Category: Dwarf Smart Scope

[et_pb_section fb_built="1" theme_builder_area="post_content" _builder_version="4.27.5" _module_preset="default"][et_pb_row _builder_version="4.27.5" _module_preset="default" theme_builder_area="post_content"][et_pb_column _builder_version="4.27.5" _module_preset="default" type="4_4" theme_builder_area="post_content"][et_pb_text _builder_version="4.27.5" _module_preset="default" theme_builder_area="post_content" hover_enabled="0" sticky_enabled="0"]

Two images of the Sun taken using smartscopes on the 4th February 2026.

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version="4.27.5" _module_preset="default" column_structure="1_2,1_2" theme_builder_area="post_content"][et_pb_column _builder_version="4.27.5" _module_preset="default" type="1_2" theme_builder_area="post_content"][et_pb_image src="https://crayfordmanorastro.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/WhatsApp-Image-2026-02-04-at-16.04.15-1.jpeg" _builder_version="4.27.5" _module_preset="default" theme_builder_area="post_content" title_text="WhatsApp Image 2026-02-04 at 16.04.15 (1)" hover_enabled="0" sticky_enabled="0"][/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column _builder_version="4.27.5" _module_preset="default" type="1_2" theme_builder_area="post_content"][et_pb_image src="https://crayfordmanorastro.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/WhatsApp-Image-2026-02-04-at-15.14.09-1.jpeg" _builder_version="4.27.5" _module_preset="default" theme_builder_area="post_content" title_text="WhatsApp Image 2026-02-04 at 15.14.09 (1)" hover_enabled="0" sticky_enabled="0"][/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version="4.27.5" _module_preset="default" column_structure="1_2,1_2" theme_builder_area="post_content"][et_pb_column _builder_version="4.27.5" _module_preset="default" type="1_2" theme_builder_area="post_content"][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column _builder_version="4.27.5" _module_preset="default" type="1_2" theme_builder_area="post_content"][et_pb_text _builder_version="4.27.5" _module_preset="default" theme_builder_area="post_content" hover_enabled="0" sticky_enabled="0"]

Taken by Jim Burchell using a Seestar s50.

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]

[et_pb_section fb_built="1" theme_builder_area="post_content" _builder_version="4.27.5" _module_preset="default"][et_pb_row _builder_version="4.27.5" _module_preset="default" theme_builder_area="post_content"][et_pb_column _builder_version="4.27.5" _module_preset="default" type="4_4" theme_builder_area="post_content"][et_pb_text _builder_version="4.27.5" _module_preset="default" theme_builder_area="post_content" hover_enabled="0" sticky_enabled="0"]

A great selection of Moon images taken by members during the month of February.

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version="4.27.5" _module_preset="default" column_structure="1_2,1_2" theme_builder_area="post_content"][et_pb_column _builder_version="4.27.5" _module_preset="default" type="1_2" theme_builder_area="post_content"][et_pb_image src="https://crayfordmanorastro.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/WhatsApp-Image-2026-02-24-at-23.44.14.jpeg" _builder_version="4.27.5" _module_preset="default" theme_builder_area="post_content" title_text="WhatsApp Image 2026-02-24 at 23.44.14" hover_enabled="0" sticky_enabled="0"][/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column _builder_version="4.27.5" _module_preset="default" type="1_2" theme_builder_area="post_content"][et_pb_image src="https://crayfordmanorastro.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/WhatsApp-Image-2026-02-28-at-20.23.48.jpeg" _builder_version="4.27.5" _module_preset="default" theme_builder_area="post_content" title_text="WhatsApp Image 2026-02-28 at 20.23.48" hover_enabled="0" sticky_enabled="0"][/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version="4.27.5" _module_preset="default" column_structure="1_2,1_2" theme_builder_area="post_content"][et_pb_column _builder_version="4.27.5" _module_preset="default" type="1_2" theme_builder_area="post_content"][et_pb_image src="https://crayfordmanorastro.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/WhatsApp-Image-2026-02-22-at-19.35.59.jpeg" _builder_version="4.27.5" _module_preset="default" theme_builder_area="post_content" title_text="WhatsApp Image 2026-02-22 at 19.35.59" hover_enabled="0" sticky_enabled="0"][/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column _builder_version="4.27.5" _module_preset="default" type="1_2" theme_builder_area="post_content"][et_pb_image src="https://crayfordmanorastro.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/WhatsApp-Image-2026-02-28-at-21.33.12.jpeg" _builder_version="4.27.5" _module_preset="default" theme_builder_area="post_content" title_text="WhatsApp Image 2026-02-28 at 21.33.12" hover_enabled="0" sticky_enabled="0"][/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version="4.27.5" _module_preset="default" column_structure="1_2,1_2" theme_builder_area="post_content"][et_pb_column _builder_version="4.27.5" _module_preset="default" type="1_2" theme_builder_area="post_content"][et_pb_text _builder_version="4.27.5" _module_preset="default" theme_builder_area="post_content" hover_enabled="0" sticky_enabled="0"]

