Updated 04 April 2009

Joe Roberts Astrophotography

General Image Gallery

This page contains a variety of images I have acquired over the years. This page contains some of my best images and also a number that are not very good (by today's standards). The reason for including some less than great photos is to show how progress has been made over the years. Photos are categorized by topic as listed below. For each photo, file size (in kilobytes) is listed so you can decide beforehand if you want to download relatively large files. Those shots that are in color are so indicated in bold font to make it easy to spot them at a glance. If you are only interested in the best shots, look for those in bold font. All photos will open up in a new window. NOTE: You might want to Calibrate Your Monitor in order to best view the images on this site.

Calibration Bar


Star Parties

  1. Connecticut Star Party 11 Report Photos of people and astronomcal objects from CSP 11, 14-15 September 2001.
  2. Connecticut Star Party 12 Report Photos of people and astronomcal objects from CSP 12, 6-8 September 2002.
  3. Leonid Meteor Shower Photos and Observations Highlights of this major event, 17-18 Nov 2001, from Wilbraham, MA.

Constellation shots

  1. Nebulosity near Deneb and Gamma Cygnus This is a stack of 2 shots taken at CSP11 using a 135mm F2.5 lens. The North American Nebula is easily seen as is parts of the Pelican Nebula. Also there is considerable nebulosity around the bright star Gamma Cygnus. South is the the left on this image, Deneb is the bright star a little below the North American Nebula. [137k]. color
  2. A Moonlit Winter Southern Sky from Voluntown, CT Taken January 2003. Several minute exposure using a 28mm F2.8 wide angle lens with very generic Polaroid 400 speed film (camera was tripod mounted). The sky is lit up blue due to the moon being present on the other side of the sky). Orion is the prominent constellation near the top edge of the photo. Imaged processed in Photoshop 6 December 2003.[101k]. color
  3. A Moonlit Winter Southern Sky from Voluntown, CT Taken January 2003. Several minute exposure using a 28mm F2.8 wide angle lens with very generic Polaroid 400 speed film (camera was tripod mounted). The sky is lit up blue due to the moon being present on the other side of the sky). This shot shows Canis Major and Lepus. Taken from the south end of my place in Voluntown, CT. [144k]. color
  4. A Moonlit Winter Southern Sky from Voluntown, CT Taken January 2003. Several minute exposure using a 28mm F2.8 wide angle lens with very generic Polaroid 400 speed film (camera was tripod mounted). The sky is lit up blue due to the moon being present on the other side of the sky). A scenic shot of the constellations Canis Major and Lepus rising over a Christmas tree field on the south end of my place in Voluntown, CT. [120k]. color
  5. Winter Milky Way from near palm Springs CA This is an older photo of mine newly redone with a slide scanner. The original was taken on 200 speed slide film around Dec 1985. This is a tripod exposure; Canis Major is easily seen. Note the star Canopus just to the left of the mountain peak (see how much dimmer it is than Sirius due to low altitude). My brother is visible in the expsoure doing the timing [73k]. color
  6. Gemini This is an older photo of mine newly redone with a slide scanner. The original was taken on 200 speed slide film around Dec 1985. The constellation Gemini is seen rising over Norwich CT (as seen from Rt 11 in Salem CT). Light Pollution from Norwich illuminates the low level clouds along the horizon. [95k]. color
  7. Orion Rising This is an older photo of mine newly redone with a slide scanner. The original was taken on 200 speed slide film around Dec 1985. This photo was taken from along Rt. 11 in Salem CT using a tripod mounted camera. [82k]. color
  8. Star Trails from near Mt. Palomar This is an older photo of mine newly redone with a slide scanner. The original was taken on 200 speed slide film around April 1986. I was on business near LA and drove out to Mt. Palomar. The sky out here was VERY dark compared to what I am used to! Looking at the sky, there were so many stars it was hard to pick out some of the constellations! [85k]. color
  9. Comet Halley from Mt. Palomar This is an older photo of mine newly redone with a slide scanner. The original was taken on 200 speed slide film around April 1986. I had only a tripod with me, so no guiding could be done (hence the trailed stars). The "fuzz ball" below Comet Halley is the famous Omega Centauri cluster. Light Pollution can be seen in the direction of San Diego. [83k]. color
  10. Puppis, Columba and Canopus as seen from near Palm Springs, CA This is an older photo of mine newly redone with a slide scanner. The original was taken on 200 speed slide film around April 1986. I was on business near LA and drove out to the desert area several times. Canopus is the bright star just to the upper left of the mountain peak. This is about as high as Canopus gets as seen from the latitude of Palm Springs CA. [91k]. color
  11. Sample shots from my new home in Voluntown, CT Voluntown is located in the last remaining sliver of reasonably dark skies that extends from central MA down through eastern CT. Here are some shots from this location. Skies are pretty good here, not perfect, but probably better than 90% of the US population (at least for the moment...).
  12. Leonids 2001 My photos of this remarkable and "never forget" event are on a separate page. With full description and notes.
  13. Pleiades, California Nebula, and Hyades from Arunah Hill Taken 22 September 2001 with a 50mm lens at F2.8, two 25 minute stacked exposures on Kodak Royal Gold 400 film. In addition to the objects mentioned, dark vanes are visible in the photo as is Saturn and several open clusters in Taurus. Dark areas near the bottom of the photo are tree branches. [120k]. Reprocessed 6 December 2003 for improved image.color
