 7nm filter | Total integration of 76,5h (1110 minutes = 18,5h in RGB + 3468 minutes = 58h in Ha). The final image has 156 Millions of Pixels. Processing on PixInsight 1.8.9-1 and Photoshop CC 2023. Cumeada Observatory from Dark Sky® Alqueva Reserve, Reguengos de Monsaraz, 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.
Solar Chromosphere Shows a Swirling Prominence Near Active Region 13327
After a few weeks of unstable weather with clouds and rain – very unusual for this time of the year – I could finally make a short solar session on June 5, 2023. The image features an eruptive prominence swirling near the Active Region 13327 and below, a large filament hovering over he chromosphere, captured at UT11h20 from Dark Sky® Alqueva territory, in Portugal. As the low dense clouds were passing by all the time, I was not able to make a time lapse. Let’s hope for better conditions in the upcoming days.
PT: Após algumas semanas de clima instável com nuvens e chuva – muito incomum para esta época do ano – pude finalmente fazer uma curta sessão solar em 5 de junho de 2023. A imagem revela uma proeminência eruptiva girando no limbo solar perto da Região Activa 13327, e por baixo desta, um grande filamento pairando sobre a cromosfera, captado às 11h20 (UT) a partir do território do Dark Sky® Alqueva, em Portugal. Como as nuvens baixas e densas estiverem presentes o tempo todo, não consegui fazer um time lapse desta vez. Esperemos por melhores condições nos próximos dias..
Technical details | Detalhes Técnicos
SW Esprit 120ED | NEQ-6 Pro mount | Daystar Quark Prominence filter| Player One Apollo-M Max |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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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.
A Mosaic from the Galactic Heart Immersed in a Colorful Cosmic Dust
A mosaic composed by 6 panels comprising an integrated total time of 29 minutes exposure per panel, captured from Dark Sky® Alqueva Official Observatory, reveals a wide deep sky field near the core region of our galaxy. Besides showing a background completely full of stars and immersed in cosmic dust, we can easily recognize many well known deep sky objects, emission nebulae like Lagoon (M8) and IC4628. Reflection nebulae as Trifid M20 and many opaque dark regions that is blocking the light behind. Top left corner shows IC1284 while at the opposite edge, near the right center, the only star visible named 3 Sagittarii, stands very close to the real Galactic Center of Milky Way galaxy.
PT: Um mosaico de 77 milhões de pixeis composto por 6 painéis compreendendo um tempo total de integração de 29 minutos de exposição por painel, captado a partir do Observatório Oficial do Dark Sky® Alqueva, revela um amplo campo de céu profundo perto da região central de nossa galáxia. Além de mostrar um fundo completamente estrelado e repleto de poeira cósmica, podemos facilmente reconhecer muitos objetos bem conhecidos do céu profundo, como as nebulosas de emissão da Lagoa (M8) e IC4628. Nebulosas de reflexão como a Trifid M20 e muitas regiões escuras e opacas que bloqueiam a luz por detrás. O canto superior esquerdo mostra IC1284 enquanto na extremidade oposta da imagem, perto do centro direito, a única estrela visível e chamada 3 Sagittarii, revela a posição mais próxima do verdadeiro Centro Galáctico da Via Láctea.
Technical details | Detalhes Técnicos
Canon fixed prime lens 300mm f/2.8 set to f/3.5 + Canon 6D modified | ISO2500 – Exp. 70 seconds x 25 RGB lights per panel in a total of 6 panels | Total integration: ( 29 min x 6). Mount EQ6 Pro – Auto-guiding off. Controlled by AsiairPro. Processing on PixInsight 1.8.9-1, PT Gui Pro, Photoshop CC 2023. Cumeada Observatory from Dark Sky® Alqueva Reserve, Reguengos de Monsaraz.
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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.
Thousands of Galaxies Immersed in the Reddish Hydrogen Gas of Virgo Cluster
The image features a deep wide-field scene captured at 300mm and comprising 43h of total integration exposure, showing galaxies at a distance of 48 million light-years away from Earth, where lies the Virgo Cluster. This collection of galaxies located in the constellation of Virgo, forms the heart of the larger Virgo Supercluster from which the Local Group containing our own Milky Way galaxy, belongs. It’s also known that our own Milky Way galaxy has clouds of hydrogen gas within, lying between us and the Virgo cluster. The image shows more than 1890 galaxies visible and identified in the annotated version below, and immersed in some of these hydrogen-alpha clouds, while mixed with the clouds contained in the cluster itself. At left, we can see the M100 galaxy, while at the right center shows the upside down “Question Mark (?)” shaped by the galaxies known as Markarian’s Chain, which includes the gigantic elliptical galaxy M87, the enormous elliptical galaxy M86 and M84, as well as the colorful galaxies M90, M91 and M88. The image was captured from Dark Sky® Alqueva Official Observatory, in Portugal, over the course of 11 nights.
PT: A imagem revela um campo amplo e profundo captado a 300 mm e que compreende 43h de exposição total de integração, mostrando galáxias a uma distância de 48 milhões de anos-luz da Terra, onde fica o Aglomerado de Virgem. Esta coleção de galáxias localizada na constelação de Virgem, forma o coração do maior superaglomerado de Virgem, do qual pertence o Grupo Local que contém a nossa própria galáxia, a Via Láctea. É sabido que a Via Láctea contém nuvens de gás hidrogénio, situadas entre nós e o aglomerado de Virgem. A imagem mostra mais de 1890 galáxias visíveis e identificadas na versão anotada abaixo, e imersas em algumas dessas nuvens de hidrogénio-alfa, misturadas com as nuvens contidas no próprio aglomerado. À esquerda, podemos ver a galáxia M100, enquanto no centro direito um conjunto de galáxias que parece estar disposta na forma de um “Ponto de Interrogação (?)” invertido, e conhecidas como a Cadeia de Markarian. Deste conjunto destaca-se a gigantesca galáxia elíptica M87, a enorme galáxia elíptica M86 e M84 , bem como as mais coloridas galáxias M90, M91 e M88. A imagem foi captada a partir do Observatório Oficial Dark Sky® Alqueva, em Portugal, ao longo de 11 noites.
Above: The annotated version produced with PixInsight script, based in several known catalogues to identify the main objects in the image like Messier; NGC-IC; PGC; ARP.
PT: Acima, A versão legendada com anotação produzida pelo script do PixInsight baseado em vários catálogos reconhecidos, identificando assim os principais objectos visíveis na imagem como Messier; NGC-IC; PGC; ARP.
Technical details | Detalhes Técnicos
Canon fixed prime lens 300mm f/2.8 set to f/3.5 + Canon 6D modified | ISO2500 – Exp. 70 seconds x 2221 RGB lights | Total integration: (2591 min) 43h. Mount EQ6 Pro – Auto-guiding off. Processing on PixInsight 1.8.9-1, photoshop CC 2023. Cumeada Observatory from Dark Sky® Alqueva Reserve, Reguengos de Monsaraz.
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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.
Solar Photagraphy with the New Saturn-M SQR Camera from Player One Astronomy
A first light on solar imaging of my newest Saturn-M SQR camera from Player One Astronomy. With a large square sensor of 9MP (1”) it gives a great field of view and much larger resolution, specially useful for producing mosaics or full discs of the Sun in a one single run. On last May 4, 2023 I captured this first light on a very unstable and cloudy day with average to bad seeing conditions and even though the results seems pretty promising, don’t you think? First image was at 10bit mode and second and third images including the black and white version, on 14bit mode. Both has a huge dynamic range but what most impressed me was the fact that I don’t even needed to adjust the tilt plate as it comes from factory, because the image is completely clear, any kind of newton rings visible and non-amp-glow, which gives a perfect clear background. Thanks Player-One-Astronomy for your constant support! No doubts that even being a planetary camera, has an incredible potential for Solar photography too. For more details and a BTS video, visit my IG page.
PT: Uma “primeira luz” da minha mais recente câmara Saturn-M SQR da Player One Astronomy, em fotografia Solar. Com um sensor grande quadrado de 9MP (1”) oferece um largo campo de visão e resolução muito maior, especialmente útil para produzir mosaicos ou discos completos do Sol em uma única sequência. No passado dia 4 de maio de 2023 captei esta primeira luz num dia de atmosfera muito instável e com núvens altas em condições de seeings “médio a mau” e apesar disso os resultados parecerem bastante promissores. Na primeira imagem a câmara estava no modo de 10 Bits e na segunda e terceira imagens, incluindo a versão a preto e branco, no modo de 14 Bits. Ambas revelam uma faixa dinâmica enorme mas o que mais me impressionou, foi o facto de nem precisar de fazer qualquer ajuste na placa de inclinação tal como vem de fábrica, pois a imagem estava totalmente nítida, sem qualquer tipo de anéis de newton visíveis e sem qualquer amp-glow, o que permite um fundo limpo e perfeito. Obrigado Player-One-Astronomy pelo apoio constante, sem dúvida uma câmara planetária com um potencial enorme também extensível ao Sol. Para mais detalhes e um BTS video, visite o story to meu IG .
Above are a still shot presented in portrait version, intended to help conduct the reader attention to the most interesting parts of the image.
PT: Acima está uma foto apresentada em uma versão retrato com o objetivo intencional de ajudar a conduzir a atenção do leitor para as partes mais interessantes da imagem.
Technical details | Detalhes Técnicos
William Optics ED80| EQ-6 Pro mount | Daystar Quark Prominence filter| Player One Saturn-M SQR | Stack of 200 frames for each single image, captured in average to bad 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.
A Golden Full Moon After a Penumbral Lunar Eclipse

The image shows a golden full moon immersed in a layer of thin high clouds, while was rising after a penumbral lunar eclipse on May 5, which last for only a couple of minutes as it was seen from a marble exploration, in Alandroal, Dark Sky® Alqueva, Portugal.
PT: A imagem captada a 5 de Maio, mostra uma lua cheia dourada imersa numa camada de nuvens altas e finas, enquanto esta se elevava após um eclipse lunar penumbral que durou apenas alguns minutos, visto a partir de uma exploração de mármore, no Alandroal, Dark Sky® Alqueva, 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.
Rare RED Aurora Display “SAR arc” over Dark Sky® Alqueva Observatory in Portugal on 24th April 2023
After checking many elements with so many coincidences I have now almost 99,9% certain that two nights ago, from 23th to 24th April, when I was over night at the official Observatory of Dark Sky® Alqueva, in Cumeada village, Portugal, capturing my latest deep sky target in a region of the sky full of galaxies known as Markarian’s Chain, I captured the rare moment of a red aurora borealis display glowing over Alqueva, as low as 38º latitude. It happened during the strong burst of activity with a severe magnetic storm reaching a geomagnetic K-index level of 8 between 00h45 and 02h15 (local time +1UT), and then decreasing to a Level k5. I had one of my cameras pointing to west region on a 300mm lens, covering a short field of view. We had a dark starry night, the sky was clear as shown on radar images. Our SQM system at the Observatory was registering the peak measurement of the red glowing light exactly at the same time that I had it visible on my images and the report from Spaceweather alert. Unfortunately I was too tired after a few consecutive nights shooting and was napping a bit between tasks and while my telescopes were working. I didn’t had my fish-eye all sky lens with me, so I had installed only one extra camera with a wide angle, which was pointing to the Milky Way – opposite direction – and started around 2AM when the level decreased suddenly, being registered only at the beginning of the time lapse. But fortunately the close-up deepsky sequence that covers the galaxy field, was showing at the end of the video an incredible red display which last for about 1h. In a question of a few minutes all the sky was fulfilled by an intense red glow coming apparently from “nowhere”, which impels me to believe that this could only be the result of an extreme aurora activity that was visible from all over northern Europe. My friend and TWAN colleague Alan Dyer pointed me to most plausible cause, an even rare type of auroras called SAR arc (Stable Auroral Red) arcs which were only discovered in 1956. Alan mentioned that “in the northern hemisphere, SARs occur south of the main aurora, and would be seen before any aurora itself appears at lower latitudes. They are almost always sub-visual but cameras pick them up easily”. I never saw something like that in my life, and it was not visible with naked-eye, I only noticed after being notified by Spaceweather alerts about the undergoing storm, and after checking if my deepsky camera was focused, but I remember to look up and think on that “weird reddish” light visible on my lcd screen, and even checked if the white balance was ok, but everything was set up properly as expected. Finally, I looked up to visually confirme if the sky was clean, and it was totally clear. Normally from Alqueva, I usual get green airglow on my photos, as red airglow is normally well seen in high altitude places, like Atacama or La Palma, and is indeed faint comparing to the level of brightness I get on histogram. We have confirmed and radar images shows that the sky was clear too, but I even checked the images from two nights before when I was capturing the same region of the sky but had a few high clouds and the appearance on the image is completely different, the image tends to be more pale white and faint galaxies simply vanish while stars shows a diffuse halo or a glow around them. And during the red aurora display the galaxies were still sharp as before and keep revealing the faint dusty oblong shape. Plus after checking Spaceweather website, I saw that an NLC camera located in Southern Spain (37ºN) captured the Northern Lights too, as well in Calar Alto Observatory.
Conclusion, I think that 24th April 2023 is probably an historic date and special moment for me, as the last confirmed reports about auroras in Portugal were from 85 years ago, on 25th de January 1938, and 66 years ago, on 21th January 1957 according to same archive news about this event, and none of them were about “SAR arc”.
The mosaic above shows single shot images from the time lapse sequence, regarding the wide field camera, and images from the left telescope lens. Centered reddish images was related with the middle of the most intense display around 01h38 (local time, with DST active is +1hUT) | PT: O mosaico acima mostra as imagens de disparo único a apartir da sequência time lapse, em relativas à câmara de grane campo e imagens do telescópio da esquerda a 300mm. A imagem avermelhada central é relativa ao meio do evento quando aintgiu a maior intensidade por volta das 01h38 (hora local, com horário de verão ativo é +1hUT).
PT: Depois de verificar vários elementos e tantas coincidências, tenho agora quase 99,9% de certeza que poderei afirmar sem grande margem para dúvidas que há duas noites atrás, de 23 para 24 de Abril, quando pernoitei no Observatório Oficial do Dark Sky® Alqueva, na vila da Cumeada, Portugal, enquanto captava o meu mais recente objecto de céu profundo em uma região do céu cheia de galáxias conhecida como “Markarian Chain”, captei um raro momento que poderá ficar para a história, de o aparecimento de uma aurora boreal vermelha brilhando sobre os céus do Alqueva, a uma baixa latitude de 38ºN. Aconteceu durante um breve momento de actividade extrema com uma forte tempestade magnética atingindo um nível geomagnético (K-index) de K8 entre 00h45 e 02h15 (hora local portuguesa +1UT), e diminuindo no espaço de uma hora e quase repentinamente, para um nível k5. Eu tinha uma das minhas câmaras apontando para a região sudoeste a cerca de 60º de altura com uma lente de 300 mm, cobrindo um pequeno campo de visão. Tivemos uma noite escura e estrelada, o céu estava límpido como mostram as imagens de radar. O nosso sistema SQM no Observatório que mede em permanência a escuridão do céu, registou a medição de pico da luz vermelha brilhante exactamente ao mesmo tempo em que eu a tinha visível nas minhas imagens e no relatório do alerta Spaceweather. Infelizmente eu estava muito cansado depois de algumas noites consecutivas a fotografar e sem praticamente dormir e estava a dormitar um pouco entre tarefas, enquanto os meus telescópios trabalhavam. Eu não tinha a minha lente olho de peixe de 8mm (all sky) comigo, então instalei apenas uma câmara extra com grande angular, que apontava para a Via Láctea – direcção oposta – e que começou a fotografar por volta das 2 da manhã, quando o nível caiu repentinamente, estando registado apenas no início do time lapse. Mas felizmente, a sequência de céu profundo que cobre o campo da galáxias mostra no final do vídeo uma incrível luz vermelha intensa que durou cerca de 1h. Em questão de minutos todo o céu foi preenchido por um intenso brilho vermelho vindo aparentemente “do nada”, o que me leva a crer que isso só poderia ser resultado da actividade extrema das auroras boreais visível em todo o norte da Europa. O meu amigo e colega do TWAN Alan Dyer indicou-me a causa mais plausível, um tipo ainda mais raro de auroras chamado SAR arc (Stable Auroral Red) que só foi descoberto em 1956. Alan mencionou que “no hemisfério norte, os SARs ocorrem ao sul da aurora principal, e deveriam ser vistos antes que qualquer aurora aparecesse em latitudes mais baixas. Eles são quase sempre subvisuais, mas as câmaras conseguem captá-los facilmente” acrescenta. Eu nunca vi algo assim na minha vida, e não era visível a olho nu, só notei depois de ser avisado pelos alertas do Spaceweather sobre a tempestade em andamento, e depois de verificar se a minha câmara deepsky estava focada, mas recordo-me de olhar para cima e pensar naquela luz “avermelhada estranha” visível no meu lcd, e até verificar se o balanço de brancos estava ok, mas tudo foi configurado correctamente conforme o esperado. Por fim, olhei para cima para confirmar visualmente se o céu estava limpo e estava totalmente limpo. Normalmente do Alqueva, costumo obter airglow verde (luminescência fotoquímica da atmosfera) nas minhas fotos, já que o airglow vermelho é normalmente mais comum em locais de grande altitude, como o Atacama ou La Palma, e é realmente fraco em comparação com o nível de brilho que obtivera no histograma. Confirmámos e as imagens do radar mostram que o céu também estava limpo, mas até verifiquei as imagens de duas noites anteriores, enquanto captava a mesma região do céu mas com algumas nuvens altas visíveis e a aparência na imagem é completamente diferente, a imagem tende a ser mais esbranquiçada e pálida e as galáxias fracas simplesmente desaparecem enquanto as estrelas mostram um halo difuso ao seu redor. Durante a exibição desta rara aurora vermelha, as galáxias continuaram nítidas como antes, a revelar a sua forma oblonga empoeirada e ténue. Além disso, depois de verificar o site do Spaceweather, vi que uma câmera NLC localizada no sul da Espanha (37ºN) também captou as auroras boreais, assim como o Observatório Espanhol de Calar Alto.
Conclusão, penso que o dia 24 de abril de 2023 é provavelmente uma data histórica e um momento especial para mim, pois os últimos relatos confirmados sobre auroras em Portugal datam de há 85 anos, a 25 de janeiro de 1938, e há 66 anos, a 21 de janeiro de 1957, segundo alguns arquivos de notícias sobre este evento, e nenhuma delas foi sobre um “SAR arc”.
Below are a graphic with our SQM system showing the measurments at the Observatory that night, as well as a radar infrared image with a cloud cover above Iberian Peninsula. PT: Abaixo está um gráfico com nosso sistema SQM mostrando as medições no Observatório naquela noite, bem como uma imagem de radar infravermelho com a cobertura de nuvens sobre a Península Ibérica.
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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.
Solar Tornado Released into Space in a Time Lapse Captured from Portugal on 20th April 2023
On 20th of April 2023, I noticed that the solar chromosphere was featuring a gigantic prominence, so I prepared my solar telescope to start the photo session as I normally do when we have some interesting activity as well as clear and stable sky at Dark Sky® Alqueva region, in Portugal. After about 1h of images, I noticed that this prominence was growing even more which means that probably something bigger as about to happen and I couldn’t imagine that one of my dreams of capturing a Solar Tornado in motion was about to turn into reality. Due to my position on a terrace, my view at this time of the year is blocked after 4:30 PM, so I only had around 1h20m to keep capturing as much images as I could for a time lapse sequence that could show the evolution of this giant of plasma and the incredible moment when it suddenly lifted off, being released into space. According to Spaceweather.com “unlike tornadoes on Earth, which are shaped by wind, tornadoes on the sun are controlled by magnetism. Solar magnetic fields twist in a furious spiral, dragging clouds of plasma around with them. This particular tornado over-twisted, pinched off, and flew straight away from the sun. The debris will not hit Earth.” Here is the animations from NASA SDO and LASCO-c2 (Cactus CME detection) from this same day, showing the same giant as seen from the probe in Space. It seems that Cactus as detected also a CME or at least the release of this Tornado like if it was a CME. The final result is a 4K high resolution solar movie comprising 290 images over the course of about 2h, between UT13h15 and UT15h07.
PT: No dia 20 de Abril de 2023, notei que a cromosfera solar apresentava uma proeminência gigantesca, então rapidamente me apressei a preparar o meu telescópio solar para iniciar a sessão de fotos como normalmente faço quando temos alguma atividade interessante e céu está limpo e estável na região do Dark Sky® Alqueva, em Portugal. Após cerca de 1h de imagens, notei que a proeminência estava a crescer ainda mais o que significava que provavelmente algo maior estaria para acontecer. Não poderia era imaginar que um dos meus sonhos de captar um Tornado Solar em movimento estava prestes a se tornar realidade. Devido à posição em que estou localizado, a minha visão nesta época do ano é bloqueada depois das 16h30, pelo que só tinha cerca de 1h20m para continuar a captar o máximo de imagens possível para criar a sequência de time lapse que pudesse mostrar a evolução desse gigante de plasma e o incrível momento em que repentinamente ele “se descolou”, sendo lançado vigorosamente para o espaço. De acordo com Spaceweather.com “ao contrário dos tornados na Terra, que são moldados pelo vento, os tornados no sol são controlados pelo magnetismo. Os campos magnéticos solares giram em uma espiral furiosa, arrastando nuvens de plasma com eles. Este foi arrancado e voou direto para longe do sol. Os detritos não atingirão a Terra.” Aqui estão as animações da NASA SDO e LASCO-c2 (detecção de CME do sistema Cactus) deste mesmo dia, mostrando o mesmo gigante visto a partir da sonda no espaço. Parece que o Cactus também detectou um CME ou pelo menos o lançamento deste Tornado como se fosse uma CME. O resultado final é um filme solar de alta resolução 4K composto por 290 imagens ao longo de cerca de 2h, entre UT13h15 e UT15h07.
Above are a still shot presented in portrait version, intended to help conduct the reader attention to the most interesting parts of the image. Below is possible to watch the video time lapse sequence compiling 290 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 está uma foto apresentada em uma versão retrato com o objetivo intencional de ajudar a conduzir a atenção do leitor para as partes mais interessantes da imagem. Em baixo é possível ver o vídeo time lapse compilando 290 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
SW Esprit 120ED Professional for time lapse and close-up shots | William Optics ED80 for wide angle shots| EQ-6 Pro mount | Daystar Quark Prominence filter| Player One Apollo-M Max |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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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.
Double Night Arch with Zodiacal Light and Gegenschein Against the Winter Milky Way Path and Comet ZTF
A panoramic scene shows a double night arch with the path of zodiacal light showing a gegenschein close to the zenith (letf top corner) and the faint winter Milky Way presence full of nebulae emission and lovely bright constellations, while an outsider visitor known as Comet ZTF was shining with a diffuse greenish glow above Alqueva lake, at Dark Sky® Alqueva territory, in Portugal. Close to the horizon and almost surrounding the entire scene, a light presence of a pale green airglow is also visible. For a Virtual Reality 360º experience go here.
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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.
Winter Milky Way, Zodiacal Light and Gegenschein with Comet ZTF Above Alqueva Lake in a VR 360º Night Experience
An all sky and 360º Virtual Reality scene features the path of zodiacal light showing a gegenschein close to the zenith (center of the image) and the faint winter Milky Way presence full of nebulae emission and lovely bright constellations, while an outsider visitor known as Comet ZTF was shining with a diffuse greenish glow above Alqueva lake, at Dark Sky® Alqueva territory, in Portugal. Close to the horizon and almost surrounding the entire circular scene, a light presence of a pale green airglow is also 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.
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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.
Gigantic Solar Prominence in Motion from 29th January 2023
Captured on the 29th of January, 2023, from Dark Sky® Alqueva region, Portugal, a high-resolution image and time lapse sequence features the chromosphere activity, revealing a gigantic prominence in motion. It’s possible to see a lot of interesting changes on its shape. The size of this giant is stretching around the sun’s limb for thousands of kilometres being several times larger than our planet Earth. As comparison, it has a width beyond the largest system rings of planet Saturn. We can also notice a lot of fine spicules surrounding the solar disc and a fast eruptive prominence coming out from a sunspot, while the chromosphere itself is showing a slower motion. Conditions were good, so I’ve manage to make a time lapse of about 248 images. The final result is a 4K high resolution solar movie comprising around 1h20 minutes of photos.
PT: Captada a 29 de Janeiro de 2023, na região Dark Sky® Alqueva, Portugal, uma imagem de alta resolução e sequência time lapse mostra a actividade da cromosfera, revelando uma gigantesca proeminência em movimento. É possível ver muitas mudanças interessantes em sua forma. O tamanho deste gigante se estende ao redor do limbo solar por milhares de quilómetros. Como comparação, a sua largura poderia ir para além do maior sistema de anéis de Saturno. Também podemos notar muitas espículas finas ao redor do disco solar e uma rápida proeminência eruptiva saindo de uma pequena mancha solar, enquanto a própria cromosfera mostra um movimento mais lento. As condições eram boas, por isso foi possível registar um time lapse de cerca de 248 imagens. O resultado final é um filme solar de alta resolução 4K com cerca de 1h20 minutos de fotos.
Above are a still shot presented in portrait version, intended to help conduct the reader attention to the most interesting parts of the image. Below is possible to watch the video time lapse sequence compiling 248 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 1h20 minutes.
PT: Acima está uma foto apresentada em uma versão retrato com o objetivo intencional de ajudar a conduzir a atenção do leitor para as partes mais interessantes da imagem. Em baixo é possível ver o vídeo time lapse compilando 248 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 1h20 minutos de imagens.
Technical details | Detalhes Técnicos
SW Esprit 120ED Professional | EQ-6 Pro mount | Daystar Quark Prominence filter| Player One Apollo-M Max |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.
Planets Jupiter and Venus Shining Against the Zodiacal Light Under the Moonlight

