Titan Skygazer, More then a Passion a Life Style

In the real dark nights, the magnificent presence of our home galaxy, the Milky Way, have been a true inspiration for musicians, poets, painters, writers and artists in general. Unfortunately, two thirds of the humankind, have not yet had the opportunity to see the Milky Way with their own eyes, to let fall in love by the beauty and greatness of the Universe around us, making us realize that the Earth is so important as the sky, and our planet has been our spaceship in the life journey through the time and space. In the foreground, we can see the silhouette of a passionate skygazer, embracing the sky like an Atlas Titan from Greek mythology, holding and protecting it from the low cloudy yellow band. Condemned not by Zeus, but by the light pollution created for the entire humanity. Captured the Lake of Fire moutain hill, in Azores, the background reveals Sagitarrius constellation at left, and Scorpius stars.

Canon 60Da – ISO2500; 24mm at f/2; Exp. 20 secs. in 04/05/2014 at 4:48 AM. Below is the annotated version:

The Milky Way above the Lake of Fire – Azores

The great central region of Milky Way, full of nebulae emissions, star clusters, gas and dust, above the cloudy yellow band in the Lake of Fire – Lagoa do Fogo. Doubtlessly, one of the grandest nature attractions of this S. Miguel island, located in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. This huge blue lake 575 meters above the sea level – it is about 2 km long and 1 km wide – fills the ground of an extinct crater, whose caldera was formed during an eruption in 1563. Surrounded by high mountains and luxuriant endemic vegetation, this mystical lake, surrounded by an ambiance of divine tranquility and beauty, seems to be the perfect scenario – declared as natural reserve- to enjoy a fantastic free open window to our Universe.

Canon 60Da – ISO2500; 24mm at f/2; Exp. 20 secs. in 04/05/2014 at 4:30 AM.

Milky Trails – Azores

This short startrail sequence shows the colorful path of main stars from the central region of Milky Way, but also the “blurred trail” of gas and dust from the emissions nebulae in the background, above the cloudy yellow band in the Lake of Fire – Lagoa do Fogo. Doubtlessly, one of the grandest nature attractions of this S. Miguel island, located in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. This huge blue lake 575 meters above the sea level – it is about 2 km long and 1 km wide – fills the ground of an extinct crater, whose caldera was formed during an eruption in 1563.

Canon 60Da – ISO2500; 24mm at f/2; Exp. 20 secs. in 04/05/2014 at 4:20 AM.

La Palma Sky – An Impressive deep view of Milky Way

An impressive deep wide view of our home galaxy, the Milky Way, as seen from Los Andenes, La Palma Sky, Canary island. At left, near the rocky horizon and above the galactic center, we can see the Lagoon Nebula (M8) and the Trifid Nebula (M20), as well as M22, M23, M24 and M25, the Omega nebula (M17) and Eagle Nebula (M16). Two degrees north of the Eagle Nebula, we can find the NGC6604 and above it, in the center of the image (brightest area), the great Scutum Star Cloud. Near of it, we find the M11 and M26. Above the center image, we find the IC4756 and NGC6633. In the both corners of the picture we can find dark dust clouds. Above the rocky horizon of Roque de Los Muchachos (at right), where stands a huge complex with 15 telescopes, some of the largest telescopes in the world, we can find a faint presence of green airglow, where is also visible the silhouette from one of this telescopes.

| Canon 60Da – ISO2000; 24mm at f/2; Exp. 44 secs. in 30/09/2013 at: 00h33 AM + Vixen POlarie

Gran Telescopio Canarias and FACT Telescope against Milky Way

From lower left to the right side of the picture, we can see the silver dome of Gran Telescopio Canarias (GTC) with a 10,4 meters primary mirror reflecting telescope. It is designed to incorporate the most up-to-date technology and it is one of the most advanced telescopes in the world, actually, the largest one until now in the optical-infrared system. At right center, in the foreground, we can see the silhouette of the First G-APD Cherenkov Telescope (FACT), that is the first imaging atmospheric Cherenkov telescope using Geiger-mode avalanche photodiods (G-APDs) as photo sensors. The rather small, low-cost telescope will not only serve as a test bench for this technology in Cherenkov astronomy, but also monitor bright active galactic nuclei (AGN) in the TeV energy range. The First G-APD Cherenkov Telescope is assembled in Roque de Los Muchachos on the MAGIC site, mounted in the focus of one of the former HEGRA telescopes (CT3). In the background, the beautiful light coming from the central region of Milky Way is shining against the telescope structure, reflecting on its mirror surface. Behind the GTC dome, the sky is shining as a smooth band of an orange airglow, normally from oxygen atoms at 150-300km high where the atmosphere is so sparse and collisions so infrequent that the atoms have time to radiate ‘forbidden’ light.

| Canon 60Da – ISO2500; 24mm at f/2; Exp. 15 secs. in 30/09/2013 at: 22h57 AM

A dreaming view from Heavens

A panoramic view from Roque de Los Muchachos on the Canary island of La Palma, where stands a huge complex with 15 telescopes, some of the largest telescopes in the world – many of them visible in the background – from 19 nations, that are using the best night sky in Europe to explore the cosmos.