  14. Orion and Barnard's Loop Taken 22 September 2001 from Arunah Hill w/ 50mm lens at F2.8. Three stacked 10 minute exposures. Some red tint is evident at the corner of the image, this is because Orion was not that high up when I took this image. As faint as the Horsehead Nebula area is, Barnard's Loop is even fainter. Film was Kodak Royal Gold 400. [135k]. color
  15. Sculptor, NGC 253, NGC 288 Taken 22 September 2001 from Arunah Hill w/ 135mm lens at F2.8. Single 10 minute exposure. Seen here are stars right below Cetus, along with the famous galaxy NGC 253 and the globular cluster NGC 288 (to the lower left of NGC 253). NGC 288 is very close to the south galactic pole. This photos shows approximately how this area looks through a pair of good binoculars. The southern declination of this region (-25 degrees) makes this area a tough target from +41 deg North! Film was Kodak Royal Gold 400. [60k]. color
  16. Orion's Belt Area Taken 22 September 2001 from Arunah Hill w/ 135mm lens at F2.8; 10 minute exposure. The outer loop of M42 is visible as is the Horsehead and Flame Nebula complex. Film was Kodak Royal Gold 400. [142k]. color
  17. Southern Milky Way from Arunah Hill Taken July 2001 with a 28mm F2.8 lens, about 5 minute exposure. Film was Kodak Royal Gold 400. [147k]. color
  18. Scutum Star Cloud Taken 14 September 2001 with a 135mm F2.8 lens, about 5 minute exposure. Bright splotch in cloud is cluster M11. Film was Kodak Royal Gold 400. [362k]. color
  19. Eastern Sky at CSP 11 Taken 15 September 2001 with a 28mm F2.8 lens, about 5 minute exposure. Pleiades are visible along with several star clusters in Taurus. Also note California Nebula faintly visble along left edge of image! Bright object near Hyades is Saturn. Film was Kodak Royal Gold 400. [330k]. color
  20. Southern Milky Way from CSP 11 Taken 14 September 2001 with a 135mm F2.8 lens, about 5 minute exposure. Bright object in Milky Way is Mars. Film was Kodak Royal Gold 400. [98k]. This is a stack of 2 exposures, reprocessed as of 6 Dec 2003 for improved image.color
  21. North Star Region taken from Arunah Hill on 15 July 2001 through a Vixen 102ED Refractor with drive off. The bright star is Polaris, it is a lot farther from the true north pole than most people believe! In this photo one can identify a star that is much closer to true north, however it is quite faint. Film was Kodak Royal Gold 400. [161k]. color
  22. Teapot Area taken from Arunah Hill on 15 July 2001 through a 28mm wide angle lens. Film was Kodak Royal Gold 400. Many Messier objects can be identified in this photo. 5 minute exposure at F2.8. [250k]. color
  23. Auriga Milky Way Stacked 10 minute exposures on Kodak Royal Gold 400 film, 135mm F2.8 Canon lens. Photo taken from Randolph, VT (a dark sky site) on 21 October 2000. A number of Messier objects are visible (as is some emission nebulosity). [199k] . color
  24. Southern Milky Way Connecticut Star Party 10 Five minute exposure taken with a 28mm lens at F2.8. Photo taken at CSP10 (held at Colebrook CT). A number of Messier objects are visible in this image. [99k] . color
  25. Western Cassiopeia taken with a 135mm lens at F2.5. Composite of three stacked 10 minute exposures on Kodak Royal Gold 400 film. NGC 281 and NGC 7789 visible. Negatives scanned and processed using Photoshop. Taken on 28 Sep 2000 at CSP10, Colbrook, CT. [163k] . color
  26. Cygnus Milky Way taken with a 28mm lens at F2.8. Composite of three stacked 10 minute exposures on Kodak Royal Gold 400 film. Negatives scanned and processed using Photoshop. North American Nebula visible along with a number of other deep sky objects. Taken on 28 Sep 2000 at CSP10, Colbrook, CT. [174k]. color
  27. Eastern Sky at CSP10 taken with a 28mm lens at F2.8. Composite of two stacked 10 minute exposures on Kodak Royal Gold 400 film. Jupiter and Saturn are the two prominent "stars". Numerous deep sky objects visible also. Negatives scanned and processed using Photoshop. Taken on 28 Sep 2000 at CSP10, Colbrook, CT. [120k] . color
  28. Lyra taken with a 135mm lens at F2.5. Single 10 minute exposure on Kodak Royal Gold 400 film. "Fog" filter used for 2 minutes of the exposure. Negative scanned and processed using Photoshop. Taken on 28 Sep 2000 at CSP10, Colbrook, CT. [147k] . color
  29. Western Sky at CSP10 taken with a 28mm lens at F2.8. Composite of two stacked 10 minute exposures on Kodak Royal Gold 400 film. Negatives scanned and processed using Photoshop. Taken on 28 Sep 2000 at CSP10, Colbrook, CT. [168k] . color
  30. A circumpolar star trail shot taken on Kodak PMZ-1000 film Sky is a strong blue color due to the fat Moon in the sky. Roughly 2 hour exposure, 28mm lens set to F11. Taken on October 1998 [116k] color
  31. A wide angle shot of the constellations Orion, Lepus and part of Columba Taken with Kodak PMZ-1000 film. 30 second exposure w/ 28mm lens at F2.8. Taken October 1998. Barnard's Nebula faintly visible, Rosette Nebula easily visble (but small). [106k] color
  32. Corona Borealis The Northern Crown, taken 9 March 1997 w/ 135mm F2.5 lens [44k] color
  33. The colors of Orion Stars defocused to bring out colors... amazing! [62k] color
  34. Scorpius struggles to gain altitude from +41 deg north latitude...[54k] color
  35. Night sky at CSP IV Too bad my backyard can't be like this... (Colebrook, CT) [209k]
  36. Cassiopeia from Vermont, taken at Stellafane in 1994. [85k]
  37. Corvus The "crow", taken from Brimfield, MA [21k]
  38. Cygnus Milky Way from Vermont (taken at Stellafane 1994) [165k]
  39. Summer Milky Way from Vermont If only the sky was like this everywhere... [120k]
  40. Delphinus A compact constellation [44k]
  41. Orion star trails w/ Polaroid My early attempts at astrophotography with a Polaroid camera. Not a great shot by today's standards, but back when I was a kid it was pretty exciting! [36k]
  42. Orion Star Trails Wide angle shot from Wilbraham, MA USA. Another of my early shots using (by today's standards) very crude equipment. [14k]
  43. Ursa Minor from Vermont (taken at Stellafane 1994). [50k]
  44. Orion with a Polaroid camera Not half bad early attempt at manually (no clock drive) guided astrophotography. [18k]
  45. M42 and Orion's Belt in color Asterism Venus' Mirror [8k] color

