I really like your wallpapers Snowcrash, how about when you post new ones you also post in the forum, this Graphics board would do nicely, give a link, a description and what size they are available in etc.
I know you work on the images and they are unique in some way, tell us about them. ;)
If you like.
Most of the wallpapers I create are real astronomical pictures.
I prefer dark wallpapers 'cos white's too bright and hurts my eyes.
Anyone is welcome to post here with a pic they've found and I'll make a wallpaper of it. Under my discretion.
If you would like to find the original pictures of what I make then check out Astronomy Picture of the Day (APOD) (http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/) and Hubble's archive (http://hubblesite.org/newscenter/archive/releases/2010/) websites. And this link (http://www.datahopa.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,81.msg704/topicseen.html#new) to the forum.
And of course, the Gallery (http://www.datahopa.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery).
I will post here when I create a new wallpaper and will endeavour to go back and post about the other pictures in the gallery.
A Galactic Spectacle, Antennae Galaxies
These are two galaxies merging. They would have both been spiral galaxies but are now very distorted due to the merger. Click here (http://hubblesite.org/newscenter/archive/releases/2010/2010/25/image/a/) for Hubble write up and original pictures.
(http://www.datahopa.co.uk/forum/gallery/thumb_5_09_08_10_8_24_55.jpeg)
Wallpapers are 16:9 (http://www.datahopa.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=75) (1080, TVs) and 16:10 (http://www.datahopa.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=76) (1050, Monitors)
Archive
Dark River A & B
This is a wide field image with the Milky Way disc going from top to bottom on the left side of image B. It includes M4 and Lagoon, Trifid, Pipe, Horsehead and Cat's Paw nebulae.
I found it on APOD (http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap100719.html) and if you click the image on APOD (http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap100719.html)'s page you will get the weird shaped hi res image I used to make these two wallpapers.
(http://www.datahopa.co.uk/forum/gallery/thumb_5_22_07_10_7_22_37.jpeg) (http://www.datahopa.co.uk/forum/gallery/thumb_5_22_07_10_7_21_52.jpeg)
The images are in 16:9 Dark River A (http://www.datahopa.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=73) & Dark River B (http://www.datahopa.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=72)
And in 16:10 Dark River A (http://www.datahopa.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=74) & Dark River B (http://www.datahopa.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=71)
All images are full res. i.e. 1920x1080 (16:9) & 1680x1050 (16:10)
Archive
Thor's Helmet
This was taken from APOD (http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap100605.html). This object is known as NGC 2359 but Thor's Helmet is better. Just enjoy the image or more info (http://www.starshadows.com/galley/display.cfm?imgID=346) if you want.
(http://www.datahopa.co.uk/forum/gallery/thumb_5_05_06_10_8_16_48.jpeg)
Available in 16:9 (http://www.datahopa.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=57) & 16:10 (http://www.datahopa.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=58)
Both full res.
New
Keyhole Nebula
This image is new to this Gallery (http://www.datahopa.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery) but is a 2000 picture from Hubble (http://hubblesite.org/newscenter/archive/releases/2000/2000/06/). I have gone back and made better res pictures.
The Keyhole Nebula is part of the Carina Nebula also know as NGC 3372. Click here (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carina_Nebula) for the wiki and here (http://www.astrographics.com/GalleryPrintsIndex/GP0045.html) for more info.
(http://www.datahopa.co.uk/forum/gallery/thumb_5_14_08_10_11_01_14.jpeg)
Images are in 16:9 (http://www.datahopa.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=77) and 16:10 (http://www.datahopa.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view&id=78)
Both full res.
New
Birth of Stars
This is a classic Hubble pic of 1999 and I have re-done it for the Gallery (http://www.datahopa.co.uk/forum/gallery/). Original image here (http://hubblesite.org/newscenter/archive/releases/1999/20/image/a/).
This is the nebula surounding NGC 3603 the open cluster (top to the right group of stars). More info (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NGC_3603).
(http://www.datahopa.co.uk/forum/gallery/thumb_5_17_08_10_10_25_47.jpeg)
Images in 16:9 (http://www.datahopa.co.uk/forum/gallery/?sa=view&id=79) and 16:10 (http://www.datahopa.co.uk/forum/gallery/?sa=view&id=80)
Both full res
Nice, I love the colours in Birth of Stars.
