Gallery Details

This gallery features images that were captured at El Sauce Observatory, Chile. The calibrated sub-exposures are then stacked and processed by our resident astrophotographer. Each of these images represents many hours worth of exposure time, and often times the processing phase can take multiple hours as well.

Having access to data captured from other locations around the world opens many doors. It is like having multiple telescopes, many of which are much more expensive than the average amateur astronomer can afford! Depending on the location, it can also mean reaching targets not visible from our position in the northern hemisphere.

The ability to work with this data is also a good way to fill time when weather prohibits local astronomy. One of the most challenging parts of the hobby is finding enough clear sky to adequately expose targets like this; it is difficult to finish even a handful a year.

In terms of data handling, it is very interesting to see differences in images that were captured through foreign equipment. This can mean having to approach the processing workflow differently or coming up with ways to deal with artifacts that aren’t present in images captured through equipment that is familiar.

So far, it has been very exciting to realize this was an option and to put it into practice. We hope everyone enjoys this content and that it may inspire even one person to look up at night and wonder!