Deep Sky Objects

  1. Orion's Sword and M42 This shot of Orion's Sword (and M42) was taken with a Vixen 102ED refractor on 23 December 2000. Two stacked 5 minute exposures, exposures made under less than ideal sky conditions (haze). Taken from Colebrook Reservior, CT. [65k]. color
  2. Pleiades This is perhaps my best image of the Pleiades to date. It is a composite of two 10 minute exposures taken on Kodak Royal Gold 400 film with a 500mm F6.3 lens. The negatives were scanned using a Canon FS4000US film scanner and the images combined and processed in PhotoShop. Images taken at Connecticut Star Party 12 6-8 September 2002. [115k]. color
  3. The Double Cluster This is an image of the Double Cluster in Perseus. It is a composite of two 10 minute exposures taken on Kodak Royal Gold 400 film with a 500mm F6.3 lens. The negatives were scanned using a Canon FS4000US film scanner and the images combined and processed in PhotoShop. This is a large format image, best seen in "full screen mode" of Explorer. Images taken at Connecticut Star Party 12 6-8 September 2002. [234k]. color
  4. Hyades Cluster in Taurus Taken 22 September 2001 from Arunah Hill w/ 135mm lens at F2.8; 10 minute exposure. Film was Kodak Royal Gold 400. [90k]. Reprocessed 6 December 2003 for improved image. color
  5. California Nebula in Perseus Taken 22 September 2001 from Arunah Hill w/ 135mm lens at F2.8; stacked 25 minute exposure. Film was Kodak Royal Gold 400. [177k]. color
  6. Lagoon and Trifid Nebulae taken from Arunah Hill on 15 July 2001 through a Vixen 102ED Refractor. Two stacked 5 minute exposures on Kodak Royal Gold 400 film. Conditions were not great during the exposures, I consider this photo "marginal" at best. Focus was a bit off and guiding was not perfect. Have to try another shot of this hopefully this season. [68k]. color
  7. Pleiades w/ Vixen 102ED Refractor This shot was taken under lousy conditions but is still one of my best images of the Pleiades. Taken 23 December 2000 from Colebrook Reservior, CT. [76k] . color
  8. Rosette Nebula Taken with 500mm F6.3 lens, 3 stacked 10 minute exposures (taken in light polluted conditions). Taken 25 December 2000 from Wilbaham, MA. [106k] . color
  9. Flame Nebula w/ Vixen 102ED Refractor This shot was taken under lousy conditions. Horsehead nebula visible also. Composite of two stacked 5 minute exposures. Taken 23 December 2000 from Colebrook Reservior, CT. [82k] . color
  10. NGC 1973-75-77 w/ Vixen 102ED Refractor This shot was taken under lousy conditions. Composite of two stacked 5 minute exposures. Taken 23 December 2000 from Colebrook Reservior, CT. [33k] . color
  11. NGC 7789 w/ Vixen 102ED Refractor This shot was taken under lousy conditions; 3 minute exposure on Kodak Royal Gold 400 film. Taken 23 December 2000 from Colebrook Reservior, CT. [135k] . color
  12. Trapezium (M42 core) This shot was taken with a digital camera through the Celestron CG-11 (image is a result of 3 stacked 16 second exposures). Not a great shot, but serves to show what can (and cannot) be done using a digital camera and a telescope. [18k] . color
  13. The Beehive Cluster (M44) Taken with a 500mm F6.3 lens under rather lousy conditions. Taken 25 December 2000 from Wilbaham, MA. [92k] . color
  14. M37 Taken with a 500mm F6.3 lens under rather lousy conditions. Taken 25 December 2000 from Wilbaham, MA. [63k] . color
  15. M35 and NGC 2158 w/ Vixen 102ED Refractor This shot was taken under lousy conditions; 5 minute exposure on Kodak Royal Gold 400 film. Taken 23 December 2000 from Colebrook Reservior, CT. [109k] . color
  16. NGC 281 (Pac Man Nebula) taken with a 500mm lens at F6.3. 5 minute exposure on Kodak Royal Gold 1000 film, 19 Sep 1998. Taken on 28 Sep 2000 at CSP10, Colbrook, CT. [97k] . color
  17. M27 through the Celestron 11 Five minute guided exposure with C11 operating at F6.3. This photo was taken from Wilbraham MA (considerable light pollution) with the use of an Orion Skyglow Filter. Guding not perfect, it was a windy night. 20 October 2000. [61k] . color
  18. M11 through the Celestron 11 Five minute guided exposure with C11 operating at F6.3. Another "windy night" photo (thus guiding is not perfect). This photo was taken from Wilbraham MA (considerable light pollution) with the use of an Orion Skyglow Filter. 20 October 2000. [102k] . color
  19. California Nebula Stacked 10 minute exposures w/ 135mm F2.8 lens. Taken from Randolph VT (a dark sky site) on 21 October 2000. [110k] . color
  20. Double Cluster Region IC nebulosity abounds in this area. Stacked 10 minute exposures w/ 135mm F2.8 lens on Kodak Royal Gold 400 film. Taken from Randolph VT (a dark sky site) on 21 October 2000. [249k] . color
  21. North American Nebula taken with a 135mm lens at F2.5. Composite of three stacked 10 minute exposures on Kodak Royal Gold 400 film. Negatives scanned and processed using Photoshop. Taken on 28 Sep 2000 at CSP10, Colbrook, CT. [188k]. color
  22. North American Nebula through a 500mm lens taken with a Vivitar 500mm F6.3 lens, 38 minute exposure on Kodak Royal Gold 400 film. Taken 10 September 1999 at CSP9, Colbrook, CT. [100k]. color
  23. Great Nebula in Orion Taken with Celstron CG-11 at F6.3. Composite of two stacked 5 minute exposures on Kodak Royal Gold 400 film. Negatives scanned and processed using Photoshop. My best picture of the Orion Nebula to date. Taken on 29 Sep 2000 at CSP10, Colbrook, CT. [65k] . color
  24. The Pleiades taken with a 135mm lens at F2.5. Composite of three stacked 10 minute exposures on Kodak Royal Gold 400 film. Image cropped to look like a telescope view. Negatives scanned and processed using Photoshop. Taken on 28 Sep 2000 at CSP10, Colbrook, CT. [40k] . color
  25. North American Nebula taken with a 500mm lens. A photo of the nebula in the red wavelengths (B+W image). 38 minute exposure on Kodak Royal Gold 400 film, 500mm F6.3 lens (exposure was planned for one hour but got cut short by approaching fog). This B+W shot is actually just the red component of the RGB split; it greatly improves contrast. Taken on 10 Sep 1999 at CSP9, Colbrook, CT. [80k].
  26. Pleiades through a 500mm lens. 20 minute exposure on Kodak Royal Gold 400, 500mm F6.3 lens. Note nebulosity around some of the bright stars. Taken 10 Sep 1999 (CSP9). [54k] color
  27. M27 through a 500mm lens. 20 minute exposure on Kodak Royal Gold 400, 500mm F6.3 lens. The bright star is SAO 88016 (5.7 magnitude), the "finder star" that helps one to spot this object. 10 Sep 99 (CSP9). [72k] color
  28. Dark Nebula in Aquila. 20 minute exposure on Kodak Royal Gold 400, 135mm F6.3 lens. This B+W image was derived from the red component of the original color print. It enhances the visibility of the dark nebula to the north west of Altair (the bright star left of center in the image). Taken 10 Sep 1999 (CSP9). [83k]
  29. IC 1396 Complex in Cepheus Stacked 5 minute exposures on Kodak Royal Gold 400 film, 135mm F2.8 Canon lens. Photo taken from Randolph, VT (dark sky site) on 21 October 2000. This nebula is difficult to photograph because of its faintness! [163k] . color
  30. NGC 7789 A rich open cluster in Casseiopia taken w/ 500mm F6.3 lens, 5 minute exposure on Kodak Royal Gold 1000 film, 19 Sep 1998. [69k] color
  31. M11 taken w/ 500mm F6.3 lens, 4 minute exposure on Kodak Royal Gold 1000 film, 18 Sep 1998. This is an uncropped view of M11 (and the surrounding area) as seen with a 500mm lens. [62k] color
  32. Double Cluster taken w/ 500mm F6.3 lens, 4 min 15 sec exposure on Kodak Royal Gold 1000 film, 19 Sep 1998. [73k] color
  33. M31 taken w/ 500mm F6.3 lens, 5 min exposure on Kodak Royal Gold 1000 film, 19 Sep 1998. Needs more exposure! [58k] color
  34. Veil Nebula taken w/ 135mm F2.5 lens, 5 minute exposure on Kodak Royal Gold 400 film, 27 Sep 1997. Not the best shot, nebula is just starting to show; processing w/ Photostyler performed to improve contrast. [88k] color
  35. Globular Cluster M3 Two photos taken in 1997 w/ Celestron CG-11 @ F6.3 [50k] color
  36. Globular Cluster M5 taken 16 March 1997 w/ Celestron CG-11 @ F6.3 from Blanford, MA USA [32k] color
  37. Whirlpool Galaxy M51 taken 16 March 1997 w/ Celestron CG-11 @ F6.3 [37k] color
  38. Galaxies M65 and M66 taken 16 March 1997 w/ Celestron CG-11 @ F6.3 [47k] color
  39. Owl Nebula, M97taken 16 March 1997 w/ Celestron CG-11 @ F6.3 [15k] color
  40. Galaxy M81 taken 16 March 1997 w/ Celestron CG-11 @ F6.3 [10k] color
  41. Exploding Galaxy M82 taken 16 March 1997 w/ Celestron CG-11 @ F6.3 [15k] color
  42. Coma Berenices Star Cluster Two photos taken 9 March 1997 w/ 135mm F2.5 lens; one guided one trailed. [100k] color
  43. Polaris region In search of a "true" north star... taken 7 March 1997 w/ Celestron CG-11 @F6.3 [37k] color
  44. Orion nebula w/ CG-11 My very first shot with the new CG-11 telescope from my backyard [28k] color
  45. The Double Cluster through a 500mm lens. Nice B+W shot of this famous object. [49k]
  46. Star Cluster M11 through a 500mm [27k]
  47. Globular Cluster M13 resolved with Tasco 2.4" scope (more than most would believe) [33k]
  48. Planetary Nebula M27 through a 500mm lens [43k]
  49. Star Cluster M34 Not a bad shot of this famous cluster, taken through a 500mm F6.3 lens [11k]
  50. M56 resolved with Tasco 2.4" scope Not much, but it is resolved! [40k]
  51. The Ring Nebula through the CG-11. Not a great shot... lousy guiding! [37k]
  52. The Pleiades w/ 500mm F6.3 lens Nice B+W shot of this ever popular object. [52k]

