2025 Summer Season Begins
While each season brings different targets, summer brings the core of the Milky Way and ushers out the majority of the spring galaxies. For summer astrophotography, we have many objects to choose from along the Milky Way. Near the core, we find the Rho Ophiuchi Cloud Complex, M16 - Eagle Nebula, M20 - Trifid Nebula, M8 - Lagoon Nebula. These objects are all in the core. Of course with just a cell phone, or a digital camera with wide angle lens, you have the amazing beauty of the Milky Way itself.
Rho Ophiuchi Cloud Complex (located near the core of the Summer Milky Way). This is a region of reflection and emission nebulae surrounding numerous bright stars.
Anyone can get out on a clear night with dark skies and capture the beauty of the sky. Find a spot with some local interesting object in the Southeast (mountains, hills, Hoodoos, trees) and use you camera or cell phone to capture the Milky Way over your selected object.
Milky Way Core (shot at the Gunnison Valley Observatory with an iPhone 15 Pro Max.
Using a telescope, tracking mount and a digital camera, you can go for Deep Sky Objects (DSOs) such as the Trifid Nebula. To create an image, an Astro photographer will take multiple shots and then combine them into a composite image. This method reduces noise and provides a way to bring out the details and colors of the object.
M20 - Trifid Nebula (located near the larger M8 - Lagoon Nebula. This is actually three nebulae (both reflection and emission).
Today, we also can use a new generation of “Smart” telescopes that can allow a beginner to create images straight out of the box. These telescope/camera systems have databases of objects and can find and track many objects in the night skies.
Cygnus Wall Region of NGC 7000 - North America Nebula in the constellation Cygnus. This image was shot with a Zwo Seestar S50 smart telescope.
So, how do you get started? Find a local astronomy group, watch YouTube videos or if you are in the Gunnison, Colorado area, come out to the Gunnison Valley Observatory for one of its public nights (see details on this website) and see and talk to Astro photographers demonstrating their equipment.
M51 - Whirlpool Galaxy (in the constellation Canes Venatici). Imaged from Mt Crested Butte in late May 2025.
Dark Skies and Hope to see you at GVO.