Crescent Moon taken on the 22nd February 2026 by John Archer using a Dwarf3 smart scope.

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column _builder_version="4.27.5" _module_preset="default" type="1_2" theme_builder_area="post_content"][et_pb_text _builder_version="4.27.5" _module_preset="default" theme_builder_area="post_content" hover_enabled="0" sticky_enabled="0"]

Waxing Gibbous Moon by Neil Webster taken on the 28/02/2026.

The Moon was 11.38 days old and 92.1% illuminated.  Neil used a AA 115mm APO, EQ6 R, ZWO ASI290MM and R/IR Filter to acquire the image.

6 frames. Each 90s x 32fps. Stitched in Microsoft ICE Firecapture, AutoStakkert and Photo Shop.

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]

[et_pb_section fb_built="1" theme_builder_area="post_content" _builder_version="4.27.5" _module_preset="default"][et_pb_row _builder_version="4.27.5" _module_preset="default" column_structure="1_2,1_2" theme_builder_area="post_content"][et_pb_column _builder_version="4.27.5" _module_preset="default" type="1_2" theme_builder_area="post_content"][et_pb_text _builder_version="4.27.5" _module_preset="default" theme_builder_area="post_content" hover_enabled="0" sticky_enabled="0"]

A stunning image of IC443 - The Jellyfish Nebula taken by George Buckberry.

The Jellyfish Nebula (IC 443) is a supernova remnant located in the constellation Gemini. This nebula is approximately 5000 light-years from Earth and is estimated to be roughly 70 light-years in size. 

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column _builder_version="4.27.5" _module_preset="default" type="1_2" theme_builder_area="post_content"][et_pb_image src="https://crayfordmanorastro.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/WhatsApp-Image-2026-03-03-at-17.04.28.jpeg" _builder_version="4.27.5" _module_preset="default" theme_builder_area="post_content" title_text="WhatsApp Image 2026-03-03 at 17.04.28" hover_enabled="0" sticky_enabled="0"][/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]

[et_pb_section fb_built="1" _builder_version="4.27.5" _module_preset="default" global_colors_info="{}"][et_pb_row _builder_version="4.27.5" _module_preset="default" global_colors_info="{}"][et_pb_column type="4_4" _builder_version="4.27.5" _module_preset="default" global_colors_info="{}"][et_pb_text _builder_version="4.27.5" _module_preset="default" hover_enabled="0" global_colors_info="{}" sticky_enabled="0"]

Hot off the press - 2 images of the Sun showing the enormous Sunspot AR4366; taken on the 4th February 2026. The image on the left was taken by Jim Burchell using a Seestar s50 smart scope and the image on the right was taken by George Buckberry using a Dwarf3 smart scope. Both taken from the Dartford area.

AR4366 has unleashed dozens of solar flares including a powerful X8-class flare on the 1st February 2026. Most sunspots never produce even one X-flare but this week, giant sunspot 4366 has fired off six; the latest being an X4.2-class explosion on the 4th February.

