Paramount Observatory

@paramountobs

Welcome to the Paramount Observatory. This is a private project of Les Girvan to show the active #Astronomy, #Astrophotography, I am doing from #Liverpool #UK.

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Paramount Observatory@paramountobs· 15d

They keep coming, here is my next reworking of my old 🔭 data. This is NGC 6946, better known as the Fireworks Galaxy. The refined tools of #Siril have allowed me to pull out sharper & cleaner details. I Hope your enjoying these reworkings? Some more interesting facts about this #galaxy ...

$A deep-space telescopic photograph of the Fireworks Galaxy (NGC 6946), shown face-on against a dark black sky sprinkled with fine background stars. The galaxy features a bright, glowing golden-yellow central core surrounded by sprawling, loosely wound spiral arms. Dark, web-like lanes of cosmic dust wind through the arms, punctuated by delicate blue star-forming regions and subtle reddish-pink emission nebulae along the edges. Near the bottom edge of the galaxy, a brighter foreground star exhibits tiny diffraction spikes. In the bottom right corner, a black banner overlay reads "PARAMOUNT OBSERVATORY" alongside a small white icon of a telescope on a tripod.$

Paramount Observatory@paramountobs· 15d

Adding to my reworking of older 🔭 data using the new #Siril scripts, notably the #SyQon #Parallax script. this time I've looked at #M81 #Bodes #Galaxy In this I have been able to pull out more of the structure of this awesome galaxy. Some interesting facts on M81 ... #Astrophotography

An astrophotography image of Messier 81 (M81), also known as Bode's Galaxy, set against the pitch-black void of deep space. The galaxy is oriented diagonally, featuring a intensely bright, glowing cream-white central core. Grand spiral arms sweep outwards around the core, showcasing subtle dusty brown lanes, soft blue star-forming clusters, and intricate structural details. A scattering of small foreground stars is visible surrounding the galaxy, and a watermark reading "PARAMOUNT OBSERVATORY" with a small telescope icon appears in the bottom right corner.

Paramount Observatory@paramountobs· 16d

Following up from my re-worked image of M51 in #Siril using the #SyQon #Parallax script, I've reworked my 2023 🔭 image of C11 #thebubblenebula A few issues with the stars, but think its sharpened the detail around the central bubble. Let me know your thoughts? Some interesting facts! ...

Astrophotography of the Bubble Nebula (NGC 7635 / C11). A distinct, glowing, semi-translucent sphere resembling a cosmic soap bubble floats slightly below center. The delicate sphere features internal detail and a bright star illuminating its upper right edge. Surrounding the bubble is a vast cloud of glowing crimson and deep red emission nebulosity with fine, wispy filaments running diagonally across a dark space background sprinkled with tiny background stars. In the top-left corner, the text "PARAMOUNT OBSERVATORY" is written in a clean white font alongside a small telescope icon.

Paramount Observatory@paramountobs· 18d

I have been taking a look at some of the new #Siril scripts, in particular the new #SyQon #Parallax script which has, IMO improved my earlier version, sharpening up the detail in the #Galaxy Going to review my older data, see what else I can improve🤞 🔭 #Astrophotography #Space

New Deep space photo of M51, the Whirlpool Galaxy, featuring a glowing core and distinct blue spiral arms with reddish dust lanes, connected at the top to its smaller companion galaxy NGC 5195 against a dark background of scattered stars. Text in the bottom right corner reads 'Paramount Observatory'

Earlier Deep space photo of M51, the Whirlpool Galaxy, featuring a glowing core and distinct blue spiral arms with reddish dust lanes, connected at the top to its smaller companion galaxy NGC 5195 against a dark background of scattered stars.

Paramount Observatory@paramountobs· 19d

Despite my best efforts, I could not pull out that anomaly, just don't have enough data I think?

