Deep Sky Objects (DSO's) - January, 2025

PLEASE NOTE: most of the shots taken on this page were accomplished with much less exposure time needed to really get an accurate image. I just started all this, so was too anxious to get things started! With the opportunity, I will re-image most of these in the future to hopefully get more accurate image color and quality:-) Btw…both the spiral and elliptical galaxies are quite accurate in their depiction. The are a long way away from Earth!

Deep Sky Objects - Click on any image for the full size & start a slideshow

The Crab Nebula is a supernova remnant and pulsar wind nebula in the constellation of Taurus. It is an expanding remnant of a star's supernova explosion recorded in 1054 AD. It has a diameter of 1100 light years and is 6523 light years from Earth.

Dwarf satellite spiral galaxy in the Andromeda Galaxy

Usually seen in the northern quadrant of the Andromeda. Galaxy. It measures 17,000 light years in diameter and contains 10 billion stars. Its distance from the earth is 2.67 million light years.

Great Nebula in the Orion Constellation

Can be seen all winter in the southwest sky. It has an apparent magnitude of 4, making it visible to the naked eye. It is located 1350 light years from earth and is 25 light years in diameter.

Dwarf satellite elliptical galaxy of the Andromeda Galaxy.

Despite its size at only 6500 mile diameter, it contains a supermassive black hole at its center. It is 2.5 million light years from Earth.

Betelgeuse red supergiant star

Found in the Orion constellation and one of the brightest objects in the sky., even brighter than the Sun. It is a pulsating, variable star meaning it gets brighter and dimmer on a regular basis. It is located 498 light years from earth.

Bubble Nebula

Found in the Cassiopeia constellation. It is 3.5 light years in diameter and 11, 090 light years from Earth

Aldebaran

Giant red star in the Taurus constellation. Also known as Alpha Tauri. It is one of the 15 brightest stars. Its diameter is 44 times that of the Sun and is 65 light years from Earth.