Digital Dru Astrophotography

24/03/2024

Good afternoon everyone! 🌌😀

After over 2 months of being busy with work I am finally back to posting! 😅

Today's post is on the emission rich area around Alnitak the eastern most star of The Orion Belt. The most notable features of this project are NGC 2024 The Flame Nebula and Barnard 33 The Horsehead Nebula part of IC 434. These bright emission nebulae are roughly 1,300 - 1,400 light-years away from Earth in the constellation Orion and were discovered by William Herschel on the 1st of February 1786.

This is the second mosaic project I have taken on and has set the bar as my new largest project to date. While capturing both shots I collected a total of 40 hours of Ha and Oiii emissions and 2 hours of RGB stars back in December, so this is a mosaic HOO palette image with a mosaic of RGB stars.

8 images included:
– Project Cover
– Mosaic 1 of 2
– Mosaic 2 of 2
– Vertical Mosaic Shot
– NGC 2024 The Flame Nebula
– Barnard 33 The Horsehead Nebula
– Highlights
– Vertical Shot

Project Time Totals:
- 40 hours of Ha+Oiii – 5 min subs
- 2 hour of RGB – 20 sec subs
- 5 hours of post-production
47 hours in total

So, that is it for today! Currently I still have a backlog of 8 projects to catch up on with about 100 hours of images to process so expect more posts soon, plus I must post about hitting my milestone of 2,000 followers which I can’t thank you all enough for. 🤗🌌

As always though, thank you to everyone for purchasing prints framed and not, many thanks to all my followers on Instagram and Facebook, all the likes I have received, and the many messages of encouragement and support! 🤗

If you'd like to give me a follow on Instagram you can always find me at https://www.instagram.com/astrodigitaldru/

Until next time everyone keep well and clear skies to you all! 🌌🔭📸🤩

08/01/2024

Good afternoon. 🌌🤩

Today’s post is on NGC 281 better known as the Pacman Nebula.

Discovered by Edward Emerson Barnard in 1883 NGC 281 is a bright emission nebula located in the constellation of Cassiopeia estimated roughly at 9,500 light-years away from Earth. As you might expect it gained its nickname due to its resemblance to the very popular video game Pac-Man.

5 images included with today’s post:
- The Pacman Nebula
- Zoom out shot
- Close-up A
- Close-up B
- Close-up C

In total this project took about 22 hours to capture and process. I have to say I am amazed at the number of interesting details this nebula has especially once I started processing it. These images have been created using a HOO palette that I decided to slightly tweak to give the colour a purple leaning finish which I also then added RGB stars to. 🌌

Project Time Totals
- 9 hours of Ha – 5 min subs
- 9 hours of Oiii – 5 min subs
- 1 hour of RGB – 20 sec subs
- 3 hours of post-production
22 hours in total

So, that is it for today! I have 2 more projects just waiting to be processed as and when I find the time.

As always though, thank you to everyone for purchasing prints framed and not, many thanks to all my followers on Instagram and Facebook, all the likes I have received, and the many messages of encouragement and support! 🤗

If you'd like to give me a follow on Instagram you can always find me at https://www.instagram.com/astrodigitaldru/

Until next time everyone keep well and clear skies to you all! 🌌🔭📸🤩

08/01/2024

Amazing photographer in the North East of Scotland. If you require one you should get in touch with him. 📸🤩

📸📸 Feel free to share 📸📸

Looking for a photographer? Whether it’s a portrait session, family gathering or a special event, here’s a few details that might help you, and give you an idea of the areas we would discuss should you decide to book with me -

• Free (unlimited) consultation, via your preferred method of contact, in the build up to your booking, to discuss the type of photography you are looking for.
• Number of photos, including any specific photos or moments you would like to capture.
• Style and aesthetics, and how you want your photos to look.
• Editing, specifying any preference that you may have.
• Usage rights and how you intend to use the photos.
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A few other details you may find helpful -

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Feel free to contact me at any time 📸📸📸📸

21/12/2023

Good afternoon. 🌌🤩

Today’s post is a new step on the ladder of astrophotography for me as it is my first ever mosaic project with 2 shots taken side by side.