We are getting a nice collection of wallpapers going there, well you are Snowcrash. ;D
New
Majestic Island Universe
Got this pic from APOD (http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap100820.html). It is NGC 1365 a spiral galaxy 200,000 light years across. The Milky Way by comparison is only 100,000 light years across.
(http://www.datahopa.co.uk/forum/gallery/thumb_5_22_08_10_12_21_46.jpeg)
Images in 16:9 (http://www.datahopa.co.uk/forum/gallery/?sa=view&id=81) and 16:10 (http://www.datahopa.co.uk/forum/gallery/?sa=view&id=82).
Both full res.
I like the way you are putting the attached thumbnails on. Neat and tidy :)
Now use the thumbnail images from the forum.
less space and effort and looks neater.
New
Small Magellanic Cloud
This is an 2007 image from Hubble (http://hubblesite.org/newscenter/archive/releases/2007/2007/04/) that I have added to the Gallery (http://www.datahopa.co.uk/forum/gallery/). It is of the Small Magellanic Cloud also know as NGC 602 (open cluster) and N90 (the nebula). More wiki info (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NGC_602).
(http://www.datahopa.co.uk/forum/gallery/thumb_5_30_08_10_2_30_20.jpeg)
Available as 16:9 (http://www.datahopa.co.uk/forum/gallery/?sa=view&id=83) and 16:10 (http://www.datahopa.co.uk/forum/gallery/?sa=view&id=84).
Both full res.
Archive
Barred Spiral Galaxy
This is a 2005 Hubble (http://hubblesite.org/newscenter/archive/releases/2005/2005/01/) image of NGC 1300 a barred spiral galaxy. Our milky Way is also a barred spiral galaxy but more round. More wiki info (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NGC_1300).
(http://www.datahopa.co.uk/forum/gallery/thumb_4_02_04_10_2_27_38.jpeg)
Only available in 16:10 (http://www.datahopa.co.uk/forum/gallery/?sa=view&id=16).
Full res.
Archive
Spiral Galaxies Merge
This is a 1999 Hubble (http://hubblesite.org/newscenter/archive/releases/1999/1999/41/) image of 2 galaxies merging. NGC 2207 and IC 2163. More wiki info (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NGC_2207_and_IC_2163) here.
(http://www.datahopa.co.uk/forum/gallery/thumb_5_07_04_10_10_25_13.jpeg)
Only available in 16:10 (http://www.datahopa.co.uk/forum/gallery/?sa=view&id=30).
Full res.
Archive
The Lure of the Rings
This is a 2004 Hubble (http://hubblesite.org/newscenter/archive/releases/2004/2004/15/) image of a ring galaxy named AM 0644-741. More wiki info (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AM_0644-741).
(http://www.datahopa.co.uk/forum/gallery/thumb_4_02_04_10_2_29_04.jpeg)
Only available in 16:10 (http://www.datahopa.co.uk/forum/gallery/?sa=view&id=11).
Full res.
Archive
M101 Spiral Galaxy
This is a 2006 Hubble (http://hubblesite.org/newscenter/archive/releases/2006/2006/10/) image of M101 a spiral galaxy also know as NGC 5457. If you were wondering about the catalogue letters, M stands for Messier (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Messier) (mess-e-a) a french guy who set up one of the first catalogues. NGC stands for New Galactic Catalogue (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_General_Catalogue). More M101 wiki info (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pinwheel_Galaxy).
(http://www.datahopa.co.uk/forum/gallery/thumb_4_02_04_10_2_30_26.jpeg)
Only available in 16:10 (http://www.datahopa.co.uk/forum/gallery/?sa=view&id=14).
Full res.
If you would like to find the original pictures of what I make then check out Astronomy Picture of the Day (APOD) (http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/) and Hubble's archive (http://hubblesite.org/newscenter/archive/releases/2010/) websites. And this link (http://www.datahopa.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,81.msg704/topicseen.html#new) to the forum.
And of course, the Gallery (http://www.datahopa.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery).
I was wondering what the AM designation was in this post (http://www.datahopa.co.uk/forum/graphics/wallpapers-by-snowcrash/msg855/#msg855).
Found loads more info (http://www.astrohandbook.com/ch19/catalog_desig.pdf) that I needed :o
Apparently it means...
