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Astrophotography Portfolio
By Carter Hanson
Equipment
Orion EON 130 Triplet
SkyWatcher EQ6-R Pro
ZWO ASI294 MC Pro
ZWO ASI120 MM Mini
ZWO ASI Air Plus
Software
Pleiades Astrophoto PixInsight
Adobe Photoshop
Adobe Lightroom
Russell Croman BlurXTerminator
Russell Croman NoiseXTerminator
Russell Croman StarXTerminator
Nebulae
Nebulae
Messier 8
Object Type: Emission nebula
Constellation: Sagittarius
Right Ascension: 18h 03m 37s
Declination: −24° 23′ 12″
Distance: 4,100 ly
Date: June 30th, 2025
Location: Afton, MN
Bortle Scale: Class 6
Integration: 3 hours, 20 minutes
Constellation: Sagittarius
Right Ascension: 18h 03m 37s
Declination: −24° 23′ 12″
Distance: 4,100 ly
Date: June 30th, 2025
Location: Afton, MN
Bortle Scale: Class 6
Integration: 3 hours, 20 minutes
NGC 7000
Object Type: Emission nebula
Constellation: Cygnus
Right Ascension: 20h 59m 17.1s
Declination: +44° 31′ 44″
Distance: 2,590 ly
Date: June 10th, 2026
Location: Oakdale, MN
Bortle Scale: Class 7
Integration: 4 hours, 45 minutes
Constellation: Cygnus
Right Ascension: 20h 59m 17.1s
Declination: +44° 31′ 44″
Distance: 2,590 ly
Date: June 10th, 2026
Location: Oakdale, MN
Bortle Scale: Class 7
Integration: 4 hours, 45 minutes
NGC 7023
Object Type: Reflection nebula
Constellation: Cepheus
Right Ascension: 21h 01m 35.60s
Declination: +68° 10′ 10.0″
Distance: 1,300 ly
Date: August 30th, 2024
Location: Palisade, MN
Bortle Scale: Class 3
Integration: 6 hours, 55
Constellation: Cepheus
Right Ascension: 21h 01m 35.60s
Declination: +68° 10′ 10.0″
Distance: 1,300 ly
Date: August 30th, 2024
Location: Palisade, MN
Bortle Scale: Class 3
Integration: 6 hours, 55
LDN 1093
Object Type: Emission nebula
Constellation: Cepheus
Right Ascension: 21 35 35.60
Declination: 57° 28' 53.97"
Distance: 2,400 ly
Date: July 13th, 2026
Location: Oakdale, MN
Bortle Scale: Class 7
Integration: 4 hours, 20 minutes
Constellation: Cepheus
Right Ascension: 21 35 35.60
Declination: 57° 28' 53.97"
Distance: 2,400 ly
Date: July 13th, 2026
Location: Oakdale, MN
Bortle Scale: Class 7
Integration: 4 hours, 20 minutes
Messier 27
Object Type: Planetary nebula
Constellation: Vulpecula
Right Ascension: 19h 59m 36.319s
Declination: +22° 43′ 16.312″
Distance: 1,360 ly
Date: July 12th, 2026
Location: Oakdale, MN
Bortle Scale: Class 7
Integration: 4 hours, 30 minutes
Constellation: Vulpecula
Right Ascension: 19h 59m 36.319s
Declination: +22° 43′ 16.312″
Distance: 1,360 ly
Date: July 12th, 2026
Location: Oakdale, MN
Bortle Scale: Class 7
Integration: 4 hours, 30 minutes
NGC 6914
Object Type: Reflection nebula
Constellation: Cygnus
Right Ascension: 20h 24m 43.3s
Declination: +42° 28′ 58"
Distance: 6,000 ly
Date: October 23rd, 2024
Location: Afton, MN
Bortle Scale: Class 6
Integration: 5 hours, 5 minutes
Constellation: Cygnus
Right Ascension: 20h 24m 43.3s
Declination: +42° 28′ 58"
Distance: 6,000 ly
Date: October 23rd, 2024
Location: Afton, MN
Bortle Scale: Class 6
Integration: 5 hours, 5 minutes
IC 5076
Object Type: Reflection nebula
Constellation: Cygnus
Right Ascension: 20h 55m 33.0s
Declination: +47° 23′ 42″
Distance: 5,700 ly
Date: July 13th, 2026
Location: Oakdale, MN
Bortle Scale: Class 7
Integration: 4 hours, 20 minutes
