Astrophotography
Astrophotography is the practice of capturing images of celestial objects and processing them using computer software to create stunning, colorful visuals. This project empowers amateur astronomers to process images captured by both ground-based and space-based telescopes (e.g., JWST, Hubble, and the Las Cumbres Observatory) using a variety of software tools and techniques.
As part of the project, participants will learn how to schedule observations of celestial objects, such as galaxies, star clusters, and nebulae, using the 0.4-m Las Cumbres Observatory Global Telescope Network. They will also use image-processing software including Photoshop, GIMP, Siril, and FITS Liberator. Once proficient with the LCO platform, participants will progress to accessing and processing FITS data from the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) and the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST).
The goal of this project is to inspire and educate the African public about the beauty and diversity of the universe through astrophotography.
REQUIREMENTS
- Basic computer operation skills.
- A passion for astronomy.
Deep-Space Image Processing Tutorials
Watch the tutorials below and practice alongside the instructor. Share your processed images with us or post them on any of your social media handles, and don’t forget to tag us.
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 Gimp
Download practice datasets used in the below videos here
For Photoshop
Table of popular galaxies, nebulae, and star clusters that can be observed from January to December.
We are still updating this list
| 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).
|