Yet another Greater Orion Nebula shot. Yes I know, have been there before but it's still my favourite object in the night sky. A wondrous example of what our now universal city light pollution is hiding from us.

Anyway, for those who don't follow astronomy this is the Greater Orion Nebula (M42 or NGC 1976). Situated in the Constellation of Orion the Hunter, a short distance below the 3 stars of Orion's Belt and it's one of the brightest nebulae in the sky - a combination of reflection and emmission nebulae. M42 is enormous, at 24 light years across for the core nebula from our perspective and quite close at around 1350 light years distance. It's also often referred to as a "stellar nursery" as this area is home to many young stars and is a particularly active region of star formation - no surprise given the mass of dust of gas in there. The central Trapezium cluster is known to be one of the youngest star clusters discovered. Unfortunately the trapezium is a bit blown out in this image, but one can just about make out the partial outline of four distinct stars in there.

The fantastic colours are caused by emmission at the hydrogen alpha line (656.3nm) due to excitement of the hydrogen atoms (the red colour) and reflection of radiation from the stars at the core (for the more bluish / purple colours).

Modded 450D at prime focus on a William Optics 90FD refractor mounted on a Celestron ASGT and guided with Nebulosity and a black and white toucam.

Taken from Annaghkeen, Headford, Co Galway, Ireland

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Taken from the walkway on the Corrib river looking across to the Gaol Road a short while after the Sun went down. That's the main Galway City Cathedral in the distance and the big house is Galway's old mysterious "Gentleman's Club" - according to the old folks ;-)
Upped the saturation a bit on this !

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Annaghkeen Castle. Built in the 12th century by the De Burgo family.

Apparently built at the same time as the nearby Cargrin castle to help protect their manor against incursions by the O'Flaherty clan from the other side of the Corrib. I know a few O'Flaherty's - they can be quite scary ;-)

Thought to be the oldest example in Ireland of a castle built entirely from undressed stone.

2 minute exposure on a tracking mount, hence the softness of the castle edges.

#20 Explore April 13th 2012

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The lovely Kirwan's lane. Just between Quay Street and Cross Street in Galway. A hidden gem, this laneway was situated inside the old city walls back in medieval times and still has some of the "old city" feel to it. Home now to artisan shops like Judy Greene's and Busker Browne's pub.

The Kirwan's were one of Galway's 14 tribes.

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Second object imaged with the Astrotrak. Loving this wee little mount

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