Hi all,

An image of the core of the Flame Nebula, NGC 2024, has been uploaded. This nebula is much fainter than its famous neighbor M42, but it also a very interesting object. very specially since the open cluster, that has been formed inside this nebula, has an unusual high number of small stars. It is young enough so that about 86% of its stars still have their protoplanetary disks around them.

This image, that is depicted as starless to better show its fine structure, can be found at:

The core of NGC 2024

Enjoy!
Josep

Hi all,

An image of the Needle Galaxy, NGC 4565, has been uploaded. This edge-on galaxy is interesting due to the possibility to study many structural features of the dust central band of spiral galaxies, that can only be partially inferred of face-on galaxies. This galaxy had been imaged in 2013 with my “old reliable” Celestron 11HD, but this time it has been taken with the 24″. You can see the image at:

NGC 4565 revisited

Enjoy!
Josep

Hi all,

A reprocessed image of the previous 1×2 mosaic of NGC 6334 -the Cat’s Paw Nebula- has been uploaded. In this case, I have prepared two versions, one with natural colors and the second one using a modified Hubble palette. This is the emission nebula with the highest star formation speed known so far.

You can see both new versions at:

NGC 6334. The Cat’s Paw Nebula

Enjoy,
Josep

Hi all,

A new image of Messier 20, taken with a 24 inch scope, has been uploaded. This iconic nebula, depicting three nebula types (emission, reflection and dark nebulae) hosts what most probably is the youngest open cluster in our galaxy. Unfortunately for us, it is still only visible in the infra-red part of the spectrum, invisible for us (yet).

You can see the image and the accompanying text at:

Messier 20. New Image with a 24 inch scope

Enjoy!
Josep

Hi all,

An image of the Hamburger Galaxy, NGC 3628, has been uploaded. This edge-on galaxy is, together with M65 and M66, a member of the so called Leo Triplet. It has some remarkable features like the star stream that can be seen next to it and that it seems to be the result of the gravitational encounters of this galaxy with its two other companions in the Triplet.

You can see the image of the galaxy and additional informations about its inner properties at:

NGC 3628. Hamburger Galaxy

Enjoy!
Josep

Hi all,

NGC 3242 is a nice planetary nebula having an interesting fine structure around its central star. Of course it is better seen with the Hubble telescope, but even so, some fine structure can be spotted in this image. You can see it at:

NGC 3242. The Ghost of Jupiter planetary nebula

Enjoy!
Josep

Hi all,

Sh2-114 is also known as the Flying Dragon nebula. This nebula has been included in the collection of the 87 most interesting objects (in my opinion) and has been reprocessed to better highlight its surroundings. You can see the image at:

Sh2-114. The Flying Dragon (fragment)

Enjoy!
Josep

Hi all,

NGC 6302 is a beautiful planetary nebula in the constellation Scorpius. A recent, higher resolution, image of it, taken within the frame of the joint project with Christian Sasse, has been uploaded. You can find it at:

NGC 6302. The Butterfly Nebula

Enjoy!
Josep

Hi all,

An image of NGC 2170 has been uploaded. This is a very special nebula since it showcases several types of nebulae: emission, reflection, dark, as well as many Herbig Haro objects and Young Stellar Objects (YSOs). This nebula shows an unparalleled aesthetic beauty. You can find it at:

NGC 2170. Angel Nebula

Enjoy!
Josep

Hi all!

In the context of the compilation of the 87 most interesting deep sky objects (in my opinion…), I have uploaded an image of the central region of NGC 3372, the Eta Carina Nebula. This image, as many others in this web site since 2022, is one of the results of the joint project that I am pursuing together witn my friend Christian Sasse. You can see both versions, natural color and modified Hubble Palette, at:

NGC 3372. Central region in detail

Enjoy!
Josep