The target is called the Eastern Veil Nebula NGC 6992 (also known as the Bat Nebula IC 1340) and is estimated to be between 1,400 and 2,600 light-years away from Earth in the constellation Cygnus. Discovered by William Herschel in 1784 NGC 6992 is part of the Veil Nebula a remanent from a star 20 times the size of our sun that went supernova 10,000-20,000 years ago.

9 images included with today’s post:
- The Eastern Veil Title Image
- Mosaic 1 of 2
- Mosaic 2 of 2
- Aug 2022 v Dec 2023
- Ha and Oiii
- Close-up A
- Close-up B
- Full shot
- Full shot rotated 90°

While capturing both shots I collected a total of 38 hours over 5 weeks on this target mostly on Ha and Oiii emissions though I did take both shots again for RGB stars so technically this is a mosaic HOO palette image with a mosaic of RGB stars. If you add on top of this the 8 hours of post-production this has been by far the largest project I have ever taken on!

Project time totals over 2 shot Mosaic:
- 36 hours of Ha+Oiii – 5 min subs
- 2 hour of RGB – 20 sec subs
- 8 hours of post-production
46 hours in total

So, that’s it for today! I have more mosaics on the way plus a couple of collaboration projects in the works which will be a first for me to! We all just need the weather to clear up a little and we will be back in the game!

As always though, thank you to everyone for purchasing prints framed and not, many thanks to all my followers on Instagram and Facebook, all the likes I have received, and the many messages of encouragement and support! 🤗

If you'd like to give me a follow on Instagram you can always find me at https://www.instagram.com/astrodigitaldru/

Until next time everyone keep well and clear skies to you all! 🌌🔭📸🤩

24/11/2023

Good evening to you all! 🌌😁

Since the weather is still very poor up here in Scotland, I have decided to process a small part of a much larger project I am working on. Today’s post is on Barnard 33 also better known as the Horsehead Nebula. 🐴

The Horsehead nebula was discovered by Williamina Fleming in 1888 and can be found in the night sky not far from Alnitak the eastern most star of the Orion belt. It resides in the constellation of Orion approximately 1,375 light-years from Earth and is roughly 3.5 light-years in diameter. The main features in these images are of course the Horsehead nebula but also IC 435 a reflection nebula that appears close by. 🌌😍

I have included 5 images with today's post.
- The Horsehead Nebula 🐴
- A close-up of the Horsehead nebula and IC435
- A close-up of the Horsehead nebula
- Both targets titled
- My close-up of the Horsehead Nebula in February 2023

This part of my project took roughly 21 hours so complete so far but there is so much more still to add and hopefully completed in the next month or so.

Project Time
- 18 hours of Ha+Oiii – 5 min subs
- 3 hours of post-production
21 hours in total

Equipment:
Askar 80 PHQ
ASI533mc
ASI120mm + Guidescope
SW EQ6-PRO
ASIAIR Plus
IDAS NBZ Dual Band Filter
EAF

That’s it for now, a small taste of a much larger project to come plus…. I and others have a few extra special projects in the works which we are all excited about! Keep an eye out for these. 👀🌌😅

As always, many thanks to everyone for purchasing prints framed and not, many thanks to all my followers on Instagram and Facebook, all the likes I have received, and the many messages of encouragement and support! 🤗

If you would like to give me a follow on Instagram, you can always find me at https://www.instagram.com/astrodigitaldru/

Until next time clear skies to you all! 🌌🔭📸🤩

13/11/2023

Good afternoon to you all! 🌌🤩

Today’s post is on IC 1318, The Butterfly Nebula. 🦋

This is the main project I have been working towards with all my tests, developments and pretty much what I have been hoping to capture since I moved my telescope up to the Askar 80phq. 🔭😅

IC 1318 is located 4,900 light-years away from Earth in the constellation of Cygnus. Due to its size and low brightness it was only discovered photographically in August 1893 by the American Astronomer Edward Barnard. This target is not to be confused with NGC 6302 which is the better known of the Butterfly Nebula’s and is 3,800 light-years away in the constellation of Scorpius.