The image shows faint Zodiacal light on a moonlight wide night scene, while planets Venus and Jupiter were still close shining in a romantic conjunction seen above the green fields from Alentejo region, inside @darkskyalqueva territory, in Portugal. Orion constellation is visible in the upper left corner while close to the end of faint light from the Zodiac are visible Pleiades blueish cluster .
PT: A imagem mostra a ténue luz zodiacal num cenário ao luar, enquanto os planetas Vénus e Júpiter ainda estavam próximos brilhando em uma conjunção romântica vista acima dos campos verdes na região do Alentejo, dentro do território Dark Sky® Alqueva. A constelação de Orion é visível no canto superior esquerdo, enquanto perto do final da luz fraca do Zodíaco é visível o aglomerado azulado das Pleiades.
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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.
Solar Prominence Arching in Motion – Photos and Time Lapse
Captured on the 25th of January, 2023, from Dark Sky® Alqueva region, Portugal, a high-resolution image and time lapse sequence features the chromosphere activity, revealing a an arching prominence trapped by magnetic strong forces. It’s possible to see a lot of interesting changes on its shape and a fast eruptive swirling below on the sun’s limb. We can also notice a lot of fine spicules surrounding the solar disc, while the chromosphere itself shows a slower motion. Conditions were good, so I’ve manage to make a time lapse of about 383 images. The final result is a 4K high resolution solar movie comprising around 2h20 minutes of photos.
PT: Captada a 25 de Janeiro de 2023, na região Dark Sky® Alqueva, Portugal, uma imagem de alta resolução e sequência time lapse mostra a actividade da cromosfera, revelando uma proeminência arqueada presa pelos fortes campos magnéticas. É possível ver muitas mudanças interessantes na sua forma e um rápido redemoinho eruptivo na região inferior do limbo solar. Também podemos notar muitas espículas finas ao redor do disco solar, enquanto a própria cromosfera mostra um movimento mais lento. As condições eram boas, por isso foi possível registar um time lapse de cerca de 383 imagens. O resultado final é um filme solar de alta resolução 4K com cerca de 2h22 minutos de fotos.
Above are a still shot presented in portrait version, intended to help conduct the reader attention to the most interesting parts of the image. Below is possible to watch the video time lapse sequence compiling 383 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 2h22 minutes.
PT: Acima está uma foto apresentada em uma versão retrato com o objetivo intencional de ajudar a conduzir a atenção do leitor para as partes mais interessantes da imagem. Em baixo é possível ver o vídeo time lapse compilando 383 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 2h22 minutos de imagens.
Technical details | Detalhes Técnicos
SW Esprit 120ED Professional | EQ-6 Pro mount | Daystar Quark Prominence filter| Player One Apollo-M Max |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.
Venus and Jupiter in a Romantic Twilight Conjunction above Alentejo Fields in Dark Sky® Alqueva

The image shows a sky pairing in a twilight scene while planets Venus and Jupiter were still close in a romantic conjunction as seen from Alentejo fields inside Dark Sky® Alqueva territory, in Portugal.
PT: A imagem revela um par celestial num cenário ao crepúsculo enquanto os planetas Vénus e Júpiter ainda estavam próximos numa conjunção romântica, vista a partir dos campos dourados do Alentejo no interior do território Dark Sky® Alqueva, em 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.
Pairing with Jupiter and Venus in a Romantic Conjunction Scene

Me and my wife Apolónia decided to join the sky pairing yesterday night, for a nice twilight scene while planets Venus and Jupiter were still close in a romantic conjunction illuminated by the moonlight as seen from Alentejo fields inside Dark Sky® Alqueva territory, in Portugal. Even having a little haze due to high thin clouds, I used a fog filter in front of the lens to help distinguish the little shining guys.
PT: Eu e a minha companheira Apolónia decidimos juntar-nos ao par celestial ontem à noite, para um belo cenário ao crepúsculo enquanto os planetas Vénus e Júpiter ainda estavam próximos numa conjunção romântica iluminada pelo luar, vista a partir dos campos dourados do Alentejo no interior do território Dark Sky® Alqueva, em Portugal. Mesmo tendo um pouco de neblina devido às nuvens altas e finas, usei um filtro difusor na frente da lente para ajudar a destacar os dois planetas brilhantes.
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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.
Earth Shadow – The Beauty of a Total Lunar Eclipse in Motion
A video time lapse in 4K shows what is the deepest feeling of experiencing the incredible moment when the moon passes through the Earth’s shadow, giving the natural satellite a blood-red hue during a total lunar eclipse. The stars around the moon are again visible as the light of the moon drops drastically, giving rise to a unique moment of seeing the mesmerising presence of the Milky Way but at the same time, the shinning moon reflecting a low reddish light for being immersed inside the Umbra of the Earth shadow. The movie also intend to reveal the emotional feeling and ambience which surround us during this celestial event, when we are under the real darkness of a pristine starry sky like Mértola, in Dark Sky® Alqueva territory, Portugal. All the images were captured during the Total Lunar Eclipse of 16th May, 2022. For being near the closest point to our planet Earth, this Moon was also called a “Super Blood Moon”. According to timeanddate.com next Lunar Eclipse it will happen in 2023, on 5-6 May and will be a Penumbral Lunar Eclipse visible in Europe, Asia, Australia, Africa, Pacific, Atlantic, Indian Ocean and Antarctica. Close to the end of the year, on 28-29 October 2023, it wil be visible a Partial Lunar Eclipse, seen from Europe, Asia, Australia, Africa, North America, Much of South America, Pacific, Atlantic, Indian Ocean, Arctic, Antarctica.
PT: O vídeo time lapse em 4K mostra qual é a sensação mais profunda de experimentar o momento incrível em que a lua passa pela sombra da Terra, dando ao satélite natural um tom vermelho-sangue durante um eclipse lunar total. As estrelas ao redor da lua são novamente visíveis à medida que a luz da lua cai drasticamente, dando origem a um momento único, o de poder apreciar a presença hipnotizante da Via Láctea, e ao mesmo tempo, a lua brilhando e refletindo uma luz avermelhada por estar imersa na Umbra da sombra da Terra. O filme também pretende revelar de alugma forma o forte sentimento e emoção que se experiencia no ambiente que nos rodeia durante este evento celestial, quando estamos sob a verdadeira escuridão de um céu pristino estrelado, como o de Mértola, no território Dark Sky® Alqueva, Portugal. Todas as imagens foram captadas durante o Eclipse Lunar Total de 16 de maio de 2022. Por estar perto do ponto mais próximo do nosso planeta Terra, a lua também foi apelidada de “Super Luar de Sangue”. De acordo com timeanddate.com o próximo Eclipse Lunar acontecerá em 2023, de 5 para 6 de maio e será um Eclipse Lunar Penumbral visível na Europa, Ásia, Austrália, África, Pacífico, Atlântico, Oceano Índico e Antártica. Perto do final do ano, de 28 para 29 de Outubro de 2023, será visível um Eclipse Lunar Parcial, visto da Europa, Ásia, Austrália, África, América do Norte, grande parte da América do Sul, Pacífico, Atlântico, Oceano Índico, Ártico , Antártida.
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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.
Comet ZTF and Mars Shinning close to Hyades and Pleiades Immersed in the Colorful Dusty Field of Taurus
A wide field view of the winter sky shows a duet of open clusters known as Hyades and Pleiades, involved in the faint dust from Taurus molecular cloud. Comet c/2022 E3 (ZTF) and planet Mars also joined the scene, while being visible in this region of the sky on February 13, 2023. The close-up image of Mars and Comet ZTF was taken from Dark Sky® Alqueva official osbervatory in Portugal, on this date with a 300mm lens and it was later rescaled and star aligned to perfectly match on the background deep field scene I had previously acquired and processed in 2020, which comprises 5h of long exposure integration taken from the same place with a 105mm lens to reveal the faintest dust of this colorful region of the winter sky. For that particular reason, the field unfortunately doesn’t cover entirely the area where is located planet Mars.
PT: Um amplo campo de visão revela um dueto de aglomerados abertos conhecidos como Híades e Pleiades, envolvidos na ténue poeira da nuvem molecular do Touro. O cometa c/2022 E3 (ZTF) e o planeta Marte também entraram em cena, sendo visíveis nesta região do céu a 13 de Fevereiro de 2023. A imagem em close-up de Marte e do cometa ZTF foi captada nesta data a partir do Obervatório Oficial do Dark Sky® Alqueva, na Cumeada, com uma objectiva de 300 mm e posteriormente foi redimensionada e alinhada às estrelas para ser combinada com a imagem de fundo adquirida e processada previamente em 2020 a partir do mesmo local, e que compreende uma integração total de 5h de exposição, captadas com uma lente de 105 mm para assim poder revelar a poeira mais subtil e fraca dessa região colorida do céu de inverno. Por esse motivo particular, o campo infelizmente não cobre totalmente a área onde está localizado o planeta Marte.
Above is an image presented in portrait version, intended to help conduct the reader attention to the most interesting parts of the image.
PT: Acima, está uma foto apresentada em uma versão retrato com o objetivo intencional de ajudar a conduzir a atenção do leitor para as partes mais interessantes da imagem.
Technical details | Detalhes Técnicos
Comet ZTF and Mars :Canon fixed prime lens 300mm at f/3,5 + Canon 6D modified | ISO2500 – sub Exp. of 70 seconds in a total 54 images | Total integration: 63 minutes. Mount EQ6 Pro – Auto-guiding off. Processing on PixInsight 1.8.9-1, photoshop CC 2023 and Premiere Pro 2023. Cumeada Observatory from Dark Sky® Alqueva Reserve, Reguengos de Monsaraz.
Taurus molecular cloud, including Pleiade and Hyades: Sigma Art 105mm set to f/2,5 + Nikon D810a | ISO800 – Exp. 100 seconds x 161 lights | Montagem AZHEQ5 Pro |Total integration of 161 Lights: 268 minutes. Processing on PixInsight 1.8.8-4 and Photoshop CC 2020. Cumeada Observatory from Dark Sky® Alqueva Reserve, Reguengos de Monsaraz.
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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.
Comet ZTF and Planet Mars Shinning in the Faint Dust of Taurus Molecular Cloud
The image shows a wide view of Comet c/2022 E3 (ZTF) on February 13, 2023, while being in a close encounter with Planet Mars in Taurus constellation. Still featuring the wonderful greenish coma from glowing carbon gas, a dust and yet visible long faint ion tail, the comet was shining between the dust of dark nebulas from the Taurus molecular cloud.
PT: A imagem revela uma visão ampla do Cometa c/2022 E3 (ZTF) captada a 13 de Fevereiro de 2023, durante um encontro com o Planeta Marte que transita a constelação de Touro. Ainda exibindo o coma esverdeada proveniente do brilho do gás carbono, é possível ver a cauda de poeira, e ainda a cauda de íons longa e relativamente fraca, enquanto o cometa brilhava por entre a poeira das nebulosas escuras da nuvem molecular de Touro.
Above are two still shots presented in portrait version, intended to help conduct the reader attention to the most interesting parts of the image. Below is the annotated version produced with PixInsight script, based in several known catalogues to identify the main objects in the image.
PT: Acima, estão duas fotos apresentadas em uma versão retrato com o objetivo intencional de ajudar a conduzir a atenção do leitor para as partes mais interessantes da imagem. Abaixo, a imagem legendada com anotação produzida pelo script do PixInsight baseado em vários catálogos reconhecidos, identificando assim os principais objectos visíveis na imagem.
Technical details | Detalhes Técnicos
Canon fixed prime lens 300mm at f/3,5 + Canon 6D modified | ISO2500 – sub Exp. of 70 seconds in a total 54 images | Total integration: 63 minutes. Mount EQ6 Pro – Auto-guiding off. Processing on PixInsight 1.8.9-1, photoshop CC 2023 and Premiere Pro 2023. Cumeada Observatory from Dark Sky® Alqueva Reserve, Reguengos de Monsaraz.
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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.
One Month of ZTF – The Green Comet in Motion Revealed in a 4k Time Lapse Video
A long video time lapse sequence comprising 5 nights of images spread over the course of January month 2023 (Jan. 3, 18, 22, 24 and 31) shows in a 4K resolution the motion of the so called “Green Comet” c/2022 E3 (ZTF) while travelling across the night sky over Dark Sky® Alqueva official observatory, in Cumeada village, Portugal. The video reveals key moments of its incredible activity starting to feature a wonderful greenish coma from glowing carbon gas and a white dust tail, until the main Disconnection Event happened on January 18, revealing a piece of the plasma tail being uprooted from the comet’s head, and then carried away by the solar wind. But ZTF didn’t stop to surprise, and also start to reveal a rare anti-tail which gradually changed the angle position while our planet Earth was crossing the orbital plane of the Comet. Meanwhile the main Ion tail was split in two blueish ion tails visible on Jan. 24. On January 31, the Comet was close to reach the maximum approach to Earth, and the anti-tail was largely scattered in the white dust revealing a dispersion and a low angle before start to vanish in the days ahead. The comet was photographed late in the night in all the sessions, starting at a distance of 146.1 million Km on Jan. 3, until being very close to our planet on Jan. 31 at a distance of only 43.1 million Km. The long distance traveller was moving fast against the background starry sky and the video also shows a few rapid greenish meteors crossing the field of view, as well as the moment when ZTF was crossing close to a few galaxies. I did a huge effort to create this movie, capturing and processing almost 1TB of data in a total of 10h comprised in 521 final images, to try to show the path of this wonderful visitor in the mesmerising moments of rare beauty provided to us by ZTF before it starts to fade way in a long journey of 50,000 years immersed in the deepest cold and darkness of the Solar System.
PT: Uma longa sequência de vídeo time lapse compreendendo 5 noites de imagens espalhadas ao longo do mês de Janeiro de 2023 (3, 18, 22, 24 e 31 de Janeiro) mostra em resolução 4K o movimento do chamado “Cometa Verde” c/2022 E3 (ZTF) enquanto viajou pelos céus do Observatório Oficial Dark Sky® Alqueva, na vila da Cumeada, Reguengos, Portugal. O vídeo revela os principais momentos de sua incrível passagem e actividade, começando por apresentar um maravilhoso coma esverdeado proveniente do brilho do gás carbono, e uma cauda de poeira branca, até que o principal evento de desconexão aconteceu em 18 de janeiro, revelando um pedaço da cauda de plasma a ser arrancado da cabeça do cometa e depois levado para fora pelo vento solar. Mas o ZTF não parou de surpreender, tendo começado a revelar uma rara anti-cauda que gradualmente mudou o ângulo da sua posição enquanto nosso planeta Terra cruzava o plano orbital do cometa. Enquanto isso, a cauda principal de iões dividiu-se em duas caudas de iões azuladas visíveis a 24 de Janeiro. Em 31 de Janeiro, o cometa estava perto de atingir a máxima aproximação à Terra, e a anticauda apresentou uma grande dispersão na poeira branca revelando um ângulo baixo, antes de começar a desaparecer nos dias seguintes. O cometa foi fotografado no final da noite em todas as sessões, partindo de uma distância de 146,1 milhões de Km no dia 3 de Janeiro, até estar bem próximo do nosso planeta Terra no dia 31 de Janeiro com uma distância de apenas 43,1 milhões de Km. O viajante de longa distância movia-se rapidamente contra o céu estrelado de fundo e o vídeo também mostra alguns meteoros esverdeados rápidos cruzando o campo de visão, bem como o momento em que o ZTF passou “perto” de algumas galáxias. Fiz um esforço enorme para criar este filme, captando e processando quase 1TB de dados num total de 10h compostas por 521 imagens finais, para tentar mostrar o percurso deste maravilhoso visitante através dos momentos hipnotizantes de rara beleza que nos proporciona o ZTF, antes de começar a desaparecer em uma longa jornada de 50.000 anos, onde irá imergir no mais profunda escuridão gélida do Sistema Solar.
Technical details | Detalhes Técnicos
Despite the last still shots of the video which were taken with a Takahashi FSQ106 and a Nikon D850 modified, all the time lapse sequences were captured with: Canon fixed prime lens 300mm at f/3,5 + Canon 6D modified | ISO2500 – sub Exp. of 70 seconds in a total of 521 images. Mount EQ6 Pro – Auto-guiding off. Processing on PixInsight 1.8.9-1, photoshop CC 2023 and Premiere Pro 2023. Cumeada Observatory from Dark Sky® Alqueva Reserve, Reguengos de Monsaraz.
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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.
A Last Charm of Comet ZTF While Reaching the Closest Point to our Planet Earth
The image shows a close-up view of Comet c/2022 E3 (ZTF) on January 31, 2023, just a few hours before it reach the maximum approach to our Planet Earth. Still featuring the wonderful greenish-blue coma from glowing carbon gas, the rare anti-tail is now pointing towards down due the actual position in the orbital plane. The comet is now showing almost a single distinct ion tail. This was perhaps my last image of this beauty due to the full moon presence acting as a natural source of light pollution and the fact that from now on, the comet it will decrease in brightness as is starts to fade way in a long journey of 50,000 years immersed in the deepest cold and darkness of the Solar System. This cosmic portrait also reveals dozens of galaxies surrounding the Comet dust. Captured late in the night at a distance of 43.1 million Km from Dark Sky® Alqueva Observatory in Portugal. ZTF was located in the constellation of Camelopardalis, showing a faint visual magnitude of +5.4.
PT: A imagem revela um close-up do Cometa c/2022 E3 (ZTF) na noite de 31 de janeiro de 2023, apenas a algumas horas antes de atingir a máxima aproximação ao Planeta Terra. Ainda exibindo um elegante coma azul-esverdeado proveniente do brilho do gás carbono, a rara anti-cauda está agora apontando na direcção inferior devido à sua posição no plano orbital. O cometa neste momento mostra quase uma única cauda distincta de iões. Esta foi talvez a minha última imagem desta beleza devido à presença da lua cheia actuando como uma fonte natural de poluição luminosa e ao facto de que a partir de agora, o cometa diminuirá gradualmente de brilho à medida que começa a desaparecer em uma longa jornada de 50.000 anos, onde irá imergir no mais profunda escuridão gélida do Sistema Solar. Este retrato cósmico também revela dezenas de galáxias em torno da poeira que circunda o Cometa. Captado no final da noite e a uma distância de 43,1 milhões de Km do Observatório Dark Sky® Alqueva em Portugal. ZTF estava localizado na constelação de Camelopardalis, mostrando uma fraca magnitude visual de +5,4.
Below are two still shots presented in portrait version, intended to help conduct the reader attention to the most interesting parts of the image.
PT: Abaixo estão duas fotos apresentadas em uma versão retrato com o objetivo intencional de ajudar a conduzir a atenção do leitor para as partes mais interessantes da imagem.
Technical details | Detalhes Técnicos
Taka FSQ-106ED at F5 – EM200 auto-guidedi n Asiair Pro | Nikon D850 mod | ISO3200 – Sub Exp. 200 seconds x 30 lights | Total integration: 100 minutes. Processing on PixInsight 1.8.9-1 and Photoshop CC 2023. Cumeada Observatory from Dark Sky® Alqueva Reserve, Reguengos de Monsaraz.
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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.
Comet ZTF Featuring Two Ion Tails While Crossing in Front of a Galaxy in a Colorful Starfield

The image shows a close-up view of Comet c/2022 E3 (ZTF) during 24th January 2023. Besides the wonderful greenish coma from glowing carbon gas the image reveals a rare anti-tail due the fact that planet Earth was crossed the orbital plane of Comet ZTF showing the tail in perspective and immersed in a colorful starfield. One thing I noticed from the previews nights, is the low angle of the frontal tail compared to the images I made on 22th Janurary, as it now shows a slightly change in the angle. The comet if also featuring two distinct bluish ion tails and the white dust tail on the image, is crossing in front of a background galaxy. The comet was photographed late in the night at a distance of 59.8 million Km from Dark Sky® Alqueva Observatory in Portugal. This long distance traveller not seen in 50,000 years, is moving fast against the background starry sky, and that night it was located close to the star Edasich, from Draco constellation, showing a faint visual magnitude of +6.0. On 1st February the Comet it will be in the closest point to our planet and eventually until then, it could reach a naked eye magnitude.
PT: A imagem revela um close-up do Cometa c/2022 E3 (ZTF) durante a noite de 24 de Janeiro de 2023. Além de apresentar um maravilhoso coma esverdeada proveniente do brilho do gás carbono, a imagem revela uma rara anti-cauda devido ao facto do planeta Terra ter cruzado o plano orbital do Cometa ZTF mostrando assim a cauda em perspectiva e imersa em um campo estelar colorido. Um pormenor que notei em relação às noites anteriores, é o baixo ângulo da cauda frontal (anti-cauda) em comparação com as imagens que fiz na noite de 22 de Janeiro, pois agora mostra uma pequena mudança nesse ângulo. O cometa, também apresenta duas caudas de iões azuladas e distintas e a cauda de poeira branca, na imagem, esta a cruzar-se em frente a uma galáxia visível em pano de fundo. O cometa foi fotografado no final da noite a uma distância de 59.8 milhões de Km a partir do Observatório Dark Sky® Alqueva em Portugal. Este viajante longínquo que não se avistava há cerca de 50.000 anos, move-se muito rapidamente contra o fundo do céu estrelado, e naquela noite estava localizado próximo à constelação do Dragão, mostrando uma fraca magnitude visual de +6.0. A 1 de Fevereiro o cometa estará no ponto mais próximo do nosso planeta e eventualmente até então poderá atingir uma magnitude visível a olho nu .
Below are two still shots presented in portrait version, intended to help conduct the reader attention to the most interesting parts of the image.
PT: Abaixo estão duas fotos apresentadas em uma versão retrato com o objetivo intencional de ajudar a conduzir a atenção do leitor para as partes mais interessantes da imagem.
Technical details | Detalhes Técnicos
Taka FSQ-106ED at F5 – EM200 auto-guidedi n Asiair Pro | Nikon D850 mod | ISO3200 – Sub Exp. 200 seconds x 77 lights | Total integration: 256 minutes. Processing on PixInsight 1.8.9-1 and Photoshop CC 2023. Cumeada Observatory from Dark Sky® Alqueva Reserve, Reguengos de Monsaraz.
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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.
Comet E3 ZTF Showing the Tail in Perspective and Immersed in a Colorful Starfield

The image shows a close-up view of Comet c/2022 E3 (ZTF) during 22th January 2023. Besides featuring a wonderful greenish coma from glowing carbon gas the image reveals a rare anti-tail due the fact that planet Earth was crossing the orbital plane of Comet ZTF showing the tail in perspective and immersed in a colorful starfield. The comet was photographed late in the night at a distance of 67 million Km from Dark Sky® Alqueva Observatory in Portugal. This long distance traveller not seen in 50,000 years, is moving fast against the background starry sky, and that night it was located close to constellation Draco, showing a faint visual magnitude of +6.3. On 1st February the Comet it will be in the closest point to our planet and eventually until then, it could reach a naked eye magnitude.
PT: A imagem revela um close-up do Cometa c/2022 E3 (ZTF) durante a noite de 22 de janeiro de 2023. Além de apresentar um maravilhoso coma esverdeada proveniente do brilho do gás carbono, a imagem revela uma rara anti-cauda devido ao facto do planeta Terra estar a cruzar o plano orbital do Cometa ZTF mostrando assim a cauda em perspectiva e imersa em um campo estelar colorido. O cometa foi fotografado no final da noite a uma distância de 67 milhões de Km a partir do Observatório Dark Sky® Alqueva em Portugal. Este viajante longínquo que não se avistava há cerca de 50.000 anos, move-se muito rapidamente contra o fundo do céu estrelado, e naquela noite estava localizado próximo à constelação do Dragão, mostrando uma fraca magnitude visual de +6,3. A 1 de Fevereiro o cometa estará no ponto mais próximo do nosso planeta e eventualmente até então poderá atingir uma magnitude visível a olho nu.
Below are two still shots presented in portrait version, intended to help conduct the reader attention to the most interesting parts of the image.
PT: Abaixo estão duas fotos apresentadas em uma versão retrato com o objetivo intencional de ajudar a conduzir a atenção do leitor para as partes mais interessantes da imagem.
Technical details | Detalhes Técnicos
Taka FSQ-106ED at F5 – EM200 auto-guidedi n Asiair Pro | Nikon D850 mod | ISO3200 – Sub Exp. 200 seconds x 40 lights | Total integration: 130 minutes. Processing on PixInsight 1.8.9-1 and Photoshop CC 2023. Cumeada Observatory from Dark Sky® Alqueva Reserve, Reguengos de Monsaraz.
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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.
Disconnection of the Comet C/2022 E3 ZTF in Motion Revealed in a 4k Time Lapse Video
A video time lapse sequence comprising around 3h30 minutes of images shows in a 4K resolution the moment when the Disconnection Event happened in the Comet c/2022 E3 (ZTF) during the night of 19th January 2023, revealing a piece of the plasma tail being uprooted from the comet’s head, and then carried away by the solar wind. The movie also features the wonderful greenish coma from glowing carbon gas and rare anti-tail. The comet was photographed late in the night at a distance of 79 million Km from Dark Sky® Alqueva Observatory in Portugal, during the last three hours and half before starts the astronomical twilight. This long distance traveller not seen in 50,000 years, was moving fast against the background starry sky while a few rapid greenish meteors were crossing the field of view too. That night, ZTF was located between constellations of Hercules, Corona Borealis and Bootes, showing a faint visual magnitude of +6.6. Although on 1st February the Comet it will be in the closest point to our planet and eventually until then could reach a naked eye magnitude, but this kind of objects are pretty unpredictable and we never know what surprise is waiting for us. More still images from this scene, click here.
PT: Uma sequência de vídeo time lapse que compreende 3h30 minutos de imagens em resolução 4K, mostra o momento em que o Evento de Desconexão aconteceu no Cometa c/2022 E3 (ZTF) durante a noite de 19 de Janeiro de 2023, revelando um pedaço da cauda de plasma a ser arrancado da cabeça do cometa e depois levado para fora pelo vento solar. O filme também mostra o maravilhoso coma esverdeado proveniente do brilho do gás carbono e uma rara anti-cauda. O cometa foi fotografado no final da noite a uma distância de 79 milhões de Km do Observatório Oficial do Dark Sky® Alqueva em Portugal, durante as últimas três horas e meia da noite até ao início do crepúsculo astronómico. Este viajante de longa distância que não se avistava há cerca de 50.000 anos, move-se muito rapidamente contra o fundo do céu estrelado enquanto alguns meteoros rápidos esverdeados também cruzavam o campo de visão. Naquela noite o ZTF estava localizado entre as constelações de Hercules, Coroa Boreal e Boieiro, mostrando uma fraca magnitude visual de +6,6. Embora a 1 de Fevereiro o cometa esteja no ponto mais próximo do nosso planeta e eventualmente até então possa atingir uma magnitude visível a olho nu, este tipo de objectos é bastante imprevisível e nunca sabemos que surpresa nos reserva. Para ver mais fotografias desta noite, clique aqui.
Technical details | Detalhes Técnicos
Despite the last still shot of the video which was taken with other equipment, all the time lapse sequences were captured with: Canon fixed prime lens 300mm at f/3,5 + Canon 6D modified | ISO2500 – sub Exp. of 70 seconds in a total of 183 images. Mount EQ6 Pro – Auto-guiding off. Processing on PixInsight 1.8.9-1, photoshop CC 2023 and Premiere Pro 2023. Cumeada Observatory from Dark Sky® Alqueva Reserve, Reguengos de Monsaraz.
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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.
Comet c/2022 E3 ZTF Featuring a Rare Anti-Tail During a Disconnection Event

