Author Archives: JosepM

Hi all, An image of NGC 7380, the Wizard Nebula, has been uploaded. This nebula belongs to the Cepheus Complex and is also catalogued as Sh2-142. Two versions of this narrowband image have been uploaded in this page: one with natural color and the second with an unusual combination of colors trying to better discern […]

Hi all, An image of Messier 41 has been uploaded. This cluster was known at least since a hundred years before Messier included it in his catalog. Some writings suggest that even Aristotle knew it, but this is very uncertain. You can find the image as well as some more information at: Messier 41. NGC […]

Hi all, An image of the reflection nebula NGC 1788 has been uploaded. This is an image that I forgot I had during more than a year. This beautiful nebula is located in the constellation Orion. You can find it and some more info at: NGC 1788. The Cosmic Bat Enjoy, Josep

Hi all, An image of M35 has been uploaded. This cluster has a very close (angularly speaking) neighbor that is located much farther away (about six times the distance). You can find the image and some more information at: Messier 35. NGC 2168 Enjoy, Josep

Hi all, An image of Messier 47 has been uploaded. This is a fairly young but not so much populated open cluster. It has mostly B2-Type stars (blue) as well as a couple of red giants. You can find this image and some more info at: Messier 47. NGC 2422 Enjoy, Josep

Hi all, An image of Messier 46 has been uploaded. This is an old, far away cluster. The peculiarity is that an unrelated planetary nebula lies in its foreground (NGC 2438). You can find this image and some more info at: Messier 46. NGC 2437 Enjoy, Josep

Hi all, An image of Messier 101 has been uploaded. This spiral galaxy does not seem to harbor any supermassive black hole in its center. This is why its central bulge is so symmetrical. You can find the image and some more info at: Messier 101. NGC 5457 Enjoy, Josep

Hi all, An image of Messier 1, the Crab Nebula, has been uploaded. It is a very unusual view of the nebula, although it is a fully scientific one. The use of narrow bandpass filters, as well as a different color mapping have contributed to this special color. You can find this image (as well […]

Hi all, Today, another Messier galaxy has been uploaded: M63, the Sunflower Galaxy. This galaxy has a weakly active nucleus and is classified as LINER. Remarkable in this galaxy is the presence of a very conspicuous star stream around it. This stream was discovered through a collaboration between amateur and professional astronomers in 2011. You […]

Hi all, An image of Messier 109 has been uploaded. This is the farthest away spiral galaxy in the Messier Catalog, 83.5 Million light years and belongs to the so-called “Theta-galaxies” due to its shape. You can find the image, as well as more information at: Messier 109. NGC 3992 Enjoy!, Josep