I have included 7 images. 📷🌌
- The Butterfly Nebula
- Close-up 1
- Close-up 2
- Close-up 3
- Close-up 4
- Nebula Shot
- Sii, Ha, Oiii and SHO image

This project took roughly 34 hours to bring together and I have to say it has been both the largest and most satisfying to work on to date. I have included my project details and equipment used if anyone is interested in this.

Project Time
- 20 hours of Ha+Oiii – 5 min subs
- 8 hours of Sii – 5 min subs
- 1 hour of RGB – 30sec subs
- 5 hours of post-production
34 hours in total

Equipment:
Askar 80 PHQ
ASI533mc
ASI120mm + Guidescope
SW EQ6-PRO
ASIAIR Plus
IDAS NBZ Dual Band Filter
Astronomik SII 6nm
Astronomik L2 UV+IR
EAF

That is it for now! The weather has been terrible in the UK for 2 weeks which means I need a few clear skies to start my next projects! 😅🌌

As always, many thanks to everyone for purchasing prints framed and not, many thanks to all my followers on Instagram and Facebook, all the likes I have received, and the many messages of encouragement and support! 🤗

If you would like to give me a follow on Instagram, you can always find me at https://www.instagram.com/astrodigitaldru/

Until next time clear skies to you all! 🌌🔭📸🤩

18/10/2023

Good afternoon everyone! 🌌🔭📸🤩

Today’s post is on NGC 6888, The Crescent Nebula.

It is located in the constellation of Cygnus 5,000 light-years from Earth and is 25 light-years across. Discovered by William Herschel in 1792, the Crescent nebula was formed by fast stellar wind from a star called “WR 136 (HD192163)” that collided with and energized a slower moving wind that it ejected when it became a red giant around 250,000-400,000 years ago.

I have included 4 images with today's post.
- The Crescent Nebula
- Wide Shot
- Close Shot
- Nebula Shot

This project took roughly 21.5 hours to capture and post-process. An interesting target that has had me struggling to decide on what final finish I wanted to show and highlight. In the end I believe I am satisfied with the result though I am sure I will add to this in the future. 🌌😁

Project Time
- 16 hours of Ha+Oiii – 5 min subs
- 1.5 hours of RGB – 90 sec subs
- 4 hours of post-production
21.5 hours in total

Equipment:
Askar 80 PHQ
ASI533mc
ASI120mm + Guidescope
SW EQ6-PRO
ASIAIR Plus
IDAS NBZ Dual Band Filter
Astronomik SII 6nm
Astronomik L2 UV+IR
EAF

So, that is it for now! This is the last of my current investigation projects for now. I believe I have learned a lot from the first set of targets this season but my next posts I am really hoping to up my level of detail and refinement… I will be trying too anyway! 😅

As always, many thanks to everyone for purchasing prints framed and not, many thanks to all my followers on Instagram and Facebook, all the likes I have received, and the many messages of encouragement and support! 🤗

If you would like to give me a follow on Instagram, you can always find me at https://www.instagram.com/astrodigitaldru/

Until next time clear skies to you all! 🌌🔭📸🤩

12/10/2023

Good evening. 🌌🤩

Today’s post is on NGC 7023, The Iris Nebula.

Located in the constellation of Cepheus in the Perseus arm of the Milky Way, the Iris Nebula is 1,300 light-years from Earth and 6 light-years across. Discovered by William Herschel in 1794, the Iris nebula is a bright reflection nebula with a hot super massive star named HD 200775 at the centre which creates the bluish glow.

I have included 3 images with today's post.
- The Iris Nebula
- Nebula only shot
- Zoomed shot of the centre

This project took roughly 7.5 hours to capture and post-process. This project has shown me it requires much more time capturing a reflection nebula than I knew, probably 10 hours or so in the future to start getting some good sharp detail coming through.