The Sun and Solar Eclipses

  1. 25 December 2000 (Christmas Day) Partial Solar Eclipse Sequence. Taken with a digital camera through the Celestron CG-11 scope (afocal method). color
  2. 10 May 1994 Solar Eclipse Sequence taken from Vermont at ASGH eclipse party. [70k] color
  3. Solar Eclipse on a Pizza Box Solar eclipse projected on ground through tree leaves [24k] color
  4. Giant Sunspots, 25 October 2003 Photos of two giant sunspot complexes taken with a Celestron 14 on 25 October 2003.
  5. Sunspot taken w/ eyepiece projection through CG-11, Kodak Royal Gold 400 film, 27 Sep 1997. [44k] color

Lunar Eclipses

  1. 27 October 2004 Total Lunar Eclipse. Photos taken using a digital camera through a Criterion RV-6 Dynascope 6" Newtonian reflector.color
  2. 8 November 2003 Total Lunar Eclipse. Photos taken using a digital camera through an Edmund Astroscan and also slide film pictures through a Celestron CG-11.color
  3. 23 March 1997 partial Lunar Eclipse through Tasco 2.4 inch scope, 3 shots [15k] color
  4. 3 April 96 Lunar Eclipse Sample Total Lunar Eclipse at dusk (3 photos) [72k] color
  5. Scenic shot of 3 April 96 Lunar Eclipse taken w/ 135mm lens [18k] color
  6. Nov 93 Lunar Eclipse through CG-11 [26k] color
  7. 27/28 November 1993 Total Lunar Eclipse Sequence 7 shots, penumbra to totality, taken w/ Celestron CG-11 [78k] color
  8. Dec 92 Lunar Eclipse through Celestron CG-11, 2 shots [35k] color
  9. July 1982 Lunar Eclipse through Criterion Dynascope (afocal method) [10k] color
  10. Nov 1975 Lunar Eclipse trail through a Polaroid "Square Shooter 2", one of my earliest photos [35k] color