In the foreground – both edges of the image – stands the MAGIC telescope I and II (Major Atmospheric Gamma-ray Imaging Cherenkov Telescopes). MAGIC-II is located at a distance of 85 m from the first MAGIC telescope (at right). The stereo operation of both telescopes has increased the sensitivity of the observatory by a factor of ~3. MAGIC-II (at left) is a copy of the original MAGIC-I but it has a more homogeneous camera with more pixels, and a refurbished readout. In 2012, in a major upgrading operation mostly concerning MAGIC-I, the two telescopes were made technically identical. MAGIC is not only huge (it was the largest telescope mirror in the world, with 17 meters in diameter, before the construction of H.E.S.S.) but also pioneers a number of technical developments that had never been applied to Cherenkov telescopes before. The mirror is extremely light and can be moved to any position in the sky in less than thirty seconds. It is made up of 270 individual mirror panels that can be independently focussed using an active mirror control system equipped with lasers.

Between the both giant Cherenkov Telescopes, stands the mountain top of the Roque de los Muchachos, where is placed from right to left, telescopes like Gran Telescopio Canarias (GTC), with a 10,4 meters primary mirror reflecting telescope (first silhouette), Telescopio Nazionale Galileo (TNG), that is a 3.6m alt-azimuth telescope with a Ritchey-Chretien optical configuration, Nordic Optical Telescope (NOT) a modern 2.6-m optical/IR telescope, Dutch Open Telescope (DOT) an innovative optical telescope with a primary mirror of 45 cm diameter, for high-resolution imaging of the solar atmosphere, Swedish 1-m Solar Telescope (SST) is the largest solar telescope in Europe and number one in the world when it comes to high spatial resolution, and finally the great William Herschel Telescope (WHT), the largest optical telescope of its kind in Europe, with a primary mirror of 4.2 meters in diameter, is one of the most scientifically productive telescopes in the world.

Between the William Herschel Telescope and the MAGIC (at left) the sky shows the Pleiades star cluster M45, and a bit above, semi hidden behind the antenna we can find the deep sky object California nebula NGC1499. From left to right edge, the sky shows the presence of a strong green airglow of oxygen atoms (90-100 km high), and shining in the center image as an orange bands – normally from oxygen atoms at 150-300km high where the atmosphere is so sparse and collisions so infrequent that the atoms have time to radiate ‘forbidden’ light. Finally, against the MAGIC I (in the right corner of the picture), lies our own Galaxy, the Milky Way.

| Canon 60Da – ISO2500; 24mm at f/2; Exp. 15 secs. Mosaic of 19 images taken in 01/10/2013 at 00:04

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The MAGIC Gamma-ray Cherenkov Telescope and Milky Way

| Canon 60Da – ISO2500; 24mm at f/2; Exp. 15 secs. in 01/10/2013 at: 01h29 AM

In the foreground we can see the great MAGIC I telescope (Major Atmospheric Gamma-ray Imaging Cherenkov Telescopes) with it´s gigantic structure in front of a starry background, also mirrored on its impressive brilliant surface of 236 m2.

MAGIC is a system of two Imaging Atmospheric Cherenkov telescopes situated at the Roque de los Muchachos Observatory on La Palma, one of the Canary Islands, at about 2200 m above sea level. MAGIC detects particle showers released by gamma rays, using the Cherenkov radiation, i.e., faint light radiated by the charged particles in the showers. With a diameter of 17 meters and 236 m2 reflective surface, it was the largest in the world before the construction of H.E.S.S. II. MAGIC is not only huge, but also pioneers a number of technical developments that had never been applied to Cherenkov telescopes before. The mirror is extremely light and can be moved to any position in the sky in less than thirty seconds. It is made up of 270 individual mirror panels that can be independently focussed using an active mirror control system equipped with lasers.

The cosmos and its evolution are studied using all radiation, in particular electromagnetic waves. The observable spectrum extends from radio waves to infrared, visible, ultraviolet, X-ray, gamma-rays and finally very high energy gamma rays (starting at energies of 10 GeV). Observations at visible wavelengths (.5 to 1 micrometer) have a history of centuries, gamma astronomy by satellites (keV to few GeV) and ground-based telescopes (above 300 GeV) are end-of-20th century newcomers. The MAGIC telescope can detect very high energy gamma rays in a range of energies where no other telescope in the world can operate, so it opens up a brand new window into the universe.

| Canon 60Da – ISO2500; 24mm at f/2; Exp. 15 secs. Sum of 53 images taken in 01/10/2013 at 00:22.

Grantecan Lonely in the Universe

From lower left to the right side of the picture, we can see the silver dome open of Gran Telescopio Canarias (GTC), with a 10,4 meters primary mirror reflecting telescope. It is designed to incorporate the most up-to-date technology and it is one of the most advanced telescopes in the world, actually, the largest one until now in the optical-infrared system. At right edge, in the background, we can see the beautiful light coming from the central region of the “vertical” Milky Way, where the main stars of Sagittarius constellation are shining surrounded by a region rich in emission nebulae, like the Lagoon Nebula (M8) and the Trifid Nebula (M20), or even M23 and M24, – seen in the top right corner of the picture. Behind the GTC dome, the sky is smoothly shining as an orange airglow, normally from oxygen atoms at 150-300km high where the atmosphere is so sparse and collisions so infrequent that the atoms have time to radiate ‘forbidden’ light.

