I took that with my phone and I wanted to ask what I could do to make it better. Editing and all.

The best of about 6 pics I took during my lunch break.

HaRGB | Tracked | Stacked | Panorama | Composite

more on Instagram 🔭: https://www.instagram.com/vhastrophotography?igsh=YzNpcm1wdXd5NmRo&utm_source=qr

This is by far one of my best images since I started my astrophotography hobby. It also demanded a lot from me, as capturing panoramas at minus 8 degrees Celsius with strong winds was quite challenging.

The image showcases the winter Milky Way arc during the current planetary alignment. Visible in the photo are Mars, Jupiter, and Uranus. Additionally, you can admire intensely red-glowing regions filled with hydrogen alpha, such as Orion’s Belt and the California Nebula.

Above my silhouette, the Andromeda Galaxy shines brightly, slightly veiled by some red airglow.

Exif: Sony Alpha 7III

Sky: Sigma 28-45mm f1.8 ISO 1600 | f1.8 | 4x45s per Panel 4x3 Panel Panorama

Foreground: Samyang 24mm f1.8 ISO 3200 | f2 | 60s per Panel 4x2 Panel Panorama

Halpha (Orion Region): Sigma 65mm f2 ISO 2500 | f2 | 15x90s

Region: Rhön, Germany (International Dark Sky Reserve)

Xiaomi 12T Pro (23mm - 1x wide lens)

[2023.08.16 | ISO 2500 | 5s] x ~300 lights + darks (Untracked) [2023.08.22 | ISO 3200 | 10s] x ~1000 lights + darks (Untracked) [2024.08.10 | ISO 2500 | 5s] x ~1200 lights + darks (Untracked) [2025.01.19 | ISO 800 | 30s] x ~ 270 lights + bias + flats + darks (EQ with single motor drive)

Total integration time: >7.5h

Stacked with Astro Pixel Processor (3x Drizzle)

Processed with Siril, StarNet, Graxpert and AstroSharp

“NASA's SPHEREx space observatory was photographed at BAE Systems in Boulder, Colorado, in November 2024 after completing environmental testing. The spacecraft's three concentric cones help direct heat and light away from the telescope and other components, keeping them cool. Short for Spectro-Photometer for the History of the Universe, Epoch of Reionization and Ices Explorer, SPHEREx will create a map of the cosmos like no other. Using a technique called spectroscopy to image the entire sky in 102 wavelengths of infrared light, SPHEREx will gather information about the composition of and distance to millions of galaxies and stars. With this map, scientists will study what happened in the first fraction of a second after the big bang, how galaxies formed and evolved, and the origins of water in planetary systems in our galaxy.”

Artemis II Stacking - Left Center Center Prepped for Lift - SLS

Engineers and technicians with NASA’s Exploration Ground Systems Program prepare to lift the left center center booster segment shown with the iconic NASA “worm” insignia for the agency’s SLS (Space Launch System) rocket to the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Friday, Jan. 24, 2025. The booster segment is shown attached to a lifting beam ahead of integration onto the mobile launcher. The boosters will help support the remaining rocket components and the Orion spacecraft during final assembly of the Artemis II Moon rocket and provide more than 75 percent of the total SLS thrust during liftoff from NASA Kennedy’s Launch Pad 39B.

2025-01-24

According to Jackie Wattles, CCN Space Reporter:

" ..... the FAA said it has verified the report of Starship debris striking a car in South Caicos, causing "minor damage."

https://bsky.app/profile/jackiewattles.bsky.social/post/3lh4mpxmyc225

Edit: I've removed a video link which was originally in this post because it was apparently causing confusion for some, despite it being perfectly clear why I linked to it.

https://youtu.be/EN0FJ-EX6Ng

We often take the Sun for granted—it rises, it sets, and it keeps us warm. But beneath that familiar glow is a violent, ever-changing star that influences our planet in ways most people don’t realize.

🔥 Did you know?

• A solar storm strong enough to disrupt GPS, satellites, and power grids could hit at any time.
• The Sun’s 11-year cycle affects space weather, auroras, and even radio communications.
• Observing the Sun without proper protection can permanently damage your eyes—but there are safe and incredible ways to do it.

I recently had the chance to give a talk to students about the hidden power of the Sun, and I’d love to hear your thoughts. 🌍🔭

📺 Watch the full talk here: https://youtu.be/EN0FJ-EX6Ng

Here is the link of the LinkedIn post: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/achal-gupta-b48139249_decoding-the-magnetic-heart-of-the-solar-activity-7290750168092573698-B_aq?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop