StarCatcher 🇨🇦

@starcatcherjohn

Exploring the universe through my telescopes. Astrophotographer, foodie, and lover of all animals, often more than humans. #Astrophotography #DeepSpace #Astronomy My images:

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StarCatcher 🇨🇦@starcatcherjohn· 10d

🧵(2/2) As always, here is a starless and 3 zoomed-in versions of the Nebula to enjoy the sheer beauty of the object. #Astrophotography #Space #DeepSpace #Astronomy

Starless version of The Elephant's Trunk Nebula (IC 1396A) is a concentration of interstellar gas and dust within the much larger ionized gas region IC 1396 located in the constellation Cepheus about 2,400 light years away from Earth.[1] The nebula is a dark, dense globule that gets its name from its appearance at visible light wavelengths, where there is a dark patch with a bright, sinuous rim. The bright rim is the surface of the dense cloud that is being illuminated and ionized by a very bright, massive multiple star (HD 206267) that is just to the east of the Elephant's Trunk Nebula . The entire IC 1396 region is ionized by the massive star, except for dense globules that can protect themselves from the star's harsh ultraviolet rays.

StarCatcher 🇨🇦@starcatcherjohn· 10d

🧵(1/2) IC 1396 is an emission nebulae, located in the constellation Cepheus about 2,400 light years away from Earth. Reprocessed 26-08-01, shot taken on 25-09-19 from my backyard. 🔭 William Optics Red Cat 61 📷 ZWO ASI 2600 + L-Extreme Exposure: 3h45 #Astrophotography #Space #DeepSpace #Astronomy

Image of The Elephant's Trunk Nebula (IC 1396A) is a concentration of interstellar gas and dust within the much larger ionized gas region IC 1396 located in the constellation Cepheus about 2,400 light years away from Earth.[1] The nebula is a dark, dense globule that gets its name from its appearance at visible light wavelengths, where there is a dark patch with a bright, sinuous rim. The bright rim is the surface of the dense cloud that is being illuminated and ionized by a very bright, massive multiple star (HD 206267) that is just to the east of the Elephant's Trunk Nebula . The entire IC 1396 region is ionized by the massive star, except for dense globules that can protect themselves from the star's harsh ultraviolet rays.

StarCatcher 🇨🇦@starcatcherjohn· 17d

The image was taken with this rig

StarCatcher 🇨🇦@starcatcherjohn· 17d

(2/2) The same object but with out the stars

StarCatcher 🇨🇦@starcatcherjohn· 17d

(1/2) The Bubble Nebula, is an emission nebula in the constellation Cassiopeia. The bubble is created by the stellar wind from a massive hot, young central star Shot from my backyard 26-07-24 🔭 WOptics Pleiades 111 📷 QHY Mini8 EVO Exposure 4h 35 mins #Astrophotography #Space #DeepSpace #Astronomy

The Bubble Nebula, is an emission nebula in the constellation Cassiopeia. The bubble is created by the stellar wind from a massive hot, young central star

Shot from my backyard 26-07-24

🔭 WOptics Pleiades 111
📷 QHY Mini8 EVO
Exposure 4h 35 mins

#Astrophotography #Space #DeepSpace #Astronomy

StarCatcher 🇨🇦@starcatcherjohn· Jun 24

(2/2) Here's the starless version to really enjoy the beauty of this immense object (spans about 110 light-years across)

Starless version fo the Veil Nebula is a massive, expanding cloud of ionized gas and dust in the constellation Cygnus. Located about 2,100 light-years away, it is the remnant of a star roughly 20 times more massive than our Sun that exploded as a supernova 8,000 to 10,000 years ago.The entire complex—also known as the Cygnus Loop—spans about 110 light-years across (roughly 3 degrees of the sky). Because of its vast size, observers and astrophotographers typically target specific, intricately woven sections of the nebula.

StarCatcher 🇨🇦@starcatcherjohn· Jun 24

(1/2)The Veil Nebula, a cloud of heated and ionized gas and dust in the constellation Cygnus. A supernova remnant, many parts of which have acquired their own names. Shot from my backyard 26-06-23 🔭 WOptics Pleiades 111 📷 ASI2600 MC Exposure: 25 mins #Astrophotography #Space #DeepSpace #Astronomy

The Veil Nebula is a massive, expanding cloud of ionized gas and dust in the constellation Cygnus. Located about 2,100 light-years away, it is the remnant of a star roughly 20 times more massive than our Sun that exploded as a supernova 8,000 to 10,000 years ago.The entire complex—also known as the Cygnus Loop—spans about 110 light-years across (roughly 3 degrees of the sky). Because of its vast size, observers and astrophotographers typically target specific, intricately woven sections of the nebula.

StarCatcher 🇨🇦@starcatcherjohn· Jun 21

Reprocess of my data for The Pinwheel Galaxy from last weekend. More emphasis on the Ha data, in return, see more detail in the core of the galaxy. Shot from my backyard 26-06-08 🔭 William Optics Pleiades 111 📷 MiniCam8 Exposure: 1h35 minutes #Astrophotography #Space #DeepSpace #Astronomy

The Pinwheel Galaxy (also known as Messier 101, M101 or NGC 5457) is a face-on, counterclockwise intermediate spiral galaxy located 21 million light-years (6.4 megaparsecs)[5] from Earth in the constellation Ursa Major. It was discovered by Pierre Méchain in 1781[a] and was communicated that year to Charles Messier, who verified its position for inclusion in the Messier Catalogue as one of its final entries.

On February 28, 2006, NASA and the European Space Agency released a very detailed image of the Pinwheel Galaxy, which was the largest and most detailed image of a galaxy by Hubble Space Telescope at the time.[10] The image was composed of 51 individual exposures, plus some extra ground-based photos.

StarCatcher 🇨🇦@starcatcherjohn· Jun 13

The Pinwheel Galaxy is a face-on, counterclockwise intermediate spiral galaxy located 21 million light-years from Earth in the constellation Ursa Major. Shot from my backyard 26-06-08 🔭 William Optics Pleiades 111 📷 MiniCam8 Exposure: 1h35 minutes #Astrophotography #Space #DeepSpace #Astronomy

StarCatcher 🇨🇦@starcatcherjohn· Jun 12

The Whirlpool Galaxy, Messier 51 is an interacting grand-design spiral galaxy . It lies in the constellation Canes Venatici. It is 31 million light-years away. Shot from my backyard 26-06-07 🔭 William Optics Pleiades 111 📷 MiniCam8 Exposure: 2h10mi #Astrophotography #Space #DeepSpace #Astronomy

The Whirlpool Galaxy, also known as Messier 51a (M51a) or NGC 5194, is an interacting grand-design spiral galaxy with a Seyfert 2 active galactic nucleus. It lies in the constellation Canes Venatici, and was the first galaxy to be classified as a spiral galaxy.[9] It is 31 million light-years (9.5 megaparsecs/Mpc) away and 23.58 kiloparsecs (76,900 ly) in diameter.

The galaxy and its companion, NGC 5195, are easily observed by amateur astronomers, and the two galaxies may be seen with binoculars. The Whirlpool Galaxy has been extensively observed by professional astronomers, who study it and its pair with dwarf galaxy NGC 5195 to understand galaxy structure (particularly structure associated with the spiral arms) and galaxy interactions. Its pair with NGC 5195 is among the most famous and relatively close interacting systems, and thus is a favorite subject of galaxy interaction models.

StarCatcher 🇨🇦@starcatcherjohn· May 25

Thanks and yes it's NCG 4248, another galaxy

StarCatcher 🇨🇦@starcatcherjohn· May 24

Messier 106 (NGC 4258) is a stunning, bright spiral galaxy located roughly 23.5 million light-years away in the constellation Canes Venatici. Shot from my backyard 2026-05-22 🔭 William Optics Pleiades 111 Mount WD-20P 📷 QHY MiniCam8 Exposure: 3h20min #Astrophotography #Space #DeepSpace #Astronomy

StarCatcher 🇨🇦@starcatcherjohn· May 19

Tonight didn’t go as planned — I was aiming for a thin crescent moon. Instead, I found Venus shining brilliantly in the sky. Sometimes the best shots are the ones you don’t expect. ✨ Second image = Telescope used, SCT8+ASI2600 MC 75% best of 12 000 frames #Astrophotography #Space #Venus #Astronomy

StarCatcher 🇨🇦@starcatcherjohn· May 9

Our Sun, up close ☀️ Captured from my backyard with my telescope—never gets old. Sunspots, texture, and constant motion—all from 150 million km away. Zoom in and check out the details Shot May 9th, 2026 🔭 SCT 8 @ ƒ6.3 📷 ZWO 2600 25% best of 1500 frames #Astrophotography #Space #Sun #Astronomy

Our Sun, up close ☀️
Captured from my backyard with my telescope—never gets old.
Sunspots, texture, and constant motion—all from 150 million km away.