The image was taken in Observatorio del Roque de los Muchachos (ORM) situated on the edge of the Caldera de Taburiente National Park, 2.400 m. above sea level, on the island of La Palma, Canarias, Spain. It is home to one of the most extensive fleets of telescopes to be found anywhere in the world, and where 15 telescopes from 19 nations use the best night sky in Europe to explore the cosmos.

| Canon 60Da – ISO2500; 24mm at f/2; Exp. 15 secs. in 30/09/2013 at: 22h25 AM

MAGIC Telescope against the Milky Way

| Canon 60Da – ISO2500; 24mm at f/4; Exp. 1/80 secs. in 30/09/2013 at: 22h43 AM

In the foreground we can see the MAGIC I telescope (Major Atmospheric Gamma-ray Imaging Cherenkov Telescopes) in front of the Milky Way, with many of colorful stars mirrored in its surface of 236 m2. MAGIC is a system of two Imaging Atmospheric Cherenkov telescopes situated at the Roque de los Muchachos Observatory on La Palma, one of the Canary Islands, at about 2200 m above sea level. MAGIC detects particle showers released by gamma rays, using the Cherenkov radiation, i.e., faint light radiated by the charged particles in the showers. With a diameter of 17 meters and 236 m2 reflective surface, it was the largest in the world before the construction of H.E.S.S. II. MAGIC is not only huge, but also pioneers a number of technical developments that had never been applied to Cherenkov telescopes before. The mirror is extremely light and can be moved to any position in the sky in less than thirty seconds. It is made up of 270 individual mirror panels that can be independently focussed using an active mirror control system equipped with lasers.

Below is the MAGIC against a startrail background where is also visible the Milky Way dragged, and clearly distinguishable the different colors of each star.

| Canon 60Da – ISO2500; 24mm at f/2; Exp. 15 secs. Sum of 23 images taken in 30/09/2013 at 22:44

FACT Cherenkov Telescope in a Milky Way Backlight

Captured in the Observatorio del Roque de los Muchachos (ORM), situated on the edge of the Caldera de Taburiente National Park, 2.400 m. above sea level, on the island of La Palma, Canary, Spain, the image shows in the foreground, the First G-APD Cherenkov Telescope (FACT), that is the first imaging atmospheric Cherenkov telescope using Geiger-mode avalanche photodiods (G-APDs) as photo sensors. The rather small, low-cost telescope will not only serve as a test bench for this technology in Cherenkov astronomy, but also monitor bright active galactic nuclei (AGN) in the TeV energy range. The First G-APD Cherenkov Telescope is assembled in Roque de Los Muchachos on the MAGIC site, mounted in the focus of one of the former HEGRA telescopes (CT3). In the background, the beautiful light coming from the central region of Milky Way, where the main stars of Sagittarius constellation are shining behind the telescope structure and surrounded by a region rich in emission nebulae, like the Lagoon Nebula (M8) and the Trifid Nebula (M20), or even M23 and M24, Omega nebula (M17) and Eagle Nebula (M16) – seen in the right edge of the picture in violet color – working as an impressive backlight that even without the presence of any other source of light, allow us to show the imposing dark silhouette of the FACT Telescope, with some of these nebulae and stars, reflected in part of the 9.5 sqm mirror area. More info related: DWARF – Dedicated multiWavelength Agn Research Facility.

The excellent quality of the sky for astronomy in the Canaries is determined and protected by Law. As a result, the observatories of the Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC) are an “astronomy reserve” which has been available to the international community since 1979. Technical image details: Canon 60Da – ISO2500; 24mm at f/2; Exp. 15 secs. in 30/09/2013 at: 22h43 AM

Image of a startrail sequence taken at the same time, with the Milky Way dragged in the background.

| Canon 60Da – ISO2500; 24mm at f/2; Exp. 15 secs. Sum of 23 images taken in 30/09/2013 at 22:44

Milky Way Galaxy – Deep Sky Wide Field

In this deep sky wide field view of our own galaxy, the Milky Way arm is showed as it as seen and captured from the northern hemisphere of Earth. A first look along the panorama, shows us the hazy band of white light originated from un-resolved stars and other material that lie within the Galactic plane, contrasting with the Dark regions within the band, corresponding to areas where light from distant stars is blocked by interstellar dust. See below the annotated version.

In detail – from left to right – We see part of Aquila constellation with the main visible star Altair and below it, the “E” Dark nebula (B142 e B143). Beside the small Delphinus constellation, we can find the great Cygnus, home for a lot of emission nebulae, like de Sadr region or IC1318. Above Deneb star, we find the Pelican Nebula (also known as IC 5070 and IC 5067) is an H II region associated with the North America Nebula (NGC7000) an emission nebula with a remarkable shape that resembles the North America continent. Above right, the Cocoon nebula (IC 5146) is a reflection/emission nebula and Caldwell object, yet in the constellation of Cygnus.