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure="1_2,1_2" _builder_version="4.27.5" _module_preset="default" global_colors_info="{}"][et_pb_column type="1_2" _builder_version="4.27.5" _module_preset="default" global_colors_info="{}"][et_pb_image src="https://crayfordmanorastro.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/WhatsApp-Image-2026-02-04-at-15.14.09.jpeg" title_text="WhatsApp Image 2026-02-04 at 15.14.09" _builder_version="4.27.5" _module_preset="default" global_colors_info="{}"][/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type="1_2" _builder_version="4.27.5" _module_preset="default" global_colors_info="{}"][et_pb_image src="https://crayfordmanorastro.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/WhatsApp-Image-2026-02-04-at-16.04.15.jpeg" title_text="WhatsApp Image 2026-02-04 at 16.04.15" _builder_version="4.27.5" _module_preset="default" global_colors_info="{}"][/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version="4.27.5" _module_preset="default" global_colors_info="{}"][et_pb_column type="4_4" _builder_version="4.27.5" _module_preset="default" global_colors_info="{}"][et_pb_text _builder_version="4.27.5" _module_preset="default" global_colors_info="{}"]

Below is a diagram of the sun with the sunspots labelled and an image of just AR4366. Both these images were taken from the website spaceweather.com.

''The image of the Sunspot AR4366 was taken by amateur astronomer James Kevin Ty on Feb 3rd from his backyard observatory in Manila. "This sunspot started as an inconspicuous pore just a few days ago. Since then it has grown hugely in size!" he says.

SUNSPOT ARCHIPELAGO: Sunspots are magnetic islands on the sun. Sunspot AR4366 is a complete archipelago. Scroll down to scan more than 200,000 miles of island chain.

The island metaphor is apt. Sunspots are buoyant concentrations of magnetism that float on a sea of solar plasma. Archipelago 4366 consists of one big island twice as wide as Earth plus dozens of lesser isles ranging in size from US states to small planets.

AR4366 is currently facing Earth.'' Ref:Spaceweather.com

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure="1_2,1_2" _builder_version="4.27.5" _module_preset="default" global_colors_info="{}"][et_pb_column type="1_2" _builder_version="4.27.5" _module_preset="default" global_colors_info="{}"][et_pb_image src="https://crayfordmanorastro.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Spaceweather-4th-Feb-2026-Sun.gif" title_text="Spaceweather 4th Feb 2026 Sun" _builder_version="4.27.5" _module_preset="default" global_colors_info="{}"][/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type="1_2" _builder_version="4.27.5" _module_preset="default" global_colors_info="{}"][et_pb_image src="https://crayfordmanorastro.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Spaceweather-AR4366-sunspot-3rd-Feb-2026-archipelago_strip.jpg" title_text="Spaceweather AR4366 sunspot 3rd Feb 2026 archipelago_strip" _builder_version="4.27.5" _module_preset="default" global_colors_info="{}"][/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]

[et_pb_section fb_built="1" _builder_version="4.27.5" _module_preset="default" global_colors_info="{}"][et_pb_row _builder_version="4.27.5" _module_preset="default" global_colors_info="{}"][et_pb_column type="4_4" _builder_version="4.27.5" _module_preset="default" global_colors_info="{}"][et_pb_text _builder_version="4.27.5" _module_preset="default" global_colors_info="{}"]

Two great images of the Moon taken by George Buckberry using a Dwarf3 smart scope.

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure="2_5,3_5" _builder_version="4.27.5" _module_preset="default" global_colors_info="{}"][et_pb_column type="2_5" _builder_version="4.27.5" _module_preset="default" global_colors_info="{}"][et_pb_text _builder_version="4.27.5" _module_preset="default" global_colors_info="{}"]

A Waxing Crescent Moon on the 23rd January 2026. 22.8% illuminated. Ref:https://theskylive.com/moon/2026-01-23