Paramount Observatory@paramountobs· 24d

With such short periods of darkness, I've taken 4 nights 🔭 observing #NGC66992 one of my favourite DSO objects of the summer months, created by expanding shockwaves from a supernova that occurred roughly 10,000 to 20,000 years ago. Hope you enjoy it as much as I do. #astrophotography #space

An astrophotography capture of the Eastern Veil Nebula (NGC 6992) set against a vast, dense field of thousands of sharp, pinpoint stars in the deep black of space. The nebula forms a prominent, delicate crescent arc curving from the upper left toward the bottom center. Its intricate, thread-like filaments resemble cosmic lace, glowing with vibrant shades of fiery red and burnt orange along the outer edge, which seamlessly transitions into ethereal teal and greenish-blue wisps on the inner frayed border.

Paramount Observatory@paramountobs· Jul 7

🔭 Observatory is open again tonight, first time a while. Always love imaging NGC6992 love the deep rich colours of the Ha & Oiii Imagine what it would be like travelling towards this object on a spacecraft .... #astrophotography #space

Paramount Observatory@paramountobs· Jun 28

Looks like the #Moon is about to spoil the party for tonight 🔭

View of the night sky with a telescope in central foreground and the moon lighting up clouds in the lower left of the image.

Paramount Observatory@paramountobs· Jun 28

Good evening everyone, hope you've had a good weekend? Been a while since opening the observatory, but with a clear sky, just needed to check everything is working. So quick live stack of the Veil #nebula 🔭

Area of deep space showing hydrogen alpha area of space in the veil nebula

Paramount Observatory@paramountobs· Jun 20

Hope everyone is having a lovely #Summer #Solstice (Northern Hemisphere) From tomorrow the daytime gets shorter and dark nights will be back

Paramount Observatory@paramountobs· Jun 18

With no real darkness currently, and a combination of clouds and wind, not being able to get any real #Astronomy done. So sometimes you go simple and find a nice natural image, #Moon & #Venus in close proximity in the darkening sky. 🔭

The Moon and Venus in close proximity in a darkening sky, with houses in the bottom 3rd

Paramount Observatory@paramountobs· Jun 10

If it's not cloudy it's windy! Last night despite getting some clear spots in the sky, clouds just continually built in the area of the #Venus & #Jupiter conjunction 🔭😠

Paramount Observatory@paramountobs· May 1

I finally finished processing my latest 🔭 capture of #M63, the Sunflower Galaxy. This spiral beauty is located in the constellation Canes Venatici and is famous for its "flocculent" appearance—those patchy, petal-like spiral arms. A bit of bloating in the stars, which I'm not so pleased with 🙁

"A wide-field astrophotography shot of Messier 63, the Sunflower Galaxy, centred in a dark, star-filled sky. The spiral galaxy shows a bright white core surrounded by tightly wound, dusty spiral arms with subtle hints of pink star-forming regions. To the right of the galaxy, a bright blue star stands out, and the bottom right corner features a 'Paramount Observatory' watermark with a telescope icon."

Paramount Observatory@paramountobs· Apr 29

Trying to get more 🔭 time on #M63 the Sunflower galaxy, as we have another night of clear skies forecast, although wind is gusting, so the guiding is not looking good. Going to run it for the night and check in the morning 🤞 #Astrophotography #Astronomy #Space #lookup @liverpoolas.org

Screenshot of ASIAIR APP showing sub of the sunflower galaxy and guide information

Paramount Observatory@paramountobs· Apr 28

The moon is at 100% brightness, so we're pivoting the 🔭strategy for M63! 🌕➡️🌻Instead of a standard broadband shot, I’m dropping in the ZWO Duo-Band filter. We’re going "Hydrogen Hunting" tonight to capture the hidden star-forming regions within the Sunflower Galaxy. #Astrophotography

A screenshot from the Stellarium planetarium software showing a simulated view of the **Sunflower Galaxy (M63)**. The galaxy appears as a faint, tilted spiral with a bright core, centered within a red rectangular **field-of-view (FOV) indicator**.