In the center picture, right of Cygnus lies the Cepheus constellation and the IC1396 nebula, also called the “Elephant’s Trunk Nebula”, is one of the largest emission nebulae in the Northern Sky with a diameter of 3 degrees. It is a giant cloud of gas and dust at a distance of 2400 light years from Earth. Next Cepheus is the Cassiopeia constellation and below right, stands The Heart Nebula, IC 1805 an emission nebula of about 7500 light years away from Earth. At his side, lies the “Soul Nebula”. In line with Cassiopeia at the top of the picture, stands de great Andromeda Galaxy M31, a spiral galaxy approximately 2.5 million light-years from Earth. Few degrees to right we can find the open cluster NGC752 about 1,300 light-years away from us. The cluster was discovered by Caroline Herschel in 1783, and cataloged by her brother William Herschel in 1786.

Between Cassiopeia and Perseus constellation, shines the Double Cluster, common name for the naked-eye open clusters NGC 869 and NGC 884, both lie at a distance of 7500 light years. Also in the Perseus constellation, we can find another great emission nebula, The “California Nebula” (NGC 1499). It lies at a distance of about 1,000 light years from our planet.

Finally, at the right edge of this Milky Way panorama, we can find the Auriga constellation, with it´s brightest star Capella. This constellation also sustains another deep sky object called: The “Flaming Star Nebula” (IC 405), an emission/reflection nebula that lies about 1,500 light-years away. Above Auriga, stands the Taurus constellation, with the shining star Aldebaran, and at his left, the great open star cluster Pleiades M45 (also known as Seven Sisters), containing middle-aged hot B-type stars. It is among the nearest star clusters to Earth and is the cluster most obvious to the naked eye, in the night sky. The cluster is dominated by hot blue and extremely luminous stars that have formed within the last 100 million years. Dust that forms a faint reflection nebulosity around the brightest stars, was thought at first, to be left over from the formation of the cluster, but is now known to be an unrelated dust cloud in the interstellar medium, through which the stars are currently passing. The Pleiades are a prominent sight in winter in both the Northern Hemisphere and Southern Hemisphere, and have been known since antiquity to cultures all around the world, including the Māori, Aboriginal Australians, the Persians, the Chinese, the Japanese, the Maya, the Aztec, and the Sioux and Cherokee.

The picture was taken in Los Andenes, near Roque de Los Muchahos, in La Palma, Canary Island, where stands a huge complex with the some of the largest telescopes in the world. The excellent quality of the sky for astronomy in the Canaries is determined and protected by Law making it one of the best night skies in the world.

Canon 60Da – ISO 1250; Exp. 60 sec. 35mm lens at f/2. Mosaic of 18 images traking with Vixen Polarie travel mount.

Below you will find a resume with all publications – printed and online – related to this particular photograph.

Please refer the i-frame above, generated automatically from the overview page Press.

Milky Way in Parque Nacional de la Caldera de Taburiente

The central region of the Milky Way full of gas and dust, emission nebulae and so many stars, as viewed from Los Andenes, a region inside “Parque Nacional de la Caldera de Taburiente”, as we could see mentioned in the signpost on the National Park. Below, the Caldera is full of low clouds.

| Canon 60Da – ISO2000; 24mm at f/2; Exp. 15 secs. in 29/09/2013 at: 22h48 AM

Zodiacal Light, Milky Way and William Herschel Telescope

In this mosaic of 25 images, we can see the rocky silhouette between Los Andenes and Roque de Los Muchachos, where is the home to one of the most extensive fleets of telescopes to be found anywhere in the world, and where 15 telescopes from 19 nations are using the best night sky in Europe to explore the cosmos. The William Herschel Telescope (WHT) is one of them, with a primary mirror of diameter 4.2 meters, the telescope can be seen below right in the picture, with is dome opened, seems to pointing to the triangle formed in the middle of the picture by the smooth band of Zodiacal light (at left) which is crossing the Milky Way smooth region (at right), below the Orion constellation. These smooth bands are also important to let us find objects, like M44 above the rocks, and following the zodical light we find the planet Jupiter, the brightest star in the image. In the middle of Milky Way band, we can find the Rosette nebula. The Moon is shining in Cancer constellation, behind the rocks and below right to the star cluster M44 (NGC2632), so creating a blueish glow – more strong and evident – in the left half part of the picture.

| Mosaico – Canon 60Da – ISO2500; 24mm at f/2; Exp. 15 secs. in 30/09/2013 at: 05h50 AM Mosiac of 25 images.

The Universe Above the Clouds

In this mosaic image, captured in a height of 2,200 meters from the sea level, and above the clouds, we can see part of the Milky Way arc with a the central region rich in gas and emission nebulae. Near the horizon is Caldera de Taburiente – a very large volcanic crater with about 10 km across – that is full with clouds covering the city lights coming from La Palma. In the image is also visible some soft green airglow. The picture was taken in Pico de La Cruz, La Palma, Canary Island. The excellent quality of the sky for astronomy in the Canaries is determined and protected by Law.

| Canon 60Da – ISO2000; 24mm at f/2; Exp. 20 secs. in 26/09/2013 at: 23h37 Mosaic of 23 images.

