Deep Sky – Crayford Manor House Astronomical Society Dartford

Two super deep sky images by member Kevin Smith taken using his Dwarf3 smart scope from Deal in Kent. The first image is of the North American Nebula and the second of the Maia Nebula.

The North America Nebula, also known as NGC 7000 or Caldwell 20, is an emission nebula in the constellation Cygnus, close to the star Deneb. It is named because its shape resembles North America.

The Maia Nebula is a bright reflection nebula in the Pleiades cluster (M45) within the constellation Taurus. The nebula has the designation NGC 1432 in the New General Catalogue. The Maia Nebula is illuminated by and surrounds the blue giant star Maia (20 Tauri), the fourth brightest star in Messier 45 and is composed of interstellar dust that reflects the star's light creating a distinct ethereal appearance. It is approximately 400 light-years from Earth.

The Lobster Claw Nebula with the Bubble Nebula by Kevin Langford

20th October 2025

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A superb image of the Lobster Claw Nebula with the Bubble Nebula taken on Monday 22nd September 2025 from Bexley by CMHASD member Kevin Langford.

The Lobster Claw Nebula, also known as Sharpless 157 (Sh2-157), is an emission nebula located in the constellation Cassiopeia about 11,000 light-years from Earth. Its name comes from its distinct shape, which resembles a lobster's claw and is formed by glowing gas, dark dust, and stars.

To the left of the claw in the image, you can see NGC 7635 - the Bubble Nebula, which is much more widely known. Also visible is the star cluster NGC 7510, above the lobster claw pincers (Chelae).

Kevin's image consists of 3hrs in total of exposures.

Kevin acquired the image using an ES 102ED APO, 0.7x focal reducer corrector, Pegasus NYX-101, ZWO ASI071, Orion MMAG, L-eNhance filter.

It was then processed in Siril and Affinity photo.

To see a more detailed view of the image check out Kevin's Flickr page at https://www.flickr.com/photos/77708720@N08/54809019524/

The Eastern Veil Nebula by Diane Clarke

20th October 2025

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A fantastic image of the Eastern Veil Nebula by CMHASD member Diane Clarke over a few nights in September and October from Bexley.

Diane acquired the image using a Seestar S50 smart scope in EQ Mode.

The image is a mix of 71 x 30 sec and 101 x 60 sec exposures.

Integration time 2 Hours and 58 Minutes.

The Eastern Veil Nebula, also known as NGC 6992, is an expanding supernova remnant in the constellation Cygnus, bordering the constellation Vulpecula. It was formed by the explosion of a massive star 20 times more massive than the Sun that exploded approximately 8,000 to 10,000 years ago. It is composed of heated gas and dust and is part of a larger structure called the Cygnus Loop.

Below is NASA photograph of the Cygnus Loop in ultraviolet light, with labels showing the well-known features. (25 November 2012) Ref: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Veil_Nebula

Credit: NASA

Soul Nebula (IC1848) by Kevin Langford

12th March 2025

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A superb image of the Soul Nebula (IC1848) in Cassiopeia taken by member Kevin Langford from Bexley, Kent.

This image was captured over three nights from the 2nd to the 4th March 2025.

Number of images taken = 130 x 180sec

Kevin took this image using an ES102ED APO with 0.7x focal reducer corrector, Pegasus NYX-101 mount, ZWO asi071, Orion NMAG and a L-enhance filter.

The image is a total of 6.5hrs of exposures.

Software used:

Nina to capture data.

Sirilic to stack images.

Siril to processes image.

Affinity Photo 2 to finish.

Check out Kevin's Flickr page at https://www.flickr.com/photos/77708720@N08/54380781459/ .

The Rosette Nebula by Neil Webster

9th March 2025

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A stunning image of the Rosette Nebula (also known as Caldwell 49) in the constellation Monoceros by CMHASD member Neil Webster taken on the 2nd March 2025.