The image shows a close-up view of Comet c/2022 E3 (ZTF) during 19th January 2023. Besides featuring a wonderful greenish coma from glowing carbon gas and rare anti-tail, something unusual was happening with the long ion tail, what is called a disconnection event. A piece of Comet ZTF’s tail has been disconnected and is being carried away by the solar wind. The comet was photographed late in the night at a distance of 79 million Km from Dark Sky® Alqueva Observatory in Portugal, three hours before starts the astronomical twilight. This long distance traveller not seen in 50,000 years, is moving fast against the background starry sky, and that night it was located between constellations of Hercules, Corona Borealis and Bootes, showing a faint visual magnitude of +6.6. Although on 1st February the Comet it will be in the closest point to our planet and eventually until then could reach a naked eye magnitude, but this kind of objects are pretty unpredictable and we never know what surprise is waiting for us.
PT: A imagem revela um close-up do Cometa c/2022 E3 (ZTF) durante a noite de 19 de janeiro de 2023. Além de apresentar um maravilhosa coma esverdeada proveniente do brilho do gás carbono, e uma rara anti-cauda, algo incomum estava também a ocorrer com a longa cauda de iões, designado por evento de desconexão. Um pedaço da cauda do cometa ZTF desconectou-se e está a ser levado pelo vento solar. O cometa foi fotografado no final da noite a uma distância de 79 milhões de Km a partir do Observatório Dark Sky® Alqueva em Portugal, três horas antes do início do crepúsculo astronómico. Este viajante longínquo que não se avistava há cerca de 50.000 anos, move-se muito rapidamente contra o fundo do céu estrelado, e naquela noite estava localizado entre as constelações de Hercules, Coroa Boreal e Boieiro, mostrando uma fraca magnitude visual de +6,6. Embora a 1 de Fevereiro o cometa esteja no ponto mais próximo do nosso planeta e eventualmente até então possa atingir uma magnitude visível a olho nu, este tipo de objectos é bastante imprevisível e nunca sabemos que surpresa nos reserva.
Below are two still shots presented in portrait version, intended to help conduct the reader attention to the most interesting parts of the image.
PT: Abaixo estão duas fotos apresentadas em uma versão retrato com o objetivo intencional de ajudar a conduzir a atenção do leitor para as partes mais interessantes da imagem.
Technical details | Detalhes Técnicos
Taka FSQ-106ED at F5 – EM200 auto-guidedi n Asiair Pro | Nikon D850 mod | ISO3200 – Sub Exp. 200 seconds x 14 lights | Total integration: 47 minutes. Processing on PixInsight 1.8.9-1 and Photoshop CC 2023. Cumeada Observatory from Dark Sky® Alqueva Reserve, Reguengos de Monsaraz.
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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.
A Tree, a Man and the Mesmerising Presence of our Cosmic Home

Feeling blessed to live so close to Dark Sky® Alqueva reserve where I can easily reach places like this, places that I love and where pristine skies are still possible to see. On this particular night taken during one of my workshops at the end of Summer, the airglow was visible and painted the background sky with greenish hues. In front of the airglow, a few high clouds announce the proximity of Winter, while Milky Way is straight up to the Zenith, the core is getting low and close to the horizon and in a few weeks no longer will be visible until next Summer. In the foreground, my silhouette as a stargazer stands at the side of a lonely wonderful tree which rises leafy before the majesty presence of our cosmic home.
PT: Sinto-me abençoada por viver tão perto do Dark Sky® Alqueva onde posso chegar facilmente a lugares como este, lugares que me apaixonam e onde ainda é possível disfrutar de um céu pristino. Nesta noite em particular, que decorreu durante um dos meus workshops no final do verão, o airglow era visível e pintava o céu de fundo com tons esverdeados. Diante do airglow, algumas nuvens altas anunciam a proximidade do Inverno, enquanto a Via Láctea sobe em direcção ao zénite, o núcleo vai ficando baixo e próximo ao horizonte e em algumas semanas não será mais visível até ao próximo Verão. Em primeiro plano, está a minha silhueta enquanto observador de estrelas, lado a lado com uma árvore solitária mas que se ergue frondosa diante a grandeza desta paisagem cósmica.
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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.
Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) during Perihelion Revealing a Glowing Greenish Coma and Long Ion Tail

The image shows a close-up view of Comet c/2022 E3 (ZTF) during Perihelion, when it was close to the Sun, on 12th January 2023. Featuring a wonderful greenish coma from glowing carbon gas and a long ion tail by the ions ejected from the icy comet nucleus, the comet was photographed late in the night at a distance of 108 million Km from Dark Sky® Alqueva Observatory in Portugal, two hours before starts the astronomical twilight. This long distance traveller not seen in 50,000 years, is moving fast against the background starry sky, and that night it was located between constellations of Hercules, Corona Borealis and Bootes, showing a faint visual magnitude of +7.3. Although on 1st February the Comet it will be in the closest point to our planet and eventually until then could reach a naked eye magnitude, but this kind of objects are pretty unpredictable and we never know what surprise is waiting for us.
PT: A imagem revela um close-up do Cometa c/2022 E3 (ZTF) durante o Periélio, quando este esteve mais perto do Sol, a 12 de Janeiro de 2023. Apresentando um maravilhoso Coma esverdeado proveniente do brilho do gás carbono e uma longa cauda de iões pelos iões ejetados do núcleo gelado do cometa, o ZTF foi fotografado no final da noite a uma distância de 108 milhões de Km do Observatório Oficial Dark Sky® Alqueva, em Portugal, duas horas antes do início do crepúsculo astronómico. Este viajante longínquo que não se avistava há cerca de 50.000 anos, move-se muito rapidamente contra o fundo do céu estrelado, e naquela noite estava localizado entre as constelações de Hercules, Coroa Boreal e Boieiro, mostrando uma fraca magnitude visual de +7.3. Embora a 1 de Fevereiro o cometa esteja no ponto mais próximo do nosso planeta e eventualmente até então possa atingir uma magnitude visível a olho nu, este tipo de objectos é bastante imprevisível e nunca sabemos que surpresa nos reserva.
Technical details | Detalhes Técnicos
Taka FSQ-106ED at F5 – EM200 auto-guidedi n Asiair Pro | Nikon D850 mod | ISO2500 – Sub Exp. 180 seconds x 29 lights | Total integration: 87 minutes = 1,5 hours. Processing on PixInsight 1.8.9-1 and Photoshop CC 2023. Cumeada Observatory from Dark Sky® Alqueva Reserve, Reguengos de Monsaraz.
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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.
A Solar Cloud in Motion and Sunspot AR3182 Releasing a Fast Eruptive Prominence – Photos and Time Lapse
Captured on the January 3rd and 5th, 2023, from Dark Sky® Alqueva region, Portugal, a high-resolution image and time lapse sequence features the chromosphere activity during two days in a row, showing the sunspot AR3182 throwing a short and fast eruptive prominence just few hours before releasing an X1.2 Flare which occured on Jan. 6th just before 0100 UT, unfortunatly nightime in Portugal. On the January 3, the solar chromosphere was also featuring a cloud of fire hovering over the sun, trapped and suspended by magnetic strong forces. It’s possible to see a lot of interesting changes in the shape of this “cloud”as well as on the prominence structures. We can also notice a lot of fine spicules surrounding the solar disc, while the chromosphere itself shows a slower motion. Conditions were good, so I’ve manage to make a time lapse of about 634 images for both days. The final result is a 4K high resolution solar movie comprising around 2h45 minutes of photos.
PT: Captada nos dias 3 e 5 de janeiro de 2023, na região Dark Sky® Alqueva, Portugal, uma imagem de alta resolução e sequência time lapse revelam a actividade da cromosfera durante dois dias seguidos, mostrando a mancha solar AR3182 lançando uma proeminência eruptiva curta e rápida apenas algumas horas antes de libertar um potente Flare X1.2 que ocorreu a 6 de Janeiro, pouco antes da 01h00 UT, infelizmente ainda era noite em Portugal. A 3 de Janeiro, a cromosfera solar também apresentava uma nuvem de fogo pairando sobre o sol, suspensa e presa pelos fortes campos magnéticas que ali actuam. É possível ver muitas mudanças interessantes na forma desta “nuvem de fogo” bem como nas estruturas das proeminências. Também podemos notar muitas espículas finas ao redor do disco solar, enquanto a própria cromosfera mostra um movimento mais lento. As condições eram boas, por isso foi possível registar um time lapse de cerca de 634 imagens para os dois dias. O resultado final é um filme solar de alta resolução 4K com cerca de 2h45 minutos de fotos.
Above are two still shots presented in landscape and portrait version, intended to help conduct the reader attention to the most interesting parts of the image. Below is possible to watch the video time lapse sequence compiling 634 shots processed from both days, 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 2h45 minutes.
PT: Acima estão duas fotos apresentadas em uma versão retrato e paisagem com o objetivo intencional de ajudar a conduzir a atenção do leitor para as partes mais interessantes da imagem. Em baixo é possível ver o vídeo time lapse compilando 634 captações processadas de ambos os dias, 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 2h45 minutos de imagens.
Technical details | Detalhes Técnicos
SW Esprit 120ED Professional | EQ-6 Pro mount | Daystar Quark Prominence filter| Player One Apollo-M Max |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.
Solar Chromosphere with an Eruptive Prominence and a CME in Motion
Captured on December 26th and 27th 2022, from Dark Sky® Alqueva region, in Portugal, a high-resolution image and time lapse sequence features the chromosphere activity during two days in a row, showing the Sun throwing a fast coronal mass ejection (CME) into space. Conditions were good, so I’ve manage to make a time lapse of about 562 images for both days. The final result is a 4K high resolution solar movie comprising around 3 hours of photos. It’s possible to see a lot of interesting changes in the shape of prominence structures, as well as fine spicules surrounding the solar disc and some slower motion in the chromosphere of the sun. The images also captured a fast eruptive prominence appearing around the limb’s disc. On the first day, the solar chromosphere was also featuring a cloud of fire hovering over the sun, trapped and suspended by magnetic strong forces. Here is a LASCO-c2 (Cactus CME detection) animation from this day, showing the same CME as seen at UT12h36 from NASA probe in Space.
PT: Captada em 26 e 27 de Dezembro de 2022, na região Dark Sky® Alqueva, Portugal, uma imagem de alta resolução e sequência time lapse revelam a actividade da cromosfera durante dois dias seguidos, mostrando o Sol lançando uma rápida ejeção de massa coronal (CME) no espaço. As condições eram boas, por isso foi possível captar um time lapse de cerca de 562 imagens durante os dois dias. O resultado final é um filme solar de alta resolução 4K com cerca de 3 horas de fotos. É possível ver muitas mudanças interessantes na forma e estrutura das proeminenências, bem como finas espículas ao redor do disco solar e algum movimento mais lento na cromosfera do sol. As imagens também captaram uma proeminência eruptiva rápida aparecendo ao redor do limbo solar. No primeiro dia, a cromosfera exibia uma nuvem de fogo pairando sobre o sol, suspensa e presa pelos fortes campos magnéticas que ali actuam. Aqui poderá ver também uma animação do LASCO-c2 (Cactus CME detection) deste mesmo dia, mostrando a mesma CME captada às UT12h36 pela sonda da NASA que se encontra no espaço.
Above are two still shots presented in landscape and portrait version, intended to help conduct the reader attention to the most interesting parts of the image. Below is possible to watch the video time lapse sequence compiling 562 shots processed from both days, 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 3 hours.
PT: Acima estão duas fotos apresentadas em uma versão retrato e paisagem com o objetivo intencional de ajudar a conduzir a atenção do leitor para as partes mais interessantes da imagem. Em baixo é possível ver o vídeo time lapse compilando 550 captações processadas de ambos os dias, 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 3h de imagens.
Technical details | Detalhes Técnicos
SW Esprit 120ED Professional | EQ-6 Pro mount | Daystar Quark Chromosphere filter| Player One Apollo-M Max |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!
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.
Rho Ophiuchi Cloud Complex Shining in a Colorful Close-up Scene
The image features a close-up view of Rho Ophiuchi Cloud Complex, one of the most colourful nebulas in space and the closest star-forming regions to the Solar System, at an estimated distance of 460 light years. These interstellar clouds of gas and dust contain both red emission nebulas and blue reflection nebulas. The dark brown regions are caused by dust grains, born in young stellar atmospheres, which effectively block light emitted behind them. The lower area of the image features many dark absorption nebulas. The dark cloud known as “Dark River”, it can be identified as the brown dust lane connected to Antares, and spans about 100 light years in direction of the central band of our Milky Way Galaxy. The distant globular cluster M4 is just seen above the red supergiant star Antares, one of the brighter stars in the night sky, though it lies far behind the colourful cloud complex, at a distance of some 7,000 light-years.
PT: A imagem apresenta uma visão aproximada do complexo de nuvens Rho Ophiuchi, um dos complexos nebulosos mais coloridos do espaço e uma das regiões de formações de estrelas mais próximas ao sistema solar, localizado a uma distância estimada de 460 anos-luz, estas nuvens inter-estelares de gás e poeiras contêm nebulosas de emissão (vermelhas) e nebulosas de reflexão (azul). As regiões a castanho escuro são causadas por grãos de poeira, nascidos em atmosferas estelares jovens, que efetivamente bloqueiam a luz emitida por detrás delas. A região inferior da imagem apresenta ainda muitas nebulosas de absorção escuras. A nebulosa escura conhecida como “Dark River”, pode ser identificada como a banda de poeira castanha que está conectada à região de Antares e que se estende por 100 anos-luz de distância em direcção à banda central de nossa Galáxia, a Via Láctea. O aglomerado globular M4 pode ser visto nesta imagem, à esquerda da estrela super gigante vermelha Antares, uma das estrelas mais brilhantes do céu noturno, este aglomerado está no entanto bem atrás do complexo colorido, a uma distância de cerca de 7.000 anos-luz.
Technical details | Detalhes Técnicos
Canon fixed prime lens 300mm f/2.8 set to f/3.5 + Canon 6D modified | ISO2500 – sub Exp. of 50, 70 and 80 seconds in a total of 543 Lights. Mount EQ6 Pro – Auto-guiding off |Total integration of 603 minutes (10 hours). Processing on PixInsight 1.8.9-1 and Photoshop CC 2023. Cumeada Observatory from Dark Sky® Alqueva Reserve, Reguengos de Monsaraz..
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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.
The Solar Chromosphere in Motion. Images and Time Lapse from 1st and 2nd December 2022
Captured on December 1st and 2nd, 2022, from Dark Sky® Alqueva region, Portugal, a high-resolution image and time lapse sequence features the chromosphere activity during two days in a row. Conditions were not perfect with good to average seeing, but I’ve manage to make a time lapse of about 276 images for each day. The final result is a 4K high resolution solar movie comprising around 3 hours of photos. It’s possible to see a lot of interesting changes in the shape of prominence structures, as well as fine spicules surrounding the solar disc and some slower motion in the chromosphere of the sun. The images also captured minor and fast eruptive prominences appearing around the limb’s disc. On the first day, a prominence was featuring a cloud of fire hovering over the sun, trapped and suspended by magnetic strong forces.
PT: Captada nos dias 1 e 2 de Dezembro de 2022, na região do Dark Sky® Alqueva, Portugal, a imagem de alta resolução e sequência time lapse revelam a atividade da cromosfera durante dois dias seguidos. As condições não eram perfeitas com um seeing médio a razoavelmente bom, mas foi possível captar um time lapse de cerca de 276 imagens para cada dia. O resultado final é um filme solar de alta resolução 4K com cerca de 3 horas de imagens. É possível ver muitas mudanças interessantes na forma e estrutura das proeminenências, bem como finas espículas ao redor do disco solar e algum movimento mais lento na cromosfera do sol. As imagens também captaram proeminências eruptivas menores e rápidas que aparecem ao redor do limbo solar. No primeiro dia, uma proeminência vertical exibia uma nuvem de fogo pairando sobre o sol, suspensa e presa pelos fortes campos magnéticas que ali actuam.
Above are two still shots presented in landscape and portrait version, intended to help conduct the reader attention to the most interesting parts of the image. Below is possible to watch the video time lapse sequence compiling 550 shots processed from both days, 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 3 hours.
PT: Acima estão duas fotos apresentadas em uma versão retrato e paisagem com o objetivo intencional de ajudar a conduzir a atenção do leitor para as partes mais interessantes da imagem. Em baixo é possível ver o vídeo time lapse compilando 550 captações processadas de ambos os dias, 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 3h de imagens.
Technical details | Detalhes Técnicos
SW Esprit 120ED Professional | EQ-6 Pro mount | Daystar Quark Chromosphere filter| Player One Apollo-M Max |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!
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.
Rigel and The Witch Head Nebula Immersed in Faint Nebulosity and a Background Fullfiled by Galaxies

Located at about 800 light-years away in the constellation of Eridanus, IC 2118, also known as the Witch Head Nebula, is a large faint reflection nebula which spans about 50 light-years and is made of fine interstellar dust particles that are reflecting the strong blue light of the blue-white supergiant star Rigel, in Orion constellation, which lies at about 2.5 degrees from the Witch nebula. The field also shows portions of brown dust as this region lie on the Orion-Eridanus molecular hydrogen cloud, blown out by the powerful hot blue stars near by. Almost hidden by the bright glow of Rigel, is also possible to notice a “spermatozoid” shaped dust, like if it was scape from the stellar cradle. Many Lynds Bright Nebula, like LBN 960, LBN 959, LBN 968 are included in this deepsky colorful scene, but what most astonishing me, is the fact that if we look close and carefully, we can notice that the scene is fulfilled by hundreds of galaxies, in fact at least 370 faint distant galaxies were identified in the annotated version produced by PixInsight script, based in several known catalogues like Messier; NGC-IC; PGC; CGPN; ARP, and thus spread behind the visible background dust. See below the annotated version available in portrait and landscape mode.
PT: Localizada a cerca de 800 anos-luz de distância na constelação de Eridanus, IC 2118, também conhecida como Nebulosa da Cabeça da Bruxa, é uma grande nebulosa de reflexão ténue com uma extensão de 50 anos-luz e é feita de partículas de poeira interestelar muito finas e que refletem a forte luz azul da estrela supergigante azul-branca Rigel, na constelação de Orion, que fica a cerca de 2,5 graus da Nebulosa. O campo também mostra porções de poeira castanha dado que esta região se encontra na nuvem molecular de hidrogénio Orion-Eridanus, soprada pelas poderosas estrelas azuis quentes mais próximas. Quase escondido pelo brilho intenso de Rigel, também é possível notar uma poeira em forma de “espermatozóide”, como se estivesse a escapar do berço estelar. Muitas “Lynds Bright Nebula”, como LBN 960, LBN 959, LBN 968 estão incluídas neste cenário colorido do céu mais profundo, mas o que mais me surpreende neste imagem, é perceber que se olharmos de perto e com atenção, podemos notar que este cenário celeste está preenchido por centenas de galáxias, na verdade, pelo menos 370 galáxias distantes ténues foram identificadas na versão anotada produzida pelo script do PixInsight – baseado em vários catálogos reconhecidos como Messier; NGC-IC; PGC; CGPN; ARP – e que assim se espalham por de trás da poeira de fundo visível. Veja em baixo a versão anotada da imagem disponível em modo retrato e paisagem.
Above from left to right, a landscape and portrait version shows the annotated version produced with PixInsight script, based in several known catalogues to identify the main objects in the image like Messier; NGC-IC; PGC; CGPN; ARP, LDN, LBN, VdB.
PT: Acima, da esquerda para a direita, uma versão em modo paisagem e retrato revela a legenda com anotação produzida pelo script do PixInsight baseado em vários catálogos reconhecidos, identificando assim os principais objectos visíveis na imagem como Messier; NGC-IC; PGC; CGPN; ARP, LDN, LBN, VdB.
Technical details | Detalhes Técnicos
Canon fixed prime lens 300mm at f/3,2 + Canon 6D modified | ISO2500 – sub Exp. of 80 seconds in a total of 765 Lights. Mount EQ6 Pro – Auto-guiding off |Total integration of 1020 minutes (17 hours). Processing on PixInsight 1.8.9-1 and Photoshop CC 2022. Cumeada Observatory from Dark Sky® Alqueva Reserve, Reguengos de Monsaraz..
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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.
NGC 7000 North America Nebula Revealing Complex Structures of Fine Details from Hydrogen-alpha Light

NGC 7000 is a bright emission nebula tracing the continental shape of North America. Discovered by William Herschel on 1786, it lies at about 1,500 light-years away from us, belonging to a larger complex of bright red emission nebulosity and surrounded by dark nebulae in the constellation of Cygnus, at about 3º from Deneb star. The “Gulf of Mexico” is a region where the obscured dust lanes are visible from dark nebula LDN 935, while “Mexico and Central America” reveals the bright interesting and intricate area known as the Cygnus Wall, a true stellar nursery of newly formed stars. The wall is eroded and illuminated by bright young stars, partially not visible for being occulted behind the dust they have just created. The image captured from Dark Sky® Alqueva observatory, comprise RGB images combined with narrowband 7 nanometer hydrogen-alpha images. Like an art painting from Nature, a starless and less distractive version of only the monochrome Ha light and the result of HaRGB, shows the brightest regions in an incredibly sharp rich field shaped by complex structures of fine details from hydrogen-alpha nebulosity, against the fine dark dust lanes, particularly visible close to the Cygnus Wall. Both versions are available in portrait and landscape mode, to help conduct the reader attention for the most interesting parts of the image.
PT: NGC 7000 é uma nebulosa de emissão brilhante que traça a forma continental da América do Norte. Descoberta por William Herschel em 1786, encontra-se a cerca de 1.500 anos-luz de nós, pertencendo a um complexo muito grande de nebulosidade de emissão vermelha brilhante hidrogénio-alfa (Ha) e rodeado por nebulosas escuras localizado na constelação do Cisne, a cerca de 3º da estrela Deneb. O “Golfo do México” é uma região onde as faixas de poeira obscurecidas são visíveis da nebulosa escura LDN 935, enquanto “México e América Central” revela a interessante e intrincada área brilhante conhecida como Muralha do Cisne, um verdadeiro berçário estelar de estrelas recém-formadas. A parede está erodida e iluminada por estrelas jovens e brilhantes, parcialmente ocultadas pela própria poeira que acabaram de criar. A imagem captada a partir do observatório oficial do Dark Sky® Alqueva, na Cumeada, compreende a combinação de imagens RGB na faixa da luz visível, combinadas com imagens de hidrogénio-alfa em banda estreita de 7 nanómetros. Como uma pintura de arte da própria Natureza, uma versão sem estrelas e menos distrativa apenas da luz monocromática Ha e o resultado de HaRGB, mostra as regiões mais brilhantes em um campo incrivelmente nítido e rico, moldado por estruturas complexas de detalhes finos de nebulosidade hidrogénio-alfa contra finas faixas de poeira escura, particularmente visíveis perto da Muralha do Cisne. Ambas as versões estão disponíveis em modo retrato e paisagem, para ajudar a direcionar a atenção do leitor para as partes mais interessantes da imagem.
Above from left to right, a starless landscape version shows the sharp details and small structures in the monochromatic Ha light as well as in HaRGB combination.
PT: Acima, da esquerda para a direita, uma versão sem estrelas e em modo paisagem revela os detalhes nítidos e as pequenas estruturas visíveis na imagem monocromática em Ha e em HaRGB combinados.
Below from left to right, a starless portrait version shows the sharp details and small structures in the monochromatic Ha light as well as in HaRGB combination.
PT: Abaixo, da esquerda para a direita, uma versão sem estrelas e em modo retrato revela os detalhes nítidos e as pequenas estruturas visíveis na imagem monocromática em Ha e em HaRGB combinados.
Technical details | Detalhes Técnicos
Taka FSQ-106ED at F5 – EM200 auto-guided in Asiair Pro| Nikon D850 modified | ISO2500 – Sub Exp. 6 min. in RGB| | ISO2500 – Sub Exp. 6 min. with Ha 7nm filter | Total integration of 438 min/7,5h (156 minutes in RGB + 282 minutes in Ha). Processing on PixInsight 1.8.9-1 and Photoshop CC 2022. Cumeada Observatory from Dark Sky® Alqueva Reserve, Reguengos de Monsaraz..
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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.
Transit of Io and its Shadow Against Planet Jupiter
The image reveals planet Jupiter visible on August 25th, 2022 at 01:07 UTC, captured from Cumeada Observatory, headquarters of the Dark Sky® Alqueva Reserve, during the transit of galilean moon Io, while its shadow was also projected against the planet’s surface. The image also reveals several details and the well-demarcated oval regions.
PT: A imagem revela o gigante gasoso planeta Júpiter visível a 25 de Agosto de 2022 às 01h07 UTC, captado a partir do Observatório da Cumeada, sede da Reserva Dark Sky® Alqueva, durante o transito da Lua Io onde se pode ver o seu disco e a projecção da sua sombra contra a superfície do planeta. A imagem revela ainda vários detalhes e as regiões Ovais bem demarcadas.
Technical details | Detalhes Técnicos
Camera ASI174MC | C14| ZWO ADC | Barlow 2,5x Televue Powermate | Captured in Color | Single stack of best 2000 frames. Processing on AutoStakkert, Registax 6 and Photoshop CC. Cumeada Observatory from Dark Sky® Alqueva Reserve, Reguengos de Monsaraz.
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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.
Summer and Winter Parts of Milky Way in a VR 360º Immersive Starry Scene

An all sky and 360º Virtual Reality scene captured at the end of Summer season from Natural Park of Noudar, in Dark Sky® Alqueva territory, shows a mosaic made of single shots with a galactic arch shinning above the Noudar quiet house and fields. The arch itself is featuring the core of “Summer Milky Way” which is gradually disappearing in the western horizon due to the time of the year, while in the opposite direction of the arch (left side), in the Eastern sky, the “Winter Milky Way” is start to appearing with Pleiades star cluster rising above the horizon. Summer Triangle is still highlighting the center of the all sky image. Left center – in the beginning of the Milky Way faintest path – a bright elliptic and diffuse dot belongs to Andromeda Galaxy and below it, is also visible an even fainter light coming from Triangle galaxy. Lower center, close to the horizon and above the house roof, shows the bright light from planet Jupiter. The background sky is also featuring the greenish presence of airglow. Captured with a Sony A7sIII at ISO8000 Exp: 5 secs for each image of the mosaic with a G master lens 24mm f/1.4. Below is available two Virtual Realities 360º of this scene. You can experience a full 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 nocturno estrelado captado no final do Verão a partir do Parque de Natureza de Noudar, no território Dark Sky® Alqueva, mostra a versão all sky e de Realidade Virtual 360º de um mosaico de disparos únicos com o arco galáctico brilhando sobre a casa do Parque de Noudar. O próprio arco apresenta o núcleo da “Via Láctea de Verão” que parece desaparecer gradualmente no horizonte ocidental devido à época do ano, enquanto na direção oposta do arco (lado esquerdo), no céu oriental, a “ Via Láctea de Inverno” começa a aparecer com o aglomerado de estrelas Pleiades visível acima do horizonte. O Triângulo de Verão ainda se consegue destacar na zona central desta visão all sky. No centro esquerdo – no início do caminho mais fraco da Via Láctea – um ponto elíptico e difuso brilhante pertence à Galáxia de Andrómeda e abaixo desta, também se encontra visível uma luz ainda mais fraca provninente da galáxia do Triângulo. O centro inferior, próximo ao horizonte e acima do telhado da casa, mostra a luz brilhante do planeta Júpiter. O céu de fundo também revela a presença esverdeada do airglow – luminescência fotoquímica da atmosfera. Imagens captadas com uma Sony A7sIII a ISO8000 Exp: 5seg para cada imagem do mosaico objectiva G master 24mm f/1.4. O leitor pode assim experienciar esta Realidade Virtual em 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.
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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.
A Galactic Arch is Featuring the Summer and Winter Parts of Milky Way in a Panoramic Scene