Milky Way above Caldera de Taburiente

In this mosaic image, captured in a height of 2,200 meters from the sea level, and above the clouds, we can see the central region of the Milky Way with Sagittarius constellation surrounded by a region rich in emission nebulae. Above the clouds and near the horizon of Caldera de Taburiente – a very large volcanic crater with about 10 km across – lies the “orange” star Antares, from Scorpius constellation as seen on the right side of the image. In the oposite direction (at left), we can see some green and orange airglow bands. The picture was taken in Pico de La Cruz, La Palma, Canary Island.

| Canon 60Da – ISO2000; 24mm at f/2; Exp. 20 secs. in 26/09/2013 at: 22h56 Mosaic of 20 images.

La Palma Dark and Light

In this single image, captured in a height of 2,200 meters from the sea level, and above the clouds, we can see the central region of the Milky Way rich in gas and emission nebulae. Above the clouds and near the horizon is visible part of Caldera de Taburiente, a very large volcanic crater with about 10 km across. At the right side of the image, lies the “orange” star Antares, from Scorpius constellation. The picture was taken in Pico de La Cruz, La Palma, Canary Island. This picture shows the contrast between the excellent quality of the sky for astronomy in the Canaries – which is determined and protected by a Sky Law – and the effect of light pollution, coming from the city lights of Santa Cruz de La Palma, visible through a hole in the clouds in Caldera.

| Canon 60Da – ISO2000; 24mm at f/2; Exp. 20 secs. in 26/09/2013 at: 22h52 AM

A Bright Meteor

A bright meteor above the clouds in Caldera de Taburiente, La Palma, Canary islands. Near the top left we could see part of central region of Milky Way. | Canon 50D – ISO2500; 35mm at f/2; Exp. 20 secs. in 26/09/2013 at: 22h02 AM

Milky Way in Monte Falperras

In this view captured in Monte Faperras, Mourão, one of the regions belonging to the Alqueva´s Dark Sky Reserve, we could appreciate the great Milky Way above the Lake Alqueva. In this “strong” arm of our galaxy (from left to right) be present the swan (Cygnus), with its North America nebula (NGC7000) clearly visible. Down to the right, we still find the constellation of Sagittarius with many nebulas like: M16, M17, M24, M20; M8 and Scorpios, with the brilliant super giant star, Antares. In the top of the image, the bright star is Vega, from Lyra constellation, also forming the well known “Summer Triangle” with Deneb and Altair too. In the left edge of the image, between “Milky arc” and horizon, can be seen the Andromeda Galaxy M31. Canon 60Da – ISO2000; 24mm f/2 Exp 20 secs. In 15/07/2013 at 00:38 AM. Mosaic of 36 images

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Air Glow, Milky Way and the Great Lake Alqueva

This serene view, captured on the great lake Alqueva, near the “Ermida de São Pedro” in Mourão, one of the regions belonging to the Dark Sky Alqueva Reserve, we find several scientifically interesting things. In the center of the picture we can see the natural colors of the most central region of the Milky Way, located near the Scorpio and Sagittarius constellation, where is it possible to recognize many deep sky objects like the Lagoon Nebula (M8) and the Trifid Nebula (M20). In the image was also possible to register a strong presence of Air Glow (Atmospheric Chemiluminescence) , the further thing I have seen similar to an Aurora, which crossed ahead the region of scorpion, with yellow light, by emissions from sodium atoms in a layer at 92 km. Above it, we could see the green light from oxygen atoms in a layer 90-100 km high. This emission layer is clearly visible from earth orbit.

Reflected in the peaceful lake and due to the polarization effect of water, we could clearly see the entire constellation of Scorpius with the real color of each star naturally saturated, due to this polarization and blurred effect, caused by the slowly movement of water during the long exposure. The orange color of the Red Supergiant Antares could be easily distinguished from the blue color of the Subgiant star, Shaula, in the end of tail. Canon 60Da – ISO 1600; 35mm lens at f/2; Exp. 15 secs. Mosaic of 23 images, taken in 15/06/2013 at 02:35 AM

Below is the annotated version of the image:

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Summer Triangle and Milky Way above Monte Bravo

In this view captured in Monte Bravo, Mourão, one of the regions belonging to the Dark Sky Alqueva Reserve, we could appreciate the great Milky Way with the presence of the well known “Summer Triangle”, an astronomical asterism on the northern hemisphere’s celestial sphere, with its defining vertices at, Deneb, Vega and Altair, the brightest stars in the three constellations of, Cygnus, Lyra, and Aquila, respectively. But we also could see many infrared emissions coming from nebulas like the great North America Nebula NGC7000, clearly visible at the left side of Dened star, in Cygnus constellation.

