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):

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:

Johnston Canyon in the winter versus the summer:

Lake Louise in the winter versus the summer:

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

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

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:

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

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

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:

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

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:

Also known as the Pleiades, Subaru, Messier 45:

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!

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

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

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!

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

Elephant Trunk Nebula (IC 1396) in SHO narrowband:

Bubble Nebula (NGC 7635) in HOS narrowband:

Trifid Nebula (Messier 20) in HSO narrowband:

Veil Nebula (NGC 6960) in OSH narrowband:

Perseids Meteor Shower:

Crater Lake and the Milky Way:

In which a voyage to Seattle

Reveals a cornucopia of chrominance

And precedes a trip to Denver

Where night dazzles with iridescence