My Vespera Pro Telescope

I began observing the universe from my home in La Jolla. I upgraded my Vespera Pro to a Pro2 in May 2026.

My Vespera Pro has a fixed 1.6x1.6 degree view of the sky. It can not "zoom in" on an object.

All the images in this album show the astronomical object at its actual size within this fixed field of view.

I observe objects looking south from our La Jolla home's balcony (first photo) and looking north from in front of our garage door (second photo).

In both locations, the telescope has to deal with a lot of local light pollution, which makes its images even more amazing!

Album Organization

The Universe is unimaginably large.

In this album, I order the objects by the time it takes light to get from the object to the Earth:

The closest object is the Moon, about 1.3 light seconds away from Earth

The most distant object I have observed is the Coma Cluster of Galaxies, which is 300 million light YEARS from Earth.

So my Vespera can observe objects which are up to 8 quadrillion (1000 trillion) times further from Earth than the Moon!

Jump to section
Solar SystemNebulae Within Our Milky Way GalaxyOpen Star Clusters Within Our Milky Way GalaxyGlobular Clusters Within The Halo Of Our Milky Way GalaxyGalaxies Far Outside Our Milky Way GalaxyGroups Or Clusters Of GalaxiesVirgo Cluster Of GalaxiesLeo Clusters Of GalaxiesPisces Galaxy FieldCetus II Cloud of GalaxiesPegasus I CorePerseus Cluster Of GalaxiesComa Cluster Of Galaxies

Solar System

In order of distance from Earth

Moon

Distance1.3 light seconds
Observed2026-02-20 · 2026-02-09 · 2026-08-26 · 2026-02-02

Sun

Distance8 light minutes
Observed2026-01-05

Jupiter

The Vespera is not optimized for planetary observations.

Distance35-52 light minutes
Observed2026-01-30

Nebulae Within Our Milky Way Galaxy

In order of distance from Earth

Rho Ophiuchi Nebula is the closest star forming region to Earth

Distance390 light years
Size0.7 light years across
Exposure120 minutes
Stacked512 frames
Observed2026-08-07

Dumbbell Planetary Nebula (M27)

Distance1300 light years
Size2.5-3 light years across
Exposure25 mins
Stacked150 frames
Observed2026-07-12

Iris Nebula (NGC 7023) Reflection Nebula

Distance1300 light years
Exposure276 mins
Stacked815 frames
Observed2026-08-22

Orion (M42) Emission Nebula

Distance1350 light years
Size25 light years across
Exposure16 mins
Stacked99 frames
Observed2026-02-25

Red Emission Nebula (IC 434) in Orion with Horsehead Dark Nebula (Barnard 33) superimposed

Distance1500 light years
Size60 light years across
Exposure43 mins
Stacked260 frames
Observed2026-01-19

Flame Emission Nebulae (NGC 2024) in Orion (Also see it in the previous Horsehead Nebula photo)

Distance1500 light years
Size12 light years across
Exposure30 mins
Stacked178 frames
Observed2022-01-19

North America Nebula in Cygnus

The top image is my Vespera capture; the bottom image is enhanced to show the North America shape (including the Gulf of Mexico & Central America).

This is a huge object in the sky, about 8 times the moon's diameter, but too faint for human eyes to see (but not for my Vespera!)

Distance1700 light years
Sizediameter 100 light years
Exposure88 min
Stacked309 frames
Observed2026-07-13

Pelican Nebula (IC5070) in Cygnus

Distance2000 light years
Size30 light years across
Exposure180 mins
Stacked289 frames
Observed2026-08-25

Veil Nebula Supernova Remnant (NGC 6960/6962) in Cygnus

Western Veil Nebula (NGC 6960)

Distance2400 light years
Size120 light years across
Exposure61 mins
Stacked409 frames
Observed2026-09-17

Seagull Emission Nebula (IC2177) between Canis Major & Monoceros

Distance3650 light years
Size250 light years across
Exposure160 min
Stacked782 frames
Observed2026-01-19

Cocoon Nebula (IC5146) in Cygnus

Distance4000 light years
Size15 light years across
Exposure103 mins
Stacked371 frames
Observed2026-08-31