Canon 60Da – ISO 2000; 10mm lens at f/4; Exp. 120 secs. Using Vixen Polarie Mount. Mosaic of 6 images, taken in 1~6/06/2013 at 03:34 AM

Below is the annotated version of the image:

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From Monte Alerta to North America

In this image we could see two pictures taken at about the same time, day and place, but with a different focal lens, showing a deep travel from Monte Alerta, in Monsaraz (Alqueva Dark sky Reserve – Portugal) to a close approach to North America – not the country on itself – but the well known NGC7000 nebula with North America shape, near the Deneb star, in Cygnus constellation.

In the right picture, we could see part of the milky way region above a tree located in Monte Alerta, taken with a 24mm lens, and where it is visible the nebula IC 1396 and above it, near the Deneb star (top center), the NGC7000.

In the left Deep sky wide field photo, taken with a 70mm lens, we could appreciate a sky of endless colored stars, surrounding “The North America Nebula” (NGC 7000), an emission nebula in the constellation Cygnus, close to Deneb (the blue brightest star in the image center). At its right, we also could see the Sadr region, or IC 1318, a diffuse emission nebula surrounding Sadr or Gamma Cygni star (the second brightest star in the picture).

But why we can find this colorful diversity of stars ? ”Astronomers came to understand that bluer stars are intrinsically brighter because they are more massive than white or red stars, and more massive stars burn much faster and hotter than less massive stars. The bluish type-O stars, for example, are only 30-50 times more massive than yellow-white stars like our sun. But O stars burn a million times brighter, so they have far shorter lifetimes. O and B stars only last a few million years before they die in spectacular supernova explosions, while cooler and less massive K and M stars burn steadily for billions of years”.

Left Picture: Canon 60Da – ISO1600; 70mm f/4 Exp. 119 secs. + Vixen Polarie mount travel. In 5/07/2013 at 3:30 AM (sinlge frame)

Right Picture: Canon 60Da – ISO1600; 35mm f/2 Exp 74 secs. + Vicen Polarie Travel Mount. In 5/07/2013 at 2:07 AM

Below is a special image with the identification of all deep sky objects that can be seen, and the relation with the different focal distances.

Deep Milky Way above the Tree

Image of the milky way region above a tree located in Monte Alerta, Monsaraz, and where it is visible the nebula IC 1396 and above it, near the Deneb star (top center), the North America Nebula NGC7000. For 70mm close up view of the NGC7000 area, revealing a lot of colorful stars as well as the Sadr region, just click here.

Canon 60Da – ISO1600; 35mm f/2 Exp 74 secs. + Vicen Polarie Travel Mount. In 5/07/2013 at 2:07 AM

Milky Way and the Iridium Neighbor

Image of an Iridium flare that occurred near the Milky Way, clearly visible on the left side of the image. The “Iridium Flare” is produced by the reflection of the antennas and solar panels from the Iridium satellite network. Sometimes, the increasing brightness can be 100x brighter than a star of magnitude “0”. In the image, the form of galaxy is caused precisely by increasing the brightness while moving simultaneously in the sky during the long exposure, leaving that characteristic appearance. These satellites can be observed with the naked eye, even from a big city like Lisbon.

The image was captured on Monte Bravo in Mourão, the great Dark Sky Reserve Alqueva in Alentejo, Portugal.

Canon 60Da ISO2000-10mm f / 4 Exp 120 secs. + Vixen Polarie. 16/06/2013 at 3:54 AM

Black and White View of the Milky Way

Black and white view of the Milky Way in a vertical picture where prevail the clouds of gas and star dust, which rise above the huge lake Alqueva, in the region of Mourão, about 15km of Monsaraz, both of them, places from Dark Sky Reserve in Portugal. In this amazing region, the sky reveals a contrast and depth even greater, since it is away from some sources of moderate light pollution.

Canon 60Da – ISO1600 Exp 15 secs. 35mm f / 2 – Mosaic of images taken in 8 15/06/2013 at 4:26 a.m. AM

Gas and Dust Up to the Zenith

A view of the Milky Way in a vertical dizzying mosaic up to the Zenith. As a photographer and book author, I’d say: maybe an image in a “tab book format” where we can still see the yellowish effect of ariglow and the area of cloudiness (gas and dust) that make up the Milky Way, with several emission nebulae visible in the image (in violet tone). The picture was taken in a region of the Hermitage of San Pedro, in Mourão. The brightest stars have left his trademark on the calm water, which mirrored again, the beauty of the universe!

Canon 60Da – ISO1600 Exp 15 secs. 35mm f / 2 – Mosaic of 9 images. Taken in 15-06-2013 at 02:51 AM

Milky Rocky

A stargazer above the rocky region of Portinho da Arrábida, Portugal, with the Milky Way behind it, visible in the dawn. Canon 60Da – ISO 1600; Exp.15 Seg; f/2.8; 24mm. In 11/05/2013 at 05h10 AM.

Black Via & White Láctea

Image of the center Milky Way above the rocks of Portinho da Arrábida, Portugal, shown here – like natural pyramids due to the perspective – in this black and white starry view. Canon 60Da – ISO 1600; Exp.15 Seg; f/2.8; 24mm in 11/05/2013 at 04h58 AM.