The Moon

  1. First Quarter Moon, 4 Jan 2009 Here's a shot of the First Quarter Moon taken on 4 January 2009. This shot was taken using a very modest telescope... a 3" Newtonian Reflector! The scope was the Orion Spaceprobe 3 Alt-Az although for this shot I mounted the Orion scope on my Losmandy G-11 mount. This shot was taken with the Orion StarShoot Solar System Color Imager II. This is a stack of two exposures. This image shows that even an entry level scope is capable of some nice astrophotography on the Moon. [900k] color
  2. Full Moon, 21 March 2008 This is a two shot composite taken with the Orion StarShoot Solar System Color Imager II. Telescope was a Vixen 102ED refractor (102mm). Seeing was horrible tonight but I am satisfied with the image I got. [690k] color
  3. Northern area of Moon, 14 February 2008 This shot is a single exposure of the northern terminator area of the Moon at little past First Quarter phase. The camera used was the Orion StarShoot Solar System Color Imager II. Telescope was a Celestron C14 with a Meade F3.3 focal reducer. One of my best lunar close ups to date using the Orion imager [579k] color
  4. Central Terminator area of the Moon, 14 February 2008 This shot is a composite of two shots (they are not stacked, just stiched) of the Moon at little past First Quarter phase. The camera used was the Orion StarShoot Solar System Color Imager II. Telescope was a Celestron C14 with a Meade F3.3 focal reducer. One of my best lunar close ups to date using the Orion imager [629k] color
  5. Southern area of the Moon, 16 January 2008 This shot is a single exposure of the southern terminator area of the Moon at little past First Quarter phase. The camera used was the Orion StarShoot Solar System Color Imager II. Telescope was the Vixen 102ED Refractor (a Daiken 2.4x barlow was used to increase the image scale). [501k] color
  6. Moon, 16 January 2008 Here's a 2 shot mosiac f the Moon a little past First Quarter. The camera used was the Orion StarShoot Solar System Color Imager II. I took dozens of images and then picked the best 2 and assembled this mosiac in Photoshop. Telescope was the Vixen 102ED Refractor (straigh through shot, no barlow). [343k] color
  7. Moon Mosiac This is my first Moon mosiac, taken with a Vixen 102 ED Refractor (with a Daikin 2.4X barlow in line) on 21 April 2007. The camera used was the Orion StarShoot Solar System Color Imager II (picked this unit up recently). I took probably over 100 individual images and then selected the best ones and assembled them. In my carelessness I left out one small portion of the edge of the Moon, rather than "fake" the data in I left it as is. I was fairly happy with this first attempt at a lunar mosiac. Detail is overall very nice considering the scope is a modest 4" diameter! [772k] color
  8. Moon, 25 May 2007 Here's a nice 2 shot mosiac of the Moon a little past First Quarter. The camera used was the Orion StarShoot Solar System Color Imager II. I took dozens of images and then picked the best 2 and assembled this mosiac in Photoshop. Telescope was the Vixen 102ED Refractor (straigh through shot, no barlow). [418k] color
  9. Moon, 26 May 2007 This shot is basically the same as above except it was taken one night later (amazing: 2 clear nights in a row!). [530k] color
  10. Copernicus The crater Copernicus at sunrise. Taken on 25 May 2007 using a Vixen 102 ED Refractor (with a Daikin 2.4X barlow in line) on 25 May 2007. The camera used was the Orion StarShoot Solar System Color Imager II. [86k] color
  11. Straight Wall on the Moon The feature called the "Straight Wall" on the Moon (just to the right of upper center in the image) a little after sunrise. Taken on 25 May 2007 using a Vixen 102 ED Refractor (with a Daikin 2.4X barlow in line) on 25 May 2007. The camera used was the Orion StarShoot Solar System Color Imager II. [334k] color
  12. Moon Photos with a Digital Camera: The photos in this group were all taken in a matter of 20 minutes using an Olympus C3030Z digital camera (afocal method) and a Celestron CG-11 scope with a Televue 21mm plossl eyepiece. The most remarkable thing about these photos was the ease in which they were obtained! Basically, all you have to do is take a large number of photos, and then sort through them and find ones that by chance were snapped at moments of good seeing. it is so easy to get these photos coompared to the days of fooling around with film! The seeing the night these were taken (30 April 2001) was not the greatest, but the results are better than most of the film shots I ever took. These are all fairly large format photos, they will open in a new browser window. All photos are in color (however for the most part they look B+W).

    Note: the images just below were taken on 3 May 2001 using the method described just above.

  13. Lunar Terrain Digital Camera photos (2) of the surface of the Moon as seen through the Celestron CG-11. Photos taken 12 January 2001. [160k] color
  14. Full Moon of 22 December 1999 This is a photo of the super bright and super large full Moon of 22 December 1999. Taken with Celestron CG-11 operating at F6.3, 1/500 second exposure on Kodak Gold 100 film. [66k] color
  15. Two photos of the Moon taken with the Meade 4500 Newtonian reflector A combination of film and digital processing yields some rather nice results for such a small scope! 1 Aug 1998. [70k]
  16. 8 day old Moon taken through a Meade 4.5 inch reflector with "camera up to eyepiece and snap" (afocal) method. Kodak Royal Gold 400 film, 10 October 1997. [18k] color
  17. A Full Moon from 1982 taken w/ Criterion Dynascope [37k] color
  18. Waxing Gibbous Moon A typical shot [21k] color
  19. Southern area of Moon w/ Criterion 6" Dynascope Nice shot through a classic scope (afocal method) [82k]
  20. Crater Gassendi on the Moon through CG-11 [42k]
  21. Southern Lunar terminator at First Quarter taken through a Criterion Dynascope, 1983 [15k]
  22. Nearly Full Moon taken through Criterion Dynascope, 1983 [16k]

