Carina Nebula is a region in the sky much brighter and larger (at least 4 times larger) than the famous Orion Nebula (M42), yet is not as famous. This is probably because of the location of the object which is circumpolar south of latitude 30°S, but is never visible north of latitude 30°N. It is a treat for people in the south and especially for astrophotographers. During the summer, we have Orion up in the sky and as the winter comes, it’s time for Carina to be up nice and high. This not so famous Carina Nebula is an extreme stellar nursery, a home to one of the youngest known star clusters (Trumpler 14), Trumpler 16 which is home to of WR 25, currently the most luminous star known in our Milky Way galaxy together with the less luminous but more massive and famous Eta Carinae star system, and HD 93129A (another luminous star). The nebula lies at an estimated distance between 6,500 and 10,000 light years from Earth. It appears in the constellation of Carina, and is located in the Carina–Sagittarius Arm. I Bought a new AT65EDQ and iOptron ZEQ25 mount but never used it due to bad weather around […]
After attending the astrophotography camp at Foxton, organized by the Horowhenua Astronomical Society. Jonathan and i decided to stop at Opotaka, which is an historic maori site in New Zealand in the Tongariro national park, also called the land of two dwellings. Last time we were here, we had amazing clear sky and was hoping for the same. We got our camera and other gear setup and were waiting for sundown. As, the sun went down the clouds started rolling in and we thought we might have to call it a night, but luckily the clouds cleared up and we were back in business. I recently bought an iOptron ZEQ25 mount from AstroNZ and was eagerly waiting to use it. After a while and bit of challenge to get the balance right, the mount was ready to track. I looked around and the only patch of clear sky was overhead around the LMC and SMC (Large and Small Magellan Clouds). so, i pointed my camera overhead and started shooting, but unfortunately before i could get enough shots the clouds rolled in and we had to call it a night. I ended up getting 5 amazing 2 minute exposures of that […]