Milky Way in Daylight

A rocky region of Portinho da Arrábida, Portugal, with the center of Milky Way behind it, visible at the dawn – almost in the daylight – with the stars of Saggitarius and Scorpius clearly visible, while the sky is turning blue, slowly. Canon 60Da – ISO 1600; Exp.15 Sec; f/2.8; 24mm. In 11/05/2013 at 05h14 AM.

Below is the image with the sky identification.

Below you will find a resume with all publications – printed and online – related to this particular photograph.

Please refer the i-frame above, generated automatically from the overview page Press.

Spring Milky Way

With the arrival of spring, the Milky Way begins to be visible in the skies of Portugal at dawn, in this image, captured in Monsaraz, in the Alqueva´s Dark Sky Reserve, you can watch it in plenty, thanks to this mosaic of 21 images that allows a large field of view, revealing this “arm” of our galaxy above the Convent of Orada (dated 1670).

Near the center and right of palm trees, the moon shines brightly, although not interfering with the giant arc of the Milky Way where it is possible to distinguish a lot of constellations like Ursa Minor, with the polaris star to the left of the image, until the swan (Cygnus), with its North America nebula (NGC7000) clearly visible, down to the right, we still find the constellation of Sagittarius and Scorpio, with the brilliant super giant star, Antares.

Canon 60Da – ISO1600 Lens 24mm f/2; Exp. 15 secs. Mosaic of 21 images, taken in 06/04/2013 at 5h32 AM.

Below is a special image with the identification

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Convent of Orada and North America Nebula

Image of the Convent of Orada and North America Nebula NGC7000. Canon 60Da – ISO1600 24mm; f/2; 15 secs. 06/04/2013 at 04h36 AM

Orion´s IR Sequence Zoomed

In the left sequence image, captured in Cape Espichel, Sesimbra, 40km away from Lisbon, we could see above the rocky cliff, some of the (well known) winter constellations visible from the northen hemisphere. But in this triple sequence, I pretend to highlight the Orion´s constellation as it seen in a Infrared DSLR camera, when you switch between different focal distances. With only a single shot for each different image and using between 10, 35 and 300 mm, we can go deeply in the sky from a wide field of view where fits perfectly: Canis Major, Orion, Jupiter and Pleiades, to a close approach where deep faint sky objects, like: Barnard´s Loop or Lambda Orionis, are revealed surrounding the Orion´s Constellation itself (central sequence image). Finally, with a short field of view due to the 300 mm long focal distance, we can dive into Orion to find the Great Orion Nebula M42 and M43, as well as other deep sky objects visible in the labeled picture (last sequence image).

To do this work I´ve used the incredible Vixen Polarie mounting, to avoid the Earth rotation, and a Canon 60Da, a camera sensitive to the infrared/H-alfa wavelengths.

First sequence image (wide field skyscape): Canon 60Da – ISO2000; 63sec; f/4; 10 mm | Central sequence image (Orion´s Deepsky objects): Canon 60Da – ISO1250; 30sec; f/2.8; 35 mm | Last sequence image (Close Up M42): Canon 60Da – ISO1250; 30sec; f/5.6; 300 mm. Images taken in 07/02/2013.

Below is a special image with the identification of all deep sky objects that can be seen, and the relation with the different focal distances.

Below you will find a resume with all publications – printed and online – related to this particular photograph.

Please refer the i-frame above, generated automatically from the overview page Press.

The beauty deep sky shining above the land

Image taken near a small part of the largest manmade lake in Europe (250 sq km) and one of the world’s largest, called Alqueva. Around this area, we also can find some of the darkest sky regions in Portugal, like Monsaraz, inserted in Dark Sky Reserve Alqueva, the world’s first certified ‘Starlight Tourism Destination’.

From left to right, in the land, we could see the silhouette of the photographer, Babak Tafreshi, that was also making his images of the night sky. Next to the tree, we can see the light of the Monsaraz Castle, also reflected in the calm water of the lake, 30 minutes after the moonset.

Even with some light pollution coming directly from the village castle, the sky above shows a rich variety of deep sky objects that are visible in the infrared camera, like Canon EOS 60Da, as well a lot of star clusters, one asteroid and the Planet Jupiter. From left to right, in the sky, we could identify M46 and M47, M41, and above Sirius the Seagull nebula IC2177. Near the center top image, is visible another infrared emission from Rosette Nebula. Below, the Barnard´s Loop, Horse Head and Orion nebula M42, are strongest emissions indeed. A little bit to the right making the center upper image, is the Lambda Orionis (Sh2 264), Messia. Above the star aldebaran, is visible the open cluster NGC1647 and near to the left, the Vesta asteroid, and above it another open cluster the NGC1746. Below is the brightest sky object capturing in this image, the planet Jupiter, shining near the pleiades M45. In the upper right corner, is located the last infrared brightest deep sky object, the California nebula, NGC1499.

Canon EOS60Da – F/2 15s ISO4000 35mm lens. Mosaic of 24 images. Image taken in 22/12/2012 at 2:58 AM.