A starry night scene captured at the end of Summer season from Natural Park of Noudar, in Dark Sky® Alqueva territory, shows a mosaic made of single shots with a galactic arch shinning above the Noudar quiet house and fields. The arch itself is featuring the core of “Summer Milky Way” which is gradually disappearing in the western horizon due to the time of the year, while in the opposite direction of the arch (left side), in the Eastern sky, the “Winter Milky Way” is start to appearing with Pleiades star cluster rising above the horizon. Summer Triangle is still highlighting the center of the image, with bluish star Vega near the top edge. Left center – in the beginning of the Milky Way faintest path – a bright elliptic and diffuse dot belongs to Andromeda Galaxy and below it, is also visible an even fainter light coming from Triangle galaxy. Lower center, close to the horizon and above the house roof, shows the bright light from planet Jupiter. The background sky is also featuring the greenish presence of airglow. Captured with a Sony A7sIII at ISO8000 Exp: 5 secs for each image of the mosaic with a G master lens 24mm f/1.4.
PT: Um cenário nocturno estrelado captado no final do Verão a partir do Parque de Natureza de Noudar, no território Dark Sky® Alqueva, mostra um mosaico de disparos únicos com o arco galáctico brilhando sobre a casa do Parque de Noudar. O próprio arco apresenta o núcleo da “Via Láctea de Verão” que parece desaparecer gradualmente no horizonte ocidental devido à época do ano, enquanto na direção oposta do arco (lado esquerdo), no céu oriental, a “ Via Láctea de Inverno” começa a aparecer com o aglomerado de estrelas Pleiades visível acima do horizonte. O Triângulo de Verão ainda se consegue destacar ao centro, com a estrela azulada Vega perto do limite superior da imagem. No centro esquerdo – no início do caminho mais fraco da Via Láctea – um ponto elíptico e difuso brilhante pertence à Galáxia de Andrómeda e abaixo desta, também se encontra visível uma luz ainda mais fraca provninente da galáxia do Triângulo. O centro inferior, próximo ao horizonte e acima do telhado da casa, mostra a luz brilhante do planeta Júpiter. O céu de fundo também revela a presença esverdeada do airglow – luminescência fotoquímica da atmosfera. Imagens captadas com uma Sony A7sIII a ISO8000 Exp: 5seg para cada imagem do mosaico objectiva G master 24mm f/1.4
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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.
A Full Solar Disc Immersed in a Charming Light Featuring a Giant Tower of Plasma
Captured on 30th August, 2022, at UT 11h20 from Dark Sky® Alqueva region, Portugal, a high-resolution mosaic of the Sun is featuring a very active chromosphere with an interesting dynamic rich in details. The group of sunspots AR13089 is visible in the inverted Ha center image, while at the right solar limb an incredible prominence is showing a tower of plasma more than a dozen of times taller than our planet Earth.
PT: Captada a 30 de Agosto de 2022, às 11h20 UT a partir da região do Dark Sky® Alqueva, Portugal, um mosaico de alta resolução do Sol apresenta uma cromosfera rica em detalhes e com uma grande dinâmica. O grupo de manchas solares AR13089 é visível no centro superior da imagem Ha invertida, enquanto à direita deste, o limbo solar exibia uma enornme proeminência na forma de uma torre de plasma que persistiui durante muitas horas e se elevou a uma altura de mais de uma dezena de vezes o diâmetro da Terra.
Above are two images presented as a coronograph in color and BW, intended to help conduct the reader attention to the most interesting parts of the image.
PT: Acima estão duas fotos apresentadas como um coronógrafo a cores e a preto e branco, com o objetivo intencional de ajudar a conduzir a atenção do leitor para as partes mais interessantes da imagem.
Technical details | Detalhes Técnicos
William Optics 80ED | EQ-6 Pro mount | Daystar Quark Prominences filter| 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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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.
Dark Sky Party Alqueva 2022 – The Stargazing Experience of a Lifetime
I was challenged to capture the entire event of Dark Sky® Party Alaqueva 2022 in real-time video (and not in photographic time-lapse) for the first time. Until two years ago there were no video cameras on the market capable of recording with enough quality and in real time, in a night environment, the true magic of the starry sky, comparable to the visual experience that we can live in the event. With the support of @sony Madrid (@sonyalpha A7sIII) and many hours of dedication to prepare, test, film and edit, as I filmed everything in 4K footage with Slog3 which means that every individual clip is pure and flat but with the largest dynamic range possible. But it demands much more work on color correction, color grading and noise reduction….few hours of rendering too. But I arrived at the result which I’m pretty happy and glad to share with everyone today. I would say that a new world of possibilities has just opened in my mind. Mainly was filmed at ISO 160,000 yes, unbelievable!
PT: Fui desafiado a captar todo o evento da Dark Sky® Party Alaqueva 2022 em vídeo em tempo real (e não em time-lapse fotográfico) pela primeira vez. Até há cerca de dois anos atrás não havia no mercado câmaras de vídeo capazes de gravar com qualidade suficiente e em tempo real, em ambiente nocturno, a verdadeira magia do céu estrelado, comparável à experiência visual que podemos viver no evento. Com o apoio da @sony Madrid (@sonyalpha A7sIII) e muitas horas de dedicação para preparar, testar, filmar e editar, já que filmei tudo em 4K e com Slog3, o que significa que cada clipe individual é puro e flat, mas com a maior gama dinâmica possível. Exige no entanto muito mais trabalho na correção de cores, grading e redução de ruído…muitas horas de renderização também. No entanto cheguei ao resultado que partilho aqui hoje com todos vós e que me deixa entusiasmado, pois diria que um novo mundo de possibilidades acaba de se abrir na minha mente. Foi praticamente tudo filmado com ISO 160.000 sim, inacreditável!
Solar Flare M9 from AR3088 in Motion – Still Photos and Time Lapse
Captured on 29th August, 2022, from Dark Sky® Alqueva region, Portugal, a high-resolution image and time lapse sequence features the chromosphere activity on this day when Active Region AR13088 close to the sun’s western limb, released a powerful but short Solar Flare M8.6-class. Conditions were a bit unstable, but I’ve manage to make a short time lapse of about 329 images. The final result is a 4K high resolution solar movie comprising around 2 hours of photos.
PT: Captada a 29 de Agosto de 2022, na região do Dark Sky® Alqueva, Portugal, a imagem de alta resolução e sequência time lapse revelam a actividade da cromosfera neste dia em que a Região Activa AR13088 perto do limbo solar ocidental, libertou um poderoso mas curto Flare de classe M8.6. As condições estavam um pouco instáveis, mas consegui fazer um ltime lapse de cerca de 329 imagens. O resultado final é um filme solar 4K de alta resolução com cerca de 2 horas de imagens.
Below are two still shots presented in landscape and portrait version, intended to help conduct the reader attention to the most interesting parts of the image. Region from AR13088 which produced the Flare M8.6
PT: Abaixo estão duas fotos apresentadas em uma versão retrato e paisagem com o objetivo intencional de ajudar a conduzir a atenção do leitor para as partes mais interessantes da imagem. Região da mancha AR13088 que produziu o Flare M8.6.
Below is possible to watch the video time lapse sequence compiling 329 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 2 hours.
PT: Em baixo é possível ver o vídeo time lapse compilando 329 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
SW Esprit 120ED Professional | EQ-6 Pro mount | Daystar Quark Chromosphere filter| Player One Apollo-M Max |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.
A Full Disc Sun Reveals Gigantic Filaments against the Solar Chromosphere
Captured on 11th July, 2022, at UT 13h49 from Dark Sky® Alqueva region, Portugal, a high-resolution mosaic of the Sun is featuring a very active chromosphere full of large filaments, some of them are so big, that can probably reach the size of Saturn’s ring system – which means – dozens of planet Earths. Some sunspots are also visible in the inverted Ha image, with Active Region 3053 – visible in the upper center – featuring an arched prominence, also called filament, for being visible from above and against the solar disc. As the Sun is rotating some of these filaments will then turn into prominences as we normally call it, while they will be seen around the solar limb.
PT: Captada a 11 de julho de 2022, às 13h49 UT a partir da região do Dark Sky® Alqueva, Portugal, um mosaico de alta resolução do Sol apresenta uma cromosfera muito ativa e cheia de filamentos gigantescos, alguns destes tão grandes que provavelmente poderiam atingir o tamanho do sistema de anéis de Saturno, ou seja, dezenas de vezes o tamanho do planeta Terra. Algumas manchas solares também são visíveis na imagem H-alfa invertida, com a Região Activa 3053 – visível no centro superior – apresentando uma proeminência arqueada, também chamada de filamento, por ser vista de cima e contra o disco solar. À medida que o sol for girando, os filamentos que persistirem passarão a ser designados de proeminências, como normalmente lhes chamamos, enquanto são visíveis ao redor do limbo solar.
Technical details | Detalhes Técnicos
William Optics ED80 | EQ-6 Pro mount | Daystar Quark Chromosphere filter| Camera Player One Apollo-M Max| Focuser Sesto Senso 2 | Mosaic of 7 panels with a stack of 200 frames for each single image. Captured in average seeing conditions from Dark Sky® Alqueva territory, 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.
Celebrating Together the Passion of the Night Sky
Sometimes all you need is just being under the stars and celebrate together the passion of the night sky. A vertical panoramic image of single shots, reveals to path of Summer Milky Way visible in the background and above a group of people which are together participating in an outdoor night session with telescopes.
PT: Por vezes tudo que precisamos é apenas relaxar, e estar sob a grandeza de um céu estrelado pristino, para celebrar a paixão e magia da astronomia. Um panorama vertical de disparos únicos, revela em segundo plano o caminho da Via Láctea de Verão, que se ergue acima de uma das paisagens do Dark Sky® Alqueva, enquanto um grupo de pessoas participa numa sessão de observação externa.
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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.
Solar Time Lapse of a Great Prominence Releasing a CME into Space on 10Th July 2022
On 10th July, 2022, the Sun has featured a gigantic solar prominence over the chromosphere, throwing a coronal mass ejection (CME) into space. Luckily I was checking the sun activity at the end of the day, as normally I don’t photograph the sun so late, specially for being low and close to the horizon. As soon as I realised that a huge prominence was visible and growing so fast and drastically, I quickly start shooting. Seeing forecast was amazing around 0,71″ arc. but the sun was lower than ideal and the atmosphere had a fine layer of dust coming from Africa. The temperature was very high, around 38º at 18h00. So I made a huge effort of gathering as much images as possible. The sequence was captured between UT17h37 and UT18h30 and shows spectacular motion of the CME. The gradual change in contrast in the solar disc, is related with the sun getting lower and crossing the dust layer which scattered the light even more. The final result is a 4K high resolution solar movie (at the end of this page) comprising around 1hour of images, captured from the Dark Sky® Alqueva region, Portugal. Here is the animations from NASA SDO and LASCO-c2 (Cactus CME detection) from this same day, showing the same giant as seen from the probe in Space. It is impressive the motion of the prominence in the time lapse, which seems to end up swirling like a tornado
PT: Em 10 de Julho de 2022, o Sol apresentou uma proeminência solar gigantesca sobre a cromosfera, lançando uma ejeção de massa coronal (CME) no espaço. Por sorte, fui verificar a atividade solar no final do dia, visto que normalmente não fotografo o sol tão tarde, principalmente por estar baixo e próximo ao horizonte. Assim que percebi que uma enorme proeminência estava visível e crescia drasticamente, comecei prontamente a fotografar. A previsão do seeing (estabilidade atmosférica) era incrível, cerca de 0,71″ segundos de arco, mas o sol estava mais baixo do que seria ideal e a atmosfera tinha uma fina camada de poeira vinda de África. A temperatura estava muito alta neste dia, em torno dos 38º às 18h00. Assim, fiz um esforço para captar o máximo de imagens possível. A sequência foi captada entre as UT17h37 e UT18h30 e mostra o movimento espetacular da CME. A mudança gradual no contraste no disco solar, está relacionada com o facto do sol se ir aproximando do horizonte e atravessando uma camada de poeira fina que dispersou ainda mais a luz . O resultado final é um filme solar 4K de alta resolução (ver final desta página) com cerca de 1 hora de imagens, captadas na região de Dark Sky® Alqueva, Portugal. Aqui poderá ver uma animação da NASA SDO e LASCO-c2 (Cactus CME detection) deste mesmo dia, mostrando a mesma proeminência e CME vista da sonda que se encontra no espaço. É impressionante o movimento da proeminência no final do time lapse, que parece acabar girando como um tornado.
Above are some still shots captured at different times during the sequence and presented in color and monochromatic version, intended to help conduct the reader attention to the most interesting parts of the image.
PT: Acima estão algumas fotos captadas em diferentes tempos durante a sequência, mostrando a evolução da proeminência. As imagens estão apresentadas em uma versão a cores e monocromática, com o objetivo intencional de ajudar a conduzir a atenção do leitor para as partes mais interessantes da imagem.
Above is possible to watch the video time lapse sequence compiling 200 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 1 hour.
PT: Acima é possível ver o vídeo time lapse compilando 200 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 1h de imagens.
Technical details | Detalhes Técnicos
SW Esprit 120ED Professional | EQ-6 Pro mount | Daystar Quark Chromosphere filter| Player One Apollo-M Max |Focuser Sesto Senso 2 | Stack of 200 frames for each single image, captured in average to good 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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Solar Time Lapse of a Large Prominence Releasing a CME
On 22th February, 2022, the Sun has featured a gigantic solar prominence over the chromosphere, throwing a coronal mass ejection (CME) into space. This was my most stressful and lucky capture. As soon as I realised that the prominence was growing so fast and drastically, I had to quickly decide what to do. So I decided to interrupt the first sequence and rotate the camera framing again for the new composition, to be able to keep capturing this growing giant ejection. It’s the highest “flame” I saw and record until now. So tall comparing the Sun’s disc that we could fit probably dozens of planet Earths inside. Seeing was good, not perfect, but nice enough for a time lapse. So I made a huge effort of gathering as much images as possible. The sequence was captured between UT11h58 and UT14h16. The final result is a 4K high resolution solar movie comprising around 2hours and 15 minutes, captured from the Dark Sky® Alqueva region, Portugal. Here is the animations from NASA SDO and LASCO-c2 (Cactus CME detection) from this same day, showing the same giant as seen from the probe in Space.
PT: Em 22 de fevereiro de 2022, o Sol apresentou uma proeminência gigantesca visível sobre a cromosfera, lançando uma ejeção de massa coronal (CME) no espaço. Assim que me apercebi que a proeminência estava a crescer de forma tão rápida e drástica, tive que decidir rapidamente o que fazer. Então decidi interromper a primeira sequência e girar a câmara para redefinir o novo enquaramento, e poder assim continuar a captar o crescimento dessa ejeção gigante. Esta foi a “chama” mais alta que vi e gravei até agora. Tão alta que caberiam provavelmente dezenas de planetas Terra na sua extensão. A estabilidade da atmosfera não estava perfeita, mas suficiente para permitir registar um time lapse. Então fiz um esforço para reunir o máximo de imagens possível. A sequência foi captada entre UT11h58 e UT14h16. O resultado final é um filme solar 4K de alta resolução com cerca de 2 horas e 15 minutos, captado na região do Dark Sky® Alqueva, Portugal. Aqui poderá ver uma animação da NASA SDO e LASCO-c2 (detecção de Cactus CME) deste mesmo dia, mostrando a mesma proeminência e CME vista da sonda que se encontra no espaço.
Above are some still shots presented in color and monochromatic version, intended to help conduct the reader attention to the most interesting parts of the image.
PT: Acima estão algumas fotos apresentadas em uma versão a cores e monocromática, com o objetivo intencional de ajudar a conduzir a atenção do leitor para as partes mais interessantes da imagem.
Above is possible to watch the video time lapse sequence compiling 335 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 2 hours.
PT: Acima é possível ver o vídeo time lapse compilando 335 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
SW Esprit 120ED Professional | EQ-6 Pro mount | Daystar Quark Chromosphere filter| QUY5III174M |Focuser Sesto Senso 2 | Stack of 200 frames for each single image, captured in average to good 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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A Stargazer with Mercury, Venus, Moon and Pleiades above Alqueva Lake
On the morning of 26th June, the waning crescent Moon was in a close alignment with planet Venus and Pleiades star cluster M45, featuring a wonderful Earthshine. While Pleiades are high in the Sky and near the upper edge, Mercury has joined the show and is close to the horizon. Dificult to find ? Yes, so please, follow my arm, I´m the photographer on the ground holding the bright light and pointing to the same region of the sky you are looking for. Hope it helps you to identify the small orange light of planet Mercury. Captured in the calm waters of Alqueva lake, at Dark Sky® Alqueva, Portugal.
PT: Na manhã de 26 de Junho, a lua minguante encontrava-se num alinhamento muito próximo com o planeta Vénus e o aglomerado das Pleiades M45, exibindo ainda um maravilhoso Earthshine lunar. Enquanto as Pleiades estão altas e no topo superior da imagem, Mercúrio também se juntou ao show e está junto ao horizonte. Difícil de encontrar? Sim, então por favor, siga o meu braço estendido, eu sou o fotógrafo visível na imagem segurando a luz brilhante e apontando para a mesma região do céu que o leitor está à procura. Espero que o ajude a identificar a pequena luz laranja que é o planeta Mercúrio na imagem. Captada nas águas calmas do lago Alqueva, no Dark Sky® Alqueva, 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.
A Waning Crescent Moon in Close Conjunction with Planet Venus and Pleiades Star Cluster
On the morning of 26th June, the waning crescent Moon was in a close alignment with planet Venus and Pleiades star cluster M45, featuring a wonderful Earthshine. Mercury has joined the show later, for being so close to the Sun. The background sky in the twilight reveals a beautiful combination of colors, while in the foregound, the main two scources of bright lights are reflected in the calm water of Alqueva lake, at Dark Sky® Alqueva, Portugal.
PT: Na manhã de 26 de Junho, a lua minguante encontrava-se num alinhamento muito próximo com o planeta Vénus e o aglomerado das Pleiades M45, exibindo ainda um maravilhoso Earthshine lunar. O planeta Mercúrio juntou-se ao show mais tarde, por estar tão perto do Sol. O céu de fundo ao crepúsculo revela uma bela combinação de cores, enquanto no primeiro plano, as duas principais fontes de luzes brilhantes, estão reflectidas nas águas calmas do lago Alqueva, no Dark Sky® Alqueva, 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.
A Twilight Show Reveals the Moon and 7 Planets Aligend Along the Ecliptic Plane
On the morning of 26th June, all planets were aligned along the Ecliptic plane. The waning crescent Moon has joined the parade, being very close to Venus and Pleiades star cluster. Mercury was not visible, for being below the horizon at 4h42 AM. The panoramic twilight scene of single images, also features the faint path of Milky Way, for being mixed with the morning bluish colors. In the upper left part and not faraway from Cassiopeia constellation, is visible Andromeda galaxy. The annotated version below, features the precise position and identification of each os the 7 planets. Pluto, although, is so faint (+14 mag.) that is not possible to resolve with a small lens, so the circle is marking the star TYC 6892-0124-1, which is the star more close to real position of Pluto, and the maximum magnitude I could register (+10 mag.) with my camera. The annotated version has a magnifying circle showing the area in full resolution to help identify the faintest planets, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto. Captured in Alqueva lake, at Dark Sky® Alqueva, Portugal.
PT: Na manhã de 26 de junho, todos os planetas estavam alinhados ao longo do plano da Eclíptica. A Lua minguante juntou-se ao desfile, estando muito perto de Vénus e do aglomerado das Pleiades. Mercúrio não era visível, por estar abaixo do horizonte às 4h42 AM. O cenário crepuscular panorâmico de disparos únicas, também revela o tênue caminho da Via Láctea, por se misturar com as cores azuladas do amanhecer. Na parte superior esquerda e não muito longe da constelação de Cassiopeia, é visível a galáxia de Andrómeda. A versão anotada visível em baixo, apresenta a posição precisa e a identificação de cada um dos 7 planetas. Plutão, no entanto, é tão fraco (+14 mag.) que não é possível resolver com uma lente pequena, por isso o círculo assinala a estrela TYC 6892-0124-1, que é a estrela mais próxima da posição real de Plutão, e a magnitude máxima que consegui registrar (+10 mag.) com minha câmara. A versão anotada tem um círculo de ampliação mostrando a área em resolução total para ajudar a identificar os planetas mais fracos, Urano, Netuno e Plutão. Captada junto ao lago de Alqueva, no Dark Sky® Alqueva, Portugal.
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An Over Extended Spring Shows Colorful Light Paths above Green Fields and White Flowers
Paths of colorful lights full-fill the unfocused background sky, remembering us that each star shines at different temperatures. The bluish stars are the warmest, while the coldest are shinning in orange-reddish hues. Violet paths belongs to emission nebulae, as the core of a dragged Milky Way is still visible in upper right corner. In the foreground, white flowers are still blooming in green fields spread all over the driest regions in Alentejo, due to a late Spring over extended, thanks to an unexpected raining time, which we hope will be a wet welcome, to the Summer season. Captured in Mértola region, at Dark Sky® Alqueva, Portugal.
PT: Caminhos de luz coloridos preenchem um céu de fundo desfocado, lembrando-nos que cada estrela brilha a diferentes temperaturas. As estrelas azuladas são as mais quentes, enquanto as mais frias brilham em tons de laranja-avermelhado. Os caminhos violetas pertencem às nebulosas de emissão, pois o núcleo de uma Via Láctea arrastada ainda é visível no canto superior direito. Em primeiro plano, flores brancas continuam a desabrochar por entre campos verdes que se espalham por todas as regiões mais secas do Alentejo, graças a um final de primavera prolongado, devido a um período de chuva inesperado. Esperemos que seja apenas uma “recepção molhada” à chegada deste Verão. Captada recentemente durante o meu workshop de astrofotografia nos ceús de Mértola, no Dark Sky® Alqueva.
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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.
Our Greatness Rises When We Recognise The beauty Immersed in Each Corner of the Universe
Sometimes all you need is just…being under the stars to understand how big, we humans, can be. Big, by the simple fact that we can have a conscience of our limits when trying to “understand” a small fraction of what we are looking at. But our greatness rises, when we are able to recognise all the beauty immersed in each piece of Nature, in each corner of the Universe! Captured on my recent astro astro workshop at Dark Sky® Alqueva. My thanks to participants Daniela and Ana, which posed for me in this single shot.
PT: Por vezes tudo que precisamos é apenas…relaxar, e estar sob a grandeza de um céu estrelado pristino, para entender o quão grandes, nós humanos, podemos ser. Grandes pelo simples facto de termos a consciência dos nossos limites ao tentar “entender” uma pequena fracção do que se avista diante os nossos olhos. Mas a nossa grandeza aumenta, quando somos capazes de reconhecer toda a Beleza presente em cada pedaço da Natureza, em cada canto do Universo! Captada recentemente durante o meu workshop de astrofotografia no Dark Sky® Alqueva. Os meus agradecimentos às participantes Daniela e Ana, que posaram para mim nesta foto de um disparo único.
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A Meteor and a Eclipsed Moon in the Twilight
A wide angle image is the result of a team work between me and my dear Apolónia. Captured few minutes before the morning starts, it shows the reddish glow of an eclipsed moon for being under the Earth shadow cone, mixed with the colors of the twilight in the background. luckily at the precise moment that Apolónia Rodrigues was pressing the camera button – by hand, we didn’t had more cables available as I was running 4 other cameras, a bright shooting star was crossing the field below the Milky Way, visible in the lower left edge. In the foreground, an old mine structure from Mina de São Domingos, in Mértola, at Dark Sky® Alqueva Reserve, is visible in the shadow.
PT: Esta visão grande angular é o resultado de um trabalho de equipa entre mim e a Apolónia. Captado poucos minutos antes do início do crepúsculo matinal, mostra o brilho avermelhado de uma lua eclipsada por estar sob a influência do cone de sombra da Terra, misturado com as cores do crepúsculo em pano de fundo. Felizmente no preciso momento em que Apolónia Rodrigues estava a premir o botão da câmara – à mão, não tínhamos mais cabos disponíveis pois eu estava a trabalhar com outras 4 câmaras, uma estrela cadente brilhante atravessava o campo abaixo da Via Láctea, visível na parte inferior da extremidade esquerda. Em primeiro plano, é visível na sombra a silhueta de uma antiga estrutura mineira do complexo da Mina de São Domingos, em Mértola, na Reserva Dark Sky® Alqueva.
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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 and Milky Way Shining in a VR 360º Starry Scene
Captured on the wonderful century old mine of São Domingos, in Achada do Gamo, Dark Sky® Alqueva – Mértola, an all sky and 360º Virtual Reality scene features the arch of Milky Way shining high in the Sky. Summer Triangle highlights the center of the image, with blueish Vega near the top. Left lower center – in the beginning of the Milky Way faintest path – a bright elliptic and diffuse dot is the light coming from Andromeda Galaxy. In the lower center and between the two strcutures are shining planets Jupiter and Mars, being Saturn visible as well, but more to the center right. On the right edge, shines the dusty core of Milky Way galaxy full of emission nebulae and close to Rho Ophiuchi clouds complex, an unusual bright orange glow belongs to an eclipsed super moon for being under the Earth shadow cone. Below is available two Virtual Realities 360º of this scene. You can experience a full 7K resolution using your desktop, or smartphone with gyroscope. A great “in loco” experience can be achieved if you wear a VR glasses.
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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.
Arch of Summer Milky Way Shining Bright During a Total Lunar Eclipse