Planets

  1. Venus, 17 March 2009 Here's a shot of the thin crescent Venus taken with an entry level 3" Newtonian Reflector. This shot was taken using the afocal method (basically holding the camera up to the eyepiece) using a now very obsolete Olympus C3030Z camera. [96k] color
  2. Venus, 17 March 2009 Here's a shot of the thin crescent Venus taken with an entry level 3" Newtonian Reflector. This shot was taken using the afocal method (basically holding the camera up to the eyepiece) using a now very obsolete Olympus C3030Z camera. [83k] color
  3. Venus, 12 March 2009 Here's a shot of the crescent Venus taken with an entry level 3" Newtonian Reflector. This shot was taken using the afocal method (basically holding the camera up to the eyepiece) using a now very obsolete Olympus C3030Z camera. [64k] color
  4. Venus, 12 March 2009 Here's a shot of the crescent Venus taken with an entry level 3" Newtonian Reflector. This shot was taken using the afocal method (basically holding the camera up to the eyepiece) using a now very obsolete Olympus C3030Z camera. [64k] color
  5. Venus, 26 May 2007 My first telescopic shot of Venus! This was taken with a Vixen 102 ED Refractor (with a Daikin 2.4X barlow and a Moon filter in line) using the Orion StarShoot Solar System Color Imager II. Seeing conditions around where I live are often terrible, this was the best shot out of 30 (most of them were useless). The slight blue fringing around the planet is due to chromatic abberation. As good a scope the Vixen is (very high quality ED glass), with something as bright as Venus some abberations will show. [44k] color
  6. Venus (through a Violet filter) This image is basically the same as the one above with the exception that a Violet filter was used instead of a Moon filter. [26k] color
  7. Scenic shots of Venus, Jupiter and the Moon, Early November 2004 Here are 4 digital camera shots of the Venus-Jupiter and Moon gathering taken on the mornings of 4 and 9 November 2004. The camera was an Olympus C3030Z, exposure was about 1 second. Photos taken from Voluntown, CT. [92k]
  8. Mars 2003 A summary of my Mars images for the 2003 season.
  9. Planet Mosiac This is a mosiac of my best planet photos to date (Sep 2003). Mars was taken with a Vixen 102ED refractor, Jupiter and Saturn are taken with a Celstron CG-11. All photos are composites of a number of individual exposures taken with an Olympus C3030Z digital camera. Planet images are not to same scale in this image. Mars was taken 29 Aug 2003, Jupiter is from 12 January 2000, and Saturn is from November 2001. [78k] color
  10. Mars, 29 Aug 2003 Here's a new shot of Mars I worked up from images taken early on 29 Aug 2003. This is a composite of about 20 individual exposures. Images were taken with a Vixen 102 ED refractor with a Dakin 2.4x Barlow, 10mm Celestron Plossl eyepiece and an Olympus C3030Z digital camera. Images taken about 12:11am. Zoom on the camera was all the way in, individual exposures were 1/20 second.. [22k] color
  11. Mars, 28 Aug 2003 Here's a new shot of Mars I threw together quickly this evening whle waiting for it to gain better altitude. This is a composite of about 15 individual exposures. Images were taken with a Vixen 102 ED refractor with a Dakin 2.4x Barlow, 10mm Celestron Plossl eyepiece and an Olympus C3030Z digital camera. Images taken about 9:45pm. Zoom on the camera was all the way in, individual exposures were 1/20 second.. [30k] color
  12. Mars, 15 Aug 2003 Here's a quick shot I made up of Mars, it is a composte of 4 individual exposures. Images were taken with a Vixen 102 ED refractor with a Dakin 2.4x Barlow, 10mm Celestron Plossl eyepiece and an Olympus C3030Z digital camera. Images taken about 2:00am. Zoom on the camera was all the way in, individual exposures were 1/20 second. I took several hundred images and will try to process up some better ones at some point. The polar cap is easily seen in this image, at time of writing I have not identified the "land mass" below the polar cap. [30k] color
  13. Saturn. A digital camera image of Saturn taken with an Olympus C3030Z camera and a Celestron CG-11 scope. This final image is a composite of three individual images (three of the best of 391 images taken during this session). Photos taken 17 November 2001 from Wilbraham, MA. An Orion Steadipix camera mount was used to mount the camera to the telescope. A Meade Super Wide Angle 6.7mm eyepiece was used for projection and the camera's optical zoom (2.5x) was zoomed to the max position. Image assembled in PhotoShop. Exposures were 1/4 second. My best Saturn image to date. [16k] color
  14. Jupiter and Saturn Digital Camera photos of the two largest gas giants taken using the Afocal method through the Celestron CG-11 scope. Photos taken 12 January 2001. [24k] color
  15. Jupiter and Saturn First Attempt digital camera photos of the two largest gas giants through the Celestron CG-11 scope. Photos taken 25 December 2000. [50k] color
  16. Venus-Jupiter Conjunction of 23 Feb 1999. 70mm F3.5 zoom lens w/ Kodak Gold 200 film, about 10 second exposure. Taken under partly cloudy conditions. [43k] color
  17. Venus, Jupiter and Mercury Taken 2 March 1999 looking over Horse Pond in Salem, CT. Note that Mercury's reflection off the water is very prominent. Kodak Gold 200 film, about 15 second exposure. [30k] color
  18. Mercury comes out of hiding The elusive plant snagged on 1 April 97 (scenic shot) [15k] color
  19. Moon and Venus, scenic and close up shots, 27 Jan 1995 Color of sky nice at dawn [65k] color
  20. Jupiter on 21 uly 94 (comet crash marks) [22k]

Auroras (Northern Lights)

  1. Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights), 30 October 2003 Digital Camera and film images of a very large aurora display!.
  2. Northern Lights, 7 September 2002 Here's a shot of the Northern Lights as seen from Colebrook, CT on the evening of 7 Septmber 2002 (Connecticut Star Party). This was my first time ever seeing the Northern Lights and fortunately I was able to also photograph it! Lines in the photo at bottom right are due to air traffic. This photo was about a 1 minute exposure on Kodak Royal Gold 400 film using a 28mm F2.8 lens. [146k] color

