From the beginning of the space age, fans have been agog at the pictures sent back from probes or captured by space-based telescopes. Some may remember December 1973, when Pioneer 10 sent back pictures of its flyby, released by NASA in this montage, celebrating the 40th anniversary, with Jupiter growing ever larger and then shrinking in the frame.[Credit: https://www.space.com/23833-jupiter-closeup-photo-pioneer-10.html]
Following up on Pioneer, the first probe to leave the Solar System, Voyager 1, sent back remarkable pictures of the outer planets. Saturn deserves special mention in this compilation of the planet and several of its moons, courtesy of NASA/Jet Propulsion Laboratory. [Credit: https://voyager.jpl.nasa.gov/galleries/images-voyager-took/saturn/]
Or maybe the pictures of the cosmos from Hubble are what astound us, epitomized by the image of The Pillars of Creation. And with the first images from the James Webb Space Telescope due to be revealed in the next few days, there is much to be impressed with. [Credit: https://esahubble.org/images/archive/top100/]
So, you’re maybe asking, “That’s great, Steve. Nothing new. What’s your point?”
The phenomenal community of ground-based Astro-photographers, that’s the point. Around the world, there are amateur astronomers (although I believe there are pros in the group), are using modern, sophisticated telescopes and cameras, coupled with image processing software to produce some incredible images. I came across them on Twitter and look forward every day (and all day) to see what they’ll produce next. Some even are chasing an image that will exceed what Hubble can do—all the best of luck.
If you use Twitter, I suggest starting by following Grant Petersen @GP_O11. As you discover other artists, follow them. You will not be disappointed.
So, let’s explore some of the remarkable work that this community produces.
To the right is Saturn imaged during the day. I just love the bluish tinge and am impressed with the technology that goes into this image. [Credit: Grant Peterson @GP_O11]
To the left is an image of The Pillars of Creation within the Eagle Nebula. How does it stack up against the Hubble image above? [Credit: @AJamesMcCarthy]
Finally, some dramatic images from around the Solar System:
Remarkable how different the big ones are in infrared [Credit: Dr. James O’Donoghue @physicsJ]
And closer to home, our own Moon. [Credit: James Willingham @JamesWillinghan]
I hope you join in and search out these remarkably talented Astro-photographers. They will amaze and astound you.
Leave a comment and let me know if you’ve discovered anyone you’d recommend.
Thanks for stopping by.
[Disclaimer: I’ve referenced several Twitter users. My purpose is only to highlight their Astro-photography. Any other opinions or tweets are their own and are not endorsed by wstevewilso.com]
I found the James Webb photos very interesting. Some explained that in addition to stars there were atmospheres that appeared gas-like…we could view the atmosphere but not the space body….I do enjoy astronomy…the HB grands enjoyed the Griffith Observatory a few years ago….esp Ryan…must take the girls…
Thanks, Georgi. And there’s some thinking that certain atmospheric conditions can only occur from industry and would not occur naturally. We’ll see what they find. Thanks.