Project Time
- 4 hour of RGB – 4min subs
- 1.5 hours of RGB – 90sec subs
- 2 hours of post-production
8 hours in total

Equipment:
Askar 80 PHQ
ASI533mc
ASI120mm + Guidescope
SW EQ6-PRO
ASIAIR Plus
Astronomik L2 UV+IR
EAF

So, that is it for now! I have many more projects on the way, and I am hoping to post my next project at the beginning of next week. 😅🌌😁

As always, many thanks to everyone for purchasing prints framed and not, many thanks to all my followers on Instagram and Facebook, all the likes I have received, and the many messages of encouragement and support! 🤗

If you would like to give me a follow on Instagram, you can always find me at https://www.instagram.com/astrodigitaldru/

Until next time clear skies to you all! 🌌🔭📸🤩

02/10/2023

Good afternoon and happy Monday to you all! 😅😜🌌

To kick the week off todays post is on NGC 7380, The Wizard Nebula.

Located in the constellation of Cepheus in the Perseus arm of the Milky Way, the Wizard Nebula is 7,200 light-years from Earth. Discovered by Caroline Herschel (sister of William Herschel) in 1787, she was the first woman to receive a salary as a scientist and the first woman in England to hold a government position. The Wizard Nebula is a young open cluster of stars surrounded by emission nebulosity and takes its name from its outline that closely resembles a wizard casting a spell.

I have included 3 images with today's post.
- The Wizard Nebula
- Nebula Only shot
- Sii, Ha, Oiii and SHO image

This project took roughly 17 hours to capture and post-process. Using roughly only 40% of my total camera view it was not taken as close as I would like and it is a hazy target at the best of times, but I think in general it turned out reasonably well. 🌌😅

Project Time
- 10 hours of Ha+Oiii – 5 min subs
- 4 hours of SII – 5 min subs
- 1 hour of RGB – 60s subs
- 2 hours of post-production
17 hours in total

Equipment:
Askar 80 PHQ
ASI533mc
ASI120mm + Guidescope
SW EQ6-PRO
ASIAIR Plus
IDAS NBZ Dual Band Filter
Astronomik SII 6nm
Astronomik L2 UV+IR
EAF

So, that is it for now! I have 2 more projects waiting to be processed and I am already working on capturing another. Since I had such a good turnout before processing this post, I plan to post a poll on Wednesday to decide which project will be next. 😁

As always, many thanks to everyone for purchasing prints framed and not, many thanks to all my followers on Instagram and Facebook, all the likes I have received, and the many messages of encouragement and support! 🤗

If you would like to give me a follow on Instagram, you can always find me at https://www.instagram.com/astrodigitaldru/

Until next time clear skies to you all! 🌌🔭📸🤩

01/10/2023

Good afternoon. 🌌🤩

I finally found time to process my latest project revisiting IC1396A, the Elephant Trunk Nebula that I took last year. This is the first time I have been able to exploit what my Askar 80 PHQ is capable of doing and I feel I have only starched the surface.

The Elephant Trunk Nebula is located in the constellation Cepheus roughly 2,400 light-years from Earth and was first photographically discovered in 1893 by astronomer Edward Barnard.

I have included 6 images with today's post. A breakdown of the narrowband filter shots I used to create the colour images, close-ups and a side by side of what a captured last year with my RedCat 51 compared with this year's Askar 80 PHQ.

6 images included:
- The Elephant Trunk Nebula
- Wide shot
- Sii, Ha, Oiii and SHO image
- Close-up 1
- Close-up 2
- 2022 v 2023

This project is one of my largest to date taking 22 hours to capture and post-process. I now hope this will be the standard I can maintain or even build upon. 😅🌌🤩

Project Time
- 12 hours of Ha+Oiii – 5 min subs
- 4 hours of SII – 5 min subs
- 1 hour of RGB – 60s subs
- 5 hours of post-production
22 hours in total

Equipment:
Askar 80 PHQ
ASI533mc
ASI120mm + Guidescope
SW EQ6-PRO
ASIAIR Plus
IDAS NBZ Dual Band Filter
Astronomik SII 6nm
Astronomik L2 UV+IR
EAF

So, that's it for now! I have 4 full projects waiting to be processed and I am already working on capturing a 5th. I may have to put up a poll to decide in which order I should create these projects.