AM 2020–505 Peculiar galaxies (Arp, Madore) AM_HHMM±DDd
Where...
HH Hours of right ascension
MM Minutes of right ascension
DD.d Degrees in declination
and the AM is Arp, Madore the guys who did the survey I guess.
Do I need to explain right ascension/ declination?
Quote from: Snowcrash on August 31, 2010, 17:51:00 PM
Do I need to explain right ascension/ declination?
You could link to the Wiki if its worrying you Snowy :)
Rather than me waffle on about celestial spheres and such the wiki (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Right_ascension) is prob the best idea.
Too much info is better than not enough in my opinion.
New
Mystic Mountain
This is a new release from Hubble, images here (http://hubblesite.org/newscenter/archive/releases/2010/2010/13/) and more info here (http://hubblesite.org/newscenter/archive/releases/2010/2010/13/image/a/).
The colors in this composite image correspond to the glow of oxygen (blue), hydrogen and nitrogen (green), and sulfur (red).
(http://www.datahopa.co.uk/forum/gallery/thumb_5_05_09_10_9_16_47.jpeg)
Images in 16:9 (http://www.datahopa.co.uk/forum/gallery/?sa=view&id=85) and 16:10 (http://www.datahopa.co.uk/forum/gallery/?sa=view&id=86).
Both full res.
New
From Bubble to Trunk
This image is from APOD (http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap100909.html) and is of 17 degrees of sky. Mouse over for annotations.
Lots happening in this pic. Image includes The Bubble Nebula (http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap100902.html) and the Elephant's Trunk Nebula (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elephant's_Trunk_nebula) in IC 1396 (http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap090819.html).
(http://www.datahopa.co.uk/forum/gallery/thumb_5_11_09_10_1_34_17.jpeg)
Available in 16:9 (http://www.datahopa.co.uk/forum/gallery/?sa=view&id=88) and 16:10 (http://www.datahopa.co.uk/forum/gallery/?sa=view&id=87).
Res 1792x1008 and 1608x1005 not full.
New
The Veil Nebula
This is The Veil Nebula from APOD (http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap100916.html). I have cropped and played with brightness/contrast to make these wallpapers. More info here (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Veil_Nebula).
(http://www.datahopa.co.uk/forum/gallery/thumb_5_17_09_10_5_18_17.jpeg)
Available in 16:9 (http://www.datahopa.co.uk/forum/gallery/?sa=view&id=90) and 16:10 (http://www.datahopa.co.uk/forum/gallery/?sa=view&id=89).
Both full res.
New
Dust Pillars in the Carina Nebula
This image is from Hubble (http://hubblesite.org/newscenter/archive/releases/2010/2010/29/) and is another great shot of part of the Carina Nebula. More info here (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carina_Nebula).
(http://www.datahopa.co.uk/forum/gallery/thumb_5_30_09_10_5_57_21.jpeg)
Available in 16:9 (http://www.datahopa.co.uk/forum/gallery/?sa=view&id=92) and 16:10 (http://www.datahopa.co.uk/forum/gallery/?sa=view&id=91).
Both full res.
New
Io in True Colour
This is an image from APOD of Io (http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap101003.html), one of Jupiter's Galilean moons, in true colour. This is a volcanic moon squashed and squeezed by Jupiter's gravity. More Wiki info here (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Io_(moon)).
(http://www.datahopa.co.uk/forum/gallery/thumb_5_21_10_10_5_50_13.jpeg)
Available in 16:9 (http://www.datahopa.co.uk/forum/gallery/?sa=view&id=96) and 16:10 (http://www.datahopa.co.uk/forum/gallery/?sa=view&id=95).
Both full res.
Looks like a mature cheese 8)
Yes its cheese, looks very tasty too. :D
New
NGC7000 North America and the Pelican
This is a picture from APOD (http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap101218.html) of NGC 7000 the North American and IC 5070 the Pelican nebulae. Wiki info here (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_America_Nebula) and here (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pelican_Nebula).
(http://www.datahopa.co.uk/forum/gallery/thumb_5_03_01_11_5_11_53.jpeg)
Available in 16:9 (http://www.datahopa.co.uk/forum/gallery/?sa=view&id=100) and 16:10 (http://www.datahopa.co.uk/forum/gallery/?sa=view&id=99).