Shot May 9th, 2026

🔭 SCT 8 @ ƒ6.3
📷 ZWO 2600
25% best of 1500 frames

#Astrophotography #Space #Sun #Astronomy

StarCatcher 🇨🇦@starcatcherjohn· Apr 28

Pointed my telescope at the Sun yesterday and caught this. It’s a high‑detail image, meant to be explored. Zoom in—there’s a lot happening on that surface. ☀️ 🔭 SCT 8 📷 ZWO 2600 50% best of 1000 frames #Astrophotography #Space #Sun #Astronomy

StarCatcher 🇨🇦@starcatcherjohn· Apr 28

Pointed my telescope at the Moon tonight and couldn’t stop staring. This is a full‑resolution capture—zoom way in and explore the surface. 🌕 Space is wild. Moon Illumination 87.7% 🔭 SCT 8 📷 ZWO 2600 50% best of 1000 frames #Astrophotography #Space #MoonHour #Astronomy

StarCatcher 🇨🇦@starcatcherjohn· Apr 26

(4/4) NGC 3628, also known as the Hamburger Galaxy or Sarah's Galaxy, is an unbarred spiral galaxy about 35 million light-years away in the constellation Leo. It was discovered by William Herschel in 1784. It has an approximately 300,000 light-years long tidal tail.

NGC 3628, also known as the Hamburger Galaxy or Sarah's Galaxy, is an unbarred spiral galaxy about 35 million light-years away in the constellation Leo. It was discovered by William Herschel in 1784. It has an approximately 300,000 light-years long tidal tail.

StarCatcher 🇨🇦@starcatcherjohn· Apr 26

(3/4) Messier 66 or M66, also known as NGC 3627, is an intermediate spiral galaxy located around 31 million light years from Earth in the equatorial half of the Leo constellation. This galaxy is a member of the Leo Triplet, a small group of galaxies that includes M65 and NGC 3628.

Messier 66 or M66, also known as NGC 3627, is an intermediate spiral galaxy located around 31 million light years from Earth in the equatorial half of the Leo constellation. This galaxy is a member of the Leo Triplet, a small group of galaxies that includes M65 and NGC 3628.

StarCatcher 🇨🇦@starcatcherjohn· Apr 26

(2/4) Messier 65 is an intermediate spiral galaxy about 35 million light-years away in the constellation Leo, within its highly equatorial southern half. It was discovered by Charles Messier in 1780. With M66 and NGC 3628, it forms the Leo Triplet, a small close group of galaxies.

Messier 65 is an intermediate spiral galaxy about 35 million light-years away in the constellation Leo, within its highly equatorial southern half. It was discovered by Charles Messier in 1780. With M66 and NGC 3628, it forms the Leo Triplet, a small close group of galaxies.

StarCatcher 🇨🇦@starcatcherjohn· Apr 26

(1/4) Leo’s Triplet, Light from three galaxies—M65, M66, and NGC 3628—finally reached my telescope tonight. What we’re seeing here started its journey long before humans looked up. 🔭 William Optics Pleiades 111 📷 QHY MiniCam8 Exposure: 4h 10min #Astrophotography #Space #DeepSpace #Astronomy

Leo’s Triplet, Light from three galaxies—M65, M66, and NGC 3628—finally reached my telescope tonight.
What we’re seeing here started its journey long before humans looked up.

🔭 William Optics Pleiades 111
📷 QHY MiniCam8
Exposure: 4h 10min

#Astrophotography #Space #DeepSpace #Astronomy

StarCatcher 🇨🇦@starcatcherjohn· Apr 26

Here's some close-ups #Astrophotography #Space #MoonHour #Astronomy

StarCatcher 🇨🇦@starcatcherjohn· Apr 26

(1 of 2) Tonight’s target: the Moon🌙. Captured through my telescope—every crater a reminder that space isn’t smooth, quiet, or distant… it’s textured and alive. Shot taken 2026-04-24 🔭 WO Pleiades 111 (528mm) 📷 QHY MiniCam8 50% best of 1000 frames #Astrophotography #Space #MoonHour #Astronomy

Our natural satellite, the Moon 🌙
Captured April 24, 2026 at 8:33PM — 60.2% illumination, from my backyard.

🔭 WO Pleiades 111 (528mm)
📷 QHY MiniCam8
50% best of 1000 frames

StarCatcher 🇨🇦@starcatcherjohn· Apr 12

Another crack at Jupiter 🔭 Definitely an improvement over my last attempt. Seeing conditions were average. I’m happy with the result for an 8" SCT. Shot from my backyard. 🔭 8" SCT+2x Barlow (4000mm focal length ) 📷 ASI 678MC 10% best of 5000 frames #Astrophotography #Space #Jupiter #Astronomy

StarCatcher 🇨🇦@starcatcherjohn· Mar 29

First Jupiter shot in a while 🔭 Collimation isn’t quite dialed in yet, but I’m really happy to be back imaging. Shot from my backyard. 🔭 8" Schmidt-Cassegrain+2x (4000mm focal length ) 📷 ASI 678MC 50% best of 4000 frames #Astrophotography #Space #Jupiter #Astronomy

StarCatcher 🇨🇦@starcatcherjohn· Feb 22

Here's some close-ups #Astrophotography #Space #MoonHour #Astronomy

Detail -1 Our natural satellite, the Moon 🌙
Captured Feb 21, 2026 at 19:46 — 22.6% illumination, from my backyard.

