M64 - Black Eye Galaxy (from my backyard)

Hi all!
(ZERO AI!!)

Here is my most recent result from my backyard in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Attached is a reduced center crop. M64 - Black Eye Galaxy (24 million light years away)

I captured this over 2 nights in May from my backyard using my 12" TPO RC, AP1100GTO, QSI 690wsg.

You can see the larger image, different orientation, and more details from the capture here: http://jeffjastro.com/dso/M64_8May26.htm

Jeff
#astronomy #galaxies

Most recent result! M27 - NGC 6853 (Dumbbell Nebula)

M27 - NGC 6853 (Dumbbell Nebula) (my most recent result from Las Cruces - data collected over 2 nights in May) All data added.

This image is image is LHaRGB...and captured from my backyard 🙂
I used my 12" Truss-tube RC telescope with an astronomy-specialized QSI ccd camera.

Not yet on my main astronomy page (jeffjastro.com) ... but, coming soon.

M27 - Dumbbell Nebula (my most recent result from Las Cruces)

M27 - Dumbbell Nebula (my most recent result from Las Cruces - data collected over 2 nights in May)

Hi all☺️
(some of you reading already know this, but just some extra details for those who are curious!) This is what is called a "narrowband" result - using a channel (special wavelength filter) called H-alpha. H-alpha is where nebulae emissions are dominant (think exploding stars). 🙂

Anyway, this nebula is about 1,360 light years away from us. I also have RGB (color) data that I also collected that I will add to this 🙂 I personally also enjoy the monochrome view of some objects like this one.

I captured this from my backyard here in Las Cruces. I used my 12" Truss-tube RC telescope with an astronomy-specialized QSI ccd camera.

Best wishes and clear and dark skies! 💙

-Jeff

This past Friday night... from my backyard

My post from yesterday :)
---
Last night from my backyard...

M64 - Black Eye Galaxy
Distance: 24 million light years

I collected RGB (color) data, too 🙂 (to come later) Captured this using my 12" RC scope... close to 2000mm focal length. This is just a preview of Luminance data, only (Lum contains all of the detail).

https://www.facebook.com/jeffjastrocom/posts/pfbid02z1LR6TDtLrqg1iHHtkZZJJq11qB2ysE9yMefoWrN11BWFvnXfcnsgzVtXTbEq5gVl

Selected as JUDGE for a national Astronomical imaging competition

HONORED.

I have once again been selected as a Judge for a national Astronomical Imaging competition. The President of a Astronomical League contacted me directly (!) Here are the details for the Astronomical League which holds these competitions annually:

"The Astronomical League is an umbrella organization of amateur astronomy societies. Currently their membership consists of over 330 organizations across the United States, along with a number of Members-at-Large, Patrons, and Supporting members. The mission of the Astronomical League is to promote the science of astronomy by fostering astronomical education; providing incentives for astronomical observation and research; and assisting communication between amateur astronomical societies."

"Like No Place Else on Earth"

"Like No Place Else on Earth"
Monday, 16 Mar 2026 at White Sands National Park.
From NPS site: "Like No Place Else on Earth"

Today... almost exactly ONE YEAR LATER ... our friends from Texas came to visit us, again!

So awesome... and again their daughter and our daughter spent hours and hours together as best friends. ❤️

Such a beautiful day 🥰
(and boy am I tired... haha)

M100 --- reprocess of my data

Hi all,

I have re-visited the data for M100 (from my data capture last year). I hope you like the result!

All details here: https://jeffjastro.com/dso/M100_21May25.htm

Snow today in Las Cruces!

Snow in mountains (and in our backyard), today! My daughter was so happy and immediately went out back to play. I took this picture from our backyard... 25 January 2026 ❄️❤️

Crescent Nebula (NGC 6888) - PUBLISHED! (print!)

Honored!!

My NGC 6888 image is featured in the Astronomical League's "Reflector" magazine (Dec 2025, Vol 78, No 1). PRINTED.
(and featured as First image in Gallery!!!)

I received it in the mail today - awesome "next day" Christmas Present 🎄

"Reflector" is a *printed* national magazine where my work has been featured before (for those of you tracking) 🙂 The Astronomical League consists of over 240 amateur astronomical societies across the United States.