Both in full res.
Good to see you back Snowy and with another of your stunning wallpapers.
I'm quite sure somewhere on this pic, an e.t. is taking a photo of us. :sign-peace:
LOL, GT, I never thought of that, reckon you're right though ;D.
Quote from: GT40 on January 04, 2011, 15:27:34 PM
I'm quite sure somewhere on this pic, an e.t. is taking a photo of us. :sign-peace:
Do you mean now now or now when the light of their star/planet reaches us? i.e. if they're 10,000 light years away when looking at us, they'll be long dead when that light reaches us. Or if now now, then we'll be long dead before they see us. My brian hurts :scratch-head:
10,000 ly is peanuts, our galaxy is 100,000 ly across. Our nearest large neigbour galaxy is 2,500,000 ly away.
It was a shortcut, Snowcrash. ;)
"somewhere on this pic" (somewhere in this part of the sky, now totally different)
"an e.t. is taking a photo of us" (a photo of our galaxy some millions ly ago)
Oops, sorry, I need a little rest. ???
New
Decorating the Sky
This is an area of sky near Orion's belt with M78 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Messier_78) and LDN1622 (a Dark/Absorption Nebulae (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dark_nebula)) in view. Original pic from APOD (http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap101225.html).
(http://www.datahopa.co.uk/forum/gallery/thumb_5_18_01_11_8_21_28.jpeg)
Image available in 16:9 (http://www.datahopa.co.uk/forum/gallery/?sa=view&id=102) and 16:10 (http://www.datahopa.co.uk/forum/gallery/?sa=view&id=101).
Both full res.
If you would like to find the original pictures of what I make then check out Astronomy Picture of the Day (APOD) (http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/) and Hubble's archive (http://hubblesite.org/newscenter/archive/releases/2010/) websites. And this link (http://www.datahopa.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,81.msg704/topicseen.html#new) to the forum.
And of course, the Gallery (http://www.datahopa.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery).
New
M82 Galaxy with a Supergalactic Wind
Original picture from APOD (http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap101219.html) of M82. The red hydrogen winds top and bottom are being driven out by many stars within the galaxy. More info of M82 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Messier_82).
(http://www.datahopa.co.uk/forum/gallery/thumb_5_29_01_11_2_42_01.jpeg)
Image available in 16:9 (http://www.datahopa.co.uk/forum/gallery/?sa=view&id=105) and 16:10 (http://www.datahopa.co.uk/forum/gallery/?sa=view&id=104).
Both full res.
New
Alnitak (http://stars.astro.illinois.edu/sow/alnitak.html), Alnilam (http://stars.astro.illinois.edu/sow/alnilam.html), Mintaka (http://stars.astro.illinois.edu/sow/mintaka.html).
These are the names of the 3 blue supergiant stars of Orions Belt. Original pic from APOD (http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap110121.html). I have flipped and cropped it. On the right of my pic are the Horsehead (http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap100513.html) and Flame (http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap101126.html) nebulae.
(http://www.datahopa.co.uk/forum/gallery/thumb_5_12_02_11_11_39_33.jpeg)
Image available in 16:9 (http://www.datahopa.co.uk/forum/gallery/?sa=view&id=110) and 16:10 (http://www.datahopa.co.uk/forum/gallery/?sa=view&id=109).
Both full res.
New
The Rosette Nebula
This is an emission nebula, NGC 2237, with an open cluster of stars, NGC2244. Original pic from APOD (http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap110214.html). More wiki info here (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rosette_Nebula).
(http://www.datahopa.co.uk/forum/gallery/thumb_5_05_03_11_11_23_00.jpeg)
Images available in 16:9 (http://www.datahopa.co.uk/forum/gallery/?sa=view&id=112) and 16:10 (http://www.datahopa.co.uk/forum/gallery/?sa=view&id=111).
1700x956 and 1680x1050 respectively.
New
Farside of the Moon
This is a mosaic of the far side of the Moon taken by the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter. Picture from APOD (http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap110409.html).
(http://www.datahopa.co.uk/forum/gallery/thumb_5_09_04_11_6_06_27.jpeg)
Image available in 16:9 (http://www.datahopa.co.uk/forum/gallery/?sa=view&id=115) and 16:10 (http://www.datahopa.co.uk/forum/gallery/?sa=view&id=114).
