Hey what’s up everybody, My name is Yessenia here with OPT and today we got something very
special for you!
Winter is here and we got the top 15 winter objects for you to image this season.
But before we get started, make sure you hit that like button and subscribe for fresh astronomy
content every week!
In this list we will be going over the top 15 astronomy objects, including what constellation
they are in, what type of object it is, and the best equipment to capture it!
Also, just so you know, the measurements we are using are based off of a standard micro
four-thirds sensor like the ASI1600.
So these measurements will change depending on your sensor.
Alright, let’s get started!
Number ONE
1.
The Orion Nebula (M42)
We had to start things off with one of the most popular deep space objects that is also
perfect for beginners - M42 AKA the Orion nebula
M42 is the most visible and famous DSO of the winter sky
M42 is an emission nebula which is a nebula formed of ionized gases that emit light of
various wavelengths.
And actually it’s most people’s first target to shoot,
so if you have been thinking to get started in astrophotography - this is your sign!
You can find the Orion Nebula in the Orion constellation with your naked eye in dark
skies even with lots of light pollution
For observers, this is a perfect object to observe with binoculars
For imagers, M42 is best shot with a telescope between 250-500mm
And it can be shot in either narrow-band or broadband
Number TWO
2.
The Pleiades Cluster or M45
The Pleiades cluster, commonly known as the Seven Sisters or M45 is an open cluster of
more than 1000 stars being held together by their combined gravity.
This is the closest Deep space object on our list to earth at only 444 light years.
This beautiful star cluster can be found in the Taurus constellation.
Just look for the great question mark or Subaru logo in the sky.
M45 is bright enough to be seen with the naked eye and even in moderately polluted skies,
making it another perfect object to observe with binoculars.
If you are wanting to capture M45, it is best shot with a telescope between 250-500mm
Number THREE 3.
The Jellyfish Nebula
You can find this nebula in the constellation of Gemini
This jellyfish nebula is a supernova remnant.
Which means the leftovers of an exploded star
And is best shot in narrow-band using a 300-450 mm focal length.
Number FOUR
4.
Crab Nebula!
The crab nebula is a type ii supernova that is located in the Taurus constellation
This nebula is mostly shot in narrow-band.
It's a tough object to get due to it being so small and dim, but for any of those that
are up for the challenge, this one is a good one.
We recommend using a 2000mm to 4000mm focal length to get the most detail!
On to Number FIVE
5.
Monkey head nebula
The monkey head nebula
This nebula is an H II emission nebula and can be found in the constellation Orion around
6400 light years from earth.
The monkey head is pretty big and pretty bright and also really colorful when played around
with in narrow-band.
A good focal length for this target is around 700-1000mm
Number SIX
6.
The Great Andromeda Galaxy
Long exposure photographs reveal the Andromeda galaxy to be a whole universe of stars similar
to our own Milky Way galaxy which is why it is also known as our sister galaxy.
The Andromeda galaxy is so distant that only when a telescope and camera are combined you
can capture its true stunning nature.
Only 2.5 million light years away from earth this galaxy from our perspective is huge!
You might not see it with your naked eye but it's actually about 6x bigger than our moon.
Speaking of seeing it with your naked eye, some people under the darkest skies can see
it.
To get the best captures of Andromeda use between a 200 to 400 mm focal length
The Andromeda galaxy is also most people’s first imaged galaxy.
Was it your first image?
Let us know in the comments!
Moving on to number SEVEN
7.
The Orion constellation
Home to many many beautiful winter night sky objects, the Orion constellation is best shot
with any widefield lens and a perfect object for your star tracker
With a very long exposure you can pick up some of its many nebulas and hydrogen clouds.
These become especially apparent with dedicated astro cameras or an astro modified DSLR
Not only does it house the Orion nebula, but also has the horsehead and flame nebula, the
witches head, the running man nebula, Barnard's loop and many more.