The original version I have here on my page as well as at my main site.

I captured this nebula this year during my last outing and using the big RC Truss-tube scope. Woohoo!!!

Original: http://jeffjastro.com/dso/NGC6888_21May25.htm

My data - revisit of a galaxy!

Hi all,
I have re-visited the data for NGC 3953. I hope you like the result!

All details here: http://jeffjastro.com/dso/NGC3953_13Feb24.htm

Rio Grande Gorge...

Yesterday.

Have wanted to see this for a long time. As part of our last-minute road trip, we went to check it out yesterday (13 Nov 2025). Incredible views 😍🤩❤️

We arrived back home today in Las Cruces around 1:30pm.

#RioGrandeGorge

The Sun --- and sunspots (close!) - TODAY (5 Nov 2025)

Hi all, Today I did the wider view (similar to before), and then extended the FL to check out the interesting sunspots and prominences area of the Sun, today (5 Nov 2025).

Just the longer FL attached here - full disk data are separate.

Thanks for looking!

The Sun - color (RGB) added for effect

The Sun on 28 Oct 2025.

ALSO on my main page here: http://jeffjastro.com/solarsystem/index.html

The Sun, today (28 Oct 2025)

Our nearest star!

Galaxy M100 !

Galaxy M100 !
Distance: 60 million light years

This was the last of three targets I had on my last night out. I have already posted the other two results. So, here is this one. From my backyard here in Las Cruces - portable setup. For the curious, I have also recently updated my "Equipment" page on my website talking about the new hardware, here: http://jeffjastro.com/equip/

TPO 12" RC AP1100 GTO ATS Portable Pier QSI 690wsg 14x5mins Lum, 3x5min ea RGB Calibration frames: 10xdarks/flats/fdarks/bias

Updated --- my Astronomy page

Hi all: I have updated my astronomy page's "equipment" area to include a couple of pics of my new telescope and new mount.

I think it is accurate to say: This new equipment has been my dream - dream to go after very deep sky and difficult targets. In particular, my personal favorite of galaxies. The new scope and mount did not disappoint, and you can see the results of course further down in my blog with this new setup.

Here is a direct link to my equipment page on my astronomy site (check it out!): https://jeffjastro.com/equip

Here I am including a screenshot preview of the page:

NGC 3389 --- 72 million light years away!

Hi all,

Here is the second target of three targets I had on 21 May 2025 from my backyard here in Las Cruces.

Main target here for me was NGC 3389 (the spiral galaxy with "structure")... also seen here is NGC 3384 and just out of the frame is M105 (you can see part of it at the bottom of the frame).

NGC 3389 is about 72 million light years away --- and FURTHER way than the other two by roughly 20-30 million light years!

There are about a dozen or more total galaxies that were picked up in this shot...and you can see the many different structures of those very distant galaxies.

Friday Night: Movie Night/Date Night!

Friday Night: Movie Night/Date Night ... just Papa and daughter. Feeling Blessed! 🥰

My image Featured: BBC Sky at Night Magazine!!

HONORED!!!

I just found out (accidentally!):

My M81 - Bode's Galaxy image was featured by BBC Sky at Night Magazine!!!

Their feature of my image is on their Instagram page, here:
https://www.instagram.com/p/DGdZ-iDun_t/

It turns out... they featured it on my birthday!!!
My original image is here: http://jeffjastro.com/dso/M81_30Apr24.htm

NGC 6888 (Crescent Nebula) - from Las Cruces

Hi all,

Update: I also have this on my site, now: https://jeffjastro.com/dso/NGC6888_21May25.htm

Earlier here I had a narrowband-only (H-alpha) image. Now, here is the final of NGC 6888, aka the Crescent Nebula.

TPO 12" Truss RC, f/6.2 (using Tak reducer), 1895mm focal length
QSI 690wsg camera
AP1100GTO mount
Channels: LHaRGB

Location: My backyard in Las Cruces, NM

Thanks for looking!
#astronomy #nebula #NewMexico #LasCruces