Both full res.
New
The Tadpoles of IC 410
This image was taken from APOD (http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap110416.html) and is a close up of part of IC 410. The larger area of sky also includes IC 405 and M38, see wiki (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IC_405).
(http://www.datahopa.co.uk/forum/gallery/thumb_5_24_04_11_11_30_02.jpeg)
Images available in 16:9 (http://www.datahopa.co.uk/forum/gallery/?sa=view&id=118) and 16:10 (http://www.datahopa.co.uk/forum/gallery/?sa=view&id=117).
Both full res.
New
Monsters of IC 1396
Another lovely nebula. Also from APOD (http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap110425.html). This one is IC 1396.
(http://www.datahopa.co.uk/forum/gallery/thumb_5_12_05_11_6_15_41.jpeg)
Available in 16:9 (http://www.datahopa.co.uk/forum/gallery/?sa=view&id=120) and 16:10 (http://www.datahopa.co.uk/forum/gallery/?sa=view&id=119)
Both full res.
A Journey Through the Night Sky
This is a 5 gigapixel mosaic, stitched together from over 37,000 images of the Milky Way. Pic from APOD (http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap110520.html), cropping by me.
(http://www.datahopa.co.uk/forum/gallery/thumb_5_25_05_11_11_33_48.jpeg)
Available in 16:9 (http://www.datahopa.co.uk/forum/gallery/?sa=view&id=123) and 16:10 (http://www.datahopa.co.uk/forum/gallery/?sa=view&id=122).
Both full res.
Colours of the Moon
I found this pic on Russel Croman (http://www.rc-astro.com/photo/id1018.html) site and cropped/resized it to make a wallpaper. These colours do actually exist.
(http://www.datahopa.co.uk/forum/gallery/thumb_5_17_06_11_6_36_23.jpeg)
Available in 16:9 (http://www.datahopa.co.uk/forum/gallery/?sa=view&id=126) and 16:10 (http://www.datahopa.co.uk/forum/gallery/?sa=view&id=125).
Both full res.
Snowcrash, I love your wallpapers. (is it too early to call you "Snowy", like Data does?) Many of the wallpapers I've made are space-based (galaxies, nebulae, the ISS, etc.), but since I have a three monitor setup, and given the arrangement of my monitors, the images are both HUGE and odd looking, when one just views them. Here's an example:
http://www.geekcavecreations.com/images/Wallpapers/NebulaeAndEarth.jpg (http://www.geekcavecreations.com/images/Wallpapers/NebulaeAndEarth.jpg)
Warning! That image is 3200X2048, and over 1.6MB in size! Dialup users, be advised. (are there any dialup users left in the world?)
You're welcome to call me Snowy.
I limit my wallpaper sizes to 1 monitor. So, generally 1920 x 1080 (16:9) and 1620 x 1050 (16:10).
If people are still on dial-up then they're prob running in 4:3 and sod 'em. :o
I appreciate other res's exist, like 1920 x 1200 (16:10) for Freddy's monitor.
A lot of the images I start with are larger than these res's, so if there are any images you like and want in a different res then just ask. I know my way round Photoshop.
Don't ask me to quote the NGC and various other catalogue numbers in the image you posted but I do have them somewhere.
That moon one looks great on my monitor btw Snowcrash :thumbsup:
Well, the big one on the left is the Crab Nebula, so that's M1. the other one is called the Eskimo Nebula, but I can't remember it's NGC number. As it's not a messier object, it hasn't got an "M" classification. :)
Here's one that I created (just a few moments ago, actually) in Bryce and PSP. It's for a single monitor, 1280x1024:
http://www.geekcavecreations.com/images/Wallpapers/EarthAndMoon.jpg
Note: I actually created the scene last year, but never got around to rendering it until today, when I saw a wallpaper that Data posted. The interesting thing about the render is that both the Earth, and the Moon are to exact scale, with relation to position, size, distance, and even how "oblate" the Earth is (it's "squishing" at the poles). The texture for the Moon is courtesy of NASA, and the texture for the Earth was a Mercator Projection map that I found online. The rest is all me. :)
Agree with Freddy, that last one Snowy posted looks great, to me, one of the best so far. :sign-great-job:
I had never seen any wallpapers for 3 monitors before yours Dave, it's a novel idea.
