AAPOD2 Image Archives

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2024, March 2024, 2024 monthly winners Charles Lillo 2024, March 2024, 2024 monthly winners Charles Lillo

ATLAS - the unexpected Supernova Remnant G209.8-8.2 in Orion

Supernova Remnant G209.8-8.2, nestled within the sprawling constellation of Orion, stands as a testament to the cataclysmic events that shape the cosmos. Born from the explosive death of a massive star, this remnant carries the echoes of a stellar demise, scattering its remnants across the cosmic landscape. As the shockwave from the supernova blast continues to propagate through space, it interacts with the surrounding interstellar medium, creating intricate patterns of gas and dust that trace the remnants of the progenitor star.

Spanning across vast expanses of space, Supernova Remnant G209.8-8.2 offers astronomers a glimpse into the turbulent aftermath of a supernova explosion. Its intricate structure, shaped by the forces of stellar winds and interstellar dynamics, provides valuable insights into the life cycle of stars and the processes that govern the evolution of galaxies. Studying this remnant allows scientists to unravel the mysteries of stellar explosions, shedding light on the origins of heavy elements and the energetic phenomena that shape the universe. As it graces the night sky with its celestial presence, Supernova Remnant G209.8-8.2 stands as a reminder of the dynamic and ever-changing nature of the cosmos.

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2023, December 2023, 2023 Monthly Winners Charles Lillo 2023, December 2023, 2023 Monthly Winners Charles Lillo

Supernova remnant G107.5-5.2. — the Nereides nebula in Cassiopeia

In this celestial masterpiece, we peer into the aftermath of stellar cataclysms through the lens of the cosmos. Supernova remnants, such as the captivating G107.5-5.2, bear witness to the explosive demise of massive stars, unleashing unimaginable energies that ripple through the fabric of space. These remnants, like ghostly echoes of celestial fireworks, exhibit intricate structures of ionized gas and dust, adorned with vibrant hues that tell the tale of elemental creation. Each remnant is a cosmic crucible, where the remnants of an exploded star mix and mingle, seeding the cosmos with the building blocks of new generations of celestial bodies. As we explore the remnants of these stellar explosions, we unravel the dynamic forces that shape our galactic landscape and gain a profound glimpse into the majestic cycles of stellar life and death.

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2021, December 2021, 2021 Monthly Winners Jason Matter 2021, December 2021, 2021 Monthly Winners Jason Matter

NEW DISCOVERY: StDr 140 - Lori's Nebula in Gemini

Image Description and Details :

A new discovery of a candidate planetary nebula in the constellation Gemini. The object was discovered by my good friends the German-French team of Marcel Drechsler and Xavier Strottner in October 2021 using digital sky surveys. This is their 140th joint discovery. Currently, only very few planetary nebulae are known in the Gemini constellation, and now this impressive new nebula has been added. Because the PN candidate is rich in ionised oxygen (OIII), the object appears in a ghostly turquoise blue. It is at an estimated 4,250 light years from Earth.
My thanks to Marcel Drechsler for so expertly processing this image.
Image captured on my remote dual rig at Fregenal de la Sierra in Spain between 4-15 November 2021.
Scopes: APM TMB LZOS 152 Refractors
Cameras: QSI6120wsg8
Mount: 10Micron GM2000 HPS
A total of 76 hours 35 minutes image capture (HaOIIILRGB)


Copyright: Peter Goodhew

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2020 Monthly Winners, 2020 Jason Matter 2020 Monthly Winners, 2020 Jason Matter

Strottner-Drechsler 56 (StDr56) Goblet of Fire nebula

Image Description and Details :

StDr 56 / Goblet of Fire nebula (c) Robert Pölzl & Marcel Drechsler & Xavier Srottner. This probable new planetary nebula was discovered by my colleague Xavier Strottner and me in January 2020. If the candidate is confirmed as a true planetary nebula, it will be the first planetary nebula ever discovered in the constellation Triangulum (Triangle).

Photo: StDr56 was photographed by the Austrian Robert Pölzl with a total exposure of 59 hours.

Image processing: Marcel DrechslerAt the center of the PN candidate is a potential white dwarf with a surface temperature of 35542 Kelvin and a distance of about 1130 light years to Earth. With an extension of 44 x 36 arc minutes, StDr56 is not only the largest probable PN in the region, but in the night sky it covers more than half of the area of the famous Triangulum Galaxy M33, which is located only a few degrees from Strottner-Drechsler 56.

Robert Pölzl collected 90 hours of exposure time in 21 nights from July to November 2020.Out of these 90 hours, 30 hours had to be sorted out because of minimal cirrus and dew - leaving 59 hours at the end.Coordinates: 02:07:17.41 +30:05:11.90 (J2000)Name: Strottner-Drechsler 56, StDr56, PN-G: 141.8-29.9Data:58 x 30 min. H-alpha41 x 30 min [OIII].28 x 10 min. RGB eachDate: 31.7.2020 - 18.11.2020Location: Observatory Hirschegg-ÖsterreichOptics: Lacerta Newton 10" f/4Camera: Moravian G2 8300 at -30° - Baader filter



Copyright Information: Robert Pölzl & Marcel Drechsler & Xavier Srottner

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2020 Jason Matter 2020 Jason Matter

StDr 1

StDr 1 - a possible planetary nebula in the constellation of Taurus, discovered by Xavier Strottner and Marcel Drechsler in November 2019. This is the first time it has been imaged in color. It is extremely faint - and so 1800 second exposures binned 3x3 were necessary.

Astrodon Blue: 17x300"

Astrodon Green: 18x300"

Astrodon Red: 18x300"

Astrodon Lum: 21x300"

Astrodon OIII: 8x1800s bin 3x3

Astrodon Ha: 19x1800s bin 3x3

Total Integration: 20 hours

Captured on my dual rig in Spain.

Scopes: APM TMB LZOS 152 (6" aperture 1200mm focal length)

Copyright: Peter Goodhew

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