Thank you for purchasing prints framed and not, many thanks to all my followers on Instagram and Facebook, all the likes I have received, and the many messages of encouragement and support! 🤗

If you'd like to give me a follow on Instagram you can always find me at https://www.instagram.com/astrodigitaldru/

Until next time keep well and clear skies to you all! 🌌🔭📸🤩

19/09/2023

My first project of the season is M16 the Eagle Nebula, situated roughly 5,700 light-years away from Earth in the Sagittarius Arm of the Milky Way. Discovered by Jean-Philippe de Cheseaux between 1745-46 the nebula has several star-forming gas and dust regions, including the “Pillars of Creation” which was famously imaged by the Hubble telescope back in 1995.

3 images included:
- M16
- M16 Wide Shot
- M16 Nebula in black and white

This project has been one of my hardest to collect due to the low position in the sky where I am located and the period time I can capture it on an evening. It took 9 evenings to get the 17.5 hours I was able to, but I believe it was time well spent. I do believe though I will do much better with this next season 😅🙏🏻😂

Project Time
- 10 hours of Ha+Oiii – 5 min subs
- 3 hours of SII – 5 min subs
- 1.5 hours of RGB – 90s subs
- 3 hours of post-production
17.5 hours in total

Equipment:
Askar 80 PHQ
ASI533mc
ASI120mm + Guidescope
SW EQ6-PRO
ASIAIR Plus
IDAS NBZ Dual Band Filter
Astronomik SII 6nm
Astronomik L2 UV+IR
EAF

So, that is the first post of the new astrophotography season done but I am not finished with this project yet. The “Pillars of Creation” within the heart of the Eagle Nebula holds a special place with me and I plan to do a post on what I have been able capture later this week. 🌌📸🤩

If you'd like to give me a follow on Instagram you can always find me at https://www.instagram.com/astrodigitaldru/

Until next time everyone keep well and clear skies to you all! 🔭🌌📸🤩

03/05/2023

Good afternoon!

My post today is on one of the most obvious astronomy targets… The Moon. I took this shot about a month ago and I am finally getting around to uploading it now. 🌕🌌📷🤩

Interesting details.
- The Moon is 2,159.1 miles in diameter
- Located 238,900 miles from Earth
- Our only natural satellite
- Also known as Luna
- The fifth largest satellite in the Solar System
- The largest relative to the planet that it orbits
- Only 1/6th of the gravity of Earth
- During a period of 29.5 days the visible surface of the moon varies between none and 100%
- Up to 59% of the total lunar surface can be seen from Earth
- The Moon is tidally locked to Earth meaning the length of a full rotation of the Moon on its own axis causes its same side to always face Earth.

My shot of the Moon is actually a mineral image and for those who are interested the orange colour is Iron Oxide (FeO) and the blue colour is Titanium Oxide (TiO2). The images I have included today are my main wide shot of the Moon, the locations of all the Apollo mission moon landings which included humans walking on the surface, and 4 close-ups of the moon shown in quarters. 🌕

1 – Wide shot of the Moon
2 – Apollo Moon landing locations
3 – Close-up 1
4 – Close-up 2
5 – Close-up 3
6 – Close-up 4

Equipment:
Askar 80PHQ
ASI533mc
ASI120mm + Guidescope
SW EQ6-PRO
ASIAIR Plus
EAF
Astronomik L2 UV+IR

That’s it until the next project, I still have a few to finish off before the summer though! As always, thank you to everyone for purchasing prints framed and not, many thanks to all my followers on Instagram and Facebook, all the likes I have received, and the many messages of encouragement and support! 🤗

If you'd like to give me a follow on Instagram you can always find me at https://www.instagram.com/astrodigitaldru/
😁

Until next time everyone keep well and clear skies to you all! 🌌📷🤩