The background is a deep black starfield overlaid with a blue **equatorial coordinate grid**. Text overlays provide technical details, including a location of **Liverpool** and a date of **April 29, 2026**. On the right, a panel lists telescope equipment settings, specifically an **ASI 533 MC Pro** sensor paired with a **Celestron C11** telescope and an **f/6.3 reducer**. Various software icons and navigation tools line the bottom and left edges of the interface.

Paramount Observatory@paramountobs· Apr 24

First of the 🔭 subs coming through of #M81 the #BodesGalaxy this is my 3rd night of data gathering.

A screenshot of the ASIAIR astrophotography app interface displaying a live capture of Bode's Galaxy (M81).
The galaxy appears at the center as a bright, glowing white nucleus surrounded by soft, yellowish-grey spiral arms against a grainy, star-speckled dark sky. The app's user interface overlays the image, featuring a guiding graph in the top left, telescope control icons along the top and left margins, and technical data at the bottom including a gain of 100 and a sensor temperature of -10.0°C. A progress ring on the right indicates a 108-second exposure in progress.

Paramount Observatory@paramountobs· Apr 24

Setting up 🔭 for imaging of galaxies M81 & M82, I've used #Moon and #Jupiter to check things through, enjoy 🙂

A centered, high-contrast astronomical photograph of Jupiter suspended in a deep black void.
The planet’s surface is defined by soft, cream and tan atmospheric cloud belts stretching horizontally across its disk. Positioned prominently in the upper-center band is the Great Red Spot, appearing as a faint, pale orange oval. The lighting is uniform, highlighting the gas giant's spherical shape and the subtle textures of its turbulent atmosphere.

A high-detail, close-up photograph of the lunar surface, showcasing a curved horizon against the blackness of space.
The image highlights a rugged landscape densely covered in impact craters of various sizes, with sharp shadows emphasizing their depth and rim structures. The lighting transition from the bright, sunlit left side to the dark, shadowed terminator line on the right creates a dramatic, high-contrast view of the Moon's desolate and rocky terrain.

Paramount Observatory@paramountobs· Apr 24

So , another, (Amazingly), night of clear skies, so considering getting more data on M81 & M82, although, I'm open to suggestions? The location is Liverpool, and will be using Celestron 🔭 C11, 0.63 reducer, 1764mm, F6.3 ASI533 MC PRO Gets dark from 10pm, look forward to suggestions?

Paramount Observatory@paramountobs· Apr 21

While setting up for tonights Galaxies, #M81 & #M82 took a few minutes on the #Moon and #Jupiter and captured a couple of pleasing images. #Astrophotography #Astronomy #Space #StormHour #MoonHour #ThePhotoHour #lookup @liverpoolas.org Keep an eye out for my Galaxy images later in the week

A high-contrast, centered photograph of the planet Jupiter against a pitch-black space background.
The planet appears as a soft, luminous sphere featuring its characteristic horizontal atmospheric bands in shades of cream and tan. Notably, the Great Red Spot is visible as a distinct, pale orange oval in the upper-middle cloud belt. The lighting is soft, giving the planet a three-dimensional, spherical depth.

Paramount Observatory@paramountobs· Apr 21

Spent more time re-processing my earlier astro 🔭 image of the Leo Triplet. In this processing, I've been able to bring out more of the colours within these 3 Galaxies, details in additional posts. Hope you like this improved image? #Astrophotography #MoonHour #ThePhotoHour @liverpoolas.org

An expansive, high-contrast deep-space photograph of the Leo Triplet, a group of three prominent spiral galaxies set against a black void scattered with distant stars.
M66 (Top Left): A face-on spiral galaxy with a bright core and distinct, asymmetrical spiral arms glowing with bluish-white star clusters and reddish nebulae.
M65 (Bottom Left): A spiral galaxy tilted at an angle, showing a bright, yellowish central bulge and smooth, well-defined dusty lanes.
NGC 3628 (Right): Also known as the "Hamburger Galaxy," seen edge-on as a long, thin streak of light bisected by a thick, dark band of cosmic dust.
The bottom right corner features a translucent watermark that reads "PARAMOUNT OBSERVATORY" next to a small telescope icon.

