Hidden Universe Podcast
While surfing my HDTV with the Apple TV I ran across the NASA series of HD Podcasts. Wow, these podcasts are amazing on my Samsung HD TV. I had not found video podcasts to be very satifying on smaller laptops and computer screens, but the Hidden Universe Podcast from NASA is extraordinary. I highly encourage you to check out the HD podcasts from NASA including "The Hidden Universe." While I am sure they are fine when viewed on laptops and moderate size computer monitors, the experience on a large HD TV is irreplaceable in my opinion.
Prancing Pony of the Milky Way
The dark nebula in the center of the Milky Way is a fascinating visual object and one that indicates a wonderful night of viewing and photography is on tap. The dark nebula is commonly referred to as the "prancing pony" for obvious reasons. This is a stack of 10 two minute exposures with the Canon 350D at ISO 1600 and an Olympus 21mm lens. I hope you enjoy the image and there is more to come.
M5 Globular Cluster
The other night I had the opportunity to experiment with the C14 and AP mount at the Donald C. Martin Observatory in Huntington. I imaged the globular cluster M5. The results and a bit more information are at the link below. I look forward to imaging the heavens through this setup over the next few months.
Bryce Light-February Print of the Month
My first visit to Bryce Canyon was not disappointing. I actually had low expectations as I felt that I had seen all of the photographs and so I really wasn't expecting to see anything new. Boy was I wrong. I was amazed at the quality of light at all times of day. Bryce Canyon is literally a "light theater" all day long as reflected light bounces around and through the various hoodoos, fins, and other canyon structures. It is a location that I long to return to. My first image from the location is simply "Bryce Light." It is the February Print of the Month. The print is fantastic, especially the larger sizes. I hope you enjoy the image on screen.
New Corporate Collection
Home Federal Savings and Loan dedicated a brand new location today in Ashland, KY. It is a beautiful facility and one their customers will be most impressed with upon entering. The interior designer selected "Paramount" for display in their client waiting area. The framing is custom designed by Mary Johnson from Alladin's Art Gallery in Ashland. It is rumored that they matched the couch to the print! Another corporate collection has begun with Jeff Ball Photography.
The Herschel 400 Astronomical League Project is underway
It’s not too late to join. We are about 30 objects into the Herschel 400. Hope to get another session in soon. Please subscribe to the YouTube channel so you get notifications on LIVE STREAMS.
Angels in Monoceros: The Monoceros M2 Complex
The Monoceros R2 molecular complex (often shortened to Mon R2) is a massive giant molecular cloud and one of the nearest active star-forming regions to Earth. It's a dynamic stellar nursery embedded in dense gas and dust, where new stars—particularly massive ones—are actively being born.
Key Facts
Location: Southwestern part of the constellation Monoceros (the Unicorn), near the border with Orion. It's part of the larger Orion-Monoceros cloud complex.
Distance: Approximately 2,400–2,700 light-years (around 830 parsecs).
Size and Structure: The main dense core is relatively compact (a few light-years across), but the overall molecular cloud and associated nebulae span a wide area—reflection nebulae alone stretch up to about 2° in the sky. It's situated well below the galactic plane, which makes it stand out in certain observations.
Age and Activity: Star formation here began roughly 6–10 million years ago. It hosts an OB association (young, hot, massive B- and A-type stars) that illuminates surrounding dust, creating prominent reflection nebulae with bluish hues. There's also significant emission from ionized gas (red glows) and dark nebulae that appear as shadowy silhouettes blocking background light.
Notable Features:
A central hub of massive star formation with embedded clusters, molecular outflows, and HII regions.
Infrared observations (like those from VISTA or 2MASS) penetrate the dust to reveal hidden young stars and protoplanetary disks.
It's a key site for studying early stellar evolution, variability in young stellar objects (YSOs), and the interplay between massive stars and their natal clouds.
The most famous and photogenic part of Mon R2 is the region around NGC 2170 (the Angel Nebula), a striking reflection nebula with wing-like dust structures, glowing blue from scattered starlight, mixed with red emission and dark lanes. Wider views of the complex reveal a richer tapestry of colorful gas, dust filaments, and star clusters.
Credit: GROK 2/28/26
Click on image for larger view.
New Astro Camera: OM-3
Join me for a LIVE conversation about this new astro camera coming to the market. Is this the best option for you? How does it compare to other options? https://www.earthandskyphoto.com Correction: when discussing Bulb mode with Canon, I incorrectly said it had a limit of 30”. I meant to say manual exposure has a max of 30”. In bulb, you need to use a remote control or app for exposure time control. The problem is you can’t set exposure time for stills in the camera menu. I was made aware that Olympus no longer owns the OM system. It is owned by Japanese industrial Partners, a private equity firm. For content on the OM-3 for astrophotography, please see Ben Chapell’s Narrow Band channel. https://youtube.com/@TheNarrowbandChannel?si=GcWY-BM9skG9LPhY
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