The Great Hercules Cluster (M13) is a heroic sight even through binoculars or a modest telescope. In the pristine dark skies of the Methow Valley, you can even spot it with the naked eye—provided you know exactly where to look. I remember the first time I saw this object in a telescope and it looked […]
Galaxy season continues with a look at a trio of galaxies known as the Leo Triplet. A long integration and the dark skies of the Methow Valley allowed me to capture the subtle interactions of this galactic dance. From the “hamburger” galaxy (NGC 3628) you are able to see a stream of stars and gas […]
Spring is Galaxy Season for astrophotographers. As the equinox turns, our night sky faces away from the crowded disk of the Milky Way, peering through a clear ‘galactic window’ into the deep void. While our own galaxy is a tapestry of nebulae and dust, looking ‘up’ out of the plane reveals a riotous family portrait […]
Comets are rare cosmic interlopers from the outskirts of our Solar System that wander inward toward the sun like a dormant spirit seeking warmth, shedding its icy layers to reveal its luminous nature. We have been fortunate over the last decade to witness several visitors visible to the naked eye, including this emerald beauty: Comet […]
Deer hunters abound in the Methow Valley, home of the Dharma Project. One technique to attract game is to leave a salt lick and wait. That is exactly what is so compelling about astrophotography; I set my sights on a spot in the sky and wait patiently for the light to appear. The bonus this […]