How long would it take to make something like that 1280x1024 one, creation and rendering?
It varies greatly, depending on the complexity of the scene. Usually, the scenes take between 2 and 6 hours to set up, and about twice that to render, with max detail and just my box doing the rendering. I can usually cut 2/3 of the render time off, if I set all the local computers (there are 6 of them) to be rendering nodes, but that's a real hassle. That scene actually took less time to render than it did to set up, but that's only because I had to do a LOT of research and tweaking to get the dimensions to be perfect.
The Dark Tower in Scorpius
This dark tower is designated NGC 6231 with an image of the whole area here (http://panther-observatory.com/gallery/deepsky/doc/NGC6231_wide.htm). This image is from APOD (http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap110427.html). Cropped and rotated by me.
(http://www.datahopa.co.uk/forum/gallery/thumb_5_11_08_11_6_20_42.jpeg)
Available in 16:9 (http://www.datahopa.co.uk/forum/gallery/?sa=view&id=138) and 16:10 (http://www.datahopa.co.uk/forum/gallery/?sa=view&id=137).
Both full res.
If you would like to find the original pictures of what I make then check out Astronomy Picture of the Day (APOD) (http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/) and Hubble's archive (http://hubblesite.org/newscenter/archive/releases/2010/) websites. And this link (http://www.datahopa.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,81.msg704/topicseen.html#new) to the forum.
And of course, the Gallery (http://www.datahopa.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=gallery).
Mecury Mosaic
Found this pic via the Bad Astronomy (http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2011/05/13/jaw-dropping-mosaic-of-mercurys-battered-beautiful-face/) website and is image data from the Messenger probe (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MESSENGER).
(http://www.datahopa.co.uk/forum/gallery/thumb_5_19_08_11_12_51_02.jpeg)
Available in 16:9 (http://www.datahopa.co.uk/forum/gallery/wallpapers-1920-x-1080/mecury-mosaic-1080/141) and 16:10 (http://www.datahopa.co.uk/forum/gallery/wallpapers-1680-x-1050/mecury-mosaic-1050/140).
Both full res.
Great stuff, Snowy! Thanks. Gotta love Dr. Phil Plait! :D
By the way, I'm making good use of those planetary surface maps. I'll be posting a few planets in the coming days. :)
The Fairy of Eagle Nebula
This is a recent image from APOD (http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap110821.html). Another cool nebula. Also know as M16 and NGC6611. There's loadsa good pics in this nebula. Wiki here (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eagle_Nebula).
(http://www.datahopa.co.uk/forum/gallery/thumb_5_26_08_11_5_59_18.jpeg)
Available in 16:9 (http://www.datahopa.co.uk/forum/gallery/wallpapers-1920-x-1080/the-fairy-of-eagle-nebula/143) and 16:10 (http://www.datahopa.co.uk/forum/gallery/wallpapers-1680-x-1050/the-fairy-of-eagle-nebula/142).
Both full res.
Orion Nebula Tip to Toe
This is the image I want to take with my own hand. I'm not sure where I got this image. This link shows the image annotated. (http://www.crystalinks.com/orion.html) Most close up images show the M42 bit. And lots of info on Wiki. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orion_Nebula)
(http://www.datahopa.co.uk/forum/gallery/thumb_5_17_09_11_10_02_29.jpeg)
Available in 16:9 (http://www.datahopa.co.uk/forum/gallery/wallpapers-1920-x-1080/orion-nebula-tip-to-toe/145) and 16:10 (http://www.datahopa.co.uk/forum/gallery/wallpapers-1680-x-1050/orion-nebula-tip-to-toe/144).
That makes two of us, Snowy. It's just past 5AM here, and Orion is simply lovely, just east of zenith, with the moon just west, and Jupiter hovering nearby. Too bad I don't have a camera that's capable of taking the shot. :(
Blue Marble Earth
Not posted a wallpaper for ages. Here's a nice one of the Earth I found on APOD (http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap120130.html) a while ago.
(http://www.datahopa.co.uk/forum/gallery/thumb_5_03_03_12_1_30_03.jpeg) (http://www.datahopa.co.uk/forum/gallery/wallpapers-1920-x-1080/blue-marble-earth/165)
Available in 16:9 (http://www.datahopa.co.uk/forum/gallery/wallpapers-1920-x-1080/blue-marble-earth/165) and 16:10 (http://www.datahopa.co.uk/forum/gallery/wallpapers-1680-x-1050/blue-marble-earth/164).