Comets

  1. Comet P17 Holmes, 19 Novembert 2007 Here's a shot of Comet P17 Holmes taken on the evening of 19 November. This shot was taken through a Vixen 102ED refractor (665mm focal length) at prime focus. This is a film shot on Kodak MAX 800 film (I had wanted to use 400 film but unknowingly grabbed 800 film out of the refrigerator by mistake). This image is a stack of two frames of 60 seconds each. I do not have a modern digital SLR, this is why I am still using film for some work.[210k]
  2. Comet P17 Holmes, 02 Novembert 2007 Here's a shot of Comet P17 Holmes taken on the morning of 02 November. This shot was taken through a Vixen 102ED refractor (665mm focal length) at prime focus. This is a film shot on Kodak MAX 400 film, this image is a stack of two frames of 60 seconds each. I do not have a modern digital SLR, this is why I am still using film for some work.[333k]
  3. Comet P17 Holmes, 27 Oct 2007 A shot of the bright comet in Perseus taken on 27 Oct 2007 (around 10pm EDT). THis photo was taken with a very outdated (by today's standards) digital camera (a 1999 model, the only one I have, it is not very good forh deep sky work). The camera was hooked up to a C14 telescope using a TeleVue Plossl 32mm eyepiece for afocal method. This shot is a composite of four 16 seconds frames (each frame had a dark frame subtracted). Visually this comet looks like a very bright and large planetary nebula. Although this photo does not show it well, the bright nuclues of the comet is easily seen through the telescope eyepiece. [53k]
  4. Comet Halley sampler A trio of Comet Halley shots from southern California [77k]
  5. Comet Halley, March 1986, very low in the south [45k] color

Comet Hyakutake (1996)

  1. BIG picture of Comet Hyakutake from Lebanon, CT [347k]
  2. Comet Hyakutake, 50mm from Lebanon, CT [77k]
  3. Comet Hyakutake, 500mm close up view [84k]
  4. Comet Hyakutake scenic shot This image was shown on the Sci-Fi channel! [51k]
  5. Color shot of Comet Hyakutake taken during 3 April 96 total Lunar eclipse [20k] color

Comet Hale-Bopp (1997)

You can click here to download a photo sampler of Hale-Bopp, or select individual pictures from the list below. Pictures are in date order. Note for beginning astrophotographers: The photos below are the best from nearly four hundred shots of Hale Bopp that I took during its run! In other words, for every decent shot there are about eight to ten that fall into the "marginal", "so - so" or "dud" category.

  1. Comet Hale-Bopp, 16 Feb 97 My first photo (B+W) of Hale- Bopp. Not spectacular; a preview of what's to come... [42k]
  2. Comet Hale-Bopp, 9 Mar 97 Taken w/ 135mm F2.8 lens, 4 minute exposure on TMAX 400. [35k]
  3. Comet Hale-Bopp, 9 Mar 97 50mm shot taken w/ Fuji Super 800G film from Blandford, MA. [33k] color
  4. Comet Hale Bopp, 9 Mar 97 135mm F2.5 Pentax lens used w/ Fuji Super G 800 [48k] color
  5. Comet Hale-Bopp, 9 Mar 97 A close up w/ Celestron CG-11 @ F6.3. [16k] color
  6. Comet Hale-Bopp, 12 Mar 97 My first evening photo of Hale Bopp in heavy twilight at about 6:45pm EST. [33k] color
  7. Comet Hale-Bopp, 13 Mar 97 30 second fixed tripod shot taken on a cold morning. [31k] color
  8. Comet Hale-Bopp, 13 Mar 97 Flash used for scenic effect... [39k] color
  9. Comet Hale-Bopp, 13 Mar 97 Same as shot above but no flash used. [35k] color
  10. Comet Hale-Bopp, 16 Mar 97 Very nice colors, 135mm shot taken from Blandford, MA [17k] color
  11. Comet Hale-Bopp, 16 Mar 97 CG-11 close up of nucleus showing "shock wave" detail deep in the coma. [5k]
  12. Comet Hale-Bopp, 16 Mar 97 Close up taken w/ Celestron CG-11, 2800mm F10. [25k] color
  13. Comet Hale-Bopp, 23 Mar 97 Scenic 50mm shot, sky lit by Moon, w/ Cassiopeia. 30sec on Kodak Royal Gold 400 [36k] color
  14. Comet Hale-Bopp, 27 Mar 97 135mm F2.5 lens, Kodak Royal Gold 400 from Lebanon, CT [20k] color
  15. Comet Hale-Bopp, 27 Mar 97 Taken w/ 50mm F2.0 lens, 30 second fixed tripod shot, Lebanon, CT [37k] color
  16. Comet Hale-Bopp, 27 Mar 97 500mm F6.3 lens, taken from Lebanon, CT [56k] color
  17. Comet Hale-Bopp, 28 Mar 97 Beautiful sunset shot w/ clouds; 30 sec on Kodak Royal Gold 400, one of my best. [50k] color
  18. Comet Hale-Bopp, 28 Mar 97 Sunset shot w/ clouds, 30 sec on Kodak Royal Gold 400 [48k] color
  19. Comet Hale-Bopp, 2 April 97 Hale-Bopp threatens a house! 30 second tripod shot taken from Blandford, MA USA [42k] color
  20. Comet Hale-Bopp, 2 April 97 135mm F2.5 lens, 4 min exposure. Taken from Blandford, MA USA [38k] color
  21. Comet Hale-Bopp, 4 April 97 My best 500mm shot of Hale-Bopp (in my opinion). 500mm F6.3 Vivitar lens, 5 minute exposure on Kodak Royal Gold 400 [73k] color
  22. Comet Hale-Bopp, 7 April 97 Taken from Salem, CT USA, 50mm F2.0 lens, 30 sec on Fuji Super G800 [35k] color
  23. Comet Hale-Bopp, 7 April 97 Scenic shot taken from Rt 82 in Salem, CT USA, 50mm F2.0 lens, 30 sec on Fuji Super G800. [53k] color
  24. Comet Hale-Bopp, 7 April 97 Hale-Bopp sets over a dirt pile. 50mm F2.0 lens, 30 sec on Fuji Super G800. [34k] color
  25. Comet Hale-Bopp, 7 April 97 Hale-Bopp and M34, 500mm F6.3 lens, 4 minutes on Kodak Royal Gold 400. [50k] color
  26. Comet Hale-Bopp, 7 April 97 Hale-Bopp sets over a field. Taken from Rt 82 in Salem, CT USA, 50mm F2.0 lens, 30 sec on Kodak Royal Gold 400. [23k] color
  27. Comet Hale-Bopp, 7 April 97 Hale-Bopp sets over a stone wall. Taken from Rt 82 in Salem, CT USA, 50mm F2.0 lens, 30 sec on Fuji Super G800. [64k] color
  28. Comet Hale-Bopp, 14 April 97 Hale-Bopp trapped by trees, 50mm F2.0 lens, 30 sec on Kodak Royal Gold 1000. Nice! [51k] color
  29. Comet Hale-Bopp, 15 April 97 Hale-Bopp trapped by high tension lines, 50mm F2.0 lens, 30 sec on Kodak Royal Gold 1000. [52k] color
  30. Comet Hale-Bopp, 15 April 97 Hale-Bopp and the Lonely Tree I, 50mm F2.0 lens, 30 sec on Kodak Royal Gold 1000. [32k] color
  31. Comet Hale-Bopp, 15 April 97 Hale-Bopp and the Lonely Tree II, 50mm F2.0 lens, 30 sec on Kodak Royal Gold 1000. [36k] color
  32. Comet Hale-Bopp, 26 April 97 Hale-Bopp and the Mile Tree, Wilbraham, MA, 50mm F2.0 lens, 30 sec on Kodak Royal Gold 1000. [48k] color
  33. Comet Hale-Bopp, 26 April 97 Hale-Bopp over Springfield, MA (severe light pollution) from Wilbraham Mountain, 50mm F2.0 lens, 30 sec on Kodak Royal Gold 1000. [31k] color
  34. Comet Hale-Bopp, 26 April 97 Hale-Bopp and the Castle Home, 50mm F2.0 lens, 30 sec on Kodak Royal Gold 1000. [22k] color
  35. Comet Hale-Bopp, 26 April 97 Hale-Bopp from Wilbraham (MA) Mountain, 50mm F2.0 lens, 30 sec on Kodak Royal Gold 1000. [50k] color

