Deep Sky Imaging Session - February 17, 2026

Happy Chinese New Year! The sky this evening is clear so I use this opportunity to image IC405 Flaming Star Nebula together with IC410 Tadpole Nebula in the constellation of Auriga together in one frame using ZWO ASI294MC PRO Camera on Borg 76ED Refractor with 0.8x Reducer and SVBony SV220 7nm Duo Filter. Total Exposure of 122 minutes (120 sec x 61) at -5 deg C. I also use my Dwarf 3 Smart Scope to image IC443 Jellyfish Nebula in the constellation of Gemini using Astro Mode with Duo Filter at EQ Mode. Total Exposure of 121 minutes (30 sec x 242) at Gain 60.

Deep Sky Imaging Session - February 17, 2026

Happy Chinese New Year 2026! The sky this evening is clear but slightly hazy. I just use my Dwarf 3 Smart Scope to image simple NGC2233 galactic star cluster in Monoceros using Astro Mode with Astro Filter at EQ Mode. Total exposure of 45 minutes (30sec x 90) at Gain 60.

Deep Sky Imaging Session - February 12, 2026

The sky this evening is partly clear but there are some thin haze noticeable in the sky but I proceeded to image NGC2264 , the Christmas Tree Nebula or Fox Fur Nebula which also contain the small Cone Nebula in this nebula complex. Also included in this complex is the Philippine Nebula, a dark nebula inside this complex. I use my trusty Dwarf 3 Smart Scope at Astro Mode with Duo Filter at EQ Mode. Stack of 180 images at 30 sec (1h 45m) at Gain 60 was used to capture this nebula.

Spaceweather.com Astro Image of the Day - February 4, 2026

I got surprised to see that my February 3, 2026 solar whitelight image of AR4366 Region got selected by Spaceweather.com as Astro Image of the Day for February 4, 2026!

Likewise, my February 3, 2026 solar Ha image of AR4366 Region got mentioned also by Astronomy's editor in chief David Eicher on his FB page last February 5 as well! Thank you Spaceweather.com and David Eicher!

Solar Imaging Session - February 5, 2026

The sky this morning is mostly cloudy but seeing is good. AR4366 Region is starting to decay but the main core of this group is still intact though. In Ha wavelength, AR4366 Region still show some flaring activity all around the region. There is also a huge Hedgerow prominence visible in the SE limb. Unfortunately, clouds covered up the sky thus ending my imaging session.

Solar Imaging Session - February 4, 2026

The sky this late afternoon is hazy and seeing condition is poor. I had an important errand this morning thus wasn't able to image the Sun until this late afternoon. AR4366 Region is still quite large although there is some signs of some parts of the group is starting to decay. In Ha wavelength, flaring activity continues within the group core structure as well as large prominences visible in the SE and SW limb. A small Eastern FilaProm can also be nicely seen.

Solar Imaging Session - February 3, 2026

The sky this morning is partly cloudy but seeing condition is very good. AR4366 Region continues to grow in size and also show lots of flaring activities inside its core structure. Numerous large prominences can also be seen in the NE, East and SE limb. Lots of small sunspots in different regions can also be seen on the Sun's surface.