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type="3_5" _builder_version="4.27.5" _module_preset="default" global_colors_info="{}"][et_pb_image src="https://crayfordmanorastro.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Waxing-Cresent-Moon-23Jan26-500-subs.jpeg" title_text="Waxing Cresent Moon 23Jan26 500 subs" _builder_version="4.27.5" _module_preset="default" global_colors_info="{}"][/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure="2_5,3_5" _builder_version="4.27.5" _module_preset="default" global_colors_info="{}"][et_pb_column type="2_5" _builder_version="4.27.5" _module_preset="default" global_colors_info="{}"][et_pb_text _builder_version="4.27.5" _module_preset="default" hover_enabled="0" global_colors_info="{}" sticky_enabled="0"]

A Waxing Gibbous Moon on the 27th January 2026. 65% illuminated. Ref:https://theskylive.com/moon/2026-01-27

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type="3_5" _builder_version="4.27.5" _module_preset="default" global_colors_info="{}"][et_pb_image src="https://crayfordmanorastro.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Moon-27Jan26-scaled.jpeg" title_text="Moon 27Jan26" _builder_version="4.27.5" _module_preset="default" global_colors_info="{}"][/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]

[et_pb_section fb_built="1" _builder_version="4.27.5" _module_preset="default" global_colors_info="{}"][et_pb_row column_structure="1_2,1_2" _builder_version="4.27.5" _module_preset="default" global_colors_info="{}"][et_pb_column type="1_2" _builder_version="4.27.5" _module_preset="default" global_colors_info="{}"][et_pb_text _builder_version="4.27.5" _module_preset="default" global_colors_info="{}"]

Member George Buckberry has written another presentation about his recent experiences with the Dwarf3 smart scope.  To see a copy of his presentation click on the link on the right.

To see George's previous presentation about the Dwarf3 go to the 'New to Astronomy & Resources' page where you will find the link.

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type="1_2" _builder_version="4.27.5" _module_preset="default" global_colors_info="{}"][et_pb_text _builder_version="4.27.5" _module_preset="default" global_colors_info="{}"]

George Buckberry Further Adventures with a Dwarf 3

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]

[et_pb_section fb_built="1" _builder_version="4.27.5" _module_preset="default" global_colors_info="{}"][et_pb_row _builder_version="4.27.5" _module_preset="default" global_colors_info="{}"][et_pb_column type="4_4" _builder_version="4.27.5" _module_preset="default" global_colors_info="{}"][et_pb_text _builder_version="4.27.5" _module_preset="default" global_colors_info="{}"]

Below are 2 images of the Horsehead Nebula and Flame Nebula taken by member George Buckberry. The 1st on the 31st Dec 2025 having only 17mins and 45 seconds of total exposure and the 2nd on the 1st Jan 2026 having 1 hour and 15mins total exposure; both taken using a Dwarf3 smart scope.  The Horsehead Nebula is located in the centre of the images and the Flame nebula is located at the top middle of the images.

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure="1_2,1_2" _builder_version="4.27.5" _module_preset="default" global_colors_info="{}"][et_pb_column type="1_2" _builder_version="4.27.5" _module_preset="default" global_colors_info="{}"][et_pb_image src="https://crayfordmanorastro.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/DWARF_20260101135626124-2-scaled.jpeg" title_text="DWARF_20260101135626124 (2)" _builder_version="4.27.5" _module_preset="default" global_colors_info="{}"][/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type="1_2" _builder_version="4.27.5" _module_preset="default" global_colors_info="{}"][et_pb_text _builder_version="4.27.5" _module_preset="default" global_colors_info="{}"]

The Horsehead Nebula, also known as Barnard 33, and its companion, the  Flame Nebula, sit near the star Alnitak in Orion's Belt. 

The Horsehead Nebula is a small dark nebula located about 1,375 light-years from Earth and is located just south of Alnitak,  the easternmost star of Orion's Belt and is part of the much larger Orion molecular cloud complex within the Orion B cloud. It is one of the most identifiable nebulae because of its resemblance to a horse's head.