Constellation: Cygnus
Right Ascension: 20h 55m 33.0s
Declination: +47° 23′ 42″
Distance: 5,700 ly
Date: July 13th, 2026
Location: Oakdale, MN
Bortle Scale: Class 7
Integration: 4 hours, 20 minutes
LDN 1448
Object Type: Dark nebula
Constellation: Perseus
Right Ascension: 03h 22m 30.0s
Declination: +30° 35′ 00″
Distance: 800 ly
Date: October 21st, 2025
Location: Kenton, OK
Bortle Scale: Class 1
Integration: 7 hours, 50 minutes
Constellation: Perseus
Right Ascension: 03h 22m 30.0s
Declination: +30° 35′ 00″
Distance: 800 ly
Date: October 21st, 2025
Location: Kenton, OK
Bortle Scale: Class 1
Integration: 7 hours, 50 minutes
NGC 7635
Object Type: Emission nebula
Constellation: Cassiopeia
Right Ascension: 23h 20m 48.3s
Declination: +61° 12′ 06″
Distance: 11,000 ly
Date: October 10th, 2025
Location: Afton, MN
Bortle Scale: Class 6
Integration: 5 hours, 35 minutes
Constellation: Cassiopeia
Right Ascension: 23h 20m 48.3s
Declination: +61° 12′ 06″
Distance: 11,000 ly
Date: October 10th, 2025
Location: Afton, MN
Bortle Scale: Class 6
Integration: 5 hours, 35 minutes
IC 5146
Object Type: Emission/reflection nebula
Constellation: Cygnus
Right Ascension: 21h 53m 28.7s
Declination: +47° 16′ 01″
Distance: 2,500 ly
Date: July 26th, 2025
Location: Kenyon, MN
Bortle Scale: Class 4
Integration: 6 hours, 45 minutes
Constellation: Cygnus
Right Ascension: 21h 53m 28.7s
Declination: +47° 16′ 01″
Distance: 2,500 ly
Date: July 26th, 2025
Location: Kenyon, MN
Bortle Scale: Class 4
Integration: 6 hours, 45 minutes
Sh2-112
Object Type: Emission nebula
Constellation: Cygnus
Right Ascension: 20, 33, 31.71
Declination: 45° 46' 15.23"
Distance: 5.600 ly
Date: August 6th, 2026
Location: Oakdale, MN
Bortle Scale: Class 7
Integration: 5 hours, 20 minutes
Constellation: Cygnus
Right Ascension: 20, 33, 31.71
Declination: 45° 46' 15.23"
Distance: 5.600 ly
Date: August 6th, 2026
Location: Oakdale, MN
Bortle Scale: Class 7
Integration: 5 hours, 20 minutes
Melotte 15
Object Type: Emission nebula
Constellation: Cassiopeia
Right Ascension: 02h 33m 22s
Declination: +61° 26′ 36″
Distance: 7,500 ly
Date: August 30th, 2025
Location: Kenyon, MN
Bortle Scale: Class 4
Integration: 7 hours, 50 minutes
Constellation: Cassiopeia
Right Ascension: 02h 33m 22s
Declination: +61° 26′ 36″
Distance: 7,500 ly
Date: August 30th, 2025
Location: Kenyon, MN
Bortle Scale: Class 4
Integration: 7 hours, 50 minutes
NGC 7293
Object Type: Planetary nebula
Constellation: Aquarius
Right Ascension: 22h 29m 38.55s
Declination: −20° 50′ 13.6″
Distance: 650 ly
Date: August 22nd, 2026
Location: Afton, MN
Bortle Scale: Class 6
Integration: 2 hours, 55 minutes
Constellation: Aquarius
Right Ascension: 22h 29m 38.55s
Declination: −20° 50′ 13.6″
Distance: 650 ly
Date: August 22nd, 2026
Location: Afton, MN
Bortle Scale: Class 6
Integration: 2 hours, 55 minutes
Sh2-136
Object Type: Reflection nebula
Constellation: Cepheus
Right Ascension: 21h 16m 26s
Declination: +68° 15.6′
Distance: 1,470 ly
Date: September 25th 2024
Location: Kenyon, MN
Bortle Scale: Class 4
Integration: 7 hours, 10 minutes
Constellation: Cepheus
Right Ascension: 21h 16m 26s
Declination: +68° 15.6′
Distance: 1,470 ly
Date: September 25th 2024
Location: Kenyon, MN
Bortle Scale: Class 4
Integration: 7 hours, 10 minutes