Sadr Region, showing one wing of the Butterfly Nebula, in Cygnus

Distance4,000 light years
Size55 light years across
Exposure60 mins
Stacked198 frames
Observed2026-08-29

Lagoon Emission Nebula (M8/NGC6523) in Sagittarius

Distance4100 light years
Size110x50 light years across
Exposure64 min
Stacked309 frames
Observed2026-04-17

Trifid Emission+Reflection+Dark Nebula (M20/NGC6514) in Sagittarius

Distance4500 light years
Size40 light years across
Exposure40 min
Stacked190 frames
Observed2026-04-17

Saturn Planetary Nebula (NGC 7009) in Aquarius

Distance4500 light years
Size1 light year across
Exposure81 min
Stacked487 frames
Observed2026-09-17

Bowtie Planetary Nebula (NGC 40) in Cepheus

Distance5000 light years
Size1 light year across
Exposure120 mins
Stacked499 frames
Observed2026-08-30

Crescent Emission Nebula (NGC 6888) in Cygnus

Distance5,000 light years
Size25 light years across
Exposure75 mins
Stacked172 frames
Observed2026-08-29

Rosette Emission Nebula (NGC 2237) in Monoceros

Distance5200 light years
Size250 light years across
Exposure30 mins
Stacked542 frames
Observed2026-01-19

Eagle Nebula (M16, NGC6611) in Serpens

In the center region of the top image are the famous "Pillars of Creation". The middle image is a Vespera enlargement; the bottom image is the Hubble reference.

Distance5700 light years
Size70 light years across
Exposure105 minutes
Stacked634 frames
Observed2026-05-15

Omega Nebula (M17) in Sagittarius

Distance6000 light years
SizeDiameter 15 light years
Exposure70 mins
Stacked413 frames
Observed2026-07-16

Crab Nebula (M1), a Supernova Remnant, in Taurus

Distance6300 light years
Size10 light years across
Exposure80 mins
Stacked400 frames
Observed2026-04-14

Bubble Nebula (NGC7635) with open star cluster M52 (bottom left) and emission nebula Sh2-158 [upper right]

The bubble is blown in the interstellar gas by a star 45 times the mass of our Sun, burning one million times brighter!

Distance7,100 light years
Size7 light years across
Exposure93 mins
Stacked356 frames
Observed2026-08-29

Heart Nebula (IC 1805)

Distance7,500 light years
Size7 light years across
Exposure170 min
Stacked525 frames
Observed2026-08-28

Wizard Emission Nebula (NGC7380) in Cepheus

Distance8,000 light years
Size100 light years across
Exposure193 mins
Stacked130 frames
Observed2026-08-31

NGC 7538 Active Star Forming Emission and Reflection Nebula

Powered by the largest protostar yet discovered

Distance9,100 light years
Sizediameter 35 light years
Exposure97 mins
Stacked367 frames
Observed2026-08-20

Thor's Helmet Emission Nebula (NGC 2359) in Canis Major

Powered by a central star 300,000x Brighter than the Sun!

Distance12,000 light years
Size30 light years across
Exposure21 mins
Stacked130 frames
Observed2026-01-31

Open Star Clusters Within Our Milky Way Galaxy

In order of distance from Earth

The Beehive Cluster (M44) in Cancer

Distance580 light years
Size1000 stars
Exposure30 min
Stacked183 frames
Observed2026-05-13

M48 (NGC2548) in Hydra

Distance1500 light years
Size65 stars
Exposure39 min
Stacked164 frames
Observed2026-04-17

The Little Beehive Cluster (M41, NGC2287) in Canis Major

Distance2300 light years
Size100 stars
Exposure30 min
Stacked47 frames
Observed2026-02-02

Shoe-Buckle Cluster M35 (NGC2168) [center] and NGC 2158 [lower left] open star clusters in Gemini

Distance2800 light years
Size1000+ stars
Exposure61 min
Stacked290 frames
Observed2026-02-01

Heart-Shaped Cluster (M50/NGC 2323) in Monoceros

Distance2900 light years
Size150 stars
Exposure31 min
Stacked147 frames
Observed2026-02-02