The image reveals a panoramic scene of single shots where the arch of Summer Milky Way shines high and bright above the wonderful century old mine of São Domingos, in Achada do Gamo, Dark Sky® Alqueva – Mértola, Portugal. In the background, Summer Triangle highlights the center of the image, with blueish star Vega near the top. Left lower center – in the beginning of the Milky Way faintest path – a bright elliptic and diffuse dot is the light coming from Andromeda Galaxy. In the lower center and between the two strcutures are shining planets Jupiter and Mars, being Saturn visible as well, but more to the center right. On the right edge, shines the dusty core of Milky Way galaxy full of emission nebulae and close to Rho Ophiuchi clouds complex, an unusual bright orange glow belongs to an eclipsed super moon for being under the Earth shadow cone.
PT: A imagem revela um cenário panorâmico de disparos únicos onde o arco da Via Láctea de Verão se ergue alto e brilhante acima da maravilhosa mina centenária de São Domingos, na Achada do Gamo, Dark Sky® Alqueva – Mértola. Ao fundo, o Triângulo de Verão destaca o centro da imagem, com a estrela azulada Vega perto do topo. No centro inferior esquerdo – no início do caminho ténue da Via Láctea – um ponto elíptico, brilhante e difuso pertence à Galáxia de Andrómeda. No centro inferior e entre as duas estruturas estão os planetas Júpiter e Marte. Mais acima à direita, encontra-se o planeta Saturno. No extremo direito, brilha o núcleo empoeirado da Via Láctea cheio de nebulosas de emissão e próximo ao complexo de nuvens Rho Ophiuchi, uma luz incomum de tonalidade laranja brilhante, pertence a uma superlua eclipsada por estar sob o efeito do cone de sombra da Terra.
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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.
Milky Way with Scorpius and a Red Eclipsed Super Moon
A panoramic scene of 4 singles images captured with a 70mm lens and a Vixen Polarie U tracking mount, shows the moment of totality, when a Super Full Moon decreases its lights and starts to shine in reddish hues for being under the Earth shadow cone. When this happens, a dark starry sky like Alqueva, can show the magnificent presence of Milky Way galaxy at the same time we can enjoy an eclipsed moon. But another yellow-orange bright scource of light is visible in the scene, this light belongs to Antares, a super giant red star located in the heart of Scorpius constellation, which fullfils the entire background scene. The image was captured at 5h AM, when the moon was at about 12º above the horizon of Mina de São Domingos, in Mértola, Dark Sky© Alqueva Reserve, Portugal. For this shot I’ve used a Canon 6D at ISO1250, aperture of f/2.8 and 25 seconds exposure.
PT: Um cenário panorâmico de 4 imagens (single) captadas com uma focal de 70mm e uma montagem Vixen Polarie U, revela o momento da totalidade, quando uma Super Lua Cheia diminui a sua intensidade luminosa e começou a brilhar em tons de vermelho por se encontrar sob a influência do cone de sombra da Terra. Quando isso acontece, um céu estrelado e escuro como o do Alqueva, pode mostrar a magnífica presença da Via Láctea ao mesmo tempo que podemos desfrutar de uma lua eclipsada. Mas outra fonte de luz brilhante de um amarelo-alaranjado é visível nesta cena nocturna, esta luz pertence a Antares, uma estrela supergigante vermelha localizada no coração da constelação do Escorpião, que preenche assim toda a imagem em pano de fundo. A imagem foi captada às 5h da manhã, quando a lua se situava a cerca de 12º acima do horizonte da Mina de São Domingos, em Mértola, Reserva Dark Sky© Alqueva, Portugal. Para esta foto foi usada uma Canon 6D com ISO1250, abertura de f/2.8 e uma exposição única de 25 segundos.
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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 with a Super Red Moon Immersed in a Colorful Starfield
The image shows a close-up view of a red dark Moon immersed in a colorful field of stars, taken with a telephoto lens during the Total Lunar Eclipse of 2022, on 16th May, as seen from Mina de São Domingos in Dark Sky® Alqueva Mértola, Portugal. During a lunar eclipse, the moon passes through Earth’s shadow, giving the natural satellite a blood-red hue. For being near the closest point to our planet Earth, this Moon was also called a “Super Blood Moon”. Below is also possible to enjoy, a starless version, less distractive.
PT: A imagem mostra um close-up de uma lua cheia vermelha e escurecida, imersa num campo de estrelas colorido, captado com uma teleobjetiva durante o Eclipse Total Lunar ocorrido a 16 de Maio de 2022, a partir do complexo mineiro de São Domingos, no Dark Sky® Alqueva Mértola, em Portugal. Durante um eclipse lunar, a lua passa pela sombra da Terra, dando ao nosso satélite natural uma tonalidade vermelho-sangue. Por se encontrar no ponto orbital mais próximo da Terra, esta Lua é também apelidada de “Super Blood Moon”. Em baixo, está também disponível uma versão sem estrelas, menos distractiva.
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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.
Solar Flare X1 from AR2994 in Motion – Still Photos and Time Lapse
Captured on 30th April, 2022, from Dark Sky® Alqueva region, Portugal, a high-resolution image and time lapse sequence, features the chromosphere activity on this day. I was testing my new camera from Player One Apollo-M Max and photographing another region of the sun, when I was notified by spaceweatherlive app that an eruption was on going at 13h47 UT with the release of an extraordinary Solar Flare X1-class. So I had to immediately change my initial plans and pointed as quickly as possible the telescope to the limb where the Flare departed, from sunspot AR2994 – hidden already behind the edge of the sun. According to Spcaceweather, “the explosion still produced enough radiation for a strong shortwave radio blackout over the mid-Atlantic Ocean and Europe”. Conditions were a bit unstable, but I’ve manage to make a short time lapse of about 27 minutes. The final result is a 4K high resolution solar movie comprising around 1,5 hours of images from both sequences, including the one I was capturing before the Flare happened.
PT: Captada a 30 de Abril de 2022, na região do Dark Sky® Alqueva, Portugal, a imagem de alta resolução e sequência time lapse revelam a actividade da cromosfera neste dia. Eu estava a fazer uma sessão de testes da minha nova câmara solar Player One Apollo-M Max e fotografando outra região do sol, quando fui notificado pelo aplicativo spaceweatherlive de que uma erupção estava a acontecer às 13h47 UT com o lançamento de um extraordinário Flare Solar de classe-X1. Assim, tive que mudar imediatamente os meus planos iniciais e apontar o telescópio o mais rapidamente possível para a extremidade do disco solar onde o Flare teria ocorrido, partindo da reigão activa AR2994 – já escondida atrás do limbo solar. De acordo com Spcaceweather, “a explosão ainda produziu radiação suficiente para um forte apagão de rádio de ondas curtas, na região do Oceano Atlântico e parte da Europa”. As condições estavam um pouco instáveis, mas consegui fazer uma sequência time lapse de cerca de 27 minutos. O resultado final é um filme solar 4K de alta resolução com cerca de 1,5 horas de imagens de ambas as sequências, incluindo a que eu estava a captar antes do Flare acontecer.
Below are two still shots presented in a portrait version, taken with 40 minutes apart bewteen UT14h21 and UT14h40, intended to help conduct the reader attention to the most interesting parts of the image. Region from AR2994 which produced the Flare X1
PT: Abaixo estão duas fotos apresentadas em uma versão retrato, captadas com uma diferença de 40 minutos entre UT14h21 and UT14h40, com o objetivo intencional de ajudar a conduzir a atenção do leitor para as partes mais interessantes da imagem. Região da mancha AR2994 que produziu o Flare X1.
Below is possible to watch the video time lapse sequence compiling 235 shots processed (first and second sequence), 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 1,5 hours.
PT: Em baixo é possível ver o vídeo time lapse compilando 235 captações processadas (primeira e segunda sequência), 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 1,5h de imagens.
Technical details | Detalhes Técnicos
SW Esprit 120ED Professional | EQ-6 Pro mount | Daystar Quark Chromosphere filter| Player One Apollo-M Max |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.
Crescent Moon, Mercury and Pleiades in a Twilight Meeting
On May 2, 2022, the slightly crescent moon was visible in the western sky, featuring a wonderful Earthshine. But our natural satellite has invited some old sky friends to join the twilight party. Just 45 minutes after the sunset, and we could see the rare view of planet Mercury shining in reddish hues, apparently at the same distance and in conjunction with Pleiades star cluster M45 and the Moon. The single shot was captured during nautical twilight from a field in Cumeada village, at Dark Sky® Alqueva reserve.
PT: No passado dia 2 de Maio, 2022, a lua em fase timidamente crescente era visível no céu poente enquanto exibia um maravilhoso Earthshine. Mas o nosso satélite natural convidou alguns velhos amigos celestes para se juntarem à festa crepuscular. Apenas 45 minutos após o pôr do sol, já se podía apreciar a rara aparição do planeta Mercúrio brilhando em tons de vermelho, localizado “aproximadamente” à mesma distância e em conjunção com o aglomerado de estrelas Pleiades M45 e a Lua. A imagem resultante de um disparo único foi captada durante o crepúsculo náutico, a partir do campo na região da Cumeada, no Dark Sky® Alqueva, 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.
Eruptive Solar Prominence Few Minutes Before Release an M1.9 Flare
Captured on 20th April, 2022, from Dark Sky® Alqueva region, Portugal, a high-resolution image features the chromosphere activity on this day. After a while without being able to photograph our Sun – several weeks with clouds – I tried my lucky. Despite the fact that winds were around 25km/h, with low clouds passing by all the time, and very unstable seeing, I could capture a nice eruptive prominence just 10 minutes before it release an M1.9 solar flare. In only 4 minutes apart we can see how the eruption has evolved so quickly. Due to the bad conditions I already mentioned, I was not able to do timelapse this time.
PT: Captada a 20 de Abril de 2022, na região do Dark Sky® Alqueva, Portugal, a imagem de alta resolução revela a actividade da cromosfera neste dia. Depois de algum tempo sem conseguir fotografar o nosso Sol – várias semanas com nuvens – tentei a minha sorte neste dia. Apesar de os ventos rondarem os 25km/h, com nuvens baixas a passarem constantemente à frente do Sol, e um seeing muito instável, consegui captar uma boa proeminência eruptiva apenas 10 minutos antes desta libertar um solar Flare de classe M1.9. Com apenas 4 minutos de intervalo, podemos ver como a erupção evoluiu tão rapidamente. Devido às más condições que já mencionei, não foi possível fazer timelapse desta vez.
Below are two still shots presented in a portrait version, taken with 4 minutes apart bewteen UT12h13 and UT12h17, intended to help conduct the reader attention to the most interesting parts of the image.
PT: Abaixo estão duas fotos apresentadas em uma versão retrato, captadas com uma diferença de 4 minutos entre UT12h13 and UT12h17, com o objetivo intencional de ajudar a conduzir a atenção do leitor para as partes mais interessantes da imagem.
Technical details | Detalhes Técnicos
SW Esprit 120ED Professional | EQ-6 Pro mount | Daystar Quark Prominence filter| QUY5III174M | 0,67x Reducer |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.
A Deep Wide Field Shows Alkaid Star and Blue Snail M51 Immersed in the Faint Dust of IFN

A deep wide field view captured with a telephoto prime lens of 300mm, shows the blueish variable star Alkaid, from Ursa Major, shining close to a tiny blue snail lying at a distance of 31 million light-years away, near the boundaries of constellation Canes Venatici. This small snail named M51, is actually the Whirlpool Galaxy. It’s an interacting spiral galaxy, with 60 thousand light-years in diameter which has a smaller companion with an intriguing shape, named NGC 5195. The main galaxy of this duet, seems to interact with its small companion galaxy (at left on the portrait view, or up, in the landscape version) creating a faint tidal of debris that seems to spread while vanishing in space. This deep wide field scene comprise 10,5 hours of accumulated sub-exposures to help reveal some of the faintest diffuse clouds from IFN, where this duet Alkaid- M51 seems to be immersed in. The gas and dust from Integrated flux nebulas (IFN) lies beyond the main body of our Milky Way Galaxy and it’s almost invisible in exposures with less than 5h in clear dark skies. The image was captured from Cumeada Observatory, official headquarter of Dark Sky® Alqueva Reserve, Portugal.
PT: Uma visão ampla e profunda captada com uma lente prime de 300mm mostra a estrela variável e azulada Alkaid, da Ursa Maior, brilhando perto de um “minúsculo caracol azul” localizado a uma distância de 31 milhões de anos-luz de distância, perto dos limites da constelação de Canes Venatici. Este pequeno caracol chamado M51, é na verdade a Galáxia Whirlpool. É uma galáxia espiral interagente, com 60 mil anos-luz de diâmetro, que possui uma companheira menor e com uma forma intrigante e peculiar, chamada NGC 5195. A galáxia principal deste dueto, parece interagir com a companheira de viagem mais pequena (à esquerda na versão da imagem vertical, ou acima, na versão da imagem horizontal), criando uma leve maré de detritos que parecem espalhar-se enquanto desaparecem suavemente no espaço profundo. Esta visão de campo amplo e profundo compreende 10,5 horas de subexposições acumuladas para ajudar a revelar algumas das nuvens difusas e ténues da IFN, onde este dueto Alkaid-M51 parece estar imerso. O gás e a poeira da Nebulosa de Fluxo Integrado (IFN) fica além do corpo principal da nossa Via Láctea e é quase invisível em exposições com menos de 5h em céus límpidos e livres do poluição luminosa. A imagem foi captada no Observatório da Cumeada, Sede Oficial da Reserva Dark Sky® Alqueva, Portugal.
Technical details | Detalhes Técnicos
Canon fixed prime lens 300mm f/3.5 + Canon 6D modified | ISO2500 – Sub Exp. of 70 seconds each. Mount EQ6 Pro – Auto-guiding off |Total integration of 631 minutes (10,5h). Processing on PixInsight 1.8.9 and Photoshop CC 2022. Cumeada Observatory from Dark Sky® Alqueva Reserve, Reguengos de Monsaraz.
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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.
April Full Moon Rising Like an Easter Egg above Monsaraz Castle
The last Full moon was literally an Easter moon. Why, because it was rising like an egg. Even looking round at a first sight, take a look below on the left portrait, which shows exactly this same picture but rotated to a vertical position. It’s like an optical illusion. In fact Dr. Les Cowley from Atmospheric Optics, explains why a spherical object appears flattened near the horizon: “Rays from the setting sun are refracted by the atmosphere and make it appear higher in the sky. The lower limb is lifted more than the top limb, making its image oval.” The same could happen with the moon when its light is crossing different layers at different pressures and temperatures. The light is bent and distorts the image forming the Easter Egg shape. The single image captured with a 600mm at a distance of 8,2 km, shows the moon rising above Monsaraz Castle in Dark Sky® Alqueva Reserve, Portugal. The image on the right, was captured a few minutes later at a focal of 400mm (200mm + 2x extender) when the moon was a little bit higher.
PT: A última lua cheia de Abril foi literalmente uma lua de Páscoa. Porquê ? Porque nasceu com a forma de um ovo. Mesmo parecendo redonda à primeira vista, a imagem em modo retrato que é possível ver em baixo à esquerda, mostra exatamente esta mesma fotografia, mas na posição vertical. Parece uma incrível ilusão óptica. Na verdade, Dr. Les Cowley, especialista do Atmospheric Optics, explica por que um objecto esférico parece achatado perto do horizonte: “Os raios do sol poente são refractados pela atmosfera e fazem com que este pareça mais alto no céu. O limbo inferior é eleva-se mais do que o limbo superior, tornando a sua imagem oval.” O mesmo pode acontecer com a lua quando a sua luz atravessa diferentes camadas da atmosfera, a diferentes pressões e temperaturas. A luz é “dobrada” e distorce a imagem apresentando o formato de “ovo de Páscoa”. A imagem é resultado de um disparo único captado com uma teleobjectiva de 600mm à distância de 8,2 km, e revela o nascimento da Lua Cheia sobre o Castelo de Monsaraz na Reserva Dark Sky® Alqueva, em Portugal. A imagem da direita, captada alguns minutos mais tarde com outra objectiva de 200mm + duplicador (2x), revela um enquadramento similar com a Lua mais elevada no céu.
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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.
Colorful Deep Cosmic Portrait of Orion Molecular Cloud Complex

A deep wide field view captured with a telephoto prime lens of 300mm, shows the wonderful Orion Molecular Cloud Complex. Horsehead Nebula is visible in the upper left corner of this cosmic portrait, and Orion Nebula in the lower center. Both are immersed in the reddish emission from the light of hydrogen gas excited by energetic newly-formed hot and young stars. Blue-violet coloration, comes from the reflected radiation from the massive O-class stars. This complex contains dark nebulae, emission nebulae, reflection nebulae, and H II regions. The wide view also includes, Alnitak, Alnilam and Mintaka, the 3 main bluish bright stars of Orion’s Belt, in the constellation of Orion. Both M42 (Orion Nebula) and Barnard 33 (Horsehead) are located at a distance between 1350 and 1500 light years respectively and are the closest region of massive star formation to Earth. Small white and brown clouds are visible near Alnilam and Mintaka revealing a busy and colorful field with portions of dense gas which seems to be illuminated by the surrounding starlight. The image was captured from Cumeada Observatory, official headquarter of Dark Sky® Alqueva Reserve, Portugal.
PT: Uma visão ampla e profunda captada com uma lente prime de 300mm mostra o maravilhoso complexo molecular de Orion. A Nebulosa Cabeça de Cavalo é visível no canto superior esquerdo deste retrato cósmico, e a Nebulosa de Orion no centro inferior. Ambos estão imersos numa tonalidade avermelhada, resultado de uma emissão brilhante a partir do gás de hidrogénio excitado por estrelas quentes e energéticas, recém-formadas. A coloração azul-violeta visível na fotografia, provém da radiação refletida das estrelas da classe-O. Este complexo contém nebulosas escuras, nebulosas de emissão, nebulosas de reflexão e regiões H II. Esta visão ampla também inclui, Alnitak, Alnilam e Mintaka, as 3 principais estrelas brilhantes e azuladas que compõem o Cinturão de Orion, na constelação de Orion. Tanto a M42 (Nebulosa de Orion) quanto o Barnard 33 (Cabeça de Cavalo) estão localizadas a uma distância entre 1350 e 1500 anos-luz, respectivamente, sendo a região de formação estelar massiva mais próxima da Terra. Pequenas nuvens brancas e castanhas são visíveis perto de Alnilam e Mintaka, revelando um campo diversificado e colorido com porções de gás denso que parece ser iluminado pela luz das estrelas ao redor. A imagem foi captada no Observatório da Cumeada, Sede Oficial da Reserva Dark Sky® Alqueva, Portugal.
Technical details | Detalhes Técnicos
Canon fixed prime lens 300mm f/3.5 + Canon 6D modified | ISO2500 – Sub Exp. of 70 seconds each. Mount EQ6 Pro – Auto-guiding off |Total integration of 300 minutes (5h). Processing on PixInsight 1.8.9 and Photoshop CC 2022. Cumeada Observatory from Dark Sky® Alqueva Reserve, Reguengos de Monsaraz.
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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.
Infinity Zoom – Fly Through my Deep Space Images Into the Heart of Lagoon
Infinity Zoom, is a serie of short 4K videos where we will fly through my deep space images, starting with a wide view somewhere in one of the darkest landscape places I’ve had opportunity to visit and photograph through my journey in the world with astrophotography, up to a close intimate view where we dive deep into the core of some wonderful deep sky objects captured with a telescopic view from my observatory located in Dark Sky® Alqueva region, Portugal. To watch with sound on.
In this first episode of Infinity Zoom, we departure from a Lake on Earth, and dive deep into the core of a Lagoon in space. During the short voyage of 5,200 light-years to reach Lagoon Nebula, we will fly close to Trifid Nebula and NGC 6559, lying almost at the same distant, both are located in same naked-eye region of the sky, towards the constellation of the Archer, Sagittarius. Inside the nebula, the energetic processes of star formation creates a huge chaos and a beautiful combination of colors. The red-glowing gas is resulting from high-energy starlight striking interstellar hydrogen. Hot young stars are forming in this stellar nursery. The dark dust filaments inside the nebula, were created in the atmospheres of cool giant stars and in the debris from supernovae explosions. Small dark knots, and globules that are condensing protostellar clouds are a sign that the process of star formation is still happening. The animation has been created using my real images, a total of 5 photographs captured at different focal distances from a wide angle landscape lens up to a telescopic view, for the final approach.
PT: Infinity Zoom, é uma série de pequenos videos em 4K onde vamos voar pelas minhas imagens do espaço profundo, começando com uma visão ampla a partir de uma das paisagens escuras que tive a oportunidade de visitar e fotografar ao longo das minhas viagens pelo mundo com a astrofotografia, até uma visão mais íntima onde mergulharemos profundamente no coração de alguns objectos de céu profundo fascinantes, captados com um telescópio a partir do meu observatório localizado na região do Dark Sky® Alqueva, Portugal. Para ver com o som ligado.
Neste primeiro episódio do Infinity Zoom, partimos de um lago na Terra e mergulharemos profundamente no núcleo de uma lagoa no espaço. Durante a curta viagem de 5.200 anos-luz para chegar à Nebulosa da Lagoa, voaremos perto da Nebulosa Trífida e da NGC 6559, situadas quase à mesma distância, ambas localizadas na mesma região do céu, em direção à constelação da Arqueiro, Sagitário. Dentro da nebulosa, os processos energéticos de formação de estrelas criam um enorme caos e uma combinação de cores ímpar. O gás vermelho-brilhante é resultante da luz estelar de alta energia que atinge o hidrogénio inter-estelar. Estrelas jovens e quentes formam-se assim neste berço estelar. Os filamentos de poeira escura dentro da nebulosa, foram criados nas atmosferas de estrelas gigantes e na sequência de explosões de supernovas. Os pequenos nódulos escuros que se espalham pela nebulosa estão condensando as nuvens proto-estelares, sendo um sinal de que o processo de formação estelar continua a ocorrer. A animação foi criada usando imagens reais da minha autoria, num total de 5 fotografias captadas com diferentes distâncias focais desde uma lente grande angular de paisagem até uma visão telescópica, para a aproximação final.
List of individual images used in the animation | Lista das imagens individuais usadas na animação:
Wonders of Deep Sky Around the Galactic Center Shining above Alqueva Lake | The Starry Dusty Field from the Core of Our Milky Way Galaxy |The Crowded Starfield Around Lagoon, Trifid and NGC 6559 | The Wonderful Lagoon of Deep Space | The Colorful Region of NGC 6559 in Sagittarius.
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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.
Giants of the Solar System – Solar Prominence with Planetary Scale
How big is big ? On 6th and 7th February, 2022, the Sun has featured a gigantic solar prominence over the limbs chromosphere. This Giant was visible for two days and then erupted, throwing a coronal mass ejection (CME) into space. According to my measurements in pixels, the size of this prominence – special in the second day – was about 10x the size our planet Earth, in height, but stretching around the sun’s limb for thousands of kilometres. As comparison, a width beyond the largest system rings of Saturn. So I used my planetary images of Jupiter, Saturn and Mars to give a scale in the movie as well as in the final poster with the still images. Both Solar and planetary photos were captured in the Dark Sky® Alqueva region, Portugal.
All the images captured in this sesssion are available in my gallery here. As this kind of images are involving a tremendous amount of work (several hours, days) and data to process. Here are some curiosities: I have captured 692 Raw videos of 900 frames each. A total of 622,800 frames with 3TB of space. Around 22% were used, with 138,400 still images being processed. Below is possible to watch the 4K high resolution video time lapse sequence compiling 692 shots processed (wide and Close-up), each one as result of a stack of the best 200 frames from each raw video.
PT: Em baixo é possível ver o vídeo time lapse compilando 692 captações processadas (wide e close-up), 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 5h de imagens.
PT: Quão grande é grande? Nos dias 6 e 7 de fevereiro de 2022, o Sol apresentou uma proeminência solar gigantesca visível ao redor a cromosfera. Este gigante, ficou visível por dois dias e depois entrou em erupção, lançando uma ejeção de massa coronal (CME) no espaço. De acordo com minhas medições em pixels, o tamanho dessa proeminência – especialmente no segundo dia – era em altura cerca de 10x o diâmetro do nosso planeta Terra, mas a sua extensão ao redor do limbo solar atingia milhares de quilómetros. Como comparação, a sua largura poderia ir para além do maior sistema de anéis de Saturno. Nesse sentido, usei imagens planetárias obtidas por mim, de Júpiter, Saturno e Marte para dar uma escala no filme, bem como no poster final com as imagens estáticas. As imagens solares e planetárias foram captuadas na região do Dark Sky® Alqueva, Portugal.
Todas as imagens captadas nesta sessão estão disponíveis na minha galeria aqui. Como este tipo de imagens envolve uma quantidade enorme de trabalho (várias horas e dias) e muitos GBs para processar. Aqui estão algumas curiosidades: Captei 692 vídeos Raw de 900 frames cada. Um total de 622.800 frames ocupando um total de 3 TB de espaço. Cerca de 22% foram utilizados, totalizando 138.400 imagens estáticas processadas.
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.
Giants of the Solar System – Two Days in a Row Shows a Large Prominence Evolving – Photos and Time Lapse
How big is big ? On 6th and 7th February, 2022, the Sun has featured a gigantic solar prominence over the limbs chromosphere. This Giant was visible for two days and then erupted, throwing a coronal mass ejection (CME) into space. So I made a huge effort of gathering as much images as possible during these two days in a row. With it, I could show the shape evolution of the prominence before it vanished. Most of the images were made between UT11h51 and UT14h39. On the first day, the weather conditions were not perfect, with moments of average seeing. The second day was much better in terms of stability. So I made 4 time lapse sequences that reveals this formation in motion, comprising a wider and close-up views for both days (with 2x barlow). The final result is a 4K high resolution solar movie comprising around 2,5 hours for each day, with a total of 5 hours of images. According to my measurements in pixels, the size of this prominence – special in the second day – was about 10x the size our planet Earth, in height, but stretching around the sun’s limb for thousands of kilometres. As comparison, a width beyond the largest system rings of Saturn. So I used my planetary images of Jupiter, Saturn and Mars to give a scale in the movie as well as in the final poster with the still images of both days. Both Solar and planetary photos were captured in the Dark Sky® Alqueva region, Portugal.
As this kind of images are involving a tremendous amount of work (several hours, days) and data to process. Here are some curiosities: I have captured 692 Raw videos of 900 frames each. A total of 622,800 frames with 3TB of space. Around 22% were used, with 138,400 still images being processed. Below is possible to watch the 4K high resolution video time lapse sequence compiling 692 shots processed (wide and Close-up), each one as result of a stack of the best 200 frames from each raw video. The image above was distinguished as “Highly Commended” in the “Our Sun” category in the Astronomy Photographer of the Year 2022 from Royal Observatory of Greenwich, in London.
PT: A imagem acima foi distinguida como “Highly Commended” na categoria “Our Sun” do concurso internacional “Astronomy Photographer of the Year” 2022 do Royal Observatory of Greenwich, em Londres. Em baixo é possível ver o vídeo time lapse compilando 692 captações processadas (wide e close-up), 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 5h de imagens.
PT: Quão grande é grande? Nos dias 6 e 7 de fevereiro de 2022, o Sol apresentou uma proeminência solar gigantesca visível ao redor a cromosfera. Este gigante, ficou visível por dois dias e depois entrou em erupção, lançando uma ejeção de massa coronal (CME) no espaço. Assim, fiz um esforço enorme para reunir o máximo de imagens possível durante esses dois dias seguidos. Com ele, pude mostrar a evolução da forma da proeminência antes que ela desaparecesse. A maioria das imagens foi feita entre UT11h51 e UT14h39. No primeiro dia, as condições meteorológicas não eram perfeitas, com momentos de estabilidade mediana a boa. O segundo dia foi muito melhor em termos de estabilidade. O resultado foram 4 sequências time lapse que revelam essa formação em movimento, compreendendo vistas mais amplas e em close-up (com barlow 2x) captadas em ambos os dias. O resultado final é um filme solar 4K de alta resolução com cerca de 2,5 horas por cada dia, num total de 5 horas de imagens. De acordo com minhas medições em pixels, o tamanho dessa proeminência – especialmente no segundo dia – era em altura cerca de 10x o diâmetro do nosso planeta Terra, mas a sua extensão ao redor do limbo solar atingia milhares de quilómetros. Como comparação, a sua largura poderia ir para além do maior sistema de anéis de Saturno. Nesse sentido, usei imagens planetárias obtidas por mim, de Júpiter, Saturno e Marte para dar uma escala no filme, bem como no poster final com as imagens estáticas dos dois dias. As imagens solares e planetárias foram captuadas na região do Dark Sky® Alqueva, Portugal.
Como este tipo de imagens envolve uma quantidade enorme de trabalho (várias horas e dias) e muitos GBs para processar. Aqui estão algumas curiosidades: Captei 692 vídeos Raw de 900 frames cada. Um total de 622.800 frames ocupando um total de 3 TB de espaço. Cerca de 22% foram utilizados, totalizando 138.400 imagens estáticas processadas.
Above is the image captured on 6th Feb. in comparison with image captured on 7th Feb. (at right) both using a barlow lens. Below are some still shots presented in a portrait, landscape, or monochromatic version, intended to help conduct the reader attention to the most interesting parts of the image.
PT: Acima está a imagem captada no dia 6 de Fev. em compração com a imagem captada no dia 7 de Fev. Em baixo estão algumas fotos apresentadas em uma versão retrato e paisagem, bem como em uma versão monocromática, com o objetivo intencional de ajudar a conduzir a atenção do leitor para as partes mais interessantes da imagem.
Technical details | Detalhes Técnicos
SW Esprit 120ED Professional | EQ-6 Pro mount | Daystar Quark Prominence filter| QUY5III174M | TV Powermate 2x used only in close-up shots |Focuser Sesto Senso 2 | Stack of 200 frames for each single image, captured in average and good seeing conditions (1,30″ arcs) 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.
Large Solar Mammoth Shape Prominence in Motion – Photos and Time Lapse
Captured on 25th January, 2022, from Dark Sky® Alqueva region, Portugal, a high-resolution image features the chromosphere activity on this day, showing a massive solar prominence around the Solar limb. During the sequence of images, the prominence changed in appearance until it presented an incredible shape that resembled the silhouette of a Mammoth, a large mammal extinct for over 5,000 years and belonging to the genus Mammuthus (see image with caption). As the weather conditions were not perfect, but stable enough, I made a time lapse sequence that reveals this formation in motion, comprising a wider and close-up view (with 2x barlow). The final result is a 4K high resolution solar movie comprising around 2,5 hours of images.
PT: Captada a 25 de Janeiro de 2022, na região do Dark Sky® Alqueva, Portugal, a imagem de alta resolução revela a actividade da cromosfera neste dia, mostrando uma proeminência solar maciça ao redor do limbo Solar. Durante a sequência de imagens a proeminência foi mudando de aparência até apresentar uma forma incrível e que muita se asemelhava à silhueta de um Mamute, um mamífero de grande porte extinto há mais de 5 mil anos e pertencente ao gênero Mammuthus (ver a imagem com legenda). Como as condições climatéricas não eram perfeitas, mas suficientemente estáveis, fiz uma sequência time lapse e que permite ver esta formação em movimento, compreendendo fotos de visão mais ampla e close-up (com barlow 2x). O resultado final é um filme solar de alta resolução 4K com cerca de 2,5 horas de imagens.
Above is the original image vs the labeled image to help identify the Mammoth shape. Below are some still shots presented in a portrait, landscape, or monochromatic version, intended to help conduct the reader attention to the most interesting parts of the image.
PT: Acima está a imagem original versus a imagem legendada para ajudar a identificar a forma do Mamute. Em baixo estão algumas fotos apresentadas em uma versão retrato e paisagem, bem como em uma versão monocromática, com o objetivo intencional de ajudar a conduzir a atenção do leitor para as partes mais interessantes da imagem.
Below is possible to watch the video time lapse sequence compiling 345 shots processed (wide and Close-up), 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 2,5 hours.
PT: Em baixo é possível ver o vídeo time lapse compilando 345 captações processadas (wide e close-up), 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 2,5h de imagens.
Technical details | Detalhes Técnicos
SW Esprit 120ED Professional | EQ-6 Pro mount | Daystar Quark Prominence filter| QUY5III174M | TV Powermate 2x used only in close-up shots |Focuser Sesto Senso 2 | Stack of 200 frames for each single image, captured in good seeing conditions (average of 1,60″ arcs) 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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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.
Milky Way Above the Medieval Castle of Juromenha
The image show a vertical panorama of the Milky Way as seen at the end of summer from inside the medieval castle of Juromenha in Dark Sky® Alqueva certified territory, in Portugal. The occupation of its site dates back to the Gallo-Celts and the Romans. Later occupied during the Muslim invasion of the Iberian Peninsula, at the time of the Christian Reconquest of the peninsula it remained for two centuries as a defence outpost of the important city of Badajoz, since the 10th century in the hands of the Caliphate of Cordoba. The village and medieval castle, were then conquered in 1167 by the troops of Portuguese King Afonso Henriques (1112-1185).
PT: A imagem mostra um panorama vertical da Via Láctea visível no final do Verão e a partir do castelo medieval de Juromenha, no território certificado do Dark Sky® Alqueva, em Portugal. A ocupação do seu sítio remonta aos galo-celtas e aos romanos. Mais tarde ocupado durante a invasão muçulmana da Península Ibérica, na época da Reconquista Cristã da península, permaneceu durante dois séculos como posto avançado de defesa da importante cidade de Badajoz, desde o século X nas mãos do Califado de Córdoba. A vila e o castelo medieval, foram então conquistados em 1167 pelas tropas do rei português Afonso Henriques (1112-1185).
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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.
Polaris Immersed in the Faint Dust Clouds from Integrated Flux Nebula – IFN

