Mike Scaz - Astronomy

Boxes and Galaxies 12th May 2024. As I search for objects in the sky I haven't previously imaged, the pictures become less spectacular, but no less interesting. Just before midnight on the 11th May I returned to the object I failed to take a picture of back on 30th March. This is the galaxy NGC 4449, or Caldwell 21, also known as 'The Box Galaxy'. It's relatively close, around 10 million light years, and at around one fifth of the dimensions of our own galaxy, is classified as an irregular dwarf galaxy. (Click/Tap the image to go to a better resolution version) As is my habit, I've cropped this image to include another object of interest. The box galaxy is top right, in the bottom left corner there is a much fainter, but similarly sized, patch of lightness. This is the dwarf irregular galaxy PGC 40904. Surprisingly (given its faintness) it is actually closer, around 8.5 million light years. The brightest star in ...

A spectacular auroral display. 10th May 2024. Some pictures of the most spectacular auroral display I've seen. (Note that the pictures are much brighter and coloured than the naked eye view). A click/tap to change image set featuring setting crescent moon. This is looking almost overhead. You an make out the plough in the redness. (Click/Tap the image to go to a better resolution version) Looking North. (Click/Tap the image to go to a better resolution version) Looking North East. (Click/Tap the image to go to a better resolution version) Looking East. (Click/Tap the image to go to a better resolution version) For a while, you couldn't look anywhere without seeing aurora. Here's a 360 degree panorama. (Click/Tap the image to go to a better resolution version) 11th May 2024. With northern lights ...