Messier 17
Object Type: Emission nebula
Constellation: Sagittarius
Right Ascension: 18h 20m 26s
Declination: -16° 10′ 36"
Distance: 5.500 ly
Date: July 28th 2024
Location: Kenyon, MN
Bortle Scale: Class 4
Integration: 4 hours, 25 minutes
Constellation: Sagittarius
Right Ascension: 18h 20m 26s
Declination: -16° 10′ 36"
Distance: 5.500 ly
Date: July 28th 2024
Location: Kenyon, MN
Bortle Scale: Class 4
Integration: 4 hours, 25 minutes
Messier 45
Object Type: Reflection nebula
Constellation: Taurus
Right Ascension: 03h 47m 24s
Declination: +24° 07′ 00"
Distance: 444 ly
Date: October 26th 2024
Location: Kenyon, MN
Bortle Scale: Class 4
Integration: 3 hours
Constellation: Taurus
Right Ascension: 03h 47m 24s
Declination: +24° 07′ 00"
Distance: 444 ly
Date: October 26th 2024
Location: Kenyon, MN
Bortle Scale: Class 4
Integration: 3 hours
Messier 20
Object Type: Emission nebula
Constellation: Sagittarius
Right Ascension: 18h 02m 23s
Declination: −23° 01′ 48″
Distance: 4100 ly
Date: September 5th, 2026
Location: Afton, MN
Bortle Scale: Class 6
Integration: 1 hours, 35 minutes
Constellation: Sagittarius
Right Ascension: 18h 02m 23s
Declination: −23° 01′ 48″
Distance: 4100 ly
Date: September 5th, 2026
Location: Afton, MN
Bortle Scale: Class 6
Integration: 1 hours, 35 minutes
LDN 1295
Object Type: Dark nebula
Constellation: Cassiopeia
Right Ascension: 21h 16m 26s
Declination: +68° 15.6′
Distance: 1,470 ly
Date: September 10th 2026
Location: Kenyon, MN
Bortle Scale: Class 4
Integration: 7 hours, 5 minutes
Constellation: Cassiopeia
Right Ascension: 21h 16m 26s
Declination: +68° 15.6′
Distance: 1,470 ly
Date: September 10th 2026
Location: Kenyon, MN
Bortle Scale: Class 4
Integration: 7 hours, 5 minutes
Galaxies
Galaxies
Messier 33
Object Type: Spiral Galaxy
Constellation: Triangulum
Right Ascension: 01h 33m 50.02s
Declination: +30° 39′ 36.7″
Distance: 3.2 Mly
Date: August 31st, 2024
Location: Palisade, MN
Bortle Scale: Class 3
Integration: 5 hours
Constellation: Triangulum
Right Ascension: 01h 33m 50.02s
Declination: +30° 39′ 36.7″
Distance: 3.2 Mly
Date: August 31st, 2024
Location: Palisade, MN
Bortle Scale: Class 3
Integration: 5 hours
Messier 104
Object Type: Peculiar Galaxy
Constellation: Virgo
Right Ascension: 12h 39m 59.4314s
Declination: −11° 37′ 23.118″
Distance: 31 Mly
Date: April 15th, 2025
Location: Afton, MN
Bortle Scale: Class 6
Integration: 2 hours, 40 minutes
Constellation: Virgo
Right Ascension: 12h 39m 59.4314s
Declination: −11° 37′ 23.118″
Distance: 31 Mly
Date: April 15th, 2025
Location: Afton, MN
Bortle Scale: Class 6
Integration: 2 hours, 40 minutes
Messier 101
Object Type: Grand Design Spiral Galaxy
Constellation: Ursa Major
Right Ascension: 14h 03m 12.5441s
Declination: +54° 20′ 56.220″
Distance: 21 Mly
Date: May 5th, 2026
Location: Oakdale, MN
Bortle Scale: Class 7
Integration: 3 hours, 35 minutes
Constellation: Ursa Major
Right Ascension: 14h 03m 12.5441s
Declination: +54° 20′ 56.220″
Distance: 21 Mly
Date: May 5th, 2026
Location: Oakdale, MN
Bortle Scale: Class 7
Integration: 3 hours, 35 minutes
NGC 6946
Object Type: Spiral Galaxy
Constellation: Cygnus
Right Ascension: 20h 34m 52.3s
Declination: +60° 09′ 14″
Distance: 25 Mly
Date: July 19th, 2025
Location: Afton, MN