Number EIGHT
8.
The California Nebula (NGC 1499)
NGC 1499 can be found in the constellation Perseus, which is very close to us, at only
1000 light years away.
The California nebula is also an emission nebula, famously named because of its shape
of the state of California.
The California nebula can be shot in both broadband and narrow-band, but narrow-band
is the best to really bring out the details
If you want to capture the entire nebula, you’re gonna wanna use a focal length between
200 and 500mm.
Number NINE 9.
The Beehive Cluster (M44)
Find this busy open star cluster in the Cancer constellation
The beehive cluster contains about 1,000 stars and is the third brightest object in the messier
catalog
You can see M44 from a dark sky site
And it’s a great broadband target to capture using a 300mm - 500mm focal length
Number TEN
10.
The Horsehead Nebula (IC434) & flame Nebula
You can find this captivating duo in the Orion constellation, right on the edge of orion's
belt.
The Horsehead nebula is a diffuse dark nebula, and the flame nebula is an emission nebula.
Both are around 1500 light years from earth which is very close in relation to the rest
of the universe.
To capture them both, you can use a focal length between 350mm to 600mm, and they can
be imaged with both narrow-band and broadband
NUMBER ELEVEN
11.)
The Soul Nebula
Similar to the Horsehead Nebula and Flame nebula, you can capture the Soul Nebula with
its companion, the Heart Nebula
At only 7500 light years from earth, this bright and large nebula makes a great target
for imaging.
The Soul Nebula is an emission nebula and is best imaged with a 250 to 500mm focal length.
And it’s a perfect narrow-band and broadband target, or 150-200mm if you want to capture
the heart as well.
Which brings us to our next object
Number Twelve
12.
The Heart Nebula
Find the Heart and Soul Nebula in the constellation Cassiopeia
The Heart Nebula is attached to the Fishhead Nebula and part of the Heart and Soul Complex.These
two are hard to miss, since they’re both very bright emission nebulae
It’s a great narrow-band and broadband target, and is best captured using a 200-400mm focal
length.
OR you can get up close to the heart of the Heart Nebula and capture the Mellot 15 using
a 1000mm focal length
Number THIRTEEN 13.
The Flaming Star Nebula
Find this emission nebula in the constellation of Auriga, 1,500 light years from earth.
You can capture the flaming star nebula with a 300m to 500mm focal length
This nebula is best shot in narrow-band
This Nebula is very long so shooting it with a square sensor might be tough.
It also is very close to our next target and can be imaged together at 250-300mm
Number FOURTEEN
14.
Tadpole Nebula The tadpole nebula is an emission nebula 12,000
light years from earth, and can be found in the Auriga constellation right next to our
last target, The flaming Star Nebula.
This nebula is best captured with an 800 to 1000mm focal length.
It also makes an amazing narrow-band target, producing a lot of detail and wavelengths
to process
AND NUMBER FIFTEEN 15.
Triangulum Galaxy Last but definitely not the least, is the
Triangulum Galaxy.
Find this spiral galaxy in the Triangulum constellation 2.7 MILLION light years from
earth.
The Triangulum Galaxy, Andromeda and The Milky Way are the 3 major galaxies that make up
out our local group
It is best imaged with a 500-1000mm focal length in broadband.
BUT don’t forget to pick up some Ha data for its bright red nebulae.
And that wraps up our best 15 winter objects to observe or image!
Which one is your favorite?
Let us know in the comments below!
If you do not have a micro 4/3 sensor and would like to know what focal length would
be best with your sensor, you can use apps like Stellarium or other astronomy tools that
we will leave in the description below
Also, If you capture any of these objects, make sure to tag us on Instagram using the
hashtag opteam for a chance to be featured!
& If you enjoyed this video and found it helpful, please consider giving this video a really
quick like and don’t forget to hit that subscribe button!
My name is Yessenia here with OPT and we will see you in the next video.
Clear skies.