A deep wide field view shows the star Polaris immersed in the faintest diffuse clouds from IFN, the gas and dust from Integrated flux nebulas (IFN) which lies beyond the main body of our Milky Way Galaxy. According to its discoverer Steven Mandel (2005), they are “high galactic latitude nebulae that are illuminated not by a single star (as most nebula in the plane of the Galaxy are) but by the energy from the integrated flux of all the stars in the Milky Way. These nebulae clouds – an important component of the interstellar medium – are composed of dust particles, hydrogen and carbon monoxide and other elements”. Not visible though in a single long exposure, to show a result like these, I had to left my camera exposing for several nights in order to accumulate a total amount of 13 hours, to be able to reveal the faintest light of IFN also immersed in a colorful starfield which surrounds Polaris, well known, as the Northern Star.
PT: Uma visão ampla e profunda mostra a estrela Polar imersa nas nuvens difusas e ténues de gás e poeira da Nebulosa de Fluxo Integrado (IFN) e que ficam para além do corpo principal da nossa galáxia. De acordo com seu descobridor Steven Mandel (2005), estas são “nebulosas de alta latitude galáctica que são iluminadas não por uma única estrela (como a maioria das nebulosas no plano da Galáxia), mas pela energia do fluxo integrado de todas as estrelas da Via Láctea. Essa nebulosas – um importante componente do meio interestelar – são compostas essencialmente por partículas de poeira, hidrogénio e monóxido de carbono, entre outros elementos”. Não sendo contudo visíveis em uma única longa exposição, para mostrar um resultado como este, foi necessário fazer longas exposições por várias noites até acumular um total de 13 horas, para assim poder revelar a fraca nebulosidade da IFN, imersa em um campo estelar colorido que circunda a estrela Polaris, também conhecida por Estrela do Norte.
Above – A cropped portrait and starless version shows interesting details and intricate structures on the IFN clouds. These different perspectives above and below, intended to help conduct the reader attention to the most interesting parts of the image.
PT: Acima, uma versão crop e sem estrelas revela detalhes interessantes nas estruturas intrincadas das nuvens IFN. Estas diferentes perspectivas visíveis acima e abaixo, permitem ajudar a conduzir a atenção do leitor para as partes mais distintas e interessantes da imagem.
Technical details | Detalhes Técnicos
Canon fixed prime lens 300mm at f/3,2 + Canon 6D not modified | ISO1600 – Exp. of 100 seconds. Mount EQ6 Pro – Auto-guiding off |Total integration of 783 minutes (13 hours). Processing on PixInsight 1.8.8-12 and Photoshop CC 2022. Cumeada Observatory from Dark Sky® Alqueva Reserve, Reguengos de Monsaraz.
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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.
Burning Like the Wing of an Angel – Solar Timelapse and Photos
Captured on 13th January, 2022, from Dark Sky® Alqueva region, Portugal, a high-resolution image featured as a coronagraph, shows a large but very very faint solar prominence dancing around the sun’s limb. It was barely visible with the chromosphere filter, but I realised that it was vertical, enormous and beautiful, a burning shape resembling the wing of an angel. So, I decide to switch to the Quark filter dedicated to Prominences and get the most of it, with an overexposed disc to help reveal all the details on its structure. By my calculations and in comparison with the pixel measurements on the image, it must be around 96.000 km in height, which means around 7,5x the size of our planet Earth. As the weather conditions were stable enough, I did a time lapse sequence compiling 223 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 2 hours.
PT: Captada a 13 de Janeiro de 2022, na região do Dark Sky® Alqueva, Portugal, a imagem de alta resolução apresentada como “coronógrafo”, mostra uma proeminência solar grande, mas muito fraca, dançando ao redor do limbo solar. Era praticamente imperceptível com o filtro de cromosfera, mas conseguia-se vislumbrar a sua grandeza, imponência e verticalidade, com a forma ardente de uma asa de anjo em chamas. Assim, decidi mudar para o filtro Quark dedicado às Proeminências no sentido de tirar o máximo proveito dele, com um disco sobre-exposto para ajudar a revelar todos os detalhes da sua estrutura. Pelos meus cálculos e em comparação com as medições dos pixeis na imagem, a proeminência deverá ter cerca de 96.000 km de altura, o que significa cerca de 7,5x o tamanho do nosso planeta Terra, com 12.742 km de diâmetro. Como as condições climáticas estavam estáveis o suficiente, fiz uma sequência time lapse compilando 223 fotos processadas, cada uma como resultado de um stack dos melhores 200 frames de cada vídeo raw. O resultado final é um filme de alta resolução em 4K que compilar cerca de 2 horas.
Below and above are some still shots presented in a portrait, landscape, or monochromatic version, intended to help conduct the reader attention to the most interesting parts of the image.
PT: Em baixo e acima estão algumas fotos apresentadas em uma versão retrato e paisagem, bem como em uma versão monocromática, com o objetivo intencional de ajudar a conduzir a atenção do leitor para as partes mais interessantes da imagem.
Below is possible to watch the video time lapse sequence compiling 223 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 2 hours.
PT: Em baixo é possível ver o vídeo time lapse compilando 223 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
SW Esprit 120ED Professional | EQ-6 Pro mount | Daystar Quark Prominence filter| QUY5III174M | Focuser Sesto Senso 2 | Stack of 200 frames for each single image, captured in good seeing conditions (average of 1,60″ arcs) 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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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.
Cold Full Moon Rising Behind a Lonely Tree – Photo and Time Lapse

The still image shows a sequence of the full moon rising behind a wonderful lonely tree over a hill in Dark Sky® Alqueva region. Last December full moon, was also known as the cold moon, although, in some places like Alqueva, Portugal, even in December the weather can be provide nice and confortable temperatures. A time lapse footage of this same scene can be seen below. To watch with sound on.
PT: A imagem estática revela uma sequência da lua cheia surgindo atrás de uma árvore bela e solitária sobre uma colina na região de Dark Sky® Alqueva. A lua cheia de Dezembro, é também conhecida como a “lua fria”, embora em alguns locais como o Alqueva, Portugal, mesmo em Dezembro o tempo permita desfrutar de uma agradável e confortável temperatura. Em baixo é possível ver uma sequência vídeo time lapse. Para assistir com som ligado.
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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.
Stargazing Comet Leonard with Planet Venus Against the Nautical Twilight

The image shows Comet Leonard c/2021 A1 captured at dusk from Dark Sky® Alqueva lake against the nautical twilight colors, on last 17th December 2021. Planet Venus is shinning high in a moonlight sky and reflecting its strong light in the lake surface, while a stargazer is pointing his arm to the faint comet, gradually decreasing in brightness, is barely visible even with binoculars.
PT: A imagem mostra o cometa Leonard c/2021 A1 captado ao anoitecer a partir do lago Alqueva, na região do Dark Sky®, contra as cores do crepúsculo náutico, no passado dia 17 de Dezembro de 2021. Enquanto o planeta Vénus brilhava alto num céu de luar e reflectindo a sua intensa luz na superfície do lago, uma observadora de estrelas apontava o seu braço para o ténue cometa – que com o natural descréscimo do seu brilho – era um alvo desafiante mesmo para binóculos.
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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.
Morning Colors with Comet Lenoard Shinning Above Alqueva Lake

Captured last 11th December 2021, from Dark Sky® Alqueva lake, the image shows Comet Leonard c/2021 A1 – near the closest approach to our planet – shining against the colors of the morining sky as a diffuse greenish dot with a subtle dusty tail. During this month, the Comet is expected to reach an even better magnitude to the naked eye. After 12th December, the comet will start to be visible after the twilight at Dusk and no longer at Dawn. To enjoy a Reels timelapse, Click here
PT: Captada no passado dia 11 de dezembro de 2021, no Dark Sky® junto ao lago Alqueva, a imagem mostra o cometa Leonard c/2021 A1 – quase a atingir o ponto orbital mais próximo do nosso planeta – brilhando como um ponto esverdeado difuso com uma súbtil cauda empoeirada. A partir de dia 12, o cometa começará a ser visível após o crepúsculo, ao entardecer e não mais será visível ao amanhecer como acontecia até aqui. Para ver um timelapse do Reels, Clique aqui
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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.
Stargazing Comet Leonard in the Morning Sky above Dark Sky Alqueva Lake

Captured last 11th December 2021, from Dark Sky® Alqueva lake, the image shows a single shot with my silhouette against a background starry sky where Comet Leonard c/2021 A1 – near the closest approach to our planet – is possible to see (not really to the naked eye yet) shining as a diffuse greenish dot with a subtle dusty tail. During this month, the Comet is expected to reach an even better magnitude to the naked eye. From tomorrow on, the comet will start to be visible after the twilight at Dusk and no longer at Dawn.
PT: Captada no passado dia 11 de dezembro de 2021, no Dark Sky® junto ao lago Alqueva, a imagem mostra um disparo único com a minha silhueta contra um céu estrelado em pano de fundo onde se vê o cometa Leonard c/2021 A1 – quase a atingir o ponto orbital mais próximo do nosso planeta – brilhando como um ponto esverdeado difuso com uma súbtil cauda empoeirada. A partir de dia 12, o cometa começará a ser visível após o crepúsculo, ao entardecer e não mais será visível ao amanhecer como acontecia até aqui.
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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.
Comet Leonard Featuring a Bright Greenish Coma and a Long Dusty Tail

The image shows a close-up view of Comet Leonard c/2021 A1 featuring a wonderful greenish coma and a long dusty tail, visible at Dawn on 5th December 2021 from Dark Sky® Alqueva observatory, Portugal. While seems to move fast against the background starry sky, the frame shows comet Leonard with a magnitude of 5.9 pointing in the direction of double star d Bootis, the brightest one visible near the corner. During this month, the Comet is expected to reach a naked eye magnitude.
PT: A imagem revela uma visão aproximada do cometa Leonard c/2021 A1 exibindo um incrível coma esverdeado e uma longa cauda empoeirada, captada ao amanhecer no passado dia 5 de Dezembro de 2021, a partir do Observatório do Dark Sky® Alqueva, na Cumeada. Enquanto este vagueante longíquo do sistema solar se move rapidamente contra o céu estrelado de fundo, a imagem estática revela no enquadramento o cometa Leonard com uma magnitude de 5,9 enquanto aparenta apontar na direção da estrela dupla d Bootis, a estrela mais brilhante visível no extremidade da imagem. Durante este mês de Dezembro, o Cometa poderá vir a atingir uma magnitude visível a olho.
Technical details | Detalhes Técnicos
Taka FSQ-106ED + Extender-Q 1.6x – EM200 auto-guided | Nikon D850 | ISO3200 – Exp. 120 seconds x 60 lights | Total integration: 120 minutes = 2 hours. Processing on PixInsight 1.8.8-10 and Photoshop CC 2022. Cumeada Observatory from Dark Sky® Alqueva Reserve, Reguengos de Monsaraz.
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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.
Lonely Tree with Milky Way Immersed in Airglow

Feeling blessed to live so close to Dark Sky® Alqueva reserve where I can easily reach places like this, places that I love and where pristine skies are still possible to see. On this particular night taken during one of my private workshops, the airglow was so active that literally painted with greenish hues the background sky. In the foreground, a wonderful trees stands in the golden fields of Alentejo, while the heart of Milky Way is going away until April of next year, where it starts to appear again but late in the night, just an hour before sunrise.
PT: Sinto-me abençoado por viver tão perto do Dark Sky® Alqueva, onde posso facilmente chegar a lugares como este, lugares que me apaixonam e onde ainda é possível disfrutar de um céu pristino. Nesta noite em particular, que decorreu durante um de meus workshops privados de astrofotografia, o airglow – luminescência fotoquímica da atmosfera – estava tão activo que literalmente “pintou” em tons esverdeados o céu de fundo. Em primeiro plano, uma bonita oliveira frondosa destaca-se nos campos dourados do Alentejo, enquanto o coração da Via Láctea se despede de todos nós até abril do próximo ano, altura em que reaparecerá de forma discreta uma hora antes do sol nascer.
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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.
A Cloud of Fire Floating Above the Chromosphere and AR12887 Releasing a C1.1 Flare – Time Lapse and Photos
Captured on October 27th, 2021, from Dark Sky® Alqueva region, Portugal, with a telescope equipped with a Daystar Quark filter at the wavelength of Hydrogen-Alpha, the high-resolution image features some solar prominence around the sun’s limb near the Active Region AR12891, as well as a cloud of fire which seems to float above the limb for a long time. To help reveal all the solar dynamics and activity in motion, I made a time lapse video sequence taken between UT 11h55 and UT 14h13 (Universal Time). It’s possible to see a lot of interesting changes in the shape of prominence structures, as well as, fine spicules surrounding the solar disc and some slower motion in the chromosphere of the sun (surface).The images also captured minor and fast eruptive prominences appearing around the limb’s disc. The video zoomed to a crop close-up into some sequences to highlights the spectacularity and details in the solar activity ending with a close-up of AR12887, an Active Region which has been releasing during a few days several flares from C-1 to X-1 class. I was fortunate to capture one of these minor flares, a C1.1 class registered at UT13h35 which last for 13 minutes. It can be seen as a sudden “burning white” area appearing around the AR12887 sunspot.
PT: Captada a 27 de Outubro de 2021, a partir da região do Dark Sky® Alqueva, Portugal, com um telescópio equipado com um filtro Daystar Quark no comprimento de onda do Hidrogénio Alfa, a imagem de alta resolução apresenta algumas proeminências ao redor do limbo do sol, perto da região activa AR12891, bem como uma nuvem de fogo que parece flutuar sobre o limbo por um longo periodo de tempo. Para ajudar a revelar toda a dinâmica solar e atividade em movimento, fiz uma sequência de vídeo time lapse captada entre UT 11h55 e UT 14h13 (Tempo Universal). É possível ver muitas mudanças interessantes na forma das estruturas de proeminência, bem como, finas espículas ao redor do disco solar e algum movimento mais lento na cromosfera do sol (superfície). As imagens também captaram proeminências eruptivas menores e rápidas aparecendo ao redor do disco. O vídeo faz um zoom-in nalguns trechos, para permitir em close-up destacar a espetacularidade da actividade solar, terminando com um close-up da AR12887, uma região activa que tem lançado durante alguns dias vários flares de entre classe C-1 a X -1. Tive a sorte de captar um desses flares menores, de classe C1.1 registado às UT13h35, que durou aproximadamente 13 minutos. Pode ser visto como uma área branca que repentinamente queima – te tanta luz – aparecendo ao redor da mancha solar AR12887.
Below and above are some still shots presented in a portrait, landscape, or monochromatic version, intended to help conduct the reader attention to the most interesting parts of the image. Below is possible to see the white region related with the flare C1.1 class released around the sunspot AR12887.
PT: Em baixo e acima estão algumas fotos apresentadas em uma versão retrato e paisagem, bem como em uma versão monocromática, com o objetivo intencional de ajudar a conduzir a atenção do leitor para as partes mais interessantes da imagem. Em baixo é possível ver a região a branco relacionada com a libertação de um flare de classe C1.1 na mancha solar AR12887
Below is possible to watch the video time lapse compiling 358 shots processed, each one as result of a stack of the best 250 frames from each raw video. The final result is a 4K high resolution time lapse movie comprising 2h18 of images.
PT: Em baixo é possível ver o vídeo time lapse compilando 135 captações processadas, cada uma como resultado de um stack dos melhores 250 frames de cada vídeo raw. O resultado final é um filme time lapse de alta resolução de 4K que compila 2h18 de imagens.
Technical details | Detalhes Técnicos
SW Esprit 120ED Professional | EQ-6 Pro mount | Daystar Quark Chromosphere filter| QUY5III174M | ZWO EAF | Stack of 250 frames for each single image, captured in good seeing conditions (average of 1,60 ” arcs) 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.
Solar Chromosphere Immersed in a Charming Light with a Faint High Prominence
Captured on October 22th, 2021, at UT 14h09 from Dark Sky® Alqueva region, Portugal, with a telescope equipped with a Daystar Quark filter at the wavelength of Hydrogen-Alpha, the high-resolution panorama features a large but faint solar prominence (several times the size of Earth) visible in the upper part of the sun’s limb, immersed in the magical light that surrounds the chromosphere, a charming active surface full of fine and elegant spicules.
PT: Captada a 22 de Outubro de 2021, às 14h09 (UT) na região do Dark Sky® Alqueva, Portugal, com um telescópio equipado com um filtro Daystar Quark no comprimento de onda do Hidrogénio-alfa, o panorama de alta resolução revela uma grande e tênue proeminência (várias vezes superior ao tamanho da Terra) solar visível na parte superior do limbo solar, imersa na luz mágica que envolve a cromosfera, uma encantadora superfície activa repleta de finas e elegantes espículas.
Technical details | Detalhes Técnicos
William Optics ED80 | EQ-6 Pro mount | Daystar Quark Chromosphere filter| QHY5III174M | ZWO EAF | Stack of 250 frames for each single image. Panorama of two images taken from Dark Sky® Alqueva territory, 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.
Large Prominence and Chromosphere in Motion – Solar Session from 19th Sept 2021 With Photos and Time Lapse
Captured on September 19th, 2021, from Dark Sky® Alqueva region, Portugal, with a telescope equipped with a Daystar Quark filter at the wavelength of Hydrogen-Alpha, the high-resolution image features a wonderful solar prominence visible in great detail around the sun’s limb. Due to a good atmospheric conditions and stability, it was possible to record a nice time lapse video sequence taken between UT 11h32 and UT 12h51 (Universal Time) to help reveal all the solar dynamics and activity in motion. It’s possible to see a lot of interesting changes in the shape of prominence structures, as well as, fine spicules surrounding the solar disc and some slower motion in the chromosphere of the sun (surface). The images also captured minor and fast eruptive prominences appearing around the limb’s disc. The video zoomed to a crop close-up into some sequences to highlights the spectacularity and details in the solar activity. I edited the time lapse with music to be more immersive while enjoying, but you can switch of the sound, to be less distractive and notice better what is going on.
PT: Captada a 19 de Setembro de 2021, a partir da região do Dark Sky® Alqueva, Portugal, com um telescópio equipado com um filtro solar Daystar Quark – no comprimento de onda do Hidrogénio Alfa, a imagem de alta resolução apresenta uma incrível promeminência solar visível em grande detalhe ao redor do limbo do sol. Devido a boas condições atmosféricas e de estabilidade, foi possível registar uma sequência time lapse captada entre UT 11h32 e UT 12h51 (Tempo Universal) para ajudar a revelar toda a dinâmica solar e actividade em movimento. É possível ver muitas mudanças interessantes na forma e estrutura das proeminência, bem como espículas finais e aguçadas que aparecem ao redor do disco solar, assim como algum movimento mais lento na cromosfera do sol (superfície). As imagens também captaram proeminências eruptivas menores e rápidas aparecendo ao redor do limbo. O vídeo faz um zoom-in nalguns trechos, para permitir em close-up destacar a espetacularidade da actividade solar. Eu editei o timelapse com música para ser mais envolvente enquanto o leitor desfruta, mas pode desligar o som, para ser menos distrativo e permitir assim apreciar melhor os detalhes.
Below and above are some still shots presented in a portrait, landscape, or monochromatic version, intended to help conduct the reader attention to the most interesting parts of the image. All the images have been captured at different times, over the course of 1h20m.
PT: Em baixo e acima estão algumas fotos apresentadas em uma versão retrato e paisagem, bem como em uma versão monocromática, com o objetivo intencional de ajudar a conduzir a atenção do leitor para as partes mais interessantes da imagem. Todas as imagens foram captadas em minutos diferentes, no decorrer de 1h20m.
Below is possible to watch the video time lapse compiling 135 shots processed, each one as result of a stack of the best 250 frames from each raw video. The final result is a 3K high resolution time lapse movie comprising 1h20 of images.
PT: Em baixo é possível ver o vídeo time lapse compilando 135 captações processadas, cada uma como resultado de um stack dos melhores 250 frames de cada vídeo raw. O resultado final é um filme time lapse de alta resolução de 3K que compila 1h20 de imagens.
Technical details | Detalhes Técnicos
SW Esprit 120ED Professional | EQ-6 Pro mount | Daystar Quark Chromosphere filter| ASI174MM | ZWO EAF | Stack of 250 frames for each single image, captured in good seeing conditions (average of 1,22 ” arcs) from Dark Sky® Alqueva territory, 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.
Solar Granulation and Sunspot AR12882 in Motion – Time Lapse and Photos
Captured on October 7, 2021, from my backyard near Dark Sky® Alqueva region, Portugal, I made a try on pushing hard my 120ED telescope to the limits of its resolution. Equipped with a Lunt Solar Wedge, a Baader green continuum filter and a crazy combination of two Televue Powermate barlows of 4x plus 2,5x in a relatively good atmospheric stability day, it was possible to record a time lapse video sequence taken between UT12h24 and UT 13h32 (Universal Time) which comprising 167 sequences stacked and processed individually. The final result helps to reveal the convection cells in motion around the medium size (but larger enough to maybe fit a planet Earth inside) Sunspot AR2882. A close-up view also reveals the dark hole from Umbra, surrounded by bright fibrils alternated with dark filaments which forms the Penumbra region. Solar photosphere is boiling and bubbling each minute, and these granulation cells are changing so fast, that only in 3 to 4 minutes we can see the diference in size and shape. Unfortunately I was not able to resolve even more up to the point of clearly distinguish the polygonal shape and intergranular zones, but I think that probably this is the limit of the limit of a 120mm telescope.
PT: Captada a 7 de Outubro de 2021, a partir do meu terraço perto da região do Dark Sky® Alqueva, Portugal, fiz uma tentativa de puxar até ao limite da sua resolução teórica, o meu telescópio 120ED. Equipado com um Lunt Solar Wedge, um filtro contínuo verde Baader e uma combinação excêntrica de dois barlows Televue Powermate de 4x mais 2,5x em um dia de estabilidade atmosférica relativamente boa, foi possível gravar uma sequência de vídeo time lapse feita entre UT12h24 e UT13h32 (Tempo Universal) que compreende 167 sequências empilhadas e processadas individualmente. O resultado final ajuda a revelar as células de convecção em movimento ao redor do mancha solar de tamanho médio AR2882 (mas grande o suficiente para talvez abarcar um planeta Terra inteiro lá dentro). Uma visão de perto também revela a região escura da Umbra, rodeada por fibrilas brilhantes alternadas com filamentos escuros que formam a região da Penumbra. A fotosfera solar está fervendo e borbulhando a cada minuto, e essa granulação sofre alterações tão rapidamente que em apenas 3 a 4 minutos podemos ver a diferença de tamanho e forma. Infelizmente não consegui resolver ainda mais a ponto de distinguir claramente a forma poligonal e as zonas intergranulares, mas acho que provavelmente esse é o limite do limite de um telescópio de 120mm.
Technical details | Detalhes Técnicos
SW Esprit 120ED Professional | EQ-6 Pro mount | Lunt Solar Wedge | Baader Green Continum filter| ASI174MM | TV 4x + TV2,5x | ZWO EAF | Stack of 150 frames for each single image, captured in good 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!
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.
Planet Saturn Surrounded by Colorful Stripes
The planet Saturn has the most extensive and spectacular ring complex of any planet in the Solar System. Consisting essentially of a mixture of ice, dust and rocky material, they can reach a few hundred thousand kilometers in diameter, but do not exceed 1.5 km in thickness. Captured from Cumeada Observatory, headquarters of the Dark Sky® Alqueva Reserve, on 16th July 2021, at 01h58 UTC, just a few days before reaching the opposition. The image reveals nice and colorful stripes around the planet’s atmosphere, as seen in different hues. The gold and yellowish bands seen in Saturn’s atmosphere, are the result of superfast winds in the upper atmosphere, which can reach up to 1,800 km/h, around the equator. Being made up mostly of hydrogen and helium, the Ringed Planet is the least dense of all the planets, and is the only one less dense than water. If there were a bathtub big enough to hold it, Saturn would float in it.
PT: O planeta Saturno possui o complexo de anéis mais extenso e espetacular de qualquer planeta do Sistema Solar. Consistindo essencialmente de uma mistura de gelo, poeira e material rochoso, podem atingir algumas centenas de milhares de quilómetros de diâmetro, mas não ultrapassam 1,5 km de espessura. Captada no Observatório da Cumeada, sede oficial do Dark Sky® Alqueva, no dia 16 de Julho de 2021, à 01h58 UTC, poucos dias antes de atingir a oposição. A imagem revela assim uma atmosfera rica e colorida, com várias faixas de diferentes tonalidade ao redor do planeta. As faixas douradas e amareladas vistas na atmosfera de Saturno, são o resultado de ventos super rápidos na alta atmosfera, que podem chegar a 1.800 km/h, ao redor do equador. Sendo composto principalmente de hidrogénio e hélio, este Planeta anelado é o menos denso de todos os planetas, e é o único menos denso que a própria água. Se houvesse uma banheira grande o suficiente para contê-lo, Saturno flutuaria nela.
Technical details | Detalhes Técnicos
Camera ASI174MC | C14| ZWO ADC | Barlow 2,5x Televue Powermate | Captured in Color | Average sum of 2000 frames for each sequence, using about 40 minutes of stacking. Processing on AutoStakkert, Registax 6 and Photoshop CC. Cumeada Observatory from Dark Sky® Alqueva Reserve, Reguengos de Monsaraz.
Planet Jupiter as seen One Month Before the Opposition
The image reveals some nice details and ovals on Planet Jupiter as seen on July 16th at 02h54 UTC from Cumeada Observatory, headquarters of Dark Sky® Alqueva Reserve, Portugal, captured almost one month before the opposition.
PT: A imagem revela o gigante gasoso planeta Júpiter visível a 16 de Julho de 2021 às 02h54 UTC, captado a partir do Observatório da Cumeada, sede da Reserva Dark Sky® Alqueva, um mês antes de atingit a sua oposição.
Technical details | Detalhes Técnicos
Camera ASI174MC | C14| ZWO ADC | Barlow 2,5x Televue Powermate | Captured in Color | Average sum of 2000 frames for each sequence, using about 16 minutes of De-rotation. Processing on AutoStakkert, Registax 6 and Photoshop CC. Cumeada Observatory from Dark Sky® Alqueva Reserve, Reguengos de Monsaraz.
The Crowded Starfield Around Lagoon, Trifid and NGC 6559
A deep wide scene shows the dusty and crowded starfield which surrounds Sagittarius constellation, spanning in the direction of the galactic core of Milky Way. Three bright nebulae are visible, as well as two small globular clusters against the brightest dusty part of this background field divided by dark and light regions. M8 or the Lagoon Nebula, is the largest emission nebula and a stellar nursery visible, and close to the left, shines NGC 6559, a nebulae complex which seems to be separated from the Lagoon by a dark dust lane, also containing dark nebulae B91 and B303, and the bright nebulae IC 4684, 4685 and IC 1274/5. Far from NGC6559 in the opposite direction and close to the edge of the image, lies the colorful Trifid Nebula M20, a complex of red emission and blue reflection nebulosity intersected by three dark lanes, from which the Trifid gets its own name. Close to Trifid, it’s also visible a rich open cluster of bluesish stars known as M21. Captured in Cumeada Observatory from Dark Sky® Alqueva Reserve, Reguengos de Monsaraz, Portugal.
PT: Um cenáro amplo e profundo mostra o campo estelar empoeirado e lotado de estrelas que circunda a constelação de Sagitário, que se estende na direção do núcleo galáctico da Via Láctea. Três nebulosas brilhantes são visíveis, bem como dois pequenos aglomerados globulares que brilham contra a região de poeira mais brilhante deste pano de fundo dividido por zonas claras e escuras. M8 ou a Nebulosa da Lagoa, é a maior nebulosa de emissão e berçário estelar visível na imagem, e próximo deste, mais à esquerda, brilha NGC 6559, um complexo de nebulosas que parece estar separado da Lagoa por uma faixa de poeira escura, também contendo as nebulosas escuras B91 e B303 e as nebulosas brilhantes IC 4684, 4685 e IC 1274/5. Na direcção oposta e longe da NGC6559, próximo do extremo da imagem, encontra-se a colorida Nebulosa Trífida M20, um complexo de emissão vermelha e nebulosidade de reflexão azul, cruzada por três faixas escuras, das quais a Trífida recebe o seu nome. Perto da M20, também é visível um rico aglomerado aberto de estrelas azuladas, conhecido como M21. Captada no Observatório da Cumeada, Sede Oficial do Dark Sky® Alqueva, Reguengos, Portugal.
Technical details | Detalhes Técnicos
Canon fixed prime lens 300mm f/2,8 + Canon 6D not modified | ISO1600 – Exp. of 60 seconds. Total of 48 lights | Mount EQ6 Pro – Auto-guiding off |Total integration of 48 minutes. Processing on PixInsight 1.8.8-8 and Photoshop CC 2021. Cumeada Observatory from Dark Sky® Alqueva Reserve, Reguengos de Monsaraz.
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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.
A Blue Horse Head is Shining in Space Surrounded by Faint Dust