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure="1_2,1_2" _builder_version="4.27.5" _module_preset="default" global_colors_info="{}"][et_pb_column type="1_2" _builder_version="4.27.5" _module_preset="default" global_colors_info="{}"][et_pb_image src="https://crayfordmanorastro.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/DWARF_20260101140321573-scaled.jpeg" title_text="DWARF_20260101140321573" _builder_version="4.27.5" _module_preset="default" global_colors_info="{}"][/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type="1_2" _builder_version="4.27.5" _module_preset="default" global_colors_info="{}"][et_pb_text _builder_version="4.27.5" _module_preset="default" global_colors_info="{}"]

The Flame Nebula, designated as NGC 2024 and Sh2-277, is an emission nebula also in the constellation Orion.  It is about 1350 light-years away.  The Flame Nebula also lies within the Orion B cloud of the larger Orion Molecular Cloud Complex.

The bright star Alnitak the easternmost star in Orion's Belt, appears very close to the Flame Nebula in the sky. But the star and nebula are not physically associated with one another. Alnitak lies 1260 light-years from Earth.

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]

[et_pb_section fb_built="1" _builder_version="4.27.5" _module_preset="default" global_colors_info="{}"][et_pb_row _builder_version="4.27.5" _module_preset="default" global_colors_info="{}"][et_pb_column type="4_4" _builder_version="4.27.5" _module_preset="default" global_colors_info="{}"][et_pb_text _builder_version="4.27.5" _module_preset="default" global_colors_info="{}"]

The Sun & a Waxing Gibbous Moon (89.7% illuminated and 11.64 days old) taken on the last day of the year 2025. 

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure="1_2,1_2" _builder_version="4.27.5" _module_preset="default" global_colors_info="{}"][et_pb_column type="1_2" _builder_version="4.27.5" _module_preset="default" global_colors_info="{}"][et_pb_image src="https://crayfordmanorastro.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/WhatsApp-Image-2025-12-31-at-12.20.05.jpeg" title_text="WhatsApp Image 2025-12-31 at 12.20.05" _builder_version="4.27.5" _module_preset="default" global_colors_info="{}"][/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type="1_2" _builder_version="4.27.5" _module_preset="default" global_colors_info="{}"][et_pb_image src="https://crayfordmanorastro.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/WhatsApp-Image-2025-12-31-at-15.05.34.jpeg" title_text="WhatsApp Image 2025-12-31 at 15.05.34" _builder_version="4.27.5" _module_preset="default" global_colors_info="{}"][/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure="1_2,1_2" _builder_version="4.27.5" _module_preset="default" global_colors_info="{}"][et_pb_column type="1_2" _builder_version="4.27.5" _module_preset="default" global_colors_info="{}"][et_pb_text _builder_version="4.27.5" _module_preset="default" hover_enabled="0" global_colors_info="{}" sticky_enabled="0"]

The Sun by Honor Wheeler taken from Dartford using a Dwarf3 smartscope. 50 stacked images and processed in Snapseed.

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type="1_2" _builder_version="4.27.5" _module_preset="default" global_colors_info="{}"][et_pb_text _builder_version="4.27.5" _module_preset="default" global_colors_info="{}"]

The Sun taken by George Buckberry from Hextable using a Dwarf3 smart scope.

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure="1_2,1_2" _builder_version="4.27.5" _module_preset="default" global_colors_info="{}"][et_pb_column type="1_2" _builder_version="4.27.5" _module_preset="default" global_colors_info="{}"][et_pb_image src="https://crayfordmanorastro.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/WhatsApp-Image-2025-12-31-at-16.40.01.jpeg" title_text="WhatsApp Image 2025-12-31 at 16.40.01" _builder_version="4.27.5" _module_preset="default" global_colors_info="{}"][/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type="1_2" _builder_version="4.27.5" _module_preset="default" global_colors_info="{}"][et_pb_image src="https://crayfordmanorastro.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/WhatsApp-Image-2025-12-31-at-22.54.09.jpeg" title_text="WhatsApp Image 2025-12-31 at 22.54.09" _builder_version="4.27.5" _module_preset="default" global_colors_info="{}"][/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure="1_2,1_2" _builder_version="4.27.5" _module_preset="default" global_colors_info="{}"][et_pb_column type="1_2" _builder_version="4.27.5" _module_preset="default" global_colors_info="{}"][et_pb_text _builder_version="4.27.5" _module_preset="default" hover_enabled="0" global_colors_info="{}" sticky_enabled="0"]

The Moon taken by Honor Wheeler from Dartford using a Dwarf 3 smartscope.  50 stacked images and processed in Snapseed.