Horsehead of a Different Color
Wow. I haven't posted in here for over a year.
Found this on Hubble site (http://hubblesite.org/newscenter/archive/releases/2013/2013/12/) with additional info from BABlog. (http://www.slate.com/blogs/bad_astronomy/2013/04/19/horsehead_nebula_incredible_picture_to_celebrate_hubble_s_23rd_anniversary.html)
(http://www.datahopa.co.uk/forum/gallery/thumb_5_20_04_13_3_38_47.jpeg) (http://www.datahopa.co.uk/forum/gallery/wallpapers-various-sizes/horsehead-of-a-different-color/220)
Available in almost 16:9 (http://www.datahopa.co.uk/forum/gallery/wallpapers-various-sizes/horsehead-of-a-different-color/220) (1208x680) not full 1080.
My Google homepage has a "NASA Image of the Day", which is somewhat like APOD, and that image was showcased yesterday. Lovely image.
On a side-note, I tried to use the telescope to view the Horsehead Nebula last night, but I just don't have an eyepiece that will allow enough magnification. I also think that there's too much light pollution in that direction to allow for a good enough image of it this time of year (Orion is too far west, and several light sources in that direction wash out the sky). More details in The Day Today (http://www.datahopa.co.uk/forum/full-privileges-board/the-day-today/msg15309/#msg15309), shortly.
Invest in a 2x mag Barlow eyepiece, if you haven't one already. As always, the more $$ the better the quality.
And something I've never tried, an eyepiece filter with a sodium filter in place. Most street lamps (orange) being sodium lamps. Not sure how effective this will be seeing as you'll be cutting down the light through a filter but allowing more of the light you want through than the light you don't want.
I've always wanted to do shots of the sun with a H-alpha filter but you need to put this over the 8" part of the 'scope and they are mucho $$$.
If I get to the point where I want to do some sun gazing, I'll probably invest in a refracter that's purpose-built for the task. Those are far less expensive than an 8" Ha filter for the big scope, and while the magnification won't be as great, it would do nicely for cataloging sunspots, or viewing Mercury transits (Venus/ISS, too, but if I remember right, there won't be another Venus transit in my lifetime, and the ISS is a tricky beast to catch, given it's orbital speed).
As for the Barlow lens, I've a 1.25" 3x and a 2" 2x on the way. The camera seems to do better when mounted as a 2". I actually have three options for mounting the scope: 1.25", 2" and T-ring (just like how an SLR camera would be mounted). According to the paperwork, the T-ring installation is the most stable, and therefor takes the best quality images, but it's a major chore to set up, and forget swapping out the eyepiece to make sure the scope is looking the right direction. I'd love to find a "flip splitter", where I could mount both the camera and the eyepiece at the same time, but so far, no luck.
Most of the streetlights here aren't Sodium, actually, They're Mercury Vapor or Halogen, so a Sodium filter wouldn't do much good. And where I live there isn't a "streetlight" for well over a mile. the problem is that there's a huge shopping center (well, huge for me) just over the hill to the South-Southwest (right where Jupiter and Orion sit, early evenings this time of year) that fills the "local air" with a dim blue-white haze. If I wait till after 1AM, about a third of that light goes away, but by then, so have Orion and Jupiter. Oh well. There's always next year, and by then, I'll have more experience, and should get some really cool images. :)
The Ring Nebula's True Shape
This is a new Hubble picture of M57 (http://hubblesite.org/newscenter/archive/releases/2013/13/image/a/), the Ring Nebula with new information of it's actual shape. More info from BABlog (http://www.slate.com/blogs/bad_astronomy/2013/05/25/ring_nebula_new_high_res_hubble_photo.html).
(http://www.datahopa.co.uk/forum/gallery/thumb_5_26_05_13_12_32_01.jpeg) (http://www.datahopa.co.uk/forum/gallery/wallpapers-1920-x-1080/m57-ring-nebula/222)
Available in 16:9 (http://www.datahopa.co.uk/forum/gallery/wallpapers-1920-x-1080/m57-ring-nebula/222) full 1080.
very nice image there. looks like a big eye :P