Pleiades Star Cluster (M45) in Taurus

Distance4400 light years
Size1000+ stars ("7 Sisters" are the Brightest)
Exposure175 minutes
Stacked442 frames
Observed2026-08-08

M37 Salt and Pepper Cluster in Auriga

Distance4500 light years
Size500+ stars
Exposure30 min
Stacked149 frames
Observed2026-04-17

Scorpion Cluster (M52) next to the Bubble Nebula (NGC 7635) in Cassiopeia

Distance4600 light years
Size100-200 stars
Exposure108 mins
Stacked437 frames
Observed2026-08-24

Tau Canis Major Cluster (NGC 2362, Caldwell 64)-a Stellar Nursery

Distance4800 light years
Size60 stars
Stacked157 frames
Observed2026-02-02

M46 (NGC2437) Star Custer in Puppis with Planetary Nebula NGC 2438 [top center]

Distance5000 light years
Size500 stars
Exposure41 min
Stacked151 frames
Observed2026-04-17

Wild Duck Open Star Cluster (M11)

Distance6100 light years
Size3000 stars
Exposure110 minutes
Stacked491 frames
Observed2026-08-07

Perseus Double Cluster (NGC 869/884, Caldwell 14)

Distance7500 light years
Size400 stars in each
Exposure71 min
Stacked331 frames
Observed2026-02-08

Caroline's Rose (NGC7789) Open Star Cluster in Cassiopeia

Distance7600 light years
Size6000+ stars
Exposure160 mins
Stacked308 frames
Observed2026-08-24

Small Sagittarius Star Cloud (M24)-a "dust hole" through which we see the inner Milky Way

Distance10,000 to 16,000 light years
Sizemillions of stars
Exposure60 min
Stacked293 frames

Globular Clusters Within The Halo Of Our Milky Way Galaxy

In order of distance from Earth

M4 Globular Cluster in Scorpius

Distance6,000 light years (the closest Globular Cluster to Earth)
Size100,000+ stars
Exposure68 mins
Stacked310 frames
Observed2026-05-22

M71 Globular Cluster in Sagitta

Distance13,000 light years
Size50,000 stars
Exposure51 mins
Stacked224 frames
Observed2026-08-04

M10 Globular Cluster in Ophiuchus

Distance15,000 light years
Size100-200,000 stars
Exposure120 minutes
Stacked146 frames
Observed2026-08-08

M12 (NGC 6218) Globular Cluster in Ophiuchus

Distance16,400 light years
Size200,000 stars
Exposure104 minutes
Stacked441 frames
Observed2026-08-07

Omega Centauri (NGC5139) Brightest & Most Massive Globular Cluster in the Milky Way

Distance17,000 light years
Size10 Million stars
Exposure71 min
Stacked307 frames
Observed2026-04-17

M107 Globular Cluster in Ophiuchus

Distance21,000 light years
Size100-200,000 stars
Exposure31 mins
Stacked185 frames
Observed2026-07-01

M5 Globular Cluster in Serpens

Distance25,000 light years
Size100,000+ stars
Exposure34 mins
Stacked165 frames
Observed2026-04-23

M13 Great Globular Cluster in Hercules

Distance25,000 light years
Size500,000 stars
Exposure65 mins
Stacked108 frames
Observed2026-02-28

M92 (NGC6341) Globular Cluster in Hercules

Distance27,000 light years
Size300,000 stars
Exposure52 mins
Stacked239 frames
Observed2026-02-28

M56 (NGC 6779) Globular Cluster in Lyra

Distance32,900 light years
Size230,000 stars
Exposure51 mins
Stacked42 frames
Observed2026-08-04

M68 Globular Cluster in Hydra

Distance33,000 light years
Size100,000 stars
Exposure13 mins
Stacked62 frames
Observed2026-04-23

M3 Globular Cluster in Canes Venatici

Distance35,000 light years
Size500,000 stars
Exposure70 min
Stacked345 frames
Observed2026-02-01

M15 (NGC 7078) Great Pegasus Globular Cluster in Pegasus

Distance35,700 light years
Size360,000 stars
Exposure56 minutes
Stacked170 frames
Observed2026-08-07