🔭 WO Pleiades 111 (528mm)
📷 ASI 2660MC
50% best of 2000 frames

Detail -2 Our natural satellite, the Moon 🌙
Captured Feb 21, 2026 at 19:46 — 22.6% illumination, from my backyard.

🔭 WO Pleiades 111 (528mm)
📷 ASI 2660MC
50% best of 2000 frames

StarCatcher 🇨🇦@starcatcherjohn· Feb 22

(1 of 2) Our natural satellite, the Moon 🌙 Captured Feb 21, 2026 at 19:46 — 22.6% illumination, from my backyard. 🔭 WO Pleiades 111 (528mm) 📷 ASI 2660MC 50% best of 2000 frames #Astrophotography #Space #MoonHour #Astronomy

Our natural satellite, the Moon 🌙
Captured Feb 21, 2026 at 19:46 — 22.6% illumination, from my backyard.

🔭 WO Pleiades 111 (528mm)
📷 ASI 2660MC
50% best of 2000 frames

StarCatcher 🇨🇦@starcatcherjohn· Feb 15

(2 of 2) The Cone Nebula — A few intimate close-ups, inviting you to wander through its delicate cosmic details.

The Cone Nebula — A few intimate close-ups (1), inviting you to wander through its delicate cosmic details.

The Cone Nebula — A few intimate close-ups (2), inviting you to wander through its delicate cosmic details.

The Cone Nebula — A few intimate close-ups (3), inviting you to wander through its delicate cosmic details.

StarCatcher 🇨🇦@starcatcherjohn· Feb 15

(1 of 2) The Cone Nebula A.K.A The Fox Fur (NGC 2264) in Hα/OIII/SII with the RedCat 61mm and QHY MiniCam8—shot from my backyard. Another step in my "imaging in narrow band" journey. 🔭 William Optics RedCat 61 📷 QHY MiniCam8 Total exposure: 3 h 05 min #Astrophotography #Space #DeepSpace #Astronomy

The Cone Nebula is an H II region in the constellation of Monoceros. It was discovered by William Herschel on December 26, 1785, at which time he designated it H V.27. The nebula is located about 830 parsecs or 2,700 light-years from Earth. The Cone Nebula forms part of the nebulosity surrounding the Christmas Tree Cluster. The designation of NGC 2264 in the New General Catalogue refers to both objects and not the nebula alone.

Description
The diffuse Cone Nebula, so named because of its apparent shape, lies in the southern part of NGC 2264, the northern part being the magnitude-3.9 Christmas Tree Cluster. It is in the northern part of Monoceros, just north of the midpoint of a line from Procyon to Betelgeuse.

The cone's shape comes from a dark absorption nebula consisting of cold molecular hydrogen and dust in front of a faint emission nebula containing hydrogen ionized by S Monocerotis, the brightest star of NGC 2264. The faint nebula is approximately seven light-years long (with an apparent length of 10 arcminutes), and is 2,700 light-years from Earth.

A starless version, revealing the quiet, hidden beauty of the nebula in all its purest detail.

StarCatcher 🇨🇦@starcatcherjohn· Feb 5

(2 of 2) Starless view ✨ Without the stars, the Rosette Nebula reveals its delicate structure and glowing clouds—pure cosmic art.

Here we have the starless version of The Rosette Nebula (also known as Caldwell 49) is an H II region located near one end of a giant molecular cloud in the Monoceros region of the Milky Way Galaxy. The open cluster NGC 2244 (Caldwell 50) is closely associated with the nebulosity, the stars of the cluster having been formed from the nebula's matter.

The nebula has a shape reminiscent of a human skull, and is sometimes referred to as the "Skull Nebula". It is not to be confused with NGC 246, which is also nicknamed the "Skull Nebula"

StarCatcher 🇨🇦@starcatcherjohn· Feb 5

(1 of 2) First narrowband attempt! 🌌 Rosette Nebula in Hα/OIII/SII with the RedCat 61mm and QHY MiniCam8—shot from my backyard. A rewarding step in my astro journey. More to come! 🔭 William Optics RedCat 61 📷 QHY MiniCam8 Total exposure: 2 h 25 min #Astrophotography #Space #DeepSpace #Astronomy