Leo Triplet

This is the M 66 group, also alled the Leo Triplet, which consists of three galaxies in the Leo constellation: the Hamburger Galaxy (NGC 3628, left), M 65 (right top), and M 66 (right bottom):

M 66 Group   Leo Triplet thumb

Snowy Banff

I made a return trip to Banff this past month, where again I am awed by the majesty of the Canadian Rockies. But where there were verdant greens and aquamarine lakes when I last visited in summer, now there are dramatic snowscapes and waterfalls in suspended animation. Both seasons are beautiful in their own way, but the contrast is striking.

Mount Rundle as seen from downtown Banff in the winter versus the summer:

Banff   Mount Rundle Sunset thumb
Banff   Mt. Rundle at Sunset thumb

Johnston Canyon in the winter versus the summer:

Johnston Canyon   Snowfall and Waterfall thumb
Johnston Canyon   Waterfall II thumb

Lake Louise in the winter versus the summer:

Distant Hotel thumb
Lake Louise   Hotel by the Lake thumb

Skyline Silhouette

A beautiful sunset over the Los Angeles skyline, taken last December:

Jellyfish Nebula

This is the Jellyfish Nebula in SHO narrowband, alongside some neighboring nebulas such as Sh2-249:

IC 443   Jellyfish Nebula in Narrowband thumb

Northern California and Crater Lake

Welcome to 2025! Here is an album from last summer, when I traveled to the Northern California and Southern Oregon border. I visited Crater Lake National Park for the first time:

Crater Lake National Park   Panorama thumb

Next came the wildlife at Lava Beds National Monument, an unexpected suprise:

Lava Beds National Monument   Flying in Formation thumb

And finally, even in the heat of summer, the high-altitude lakes and peaks of Lassen Volcanic National Park gave some welcome respite:

Lassen Volcanic National Park   Lake Helen Panorama thumb

Panoramic Utah

Never have I been compelled to capture so many panoramas as when I visited Utah this November. Everywhere you look are wide, sweeping landscapes, like this nearly-180° view of the hoodoos at Park Avenue in Arches National Park:

Park Avenue   Panorama thumb

And at Chesler Park in Canyonlands National Park, you are surrounded on all sides by the aptly-named Needles District:

Chesler Park   Panorama thumb

But you need not go far from the city to find a picturesque panorama in Utah. A mere five minutes from downtown Salt Lake City is Ensign Peak, where after a short hike, you are rewarded with a beautiful sunset:

Living Room   Sunset Panorama thumb

The Seven Sisters

Also known as the Pleiades, Subaru, Messier 45:

M 45   Pleiades thumb

Arctic Auroras

I took a return trip to Norway this September to chase the auroras. This time, I was in Tromso, a city on the northern coast of Norway that’s within the Arctic Circle, and a prime aurora viewing location. While the weather wasn’t fully cooperative at times, I can confidently say it was a success!

DSC 5921 thumb

Aside from auroras, Tromso has breathtaking natural landscapes everywhere you go, such as this panoramic view from Ornfloya:

Ornfloya   Panorama II thumb

One place I revisited was Bergen, a beautiful coastal city with some beautiful sunsets:

Bergen   Sunset Panorama I thumb

This trip has fully cemented Norway in my mind as one of the most scenic places in the world. Until next time, ha det bra!

Stars of Summer

Nothing like spending warm summer nights contemplating the majesty of the skies above.

Elephant Trunk Nebula (IC 1396) in SHO narrowband:

IC 1396   Elephant Trunk Nebula in Narrowband thumb

Bubble Nebula (NGC 7635) in HOS narrowband:

NGC 7635   Bubble Nebula in Narrowband thumb

Trifid Nebula (Messier 20) in HSO narrowband:

M 20   Trifid Nebula in Narrowband thumb

Veil Nebula (NGC 6960) in OSH narrowband:

NGC 6960   Veil Nebula in Narrowband thumb

Perseids Meteor Shower:

Perseids   August 2024 thumb

Crater Lake and the Milky Way:

Crater Lake   Milky Way thumb

Colors on the Ground, Colors in the Sky

In which a voyage to Seattle

Kerry Park   Sunset Panorama II thumb

Reveals a cornucopia of chrominance

Tulip Festival   Rainbow around the Tree thumb

And precedes a trip to Denver

Civic Center Park   State Capitol Sunset III thumb

Where night dazzles with iridescence

Jackson Lake   Auroras and Star Trails thumb