M15 (NGC 7078) Great Pegasus Globular Cluster (October 7, 2026)

Distance35,700 light years
Size360,000 stars
Exposure141 minutes
Stacked849 frames
Observed2026-10-07

M2 Globular Cluster in Aquarius

Distance37,500 light years
Size150,000 stars
Exposure93 mins
Stacked263 frames
Observed2026-08-19

M79 Globular Cluster in Lepus

Distance42,000 light years
Size150,000 stars
Exposure66 min
Stacked84 frames
Observed2026-02-01

NGC5466 Globular Cluster in Bootes

Distance52,000 light years
Size50,000 stars
Exposure62 mins
Stacked285 frames
Observed2026-04-23

M72 (NGC 6981) Globular Cluster in Aquarius

Distance55,000 light years
Size170,000 stars
Exposure46 mins
Stacked220 frames
Observed2026-08-07

M53 (NGC 5024) Globular Cluster in Coma Berenices

Distance60,000 light years
Size100,000+ stars
Exposure46 mins
Stacked220 frames
Observed2026-04-23

Galaxies Far Outside Our Milky Way Galaxy

M33 (NGC 598) Spiral Galaxy in Triangulum

3rd Largest Member of our Local Group of Galaxies, which Includes the Milky Way Galaxy and Andromeda (M31)

Distance3M light years
SizeDiameter 50,000 light years
Exposure204 mins
Stacked325 frames
Observed2026-10-04

NGC 2403 in Camelopardalis

Distance10M light years
SizeDiameter 90,000 light years
Exposure127 mins
Stacked595 frames
Observed2026-02-28

Southern Pinwheel Galaxy (M83/NGC5236)

Distance15M light years
SizeDiameter 95,000 light years
Exposure90 min
Stacked447 frames
Observed2026-04-17

Black Eye Galaxy (M64) in Coma Berenices

Distance17M light years
SizeDiameter 54,000 light years
Exposure145 mins
Stacked700 frames
Observed2026-02-26

Pinwheel Spiral Galaxy (m101) in Ursa Major (aka Big Dipper)

Distance21M light years
SizeDiameter 170,000 light years
Exposure135 min
Stacked627 frames
Observed2026-04-18

Pinwheel Spiral Galaxy (M101) in Ursa Major (April 11, 2026)

Distance21M light years
SizeDiameter 170,000 light years
Exposure43 min
Stacked862 frames
Observed2026-04-11

Fireworks Galaxy (NGC 6946) in Cepheus and Cygnus

Seen in lower left is open star cluster NGC 6939

Distance25M light years
SizeDiameter 87,000 light years
Exposure180 mins
Stacked142 frames
Observed2026-08-17

NGC2903 Barred Spiral Galaxy in Leo

Distance30M light years
SizeDiameter 80,000 light years
Exposure150 mins
Stacked713 frames
Observed2026-02-20

Silver Sliver (NGC 891) Edge-on Spiral Galaxy in Andromeda

Distance30M light years
SizeDiameter 100,000 light years
Exposure222 minutes
Stacked674 frames
Observed2026-08-22

Whirlpool Barred Spiral Galaxy (M51)

Distance31M light years
SizeDiameter 77,000 light years
Exposure97 mins
Stacked585 frames
Observed2026-04-08

Phantom Galaxy M74 (NGC 628) in Pisces

Distance32M light years
SizeDiameter 95,000 light years
Exposure204 mins
Stacked215 frames
Observed2026-10-04

Cat's Eye Galaxy (M94/NGC4736) in Canes Venatici

Distance35M light years
SizeDiameter 100,000 light years
Exposure36 mins
Stacked172 frames
Observed2026-04-23

NGC 1023 Lenticular Galaxy in Perseus

Distance36M light years
SizeDiameter 60,000 light years
Exposure133 mins
Stacked588 frames
Observed2026-08-23

Sunflower Spiral Galaxy (M63/NGC5055) in Canes Venatici

Distance37M light years
SizeDiameter 100,000 light years
Exposure92 min
Stacked412 frames
Observed2026-02-23

Sombrero Spiral Galaxy (M104)