Paramount Observatory@paramountobs· Apr 21

My final work on Markerians Chain 🔭 a striking stretch of #galaxies that appear to curve through space. While they look close together from our porch here on Earth, this "chain" is a massive collection of elliptical and spiral galaxies sitting about 50 million light-years away. Hope you enjoy 🙏

An astronomical view of the Virgo Cluster's Markarian's Chain. The image captures various galaxy types, including large, glowing elliptical galaxies and edge-on spirals, scattered across a black cosmic background. A "Paramount Observatory" watermark is visible in the bottom right corner

Paramount Observatory@paramountobs· Apr 20

So have added another night of data to produce this updated image, seem to have lost the colours from the Galaxies, will do another version, see if I can get a better final image.

An image of **Markarian’s Chain**, a string of galaxies in the Virgo Cluster, set against a deep black cosmic background. Several prominent elliptical and spiral galaxies appear as bright, glowing smudges of light, with the most notable being a pair of interacting galaxies known as "The Eyes" near the center. The field is densely populated with smaller, distant stars and faint galactic clusters. In the bottom right corner, a small telescope icon and the text "PARAMOUNT OBSERVATORY" are visible.

Paramount Observatory@paramountobs· Apr 14

Following from last night 🔭 session, this is a stack of the best 92 subs. The seeing was not great and I have struggled pulling out the galaxies in the image of #Marketianschain Also big thanks for the likes & reposts 🙏 #Astrophotography #Astronomy #MoonHour #ThePhotoHour @liverpoolas.org

A collection of galaxies across a starry sky

Paramount Observatory@paramountobs· Apr 13

Plan is running now until 14/04/26 04:06 GMT. #Markerianschain is made up of so many galaxies. This is going to take a lot of subs to pull out the detail 🔭 #Astrophotography #Astronomy #Space #lookup @liverpoolas.org

Screen shot of ASIAIR APP of Markerians Chain of galaxies

Paramount Observatory@paramountobs· Apr 13

🔭 Setup and waiting to start imaging once it's dark enough, another 30 mins should do. Tonight I'm targeting Markerians Chain. #Astrophotography #Astronomy #Space #lookup @liverpoolas.org

Telescope against a darkening sky with Jupiter at top right

Paramount Observatory@paramountobs· Apr 10

What an amazing 10 days of #Space 🔭 & #Science this has been, from the Amazingly energetic launch to the stunning new images of the dark side of the #Moon this has been so inspirational.....even my 5 year old granddaughter telling me she wants to be an Astronaut. Safe landing and thanks #ArtemisII

A view of the Artemis II craft with a half Earth on a black sky

Paramount Observatory@paramountobs· Apr 9

My latest 🔭 image captured over the night of 7 & 8th of April is the Leo Triplet a small group of three interacting spiral galaxies that provide one of the most stunning "all-in-one" views in the night sky. #Astrophotography #Astronomy #Space #StormHour #MoonHour #ThePhotoHour @liverpoolas.org

A wide-field deep space photograph of the Leo Triplet (M65, M66, and NGC 3628) against a dark, star-speckled background. To the left, two spiral galaxies are tilted at angles; to the right, the Hamburger Galaxy is seen perfectly edge-on with a prominent dark dust lane running through its center.

Paramount Observatory@paramountobs· Apr 6

Whilst watching the #ArtemisII mission and with clear skies, I'm taking the opportunity to get some of my own imaging done. Tonight focused on The Leo Triplet of #Galaxies 🔭 #Astrophotography #Astronomy #Space #StormHour #MoonHour #ThePhotoHour #lookup @liverpoolas.org

Paramount Observatory@paramountobs· Apr 6

Amazing to think, this image holds a moment in time for the whole of Humanity, All know life exists in this image. #ArtemisII 🔭

Paramount Observatory@paramountobs· Apr 6

This is the #flyby that was not planned for during the #ArtemisII training, the closest approach of #Nutella 😂🔭 @nasaspaceflight.com @apod.shinyakato.dev