SN2024gy imaged on 01/11/2024 by Luis Velasquez is from 2.25 hours of LRGB data from Insight Observatory's affiliate remote telescope AFIL-3 located in Hakos, Namibia. In the vast expanse of the cosmos, an extraordinary event unfolded on January 4, 2024 – the discovery of Supernova 2024gy in the galaxy NGC 4216. This celestial marvel was unveiled to the world by the keen eyes of Koichi Itagaki, a passionate Japanese amateur astronomer. SN2024gy belongs to the exclusive category of Type Ia supernovae, a type that originates in binary star systems. What makes these stellar explosions particularly captivating is their role as "standard candles" in the cosmic distance measurement toolkit. The consistent brightness exhibited by Type Ia supernovae allows astronomers to precisely calculate their distance from Earth, offering a unique window into the mysteries of the universe. The significance of this discovery extends beyond the cosmic spectacle itself; it signifies the c

Messier 31 - The Andromeda Galaxy imaged by Craig Stocks at the Utah Desert Remote Observatories using a 16" f/3.75 Dream Aerospace Systems astrograph. LRGBHa 2 hours and 15 Minutes.  Messier 31, also known as the Andromeda Galaxy, is one of the most popular deep-sky objects to photograph for several compelling reasons. Firstly, its sheer size and proximity to Earth make it a striking subject. M31 is the closest spiral galaxy to our Milky Way, residing a mere 2.537 million light-years away. Its immense size, approximately 220,000 light-years in diameter, means it covers a significant portion of the night sky. This makes it an ideal target for astrophotographers, allowing them to capture intricate details of its spiral arms, dust lanes, and stellar populations. Another reason for M31's popularity is its relative brightness. With an apparent magnitude of about 3.4, it's visible to the naked eye under dark skies, making it easily accessible for both amateur and professiona