Telescopes and Equipment

  1. Celestron 14 Telescope Photos of my new (vintage) C14 and observtions made with it.color
  2. Vixen ED 102mm Refractor Astrophotography Rig The Vixen ED 4" refractor mounted along side a Tasco 60mm scope (used for guiding). This assembly is mounted on the Losmandy G-11 mounting. This is the new rig I hope to do much photography with in 2001. Unfortunately, it clouded over on the first night out (after driving for nearly 2 hours to get to a dark sky site... figures!). [87k] color
  3. Celestron CG11 scope [43k] color
  4. Celestron CG-11 set up w/ 500mm F6.3 lens for lunar photography from Salem, CT [48k] color
  5. CG-11 scope set up for 10 May 94 solar eclipse photography [46k] color
  6. Celestron CG-11 in action [86k] color
  7. Joe Roberts at CSP IV observing Jupiter in daylight [88k] color

Miscellaneous

  1. Springfield MA Light Pollution as seen from Arunah Hill, 38 miles from town This shot gives one an idea of how bad light pollution has become... a major eyesore even at a distance of 38 miles from downtown. Enough light to compromise the entire southeastern sky. This is not a waste of energy?!? [104k] color
  2. Springfield MA Light Pollution as seen from Wilbraham, MA A typical example of what amateur astronomers face today... skies so bad that seeing 3rd magnitude stars becomes non trivial... [37k] color
  3. Light Pollution Just a few of the millions of reasons why we can no longer see the stars... excessive and unnecessary levels of lighting! [48k] color
  4. Fooling around on a Cloudy Night taken w/ 28mm F2.8 lens, about 8 min exposure on Kodak Royal Gold 1000 film, 18 Sep 1997. It clouded up (despite the forecast for "clear" skies), so I decided to burn up some film... [56k] color
  5. Star Party in 1975 The "2nd Annual Friday Night Star Watch", 3 October 1975. This is more or less how we got started in astronomy. Pete Chapin is to the left of the 3" Unitron refractor and I (Joe Roberts) am at the eyepiece of the 6" Dynascope (check out the "70's" pants!). A staged shot (why would we be observing in broad daylight!) [71k]
  6. Los Angeles Light Pollution (very pathetic) [21k] color

Duds

  1. Horse Head Nebula An example of bad guiding and "ghost" images from reflections within the optical path. Considerable processing done w/ Photostyler. Taken 28 Sep 97 w/ Celestron CG-11 at F6.3, 5 minutes on Kodak Royal Gold 400 film. [37k] color
  2. NGC 2023 Another example of bad guiding, but otherwise not too bad for a 5 minute exposure on "off the shelf" consumer film. Considerable processing done w/ Photostyler. Taken 28 Sep 97 w/ Celestron CG-11 at F6.3, 5 minutes on Kodak Royal Gold 400 film. [31k] color
  3. M42, Great Nebula in Orion Yet another example of bad guiding (otherwise this shot is not too bad). Some processing done w/ Photostyler. Taken 28 Sep 97 w/ Celestron CG-11 at F6.3, 5 minutes on Kodak Royal Gold 400 film. [69k] color
  4. A mistake, 15 April 97 This is what happens when you walk 300 feet with the camera shutter accidentally left open (Moon and streetlights in the sky)!!! [48k] color

E-mail and Links

Not sure by what route you arrived at this page, so here are several back links (or, just use your browser's "back" button).
back to Amateur Astronomer's Notebook...

Back to Joe Roberts Astrophotography

The Joe Roberts Homepage
E-mail to Joe Roberts

HTML and page design © copyright 2000 by Joe Roberts