Distance40M light years
SizeDiameter 100,000 light years
Exposure146 mins
Stacked489 frames
Observed2026-04-14

Needle Spiral Galaxy (NGC4565) in Coma Berenices

Distance40M light years
SizeDiameter 100,000 light years
Exposure211 mins
Stacked1034 frames
Observed2026-04-14

Little Sombrero Galaxy (NGC 7814) in Pegasus

Distance40M light years
SizeDiameter 60,000 light years
Exposure188 mins
Stacked352 frames
Observed2026-10-04

Surfboard Galaxy (M108) in Ursa Major

Distance46M light years
SizeDiameter 87,000 light years
Exposure130 min
Stacked594 frames
Observed2026-04-19

Groups Or Clusters Of Galaxies

Andromeda Barred Spiral Galaxy (M31) [center], M32 [upper right] & M110 [upper left]

Distance(M31) 2.5M light years
SizeDiameter 152,000 light years
Exposure65 mins
Stacked291 frames
Observed2026-08-19

Bode's Spiral Galaxy (M81) [center] and the Cigar Starburst Galaxy M82 [lower left] in Ursa Major

Distance(M81) 12M light years
SizeDiameter 92,000 light years
Exposure180 min
Stacked860 frames
Observed2026-04-04

NGC 672 Barred Spiral Galaxy near (upper right) dwarf spiral galaxy IC1727

Distance23M light years
SizeDiameter 30,000 light years
Exposure171 minutes
Stacked757 frames
Observed2026-08-21

Whale (NGC4631) [upper center] & Pup (NGC4627) [just above center of Whale]

and Hockey Stick Galaxies (NGC4656) [lower] in Canes Venatici

Distance(Whale) 25M light years
SizeDiameter 120,000 light years
Exposure120 min
Stacked280 frames
Observed2026-04-07

Two Spiral Galaxies: M77 [center] & NGC1055 [right] in Cetus

Distance(M77) 75M light years
SizeDiameter 100,000 light years
Exposure12 min
Stacked61 frames
Observed2026-02-20

Draco Trio of Galaxies

NGC 5985 Spiral Galaxy (Upper), NGC 5982 Elliptical Galaxy (Center), NGC 5981 Edge-On Spiral Galaxy (Lower)

Distance100 to 140 Million light years
Exposure150 mins
Stacked577 frames
Observed2026-08-17

NGC 7331 in Pegasus is embedded in the Deer Lick Group of Galaxies

Note the smaller and more distant Stephan's Quintet of Galaxies diagonally to lower left

Distance45M light years
SizeDiameter 150,000 light years
Exposure189 mins
Stacked647 frames
Observed2026-08-20

NGC 7332 Edge-On Lenticular Galaxy in Pegasus

Near (upper right) is NGC 7339 Spiral Galaxy

Distance67M light years
SizeDiameter 60,000 light years
Exposure258 minutes
Stacked1029 frames
Observed2026-08-21

Stephan's Quintet of Galaxies (NGC 7317, 7318a and b, 7319, 7320)

Note the nearer bright galaxy NGC 7331 diagonally to the lower left.

Distance290M light years
Exposure90 mins
Stacked339 frames
Observed2026-08-20

Virgo Cluster Of Galaxies

Large Scale Map of the Virgo Cluster (with boxes showing my Vespera Pro observations)

http://www.atlasoftheuniverse.com/galgrps/vir.html

My Mosaic of the Central Virgo Cluster with Markarian's Chain and M87

The top image is my mosaic of the central portion of the Virgo Cluster, including Markarian's Chain [upper right] and M87, the brightest elliptical galaxy in the Virgo Cluster [2/3rd of the way from left side]. The bottom image is an overlay of the mosaic, showing my closeup observations.