Neil acquired his image using a WO GT71 Apo, EQ6 R, ZWO ASI 294MC Pro, Astro Essentials 50mm guide scope, ZWO ASI 290MM guide camera and an Optolong L Enhance filter.

Processed using APT, PHD, Nebulosity, Gradient Xterminator, Star Xterminator, and PS (Camera Raw)

52 x 240s Subs, 12 x Darks, 45 x Flats/ Bias.

Check out Neil's Flickr page at https://www.flickr.com/photos/137388222@N05/ to see more of his brilliant images.

IC 434 The Horsehead Nebula by Neil Webster

2nd March 2025

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A wonderful widefield image of the Horsehead Nebula (IC 434) in Orion; taken on the 3rd Feb 2025 by member Neil Webster.

Neil acquired his image using a WO GT71 Apo, EQ6 R, 0.8x Reducer/Flattener, ZWO ASI 294 MC, 50mm Guide Camera, ZWO 290MM Guide Camera, and a Optolong L Enhance filter.

33 x 240s Subs, 10 x Darks, 45 x Flats/Bias

Processed using APT, PHD, Nebulosity, and Photoshop.

Friday 3rd January 2025

24th January 2025

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NEVER LOOK AT THE SUN DIRECTLY. Please click here for solar observing safely.

A superb selection of member images taken on Friday 3rd January 2025.

The Sun at midday taken by Dr Mike Rushton taken using a Dwarf II smart scope. 20 x 1/250 sec at Gain 0 with a ND6 solar filter.

The Sun taken by Honor Wheeler

The Sun taken by Jim Burchell

The Pleiades by Dr Mike Rushton using a Dwarf II smart scope. 200 x 10sec exposures at Gain 60.

Crescent Moon and Venus taken by Honor Wheeler. Venus is top right of the Moon.

Saturn, Venus and the Moon taken by Honor Wheeler. Venus is top right of the Moon and Saturn is near the top left corner of the image.

The Heart Nebula by Kevin Langford – Jan 2025

18th January 2025

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This is an absolutely stunning image of the Heart Nebula captured by member Kevin Langford over 2 nights on the 7th and 9th Jan 2025 from Bexley, Kent.

The Heart Nebula (also known as the Running Dog Nebula and Sharpless 2-190) is an emission nebula, 7,500 light-years away from Earth and located in the constellation Cassiopeia. The nebula spans almost 2 degrees in the sky, covering an area four times that of the diameter of the full moon. It was discovered by William Herschel on 3 November 1787.

''The brightest part of the nebula (a knot at its western edge) is separately classified as NGC 896, because it was the first part of the nebula to be discovered. The nebula's intense red output and its morphology are driven by the radiation emanating from a small group of hot stars near the nebula's center. This open cluster of stars, known as Collinder 26, Melotte 15, or IC 1805, contains a few bright stars nearly 50 times the mass of the Sun, and many more dim stars that are only a fraction of the Solar mass.'' Ref:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heart_Nebula

Kevin acquired his image using:

ES 102ED APO, 0.7x focal reducer corrector, and EQ5 Pro.

ZWO ASI071, and Orion MMAG,L-eNhance filter.

7.5 Hrs of exposures.

Number of images taken 150 x 180sec.

Software used:

Sirilic to stack images.

Siril to processes image.

Affinity Photo 2 to finish.

Check out Kevin's flickr page at https://www.flickr.com/photos/77708720@N08/ to see more of his fantastic images.

Thursday 2nd Jan 2025

8th January 2025

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[et_pb_section][et_pb_row][et_pb_column type="4_4"][et_pb_text]NEVER LOOK AT THE SUN DIRECTLY. Please click here for solar observing safely.

Thursday 2nd January 2025 was a good day & night for Astronomy. Clear views of the Sun during the day and a fantastic clear night. It was also an informal night too for the Society and as the sky was absolutely clear; without no hesitation members got out their telescopes and spent the evening observing the night sky. Below are some of the superb images members took that day and night.

The Sun with lots of sunspots taken by Honor Wheeler

Crescent Moon in the sunset taken by Honor Wheeler

Waxing Crescent Moon & Earthshine by taken Honor Wheeler. The moon was 2.62 days old and 8.35% illuminated.

Crescent Moon by taken by John Archer

Crescent Moon taken by Dr Mike Rushton using a Dwarf II smart scope. 1/30 sec x 20 at gain 0 and no filter.

The Moon & Venus by taken Honor Wheeler (Venus is in the top left corner)

Orion, Jupiter and Mars by taken Honor Wheeler. Mars is left of Orion and Jupiter is above Orion.

Members observing at the Pavilion on the 2nd Jan 2025 taken by Honor Wheeler

The Horsehead Nebula taken by Jim Burchell using a Seestar S50 smartscope. 205 stacked images and processed using the Seestar S50 processing software. The Horsehead Nebula (also known as Barnard 33 or B33) is a small dark nebula in the constellation Orion and is located just to the south of the star Alnitak, the eastern most star of Orion's Belt,

The Pleiades (also known as the Seven Sisters or Messier 45 is a young open star cluster in Taurus) taken by Diane Clarke taken using a Seestar S50 smartscope. 85 x 30sec exposures, Jpeg stacked using Seestar S50 internal software.

[caption id="attachment_9838" align="alignnone" width="341"] M 45[/caption][/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]

IC 410 The Tadpole Nebula and IC 405 The Flaming Star Nebula by Neil Webster – 3rd Jan 2025

7th January 2025

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A superb image of IC 410 The Tadpole Nebula (left) and IC 405 The Flaming Star Nebula (right) by member Neil Webster taken on the 3rd Jan 2025.

''IC 410 is a cosmic cloud that looks like tadpoles swimming through the cosmos.

IC 410 is located 12,000 lightyears from Earth in the Auriga constellation, and is nicknamed the Tadpole Nebula because of the tadpole-shaped clouds of dark dust that appear to be swimming towards the centre. The Tadpole Nebula is a region of ionised hydrogen gas spanning over 100 lightyears across that's carved and sculpted by streams of charged particles called stellar winds emanating from open star cluster NGC 1893. NGC 1893 is about 4 million years old: the blink of an eye in cosmic terms. The 'tadpoles' that give the nebula its nickname are dense streams of dust and gas about 10 lightyears long that may well be sites of star formation.'' Ref: https://www.skyatnightmagazine.com/astrophotography/nebulae/tadpole-nebula-ic-410

located near the emission nebula IC 410, is IC 405 (also known as the Flaming Star Nebula, SH 2-229, or Caldwell 31). IC 405 is an emission and reflection nebula that surrounds the bluish, irregular variable star AE Aurigae.

Neil acquired his image using a WO GT71 Apo, EQ6 R, ZWO ASI 294MC Pro Optolong L Enhance filter, Astro Essentials 50mm guide scope, and a ZWO ASI 290MM guide camera.

Processed using APT, PHD, Nebulosity and Photoshop.

58 x 240s Subs, 45 x 0.015s Flats/Bias.

Note: Neil suffered a power cut just before taking the Darks so noise reduction was applied liberally.

Check out Neil's flickr page at https://www.flickr.com/photos/137388222@N05/with/54245664968/ to see a higher resolution image.

Category: Deep Sky

Dwarf3 images by Kevin Smith

The Lobster Claw Nebula with the Bubble Nebula by Kevin Langford

The Eastern Veil Nebula by Diane Clarke

Soul Nebula (IC1848) by Kevin Langford

The Rosette Nebula by Neil Webster

IC 434 The Horsehead Nebula by Neil Webster

Friday 3rd January 2025

The Heart Nebula by Kevin Langford – Jan 2025

Thursday 2nd Jan 2025

IC 410 The Tadpole Nebula and IC 405 The Flaming Star Nebula by Neil Webster – 3rd Jan 2025