Located at a distance of 400 light-years in the constellation of Scorpius, lies a wonderful nebula named IC4592 but better known by it’s well distinguished shape of a Blue Horse Head. The entire area is part of a large and colorful molecular cloud in Scorpius and Ophiuchus. The blue reflection nebula is made up of very fine interstellar dust particles that reflects the visible light of energetic nearby stars, as Nu Scorpii, the bright blueish star which marks the eye of the Horse. Immersed in the brownish dust, is visible a second reflection nebula named IC 4601 surrounding two stars. The whole field captured with a 300mm fixed prime lens, can also reveal in the background sky some of the faintest dust which seems to surround the main nebula.. Captured from Cumeada Observatory, official headquarter of Dark Sky® Alqueva Reserve, Reguengos de Monsaraz, Portugal.
PT: Localizada a uma distância de 400 anos-luz na constelação do Escorpião, encontra-se uma incrível nebulosa chamada IC4592, mas mais conhecida pela sua forma distinta de uma Cabeça de Cavalo Azul. Toda a área faz parte de uma grande e colorida nuvem molecular situada na cosntelação do Escorpião e Ofiúco. A nebulosa de reflexão azul é composta por partículas de poeira interestelar muito finas que refletem a luz visível de estrelas energéticas próximas, como Nu Scorpii, a estrela azul brilhante que marca o olho do Cavalo. Imerso na poeira acastanhada, é visível uma segunda nebulosa de reflexão chamada IC 4601 em torno de duas estrelas. Todo este campo profundo captado com uma lente fixa de 300mm, revela ainda no céu de fundo alguma da poeira mais ténue que parece circundar a nebulosa principal. A imagem foi captada a partir do Observatório da Cumeada, Sede Oficial do Dark Sky@ Alqueva, Reguengos de Monsaraz, Portugal.
Technical details | Detalhes Técnicos
Canon fixed prime lens 300mm f/2,8 + Canon 6D not modified | ISO2000 – Exp. of 95 seconds. Total of 176 lights | Mount EQ6 Pro – Auto-guiding off |Total integration of 279 minutes (5h). Processing on PixInsight 1.8.8-7 and Photoshop CC 2021. Cumeada Observatory from Dark Sky® Alqueva Reserve, Reguengos de Monsaraz.
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Eagle Nebula in a Colorful Deep Field
The image shows a young open cluster of stars in the constellation Serpens Cauda, surrounded by a colorful deepsky field of glowing gas, known as the Eagle Nebula, M16. Located at a distance of 7,000 light-years away from us, the nebula features a dusty sculpture made famous by the Hubble Space Telescope’s close-up, known as the “Pillars of Creation”. These dense, dusty pillars, with light-years in length, are the location of new star formation, and are sculpted by the stellar winds from nearby newborn stars. At left of the main pillars is another dusty starforming column known as the Fairy of Eagle Nebula. The gas and dust in the giant cloud of M16, has given birth to hot and young stars in the star cluster embedded in the nebula. The ultraviolet energy from these stars cause the nebula to glow with red hues, from the ionized hydrogen-alpha emission.
PT: A imagem mostra um jovem aglomerado aberto de estrelas na constelação Serpens Cauda, rodeado por um campo profundo de gás brilhante, conhecido como a Nebulosa da Águia, M16. Localizada a uma distância de 7.000 anos-luz de nós, a nebulosa apresenta uma escultura empoeirada que ficou famosa pelo close-up do Telescópio Espacial Hubble, conhecida como “Pilares da Criação”. Esses pilares densos e empoeirados, com vários anos-luz de comprimento, são o local de formação de novas estrelas e são esculpidos pelos ventos estelares de estrelas recém-nascidas próximas. À esquerda dos pilares principais está outra coluna densa de formação de estrelas conhecida como a Fada da Nebulosa da Águia. O gás e a poeira na nuvem gigante da M16 ,deram origem a estrelas jovens e quentes no aglomerado de estrelas embutido na nebulosa. A energia ultravioleta dessas estrelas faz com que a nebulosa brilhe em tons vermelhos, a partir da emissão ionizada de hidrogénio-alfa.
Technical details | Detalhes Técnicos
Nikon D810a | GSO RC8 F/8 1624mm – Ritchey-Chrétien Astrograph Carbon Fiber| ISO2500 – Exposures 5 min x 83 lights | Mount EQ8 Pro |Total integration of 83 Lights: 415 minutes (6,9h). Processing on PixInsight 1.8.8-7 and Photoshop CC 2021. Cumeada Observatory from Dark Sky® Alqueva Reserve, Reguengos de Monsaraz, Portugal.
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Moonrise Crossing an Inversion Layer Showing the Rare Lunar Red Flash
The image and video time lapse shows the full moonrise of last June 24, 2021, vividly orange in color above a hill made by rocky wastes from an extraction of marble, in Borba. In the foreground, blurred greenish hues belongs to a vineyard which is out of focus in the frame for being not faraway from my 600mm telephoto lens. Above the horizon, a sequence of shots shows the moon rising while seems to immerse into a layer of strong temperature inversion, where warm air is above colder air, creating the right conditions to show a rare phenomenon known as lunar “red flash”. On the second moon of the still photo sequence, is visible a red flash below the disc, appearing detach from the main body itself. Expert Les Cowley explains on his Atmospheric Optics website, “when crossing the layers, light rays bend so that they are reflected up and down. This phenomenon is the result of mirages and color separation. We usually see a green flash when the Sun or Moon dips down into the inversion.The near horizon moon has an upper green rim (green because much blue light is scattered away) and a lower red rim. A mirage is needed to magnify these into a green or red flash. The “Etruscan Vase” or “Omega mirage” is formed by refraction across the temperature/density gradients of warm air beneath cooler.” .
PT: A imagem e vídeo time lapse, revelam o nascer da lua cheia no passado dia 24 de Junho de 2021, com uma cor vívida laranja, acima de uma colina formada por resíduos rochosos de uma extração de mármore, em Borba. No primeiro plano, os tons esverdeados pertencem a uma vinha que está desfocado no enquadramento por não estar muito longe da minha teleobjetiva de 600 mm. Acima do horizonte, uma sequência de fotos mostra a lua nascendo enquanto parece imergir de uma camada com uma forte inversão de temperatura, onde o ar quente está acima do ar mais frio, criando as condições certas para mostrar um fenómeno raro, conhecido como “flash vermelho” lunar. Na segunda lua da sequência fotográfica estática, é visível um pequeno “flash” vermelho alongado logo abaixo do limbo, que se parece desprender do próprio disco lunar. O especialista britânico Les Cowley explica no seu site Atmospheric Optics, “ao cruzar as camadas, os raios de luz curvam-se de modo que são refletidos para cima e para baixo. Este fenómeno é o resultado de miragens e separação de cores. Normalmente vemos um flash verde quando o Sol ou a Lua mergulha na inversão. A lua próxima do horizonte, tem uma borda verde superior (verde porque muita da luz azul é espalhada) e uma borda vermelha inferior. Uma miragem é no entanto necessária para ampliar actuante como uma lente gigante, tornando assim visível o flash verde ou vermelho. O “Etruscan Vase” ou “Miragem Omega” é formado pela refração através dos gradientes de temperatura – densidade do ar quente abaixo do mais frio. “.
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Milky Way Shines in a VR 360º Starry Labeled Scene above São Domingos Mine
Captured on the wonderful century old mine of São Domingos, in Achada do Gamo, Dark Sky® Alqueva – Mértola, an all sky and 360º Virtual Reality scene features the arch of Milky Way shining high in the Sky. Summer Triangle highlights the center of the image, with blueish Vega near the top. At the upper left corner – in the beginning of the Milky Way – a bright elliptic and diffuse dot is the light coming from Andromeda Galaxy. In the opposite direction, close to the horizon shines the dusty core of the galaxy also reflected in a puddle of acid water. On the left side of the all sky scene – lies planets Saturn and Jupiter, visible with its bright light. Below is available two Virtual Realities 360º of this scene. One with the single image, and another with a labeled version where constellations and main deep sky objects visible are identified as a celestial planisphere. All the asterism lines and identifications were made manually by me. You can experience a full 7K resolution using your desktop, or smartphone with gyroscope. A great “in loco” experience can be achieved if you wear a VR glasses.
Above is available the Virtual Reality 360º in a labeled version where constellations and main deep sky objects visible are identified as a celestial planisphere. A great “in loco” experience can be achieved if you wear a VR glasses.
Acima está disponível a Realidade Virtual 360º em uma versão anotada em que se podem apreciar os asterismos das constelações e os principais objetos do céu profundo visíveis, assim identificados como num planisfério celeste. Uma ótima experiência “in loco” pode ser alcançada se usar óculos de realidade virtual.
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Andromeda Galaxy Shining Perfectly Aligned with a Chimney in a Single Photo Exposure
Featured as NASA’s APOD – Astronomy Picture of the Day a deep nightscape scene shows a single shot photo made with Polarie U tracking portable mount of the entire Andromeda Galaxy M31 rising, while it was perfectly aligned above one of the chimneys from the century old mine of São Domingos, in Achada do Gamo, Dark Sky® Alqueva – Mértola. With approximately 4 times the angular size of the full moon as seen from Earth, the great spiral galaxy Andromeda is at a mere 2.5 million light-years distant from us, being the closest large spiral to our own Milky Way. In really dark places we can clearly distinguish this naked eye galaxy, the image though, captured with a Nikon D850 modified camera and a 105mm Sigma Art lens set to f/2 with an ISO2500, could reveal during this single short exposure of 25 seconds, much more interesting details like the spiral violet arms from Ha light emission, involved in the oblong faint bluish white dust, as well as, the satellite companion galaxies of M110 (elliptical shape visible above) and M32, with its peculiar round diffuse shape located below, in the most outer arm. To enjoy a behind the scene editing of this single image, please see and follow my Intagram Page.
PT: Destacada como NASA’s APOD – Astronomy Picture of the Day a imagem mostra uma paisagem nocturna profunda de uma única exposição fotográfica feita com seguimento sideral, através da montagem portátil Polarie U, onde é possível ver a galáxia de Andrómeda M31, enquanto nascia e se encontrava perfeitamente alinhada acima de uma das chaminés da mina centenária de São Domingos, na Achada do Gamo, Dark Sky ® Alqueva – Mértola. Com aproximadamente 4 vezes o tamanho angular da lua cheia vista da Terra, a grande galáxia espiral de Andrómeda está a apenas 2,5 milhões de anos-luz de distância de nós, sendo a grande espiral mais próxima da nossa Via Láctea. Em lugares realmente escuros como o Dark Sky® Alqueva, podemos distinguir claramente esta galáxia a olho nu, a imagem porém, captada com uma câmara modificada Nikon D850 e uma lente Sigma Art de 105 mm ajustada para f/2 e com ISO2500, pôde revelar durante uma curta exposição singular de 25 segundos, detalhes muito mais interessantes, como os braços em espiral de cor violeta provenientes da emissão de luz H-alfa, envoltos na poeira oblonga e azul esbranquiçada, bem como as galáxias satélite M110 (forma elíptica visível acima) e M32, forma peculiar difusa e redonda, localizada abaixo, no braço mais externo da galáxia. Para ver um “behind the scene” da Edição desta exposição singular, aceda e siga a minha página de Intagram.
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International Space Station as Seen in H-alpha Crossing the Solar Disc
The image shows the International Space Station (ISS) silhouette while crossing the Sun´s disc at a distance of 436.29km from us at a speed of about 7.38km/s. The ISS completes an entire orbit around Earth each 90 minutes. Carrying on board astronauts, the large artificial satellite orbiting our planet with a width of 108.5 meters seems although very small when compared with the Solar disc with an angular size of 31.5′ is actually 29.2 times larger than the ISS in the moment of the passage. Hard to see it even with a special telescope equipped with Ha filters, only the fast video camera shutter set to an high speed frame rate could capture this rare moment that happens in a blink of an eye, as it was seen from Redondo, Dark Sky® Alqueva Reserve, Portugal, on June 6, 2021, at 13h20m11s (UT 12h20m11s) with a total duration of only 0,55 seconds. Its very interesting to recognise on the picture the ISS structure with the solar panels and main body elements well distinct. The image also shows in great detail, spicules and supergranulation in the surface of the Sun. Granules, as well as sunspots, appear in a layer we call the Photosphere (sphere of light). Being from this same surface that emerges all the light we visually see, leaving our star, it is involved in the Chromosphere (sphere of color), which is the place where we can observe gas filaments visible on the image and solar Prominences, where Solar Flares do occur. With a diameter of 1,392,000 km, our Sun is composed of 73% Hydrogen, 25% Helium and 2% from heavier elements. The image is also featuring many prominences spread around the solar limb, in the Chromospher.
PT: A imagem revela a silhueta da Estação Espacial Internacional (ISS) atravessando o sol a uma distância de 436.29km de nós e uma velocidade média de cerca de 7.38km/s. A ISS completa uma órbita em torno da Terra a cada 90 minutos. Transportando a bordo vários astronautas, este grande satélite artificial com uma envergadura de 108,5 metros parece muito pequeno quando comparado com o disco solar com um tamanho angular de 31,5 ‘ é na verdade 29,2 vezes maior do que a ISS no momento da passagem. Difícil de observá-la mesmo com um telescópio especial equipado com filtros de protecção H-alfa, só o obturador da câmara de vídeo numa sequência de disparos rápidos tem a capacidade de captar e eternizar este momento raro que acontece num um piscar de olhos, com a curta duração de apenas 0.55 segundos, como foi visto a partir do Redondo, no Dark Sky® Alqueva, Portugal, a 6 de junho de 2021, às 13h20m11s (UT 12h20m11s). Na fotografia é possível reconhecer a estrutura da ISS com os seus painéis solares e os elementos que compõem o corpo principal. A imagem também mostra a superfície supergranulada do Sol e repleta de espículas em grande detalhe. Os grânulos assim como as manchas solares, aparecem numa camada a que chamamos a Fotosfera (esfera de luz). Sendo desta mesma superfície que emerge toda a luz que vemos sair visualmente da nossa estrela, está envolta na Cromosfera (esfera de cor), sendo o local onde podemos observar Filamentos de Gás como os que são visíveis na imagem e Protuberâncias Solares, ou Proeminências, regiões onde ocorrem as chamadas “explosões solares”. Com um diâmetro de 1.392.000 km, o nosso Sol é composto por 73% de Hidrogénio, 25% de Hélio e 2% de elementos mais pesados. A imagem captada a partir do meu terraço, revela assim uma série de intensas protuberâncias que se espalham à volta do limbo solar, na cromosfera.
Technical details | Detalhes Técnicos
LUNT LS100T Ha | AZ-HEQ5GT | ASI178MC | Stack of 250 frames in very good seeing conditions for the solar surface and prominences, plus the single frames where the ISS has appeared. Redondo, Dark Sky® Alqueva, Portugal. 06/06/2021 13h20m11s.
ISS Details | Detalhes da ISS:
ISS angular size: 63.33″; distance: 436.29 km
Angular separation: 0.6′; azimuth: 173.5°; altitude: 73.9°
Center line distance: In the center; visibility path width: 4.11 km
R.A.: 04h 59m; Dec: +22° 41′; parallactic angle: 5.5°
ISS velocity: 57.6 ′/s (angular); 7.31 km/s (transverse)
ISS velocity: -1.07 km/s (radial); 7.38 km/s (total);
Direction of motion relative to zenith: 57.1°
Sun angular size: 31.5′; 29.2 times larger than the ISS
Milky Way Rising Over Alqueva Lake with a Bright Meteor Visible – Photo and Time Lapse
The still image and time lapse sequence shows the Arch of Milky Way rising above Alqueva Lake, in Dark Sky® Alqueva Reserve, Portugal. While the dusty core was moving to the south until reach the meredian, a bright and fast meteor was crossing the sky above it, being visible in the upper right corner. In the foreground, the calm water of Alqueva lake works as a perfect mirror, reflecting the brightest colorful stars of the spring sky. Below is possible to enjoy the video with sound on.
PT: A imagem e sequência time lapse mostram a arco da Via Láctea erguendo-se acima do Lago Alqueva, no território Dark Sky® Alqueva, Portugal. Enquanto o núcleo empoeirado da nossa galáxia se movia para o sul em direcção ao merediano celeste, um meteoro brilhante e rápido, cruzou o céu acima deste, sendo visível no canto superior direito da imagem. Em primeiro plano, as águas calmas do Alqueva funcionam como um espelho perfeito, reflectindo as estrelas coloridas mais brilhantes do céu primaveril. Em baixo, é possível desfrutar do vídeo, com som ligado.
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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.
Milky Way Rising above Alqueva in a Panoramic Scene
The image shows the Arch of Milky Way rising during my annual astrophotography workshop held in May. The group of busy photographers are enjoying the wonders of the sky in the Northern Hemisphere while shooting at the same time, in Dark Sky® Alqueva Reserve, Portugal. Summer Triangle, an asterism composed by the stars Vega (from Lyra constellation), Deneb (from Cygnus), and Altair (from Aquila), are visible relatively low and close to the left center of this panoramic scene. Below Deneb, a bright red emission nebula known as North America, is visible in violet hues, while in the opposite direction of the sky, the core of Milky Way galaxy is featuring many more red emission nebulae coming from deep sky objects like Lagoon, Trifid or Eagle nebula. In the foreground, the calm water of Alqueva lake works as a perfect mirror, reflecting the bright colors of the stars and the dusty center of the galaxy.
PT: A imagem mostra o Arco da Via Láctea enquanto nasce e se torna visível durante o mês de Maio, durante o meu workshop anual de astrofotografia no Alqueva. O grupo de fotógrafos atarefados por entre as luzes das câmaras e dos leds vermelhos, aprecia as maravilhas do céu acima da Reserva Dark Sky® Alqueva. O Triângulo de Verão, um asterismo composto pelas estrelas Vega (da constelação Lyra), Deneb (constelação Cygnus) e Altair (constelação Aquila), é visível relativamente baixo e próximo ao centro esquerdo desta cena panorâmica. Abaixo de Deneb, uma nebulosa de emissão vermelha brilhante conhecida como Nebulosa América do Norte, é visível em tons de violeta, enquanto na direção oposta do céu, o núcleo da Via Láctea revela muitas mais nebulosas de emissão vermelhas provenientes de objetos do céu profundo como a Lagoa, a Trífide ou Nebulosa da Águia. Em primeiro plano, as águas calmas da Grande Lago Alqueva funcionam como um espelho perfeito, reflectindo as cores brilhantes e vibrantes das estrelas e do centro empoeirado da galáxia.
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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.
Super Flower Full Moon of May in a Golden Moonrise
People in Australia, parts of the western US, western South America, or in South-East Asia, will enjoy tonight a Super Flower Full Moon totally eclipsed and turn a shade of red for about 14 minutes during this total lunar eclipse. Unfortunatly, we located in Europe will not be able this time to appreciate a TLE, although, the event of moonrise will be spectaular anyway, as tonight will be Super a Fullmoon. Supermoons happen when a full moon approximately coincides with the moon’s perigee, or a point in its orbit at which it is closest to Earth. The single image captured yesterday night, shows a golden moonrise above a hill full of trees in Telheiro, at Dark Sky® Alqueva, Portugal. The Full Moon of May is known as the Flower Moon to signify the flowers that bloom during this month.
PT: Na Austrália, a Oeste dos Estados Unidos e da América do Sul ou Sudeste da Ásia, irão poder apreciar esta noite, 26 de Maio de 2021, uma Super Lua Cheia, também designada de “Super Flower Moon”, totalmente eclipsada, que ficará envolta num tom avermelhado por cerca de 14 minutos durante este Eclipse Lunar Total. Infelizmente, quem estiver na Europa não poderá apreciar desta vez o Eclipse. No entanto, o nascimento da Lua será igualmente espetacular, já que hoje será uma Super Lua Cheia. As Superluas acontecem quando a lua cheia coincide aproximadamente com o perigeu da lua, ou o ponto orbital mais próximo da Terra. Esta imagem de um disparo único, captada ontem à noite, dia 25 de Maio, mostra um nascer de uma lua dourada sobre uma colina arborizada no Telheiro, nos céus do Dark Sky® Alqueva, Portugal. A Lua Cheia de Maio é conhecida como a Lua da Flor por estar associada à grande diversidade de flores que desabrocham durante esta época mês.
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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.
Planet Alqueva Under the Moonlight in a VR 360º Scene
Captured in Dark Sky® Alqueva Lake, a Little Planet and 360º Virtual Reality scene, shows the fields surrounding the lake spread by olive trees, holm oak and cork trees, with its long shadows cast by the lower angle of moonlight, while in the opposite direction of the sky, is faintly visible the arch of Milky Way rising above the Eastern horizon, yet immersed in the blueish scattered light from the moon, while interacting with our atmosphere. Summer Triangle is totally visible with blueish Vega near the top, while Ursa Major (Big Dipper) dominates the Zenith of the full dome 360º VR view. Below is available a Virtual Reality 360º scene, which you can experience in full resolution using your desktop, or smartphone with gyroscope. A great “in loco” experience can be achieved if you wear a VR glasses.
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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.
ISS Lunar Transit over a Waxing Gibbous Moon
The image shows a sequence of the ISS – International Space Station – crossing the moon’s disc during the twilight over Dark Sky® Alqueva Observatory in Cumeada region, Reguengos, Portugal, on March 23, 2021 at UT 17h43m. In the background, a detailed Waxing Gibbous Moon features a surface 70% directly illuminated by the Sun and spread by contrasted craters. The path which comprises 29 frames with the ISS visible, seems to cross very close to the well known Tycho crater, with a diameter of 86km. Carrying on board astronauts, the large artificial satellite orbiting our planet with a width of 108.5 meters seems although very small when compared with the moon’s disc with an angular size of 31.2′. Indeed, the moon was 35.7 times larger than the ISS during this particular passage. Although, larger structures and the main solar panels are well possible to distinguish in the image. The angular size of the ISS was 52.42″ arc seconds at a distance of 526,67 km and a speed of 7,39km/s, it has just crossed the moon in a blink of an eye during 0.69s. International Space Station (ISS) completes an entire orbit around Earth each 90 minutes, but these events are not happening so often. To capture this scene, I´ve used a ZWO ASI178MC planetary camera in full resolution at 21 frames per second, with a telescope Takahashi FSQ-106ED + Extender-Q 1.6x (840mm) on a mount EM-200.
PT: A imagem revela uma sequência da ISS – Estação Espacial Internacional – cruzando o disco da lua Crescente Gibosa sobre o Observatório do Dark Sky® Alqueva, na Cumeada, Reguengos, Portugal, no dia 23 de Março de 2021 às 17h43m UT. Em pano de fundo, uma lua detalhada apresenta uma superfície 70% iluminada directamente pelo sol e repleta de crateras contrastantes. A linha que descreve a passagem da ISS, e que compreende 29 fotografias captadas em modo sequencial, passa próximo da conhecida cratera Tycho, com um diâmetro de 86km. Transportando a bordo astronautas em permanência, o maior satélite artificial a orbitar o nosso planeta Terra, tem uma largura de 108,5 metros, embora pareça muito pequeno quando comparado com disco lunar com um tamanho angular de 31,2′ (minutos de arco). Na verdade, a lua encontrava-se 35,7 vezes maior do que a ISS durante esta passagem em particular. Porém, as maiores estruturas e os painéis solares principais são bem possíveis de distinguir na imagem. Com o tamanho angular de 52,42″ (segundos de arco), a ISS passou a uma distância de 526,67 km e uma velocidade de 7,39 km/s, cruzando a lua num piscar de olhos, durante cerca de 0,69 segundos. A Estação Espacial Internacional (ISS) completa uma órbita inteira ao redor da Terra a cada 90 minutos, mas eventos como este não acontecem com tanta frequência. Para captar esta imagem, usei uma c^mara planetário ZWO ASI178MC na máxima resolução e a 21 frames por segundo, com um telescópio Takahashi FSQ-106ED + Extender-Q 1.6x (840mm) numa montagem EM-200.
Above is available the ISS footage captured with the ZWO ASI178MC camera and below, the portrait version of the still image which comprises all the 29 frames of the ISS sequence.
PT: Acima é possível ver o vídeo captado pela ZWO ASI178MC e abaixo, uma versão em modo retrato da imagem final que compila os 29 frames da sequência.
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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.
Close-up View of ISS Flying Over the Sky of Alqueva
The image above is the result of a stack of 54 images of the International Space Station ISS, with a tracking of the telescope made it in manually mode (by hand) while the ISS was crossing the sky above Dark Sky® Alqueva Observatory in Portugal, on April 4, 2021, at UT19h35m. Captured during the twilight with a Meade LX200 12″ with a ZWO ASI 174MC camera, at a speed of 158 fps. The final video had more than 27.000 frames, which means that the video below is a compilation of the best 559 frames, where the ISS could be spotted somewhere in the field of view, showing the ISS after being centred and stabilised for a more appealing view without shaking and some bumps due to the hand tracking. Interesting to notice the color in the some details as well as some nice structures of the ISS. The shape of Columbus Orbital facility seems to be visible and possibly the Crew-1 Dragon docked in the Node 2. Although I don’t have sure, maybe someone with more experience in hunting the ISS could confirme. You can try by yourself in the 3D ISS model.
PT: A imagem acima é o resultado de um stack de 54 fotogramas da Estação Espacial Internacional ISS, com o seguimento do telescópio feito em modo manual (à mão) enquanto a ISS cruzava o céu acima do Observatório do Dark Sky® Alqueva, na Cumeada, em 4 de abril de 2021 às 19h35m UT. Captado durante o crepúsculo com um Meade LX200 12″ e uma câmara planetária ZWO ASI174MC a uma velocidade de 158 fps. O vídeo original registou mais de 27.000 frames, o que significa que o vídeo abaixo é uma compilação dos melhores 559 fotogramas, onde a ISS conseguiu ficar visível num dado momento dentro do campo de visão do sensor. A imagem foi assim centralizada e estabilizada para uma visão mais atraente sem saltos abruptos e solavancos devido ao seguimento manual. Interessante de notar a cor em alguns detalhes, bem como algumas estruturas visíveis como o que parece ser o módulo Columbus Orbital facility e possivelmente o Crew-1 Dragon acoplado ao Node 2 da Estação Espacial. De referir no entanto, que eu não tenho a certeza se as estruturas que se vêem são as mesmas que aqui menciono, talvez alguém com mais experiência em seguir a ISS nos céus o possa confirmar. Talvez o leitor queira tentar por si mesmo identenficiar algumas destas estruturas, com o modelo 3D da Nasa disponível aqui.
Like Flying over Plato Crater and Vallis Alpes Lunar Valley

