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| Astrophotographer Captures Three Stunning Nebulae from Earth, Including the Fighting Dragons. |
Jakarta – Amateur astrophotographer and wildlife conservationist Tim Henderson has captured breathtaking images of three distant nebulae from the heart of the Australian desert. With crystal-clear skies and minimal light pollution, the location provided the perfect backdrop for deep-sky photography.
The three glowing gas clouds Henderson photographed are the Carina Nebula (NGC 3372) in the constellation Carina, NGC 6188 in Ara, and Sh2‑1 in Scorpius. These are known as emission nebulae — massive clouds of gas that glow due to ionization caused by nearby hot, young stars.
The images were captured by Tim Henderson, an Australian night sky photographer who lives in a small cabin on a remote nature reserve. To shoot these stunning celestial objects, he used a Askar SQA55 telescope, a professional-grade astronomy camera, and a precise tracking mount.
All images were taken from Earth, specifically from a remote desert location in Central Australia — a region celebrated among astronomers for its pristine night skies.
While the exact dates weren’t disclosed, Henderson shared that the images were taken over several clear nights from his off-grid home, making the most of uninterrupted stargazing opportunities.
The highlight of Henderson’s collection is NGC 6188, located roughly 4,000 light-years away in the Milky Way. It’s often called the “Fighting Dragons” because of its fantastical shapes that resemble two mythical creatures locked in battle.
Equally stunning is the Carina Nebula, located 7,500 light-years away and home to at least a dozen massive stars — each 50 to 100 times more massive than our Sun. These stellar giants emit powerful radiation that lights up the surrounding nebula. Interestingly, Henderson noted that in his image, the nebula vaguely resembles the outline of the Australian continent.
The third nebula, Sh2‑1, reveals a complex structure of glowing gas and dark voids. It sits near the naked-eye-visible triple star Pi Scorpii in the constellation Scorpius.
Using long exposure techniques, a dedicated telescope, and an astro camera mounted on a star-tracking rig, Henderson was able to reveal intricate details of these faraway cosmic clouds. The remote and unspoiled location offered a unique advantage — a sky free from urban light interference.
“All these photos were taken just steps away from my cabin — a small hut on a remote nature station, where I get to enjoy truly dark skies,” Henderson shared.
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