Astro-Photo Visual Development
Astro-photo visual development simply means processing space images with computer programs and software to produce colorful visuals. This project will enable African teachers, students, and space enthusiasts to learn how to process images from both ground-based and space telescopes (e.g., JWST, Hubble, and Las Cumbres Observatory) using various software tools and techniques. The project will also provide access to a large database of raw images from different sources and allow users to share their processed images with others. The goal of this project is to inspire and educate Africans about the beauty and diversity of the universe through astrophotography.
REQUIRED SKILLS
Basic computer operation and passion for astronomy.
REQUIREMENT
Computer, Internet, Photoshop, Gimp, Fits Liberator
SOFTWARE SKILLS TO LEARN
Utilizing astro-image processing tools like Photoshop, Fits liberator, Siril, GIMP etc
Finding relevant data from both ground-based and space telescopes, such as Hubble, JWST, etc.
TIME COMMITMENT
4 hours per week, depending.
HOW TO PARTICIPATE
- Watch the guides below and practice along with the instructor.
- Process as many photos as possible (at least 10: 5 from LCO and 5 from Hubble, JWST is optional).
- Share them with us or post them on any of your social media handles and tag us.
Note that this project is a prerequisite to our web telescope project, where individuals will be assigned an account to schedule missions to capture and process any deep sky object of their choice.
Also, we don’t want you to rush the process; rather, take your time to understand the art and science involved.
To learn about how to register and participate, or if you have any other concerns, please reach out to us via email at info@pacselab.space or contact us through chat or call on WhatsApp at +2347039594089.
Download Fits Liberator here
How to use the FITS Liberator Basic and Advanced by Robert Hurt: Basic and Advanced
Link to the LCO Messier Bingo here
Download Gimp software: here
For Photoshop
For Gimp
Download practice datasets used in the below videos here
Astronomical Images Gallery
Below are images sourced from the image archives of various space-based and ground-based telescopes, such as the JWST, HST, and the Las Cumbres Observatory, and processed by members of our African astrophotography community, including teachers, students, and space enthusiasts. Download these images in their highest quality from here.
Table of popular galaxies, nebulae, and star clusters that can be observed from January to December.
| Months | Star Clusters | Galaxies | Nebulae |
|---|---|---|---|
|
January |
Pleiades (M45),
Hyades,
Beehive Cluster (M44), M36, M37, M38. |
Andromeda Galaxy (M31),
Sculptor Galaxy (NGC 253),
Bode’s Galaxy (M81) & Cigar Galaxy (M82),
Triangulum Galaxy (M33), M77 (Cetus A). |
Orion Nebula (M42), Running Man Nebula (NGC 1977), Horsehead Nebula (Barnard 33),
Crab Nebula (M1),
Running Man Nebula (NGC 1977),
California Nebula (NGC 1499). |
|
February |
NGC 2808, IC 2395, NGC 3114.
Pleiades (M45),
Beehive Cluster (M44),
Double Cluster (NGC 869 and NGC 884),
M41. |
Cigar Galaxy (M82), Bode’s Galaxy (M81), M106, NGC 2841. |
Flame Nebula (NGC 2024), Owl Nebula (M97), Horsehead Nebula (Barnard 33),
Monkey Head Nebula (NGC 2174), Orion Nebula (M42),
Rosette Nebula (NGC 2237). |
|
March |
Double Cluster (NGC 869 and NGC 884), Pleiades (The seven sisters) star cluster
. |
Messier 81 (M81),
Messier 82 (M82),
Leo Triplet (M65, M66, and NGC 3628). |
Orion Nebula (M42), Horsehead Nebula (Barnard 33), Skull & Crossbones Nebulae (NGC 2467),
Lagoon Nebula (M8),
Eagle Nebula (M16),
North America Nebula (NGC 7000). |
|
April |
Messier 3 (M3),
Messier 53 (M53),
Messier 46 (M46),
Messier 47 (M47),
NGC 5053,
Omega Centauri (NGC 5139),
|
Messier 81 (M81),
Messier 82 (M82),
Messier 101 (M101),
Leo Triplet (M65, M66, and NGC 3628),
Southern Pinwheel Galaxy (M83). |
Owl Nebula (M97),
Sombrero Galaxy (M104),
Cat’s Eye Galaxy (M94),
Centaurus A (NGC 5128), Messier 44 (Beehive Cluster),
Messier 94 (Cat’s Eye Nebula),
NGC 3372 (Carina Nebula). |
|
May |
Messier 13 (M13),
Messier 92 (M92),
Messier 6 (M6),
Messier 7 (M7),
NGC 5634,
NGC 6058,
Brightest Cluster Galaxy (SDSS J1156+1911). |
Messier 51 (M51),
Messier 63 (M63),
Messier 104 (M104),
NGC 5634,
NGC 6058. |
Messier 8 (M8),
Messier 20 (M20),
NGC 6357 (War and Peace Nebula),
NGC 6058,
Flame Nebula (NGC 2024),
Orion Nebula Cluster. |
|
June |
Messier 13 (M13),
Messier 92 (M92),
Messier 6 (M6),
Messier 7 (M7),
Great Globular Cluster in Hercules (M13),
NGC 6633. |
Messier 63 (M63),
Messier 101 (M101),
Messier 104 (M104),
NGC 6229,
NGC 6543 (Cat’s Eye Nebula) |
Messier 8 (M8),
Messier 20 (M20),
NGC 6357 (War and Peace Nebula),
Lagoon Nebula (M8),
Butterfly Cluster (M6),
IC 4665. |
|
July |
Messier 11 (M11),
Messier 16 (M16),
Messier 7 (M7),
Great Globular Cluster in Hercules (M13),
NGC 6633,
NGC 6742. |
Messier 31 (M31),
Messier 51 (M51),
Messier 101 (M101),
NGC 6633,
NGC 6742. |
Messier 8 (M8),
Messier 20 (M20),
NGC 6188,
Lagoon Nebula (M8),
NGC 6397,
IC 4665. |
|
August |
Messier 11 (M11),
Messier 24 (M24),
Messier 39 (M39),
Great Globular Cluster in Hercules (M13),
NGC 6633,
NGC 6742. |
Messier 31 (M31),
Messier 33 (M33),
Messier 51 (M51),
NGC 6940,
NGC 7008 (Fetus Nebula). |
NGC 6823,
Messier 8 (M8),
Messier 20 (M20),
Lagoon Nebula (M8),
Butterfly Cluster (M6),
NGC 6397,
IC 4665. |
|
September |
Mayer 1 (OCl 288.1),
Messier 15 (M15),
Messier 2 (M2),
Messier 11 (M11). |
NGC 7354 (Cepheus Nebula),
Messier 31 (M31),
Messier 33 (M33),
Messier 77 (M77). |
Messier 16 (M16),
Messier 17 (M17),
Messier 27 (M27).
|
|
October |
Double Cluster (NGC 869 and NGC 884),
Triangulum Galaxy (M33),
Messier 45 (M45) Pleiades,
Messier 44 (M44) Beehive Cluster,,
Messier 38 (M38)Starfish Cluster.
|
Andromeda Galaxy (M31),
Sculptor Galaxy (NGC 253),
Messier 33 (M33) Triangulum Galaxy,
Messier 74 (M74) Phantom Galaxy. |
California Nebula (NGC 1499),
Saturn Nebula (NGC 7009),
Messier 42 (M42) Orion Nebula,
Messier 43 (M43),
NGC 1499 (California Nebula). |
|
November |
Messier 34 (M34),
Messier 36 (M36),
Messier 37 (M37),
Double Cluster (NGC 869 and NGC 884),
Triangulum Galaxy (M33). |
Andromeda Galaxy (M31),
Messier 33 (M33) Triangulum Galaxy,
Messier 74 (M74) Phantom Galaxy, NGC 1245. |
California Nebula (NGC 1499),
Saturn Nebula (NGC 7009),
Messier 42 (M42) Orion Nebula,
Messier 45 (M45) Pleiades,
NGC 1977 (Running Man Nebula).
|
|
December |
The Running Man Nebula (NGC 1977),
Crab Nebula (M1),
Messier 45 (M45) Pleiades,
Messier 44 (M44) Beehive Cluster,
Messier 38 (M38) Starfish Cluster.
|
Messier 31 (M31) Andromeda Galaxy,
Messier 33 (M33) Triangulum Galaxy,
Messier 81 (M81) Bode’s Galaxy,
Pleiades (M45),
Double Cluster in Perseus (NGCs 869 and 884). |
Messier 42 (M42) Orion Nebula,
Messier 1 (M1) Crab Nebula,
NGC 2244 (Rosette Nebula),
Christmas Tree Cluster and Cone Nebula (NGC 2264).
|
2024 North American Total Solar Eclipse
Use the links to view and download all images we captured with our observation time on the Slooh telescopes. The below images are just samples. Before Totality, During Totality, and After Totality.
2024 South American Annular Solar Eclipse
Use the links to view and download all images we captured with our observation time on the Slooh telescopes. The below images are just samples. Before Annularity, During Annularity, and After Annularity