Like if we were making an orbital flight over the moon, the image captured on March 23, 2021 from Dark Sky® Alqueva Observatory, in Cumeada village, Portugal, on a very steady night, shows in close-up a high-resolution sharp view of Plato and Vallis Alpes. Located on the northeastern shore of the Mare Imbrium, at the western extremity of the Montes Alpes mountain range. Plato is a lava-filled lunar impact crater with an age of around 3.84 billion years, featuring a 100,7km in diameter has an irregular rim with 2-km-tall jagged peaks that project prominent shadows across the crater floor when the Sun is at a low angle. Sections of the inner wall display signs of past slumping, most notably a large triangular slide along the western side. The rim of Plato is circular, but from the Earth it appears oval due to foreshortening. The flat floor of Plato has a relatively low albedo, making it appear dark in comparison to the surrounding rugged terrain. The floor is free of significant impact craters and lacks a central peak. However, there are a few small craterlets scattered across the floor. East of the crater, among the Montes Alpes, are several rilles collectively named the Rimae Plato. Near the lower left corner, is located Vallis Alpes, an incredible lunar valley featuring that bisects the Montes Alpes range. It extends 166 km from the Mare Imbrium basin. The valley is narrow at both ends and widens to a maximum width of about 10 km along the middle stretch. The valley floor is a flat, lava-flooded surface that is bisected by a slender, broken, cleft-like rille. The sides of the valley rise from the floor to the surrounding highland terrain, a blocky, irregular surface.
PT: Como se estivéssemos em pleno voo orbital sobre a lua, a imagem captada em 23 de Março de 2021 a partir do Observatório da Cumeada, no Dark Sky® Alqueva, Portugal, numa noite com a atmosfera muito estável, mostra uma visão nítida e em alta resolução da cratera Plato e Vallis Alpes. Localizada na costa nordeste do Mare Imbrium, na extremidade oeste da cordilheira dos Montes Alpes. Plato (Platão) é uma cratera de impacto lunar cheia de lava com uma idade de cerca de 3,84 mil milhões de anos, apresentando um diâmetro de 100,7 km e uma extremidadee irregular com picos recortados de 2 km de altura que projetam sombras proeminentes no chão da cratera quando o Sol está um ângulo baixo. Secções da parede interna mostram sinais de queda, no passado, principalmente uma grande marca triangular ao longo do lado oeste. O limbo de Plato é circular, mas visto da Terra parece oval devido ao efeito de compressão da perspectiva. O piso plano de Plato tem um albedo relativamente baixo, fazendo com que pareça escuro em comparação com o terreno acidentado circundante. O chão está livre de crateras de impacto significativas e não possui um pico central. No entanto, existem algumas pequenas crateras espalhadas pela superfície. A Este da cratera, entre os Montes Alpes, existem vários canais chamados coletivamente de Rimae Plato. Perto do canto esquerdo inferior, está localizado Vallis Alpes, um incrível vale lunar que divide a cordilheira dos Montes Alpes. Estende-se por 166 km desde a bacia do Mare Imbrium. O vale é estreito em ambas as extremidades e se alarga até uma largura máxima de cerca de 10 km ao longo do trecho intermédio. O fundo do vale é uma superfície plana inundada de lava que é dividida ao meio por um canal fino, quebrado e semelhante a uma fenda. Os lados do vale elevam-se do solo até o terreno montanhoso circundante, uma superfície irregular e em blocos.
Technical details | Detalhes Técnicos
Camera ASI174MC | Meade UHTC LX200 12″ GPS| Barlow 4x Televue Powermate | Sum of 200 frames for each panel. Processing on AutoStakkert 3, Registax 6 and Photoshop CC 2021. Cumeada Observatory from Dark Sky® Alqueva Reserve, Reguengos de Monsaraz.
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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.
A lunar Scene Shows a Close-up Sharp View of Copernicus Crater

Captured on March 23, 2021 from Dark Sky® Alqueva Observatory, in Cumeada village, Portugal, on a very steady night, the close-up view shows a high-resolution sharp view of Copernicus crater. Visible slightly northwest of the center of the Moon’s Earth-facing hemisphere, Copernicus is an impact crater located on the eastern Oceanus Procellarum. With a diameter of 96,1km and a depth of 3.8 km, it may have been created by debris from the breakup of the parent body of asteroid 495 Eulalia, around 800 million years ago. The circular rim has a discernible hexagonal form, with a terraced inner wall and a 30 km wide, sloping rampart that descends nearly a kilometer to the surrounding mare. There are three distinct terraces visible, and arc-shaped landslides due to slumping of the inner wall as the crater debris subsided. Most likely due to its recent formation, the crater floor has not been flooded by lava. The terrain along the bottom is hilly in the upper part, while the other half is relatively smooth. The central peaks separated from each other by valleys, consist of three isolated mountainous rises climbing as high as 1.2 km above the floor. The crater rays spread as far as 800 kilometers across the surrounding mare, overlying rays from the craters Aristarchus and Kepler. The data on this description are based in the data of Lunar Orbiter 5, Terry W. Offield of the U.S. Geological Survey.
PT: Captada em 23 de Março de 2021 a partir do Observatório da Cumeada, no Dark Sky® Alqueva, Portugal, numa noite com a atmosfera muito estável, mostra uma visão nítida em alta resolução da cratera Copernicus. Visível ligeiramente a noroeste do centro do hemisfério da Lua que está voltado para a Terra, Copernicus é uma cratera de impacto localizada ana região Este do Oceanus Procellarum. Com um diâmetro de 96,1 km e uma profundidade de 3,8 km, pode ter sido criada por destroços do asteróide 495 Eulália, há cerca de 800 milhões de anos atrás. As paredes externas circulares têm uma forma hexagonal perceptível, com uma parede interna em forma de terraço e uma muralha inclinada de 30 km de largura que desce quase um quilômetro até o mar circundante. Existem três terraços distintos visíveis e deslizamentos de terra em forma de arco devido à queda da parede interna à medida que os detritos da cratera diminuíram. Muito provavelmente, devido à sua formação recente, o fundo da cratera não foi inundado por lava. O terreno ao longo do fundo é acidentado na parte superior, enquanto a outra metade é relativamente plana. Os picos centrais separados uns dos outros por vales, consistem em três elevações montanhosas isoladas que chegam a 1,2 km acima do solo. Os raios de impacto da cratera estenderam-se até 800 quilômetros ao redor do mar, sobrepondo-se aos raios das crateras Aristarchus e Kepler. Os dados utlizados na pormenorização desta cratera baseiam-se nos dados do Lunar Orbiter 5, e na descrição detalhada do Terry W. Offield do U.S. Geological Survey.
Technical details | Detalhes Técnicos
Camera ASI174MC | Meade UHTC LX200 12″ GPS| Barlow 4x Televue Powermate | Sum of 200 frames for each panel. Processing on AutoStakkert 3, Registax 6 and Photoshop CC 2021. Cumeada Observatory from Dark Sky® Alqueva Reserve, Reguengos de Monsaraz.
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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.
Clavius and Moretus in a Sharp Lunarscape Scene
Like if we were making an orbital flight over the moon, the image captured on March 23, 2021 from Dark Sky® Alqueva Observatory, in Cumeada village, Portugal, on a very steady night, shows a high-resolution sharp view of Clavius along with Moretus craters framed in the same scene. Being Clavius one of the largest and older formations on the lunar surface, features a diameter of 230.8Km and a Depth of 3.5 km, and it was formed during the Nectarian period. The convex plain floor was flooded with lava at about 4 billion years ago, it has a low outer wall comparing to its size, marked by some small and large crater impacts, like the detailed Rutherfurd visible in the upper part of the crater wall with a diameter of 47,4km and depth of 2,5km, as well as Porter – lower part of the crater wall near the lower egde of the image – with 51,3km in diameter. Last October 2020, NASA has announced and confirmed the existence of a molecular water near Clavius. But this lunarscape scene also shows another very interesting crater, Moretus – upper right corner – with a diameter of 114km. Due to the location near the lunar limb, the crater appears oblong because of foreshortening. The rim of the crater has a wide, terraced inner wall, and a complex outer rampart. The floor has been partly resurfaced and is relatively flat. In the middle is a central mountain formation that rises about 2.1 kilometers above the surrounding floor.
PT: Como se estivéssemos em pleno voo orbital sobre a lua, esta imagem captada a 23 de Março de 2021 a partir do Observatório da Cumeada, no Dark Sky® Alqueva, Portugal, numa noite com a atmosfera muito estável, mostra uma visão nítida em alta resolução da cratera Clavius juntamente com a cratera Moretus enquadradas na mesma cena. Sendo Clavius uma das maiores e mais antigas formações na superfície lunar, apresentando um diâmetro de 230,8 km e uma profundidade de 3,5 km, foi formada durante o período Nectárico, na escala do período geológico lunar. O chão plano e convexo foi inundado com lava há cerca de 4 mil milhões de anos atrás, revelando uma parede externa baixa comparada com o seu tamanho total, marcada por alguns impactos que formaram pequenas e grandes crateras, como a detalhada Rutherfurd visível na parte superior da parede da cratera com um diâmetro de 47,4km e uma profundidade de 2,5km, assim como a Porter – visível na parte inferior da parede da cratera, próxima à parte inferior da imagem – com 51,3km de diâmetro. Em outubro de 2020, a NASA anunciou e confirmou a existência de uma molécula de águra perto de Clavius. Mas esta paisagem lunar também mostra outra cratera muito interessante, Moretus, com um diâmetro de 114 km. Devido à localização próxima ao limbo lunar, a cratera parece oblonga devido à perspectiva. O extremo da cratera tem uma parede interna ampla e em terraço, assim como uma muralha externa complexa. O piso foi parcialmente recapeado e é relativamente plano. No meio está uma formação montanhosa central que se eleva a cerca de 2,1 quilémetros acima do solo circundante.
Technical details | Detalhes Técnicos
Camera ASI174MC | Meade UHTC LX200 12″ GPS| Barlow 4x Televue Powermate | Sum of 200 frames for each panel. Processing on AutoStakkert 3, Registax 6 and Photoshop CC 2021. Cumeada Observatory from Dark Sky® Alqueva Reserve, Reguengos de Monsaraz.
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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.
Orion Nebula Immersed in the Reddish Emission from Hydrogen Gas

A deep wide field view shows Orion Nebula M42, immersed in the reddish emission from the light of hydrogen gas excited by energetic newly-formed hot and young stars. Blue-violet coloration, comes from the reflected radiation from the massive O-class stars. This complex contains dark nebulae, emission nebulae, reflection nebulae, and H II regions. The Orion Nebula (M42) is a diffuse and large nebula complex situated in the Milky Way, being south of Orion’s Belt in the constellation of Orion, is one of the brightest and beautiful nebulae also visible to naked eye in the night sky. M42 is located at a distance of about 1350 light years and is the closest region of massive star formation to Earth. The M42 nebula is estimated to be 24 light years across. It has a mass of about 2000 times the mass of the Sun. This nebula has revealed much about the process of how stars and planetary systems are formed from collapsing clouds of gas and dust. Astronomers have directly observed protoplanetary disks, brown dwarfs, intense and turbulent motions of the gas, and the photo-ionizing effects of massive nearby stars in the nebula. Below, in the lower left corner, is partially visible the red cloud where is located the well known Horse-head nebula. But besides this colorful field captured from Cumeada Observatory, official headquarter of Dark Sky® Alqueva Reserve, Portugal, a nice faint galaxy and another less bright, can both be visible in the upper right corner of the image.
PT: Uma visão ampla e profunda mostra a nebulosa de Orion M42, imersa numa tonalidade avermelhada, resultado de uma emissão brilhante a partir do gás de hidrogénio excitado por estrelas quentes e energéticas, recém-formadas. A coloração azul-violeta visível na fotografia, provém da radiação refletida das estrelas da classe-O. Este complexo contém nebulosas escuras, nebulosas de emissão, nebulosas de reflexão e regiões H II. A Nebulosa de Orion (M42) é um grande complexo nebuloso difuso situado na Via Láctea, a sul do Cinturão de Orion na constelação de Orion, sendo também uma das mais brilhantes e fascinantes nebulosas visíveis a olho nu no céu noturno. M42 está localizado a uma distância de cerca de 1350 anos-luz e é a região mais próxima da Terra na formação de estrelas maciças. A nebulosa M42 está estimada em 24 anos-luz de diâmetro. Tem uma massa de cerca de 2000 vezes a massa do Sol. O estudo desta nebulosa já permitiu revelar muito sobre o processo de como as estrelas e os sistemas planetários são formados por nuvens de gás e poeira em colapso. Os astrónomos observaram directamente discos protoplanetários, anãs castanhas, movimentos intensos e turbulentos de gás e os efeitos foto-ionizantes de estrelas maciças próximas, na nebulosa.
Above from left to right, a close-up view showing the sharp details on small structures of M42. And a close-up view showing two faint galaxies in the right edge. Below, is a starless image of Orion field in Ha (black and white view), showing the intricate and refined delicacy from the clouds of hydrogen gas.
PT: Acima, da esquerda para a direita, uma visão ampliada revela os detalhes nítidos em pequenas estruturas da nebulosa M42 e NGC1977. A seguir, uma visão de perto mostra duas galáxias ténues visíveis no extremo direito da imagem. Abaixo, é possível ver uma imagem (sem estrelas) do campo de Orion em Ha (a preto e branco), mostrando a delicadeza intrincada e refinada das nuvens de gás de hidrogénio.
Technical details | Detalhes Técnicos
Taka FSQ-106ED + QE-Reducer (f/3,6) – EM200 auto-guided | Nikon D810a modified | ISO800 – Sub Exp. 150 sec. + multiple shorter exposures | | ISO3200 – Sub Exp. 8 minutes with Ha 7nm filter | Total integration of 276 min/4,6h (106 minutes in RGB + 170 minutes in Ha). Processing on PixInsight 1.8.8-7 and Photoshop CC 2021. Cumeada Observatory from Dark Sky® Alqueva Reserve, Reguengos de Monsaraz..
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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.
An UFO Light Painting Against the Sky of Alqueva lake
While some friends were playing with a drone and making light paintings during one of my private workshops under the starry skies of Dark Sky® Alqueva, I had the chance to take this UFO picture. Indeed, many people asked me if I already saw anything strange or “unidentified flying object (UFO)” in the sky… well, what can I say is that…over the last 25 years I have spent hundreds and hundreds of hours looking up at the sky and shooting in different countries around the world and I never saw something that science could not explain.
PT: Enquanto alguns amigos testavam um drone fazendo pinturas de luz durante um dos meus workshops privados sob o céu estrelado de Dark Sky® Alqueva, eu tive a chance de tirar esta foto em estilo UFO. Na verdade, muitas pessoas já me perguntaram se eu alguma vez vi algo estranho ou um objeto voador não identificado (OVNI) no céu. Bem, o que eu posso dizer é que…nos últimos 25 anos, passei centenas e centenas de horas olhando para o céu e filmando em diferentes países ao redor do mundo e nunca vi algo que a ciência não pudesse explicar.
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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.
The Entrance of Ansiães Castle with Sirius and Orion in a Deep Nightscape Scene – Phot and Time Lapse
Captured in the entrance of Ansiães Castle, the still image features the result of multiple exposures to help reveal a deep nightscape scene where is possible to enjoy besides the bluish star Siriuis and the main colorful stars of Orion constellation, deepsky objects shinning in reddish/violets hues like Barnards loop, Orion nebula, Horse Head nebula, Rosette nebula, and Lambda Orionis. Below is also possible to enjoy a time lapse video showing the shadow shape from the entrance of Ansiães Castle, located in Dark Sky Vale do Tua, northern Portugal, acting as a frame while in the background stars from winter constellations like Orion are shining in different colors due to their temperatures, the scene highlights the bluish brightest hot star in the celestial sphere, Sirius, moving behind the foreground tree. But the busy sky also feature another interesting object, even looking strange at first sight, it’s not an UFO event, but a spinning satellite which took several minutes to cross the entire field of view. Nowadays we are starting to face a huge problem, the growing presence of satellites surrounding our Planet, which will turn into space junk in a near future. Many scientists and astronomers are worried with this problem and the announcements of Elon Musk to launch thousands of new satellites, for sure, it has to be faced as a new kind of Earth/Space pollution. Enjoy with sound on.
PT: Captada na entrada do Castelo de Ansiães, a imagem estática apresenta o resultado de múltiplas exposições para ajudar a revelar um cenário nocturno profundo onde é possível apreciar para além da estrela azulada Sirius e das principais estrelas da constelação de Orion, objectos de céu profundo brilhando numa tonalidade vermelho/violeta como Barnards loop, a nebulosa de Orion, nebulosa Cabeça do Cavalo, nebulosa Roseta e Lambda Orionis. Em baixo é também possível desfrutar de um vídeo time lapse que mostra a silhueta escura da entrada do Castelo de Ansiães, localizado no Dark Sky® Vale do Tua, no norte de Portugal, a funcionar como moldura enquanto ao fundo as estrelas de constelações de inverno como Orion, brilham com diferente cores devido às suas temperaturas. Esta cena nocturna destaca ainda a estrela quente azulada mais brilhante da esfera celeste, Sirius, movendo-se atrás da árvore em primeiro plano. Mas este céu revela ainda outro objeto interessante, mesmo parecendo estranho à primeira vista, não é um evento OVNI, mas um satélite giratório que levou vários minutos para cruzar todo o campo de visão. Hoje em dia enfrentamos um grande problema, a crescente presença de satélites em torno de nosso planeta, que se transformarão em lixo espacial em um futuro próximo. Muitos cientistas e astrónomos de todo o mundo estão seriamente preocupados com este problema e os anúncios de Elon Musk que prevêm o lançamento de milhares de novos satélites. Este é um problema que terá de ser encarado como um novo tipo de poluição na Terra / Espaço.
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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.
Dragged Sun – Gigantic Solar Prominence in a Stacked Motion – Color vs BW

Captured on March 17, 2021, from Dark Sky® Alqueva region, Portugal, with a Solar Ha telescope – at the wavelength of Hydrogen-Alpha, the high-resolution image shows a gigantic solar prominence. Seen in Color and Black and White version, the image feature a stacked scene comprising 2h55 minutes of solar motion with dragged prominences visible in great detail around the sun´s limb due to an exceptional seeing conditions (very good atmospheric stability). The sequence of close-up captures were taken between UT 12h02 and UT 14h57 (Universal Time) to help reveal very interesting changes in shape, intensity and detail, with spicules and supergranulation in motion on the sun´s surface, as well as spicules and minor prominences appearing around the limb´s disc. The still single images and time lapse video also highlights a spectacular fast eruptive prominence visible in the upper right edge, click here.
PT: Captada a 17 de Março de 2021, a partir da região do Dark Sky® Alqueva, Portugal, com um telescópio Solar Ha – no comprimento de onda do Hidrogénio Alfa, a imagem de alta resolução revela uma gigantesca promeminência solar. Apresentada numa versão a cores e a preto e branco, a imagem é o resultado de um stack que compreende 2h55 minutos de movimento solar com o arrastamento das protuberâncias, vistas em grande detalhe ao redor do limbo solar, graças a condições de seeing excepcionais (excelente estabilidade atmosférica). A sequência de captações em close-up foi feita entre UT 12h02 e UT 14h57 (Tempo Universal), para assim permitir revelar mudanças muito interessantes na forma, intensidade e detalhe, com espículas e supergranulação em movimento na superfície solar, bem como espículas e pequenas proeminências aparecendo ao redor do limbo. As imagens singulares estáticas e o vídeo time lapse também destacam uma espetacular e proeminência eruptiva em forma de lagarta que faz um movimento rápido visível no extremo superior direito, clique aqui.
Below – from right to left – is possible to appreciate a portrait of a singular shot taken at UT 12h45, and the BW and Color version of a stacked sequence comprising 2h55 minutes of solar motion with dragged prominences.
PT: Em baixo – da direita para a esquerda, é possível apreciar uma versão estática de uma imagem singular em modo retrato, captada às 12h45 (UT) e uma imagem a preto e branco e a cores, resultado de um stack em sequência que compreende 2h55 minutos de movimento solar com o arrastamento das protuberâncias.
Technical details | Detalhes Técnicos
LUNT LS100T Ha | AZ-HEQ5GT | ASI174MC | ZWO AD | Powermate 4x | Stack of 250 frames for each single image, captured in very good seeing conditions (average of 1″ arcs) from Dark Sky® Alqueva territory, 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.








































































































































