Sky Show above Monsaraz Castle

In this image taken inside the Monsaraz Castle, in the Alqueva Dark Sky Reserve, Portugal, we could see the Dark night with some interesting sky objects, like M46 and M47, M41, and above Sirius the Seagull nebula IC2177. Near the center top image, is visible another infrared emission from Rosette Nebula. Below, the Barnard´s Loop, Horse Head and Orion nebula M42. A little bit to the right above the star aldebaran, is visible the open cluster NGC1647 and above it another open cluster the NGC1746. Below is the brightest sky object capturing in this image, the planet Jupiter, shining near the pleaides M45, almost seting behing the wall castle. Above right, is located the California nebula, NGC1499.

Canon EOS60Da – F/2.8 Exp.13s ISO3200 35mm lens. Mosaic of 24 images. Image taken in 22/12/2012 at 4:31 AM.

Violet Sky

After the sunset, sometimes the sky takes fantastic colors with blue tones, rose or violet. In this image taken in the Adraga´s beach, in Sintra, besides the rocks, and the Atlantic Ocean, some parts of the Milky Way and stars seem to show up in a lovely moment that don´t seems to be nor either night or day.

Canon 60Da – 35mm f/2.8 Exp. 13″ at ISO1600. Taken in 02/12/2012 at 18h41..

Signs of Winter

This image was captured in the land of Juromenha, near Alandroal, one of the regions covered by the Alqueva´s Dark Sky Reserve (www.alquevadarksky.com), distinguished as the Worlds First Star Light Tourism Destination. The image reveals two bright stars of the summer triangle (Altair and Vega) low in the West horizon, just about 3 hours after the sunset, as a reminder that the summer is going away until the next year. The low clouds are also reforcing this idea, fortunately, we still could watch the Milky Way as a background layer with another kind of nebulosity, with a lots of dust, gas and star clusters. In the foreground, making a dramatic and contrasting view, are two great olive trees, the tree that really represents the landscape of Alentejo, in Portugal.

Canon 50D – 35mm f/1.8 13″ at ISO 2500. Mosaic of 24 images, taken in 05/10/2012 between 22h13 and 22h25. Image with annotation.

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Via Láctea in Alentejo

Image of the Milky Way taken in Elvas, Alentejo. In this mosaic of 104 images we could find the arm of our galaxy the Milky Way, as well as many constellations like Cygnus, Cassiopeia, Sagittarius, Scorpius and the objects of the deep sky like Andromeda Galaxy.

Mosaic of 104 images taken in 24/07/2012 at 00:18

Canon 50D, 15 seg. a f/2.8, ISO 2000, Dist. Focal: 35 mm

Alqueva a Dark Sky Full of Stars

Images taken in Portel, one of the regions inside de Alqueva Dark Sky Reserve, The world’s first certified ‘Starlight Tourism Destination’. In the land, we could see one of the world’s largest manmade lakes (250 sq km). In the sky, it´s clearly visible many star clusters as well as the great Andromeda Galaxy and some part of the Milky Way.

Sum of 18 mosaic images, taken with a Canon 50D, 15 sec, at f/1.8, ISO 2500, Lens: 35mm in 16/07/2012 at 3:26AM

The Milky Way in Vera Cruz

Images taken in Vera Cruz, Portel, one of the regions inside de Alqueva Dark Sky Reserve, The world’s first certified “Starlight Tourism Destination”. The image shows the Milky Way Galaxy above the ruins of the ancient Templars.

Sum of 4 mosaic images, taken with a Canon 50D, 10 sec, at f/2.8, ISO 2000, Lens: 35mm in 14/07/2012 at 00:44AM

Alqueva´s Lake at night

Sum of 18 mosaic images, taken with a Canon 50D, 15 sec, at f/1.8, ISO 2500, Lens: 35mm in 16/07/2012 at 2:51 AM

Milky Way and the ruins

Image taken in Vera Cruz, Portel, one of the regions inside de Alqueva Dark Sky Reserve, The world’s first certified “Starlight Tourism Destination”. The image shows part of the Milky Way Galaxy above the ruins of the ancient Templars.

The way of the Milky Way

Imagem da Via Láctea vista nos céus do Alentejo, em Vila Boim, Elvas. A imagem foi obtida na região sul do céu. Ao centro da imagem é possível ver a Via láctea e simultaneamente o rasto das estrelas que a compõem, descrevendo assim o movimento da esfera celeste ao longo da noite. Para obter este resultado foi feita uma soma de 398 imagens entre as 00h40 e as 04h25 de 30-06-2011. Cada imagem de 30 segundos, totalizando uma integração de 3h19 minutos. Na imagem é possível ver diversas constelações como: Lyra, Aquila, Scutum, Sagittarius, Scorpius, Aquarius, Capricornus.

Canon 50D -ISO3200 10mm F/4 Exp.30s por imagem.

Three friends of the Milky Way

A Via Láctea e contra ela, da esquerda para a direita pode ver-se a minha silhueta, a do Gernot Meiser, e do Pedro Ré. Imagem obtida no Portinho da Arrábida

Canon 50D- ISO2500 10mm F/4 Exp.30″ 08-09-10 23:52