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type="1_2" _builder_version="4.27.5" _module_preset="default" global_colors_info="{}"][et_pb_text _builder_version="4.27.5" _module_preset="default" global_colors_info="{}"]

The Moon taken by Neil Webster from St Mary's Platt. 

The image is made up of 6 frames: each 90s x 33fps (20% selected by AS).  Neil used a AA 115 APO, EQ6 R, ZWO ASI290MM and R-IR Filter to capture the images and then processed them using Firecapture, AutoStakkert, Photoshop and Microsoft ICE.

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]

[et_pb_section fb_built="1" theme_builder_area="post_content" _builder_version="4.27.5" _module_preset="default"][et_pb_row _builder_version="4.27.5" _module_preset="default" column_structure="1_2,1_2" theme_builder_area="post_content"][et_pb_column _builder_version="4.27.5" _module_preset="default" type="1_2" theme_builder_area="post_content"][et_pb_image src="https://crayfordmanorastro.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/DWARF_20260101122949192-1.jpeg" _builder_version="4.27.5" _module_preset="default" theme_builder_area="post_content" title_text="DWARF_20260101122949192 (1)" hover_enabled="0" sticky_enabled="0"][/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column _builder_version="4.27.5" _module_preset="default" type="1_2" theme_builder_area="post_content"][et_pb_text _builder_version="4.27.5" _module_preset="default" theme_builder_area="post_content" hover_enabled="0" sticky_enabled="0"]

The Orion Nebula taken by George Buckberry on the 1st Jan 2026 using a Dwarf3 smart scope.  This is a brilliant image as it was acquired just after a total of 15 mins of exposure.  Just shows what smart scopes can do!

''The Orion Nebula (also known as Messier 42, M42, or NGC 1976) is a diffuse nebula situated south of Orion's belt in the constellation of Orion.  It is one of the brightest nebulae and is visible to the naked eye in the night sky with an apparent magnitude of 4.0. It is 1,344 ± 20 light-years (412.1 ± 6.1 pc) away and is the closest region of massive star formation to Earth. M42 is estimated to be 25 light-years across (so its apparent size from Earth is approximately 1 degree). It has a mass of about 2,000 times that of the Sun. Older texts frequently refer to the Orion Nebula as the Great Nebula in Orion or the Great Orion Nebula.'' Ref:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orion_Nebula

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]

[et_pb_section fb_built="1" theme_builder_area="post_content" _builder_version="4.27.5" _module_preset="default"][et_pb_row _builder_version="4.27.5" _module_preset="default" column_structure="1_2,1_2" theme_builder_area="post_content"][et_pb_column _builder_version="4.27.5" _module_preset="default" type="1_2" theme_builder_area="post_content"][et_pb_image src="https://crayfordmanorastro.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/WhatsApp-Image-2025-12-27-at-15.13.59-1.jpeg" _builder_version="4.27.5" _module_preset="default" theme_builder_area="post_content" title_text="WhatsApp Image 2025-12-27 at 15.13.59 (1)" hover_enabled="0" sticky_enabled="0"][/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column _builder_version="4.27.5" _module_preset="default" type="1_2" theme_builder_area="post_content"][et_pb_text _builder_version="4.27.5" _module_preset="default" theme_builder_area="post_content" hover_enabled="0" sticky_enabled="0"]

A stunning image of the Rosette Nebula taken by Kevin Smith on the 27th Dec 2025 using a Dwarf3 smartscope.  The image is a total of 5 hours and 57 mins of exposure.

The Rosette Nebula (also known as Caldwell 49) is a huge star-forming region spanning 100 lightyears across and located 5,000 lightyears away.

It can be seen in the Monoceros constellation in the winter months and is located between stars Betelgeuse in Orion and Procyon in Canis Minor.  Draw a line between Betelgeuse and Procyon, look just south of that line, about halfway along, and you will find it.

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]