Exposure125 min
Stacked750 frames
Observed2026-05-19

M60 Group in Virgo Cluster

From upper left to lower right: Elliptical galaxy M60 next to NGC4647, M59, NGC 4607/ 4606, M58

Distance55M light years
Exposure120 mins
Stacked731 frames
Observed2026-06-20

M100 [center] is one of the brightest and largest spiral galaxies in the Virgo Cluster

with NGC 4312 [lower left] edge-on spiral in Coma Berenices

Distance55M light years
SizeDiameter 166,000 light years
Exposure132 mins
Stacked614 frames
Observed2026-02-26

M87 Elliptical Galaxy in Virgo

Exposure120 min
Stacked229 frames
Observed2026-05-20

M91 (NGC4548) [Upper left] & M88 (NGC4501)[lower right Spiral Galaxies in the Virgo Cluster

Distance57M light years
SizeDiameter 115,000 light years
Exposure60 min
Stacked336 frames
Observed2026-05-20

M90 (upper center), M89 (lower center), NGC 4531 (right center), NGC 4550/4551 (lower center) in Virgo Cluster

Exposure36 minutes
Stacked221 frames
Observed2026-06-08

Butterfly Galaxies NGC4567/8 interacting galaxies in the Virgo Cluster, with NGC4564 above, and M58 in upper left.

Distance59M light years
SizeDiameter 50,000 light years
Exposure191 mins
Stacked281 frames
Observed2026-02-23

Two Spiral Galaxies in the Virgo Cluster: The Lost Galaxy (NG4535) [center] and NGC 4526 [lower]

Distance56M light years
SizeDiameter 110,000 light years
Exposure48 mins
Stacked285 frames
Observed2026-05-13

Markarian's Chain of Galaxies in Virgo Cluster.

M86, M84 Elliptical Galaxies & many other spirals (see the labeled reference image)

Distance(M86) 52M light years
SizeDiameter 135,000 light years
Exposure124 min
Stacked581 frames
Observed2026-01-29

Leo Clusters Of Galaxies

Leo I Group: M95 [center] & M96 [lower left]

Distance(M95) 38M light years
SizeDiameter 80,000 light years
Exposure3 hrs
Stacked614 frames
Observed2022-02-26

Leo Triplet: M65 [center], M66 [lower center], & NGC3628 [upper left] in Leo

Distance(M65) 35M light years
SizeDiameter 50,000 light years
Exposure180 min
Stacked820 frames
Observed2026-02-22

NGC 3190 Group: Leo Quartet

Visual Key (www.cloudynights.com/forums/topic/735825-hickson-44-compact-galaxy-group-leo-quartet-ngc-3190-group-arp-316/) [Need to flip key to match to photo]

Distance79M light years
SizeDiameter 75,000 light years
Exposure6 hours
Stacked1557 frames
Observed2026-04-02

Pisces Galaxy Field

NGC 474, NGC 470 and NGC 467

NGC 474 and NGC 470 are interacting with each other.

NGC 467 is a background lenticular galaxy 200M light years from Earth.

The first photo is my Vespera Pro2 image; the second photo is an annotated version.

Distance100M light years
Exposure180 min
Stacked760 frames
Observed2026-10-02

Cetus II Cloud of Galaxies

NGC 596 Group

NGC 596 and NGC 584 are elliptical galaxies. NGC 584 has a 170M solar mass black hole at its center.

The first photo is my Vespera Pro2 image; the second photo is an annotated version.

Distance65M light years
Exposure180 min
Stacked710 frames
Observed2026-10-02

Pegasus I Core

Pegasus I Core: NGC 7619 and NGC 7626

A poor galaxy cluster dominated by two giant elliptical galaxies, NGC 7619 and NGC 7626.

The first photo is my Vespera Pro2 image; the second photo is an annotated version.

Distance172M light years
Exposure45 min
Stacked269 frames
Observed2026-10-02

Perseus Cluster Of Galaxies

Perseus A (NGC 1275)

Coma Cluster Of Galaxies

NGC 4889 Supergiant Elliptical Galaxy [center]

with NGC 4874 [upper right] Near the center of the Coma Cluster

Distance300M light years
SizeDiameter 240,000 light years
Exposure286 mins
Stacked1379 frames
Observed2026-02-23

M99 Spiral Galaxy in Coma Berenices

A grand-design spiral galaxy at the Coma-Virgo cluster boundary.

Observed2026-08-08

NGC 4535 (The Lost Galaxy)

A face-on barred spiral in the Coma-Virgo region.

Observed2026-05-14