Bortle Scale: Class 6
Integration: 5 hours, 20
Constellation: Cygnus
Right Ascension: 20h 34m 52.3s
Declination: +60° 09′ 14″
Distance: 25 Mly
Date: July 19th, 2025
Location: Afton, MN
Bortle Scale: Class 6
Integration: 5 hours, 20
NGC 891
Object Type: Edge On Spiral Galaxy
Constellation: Andromeda
Right Ascension: 15h 15m 53.2397s
Declination: +56° 19′ 47.568″
Distance: 46 Mly
Date: September 1st, 2024
Location: Palisade, MN
Bortle Scale: Class 3
Integration: 3 hours, 10 minutes
Constellation: Andromeda
Right Ascension: 15h 15m 53.2397s
Declination: +56° 19′ 47.568″
Distance: 46 Mly
Date: September 1st, 2024
Location: Palisade, MN
Bortle Scale: Class 3
Integration: 3 hours, 10 minutes
Messier 51
Object Type: Grand Design Spiral Galaxy
Constellation: Ursa Major
Right Ascension: 13h 29m 52.7s
Declination: +47° 11′ 43″
Distance: 24 Mly
Date: March 21st, 2025
Location: Kenyon, MN
Bortle Scale: Class 4
Integration: 8 hours, 5 minutes
Constellation: Ursa Major
Right Ascension: 13h 29m 52.7s
Declination: +47° 11′ 43″
Distance: 24 Mly
Date: March 21st, 2025
Location: Kenyon, MN
Bortle Scale: Class 4
Integration: 8 hours, 5 minutes
NGC 7331
Object Type: Unbarred Spiral Galaxy
Constellation: Pegasus
Right Ascension: 22h 37m 04s
Declination: +34° 24′ 56.72"
Distance: 40 Mly
Date: August 10th 2024
Location: Kenyon, MN
Bortle Scale: Class 4
Integration: 6 hours, 10 minutes
Constellation: Pegasus
Right Ascension: 22h 37m 04s
Declination: +34° 24′ 56.72"
Distance: 40 Mly
Date: August 10th 2024
Location: Kenyon, MN
Bortle Scale: Class 4
Integration: 6 hours, 10 minutes
NGC 7814
Object Type: Edge On Spiral Galaxy
Constellation: Pegasus
Right Ascension: 00h 03m 14.9103s
Declination: +16° 08′ 43.11″
Distance: 41 Mly
Date: April 19th, 2025
Location: Kenton, OK
Bortle Scale: Class 1
Integration: 4 hours, 5 minutes
Constellation: Pegasus
Right Ascension: 00h 03m 14.9103s
Declination: +16° 08′ 43.11″
Distance: 41 Mly
Date: April 19th, 2025
Location: Kenton, OK
Bortle Scale: Class 1
Integration: 4 hours, 5 minutes
NGC 5907
Object Type: Edge On Spiral Galaxy
Constellation: Draco
Right Ascension: 15h 15m 53.2397s
Declination: +56° 19′ 47.568″
Distance: 46 Mly
Date: April 19th, 2025
Location: Afton, MN
Bortle Scale: Class 6
Integration: 5 hours, 10 minutes
Constellation: Draco
Right Ascension: 15h 15m 53.2397s
Declination: +56° 19′ 47.568″
Distance: 46 Mly
Date: April 19th, 2025
Location: Afton, MN
Bortle Scale: Class 6
Integration: 5 hours, 10 minutes
Messier 74
Object Type: Grand Design Spiral Galaxy
Constellation: Pisces
Right Ascension: 01h 36m 41.8s
Declination: +15° 47′ 01"
Distance: 30 Mly
Date: September 1st 2024
Location: Palisade, MN
Bortle Scale: Class 3
Integration: 3 hours, 15 minutes
Constellation: Pisces
Right Ascension: 01h 36m 41.8s
Declination: +15° 47′ 01"
Distance: 30 Mly
Date: September 1st 2024
Location: Palisade, MN
Bortle Scale: Class 3
Integration: 3 hours, 15 minutes
NGC 4565
Object Type: Edge On Spiral Galaxy
Constellation: Coma Berenices
Right Ascension: 20h 34m 52.3s
Declination: +60° 09′ 14″
Distance: 45 Mly
Date: April 19th, 2025
Location: Afton, MN
Bortle Scale: Class 6
Integration: 5 hours, 20
Constellation: Coma Berenices
Right Ascension: 20h 34m 52.3s
Declination: +60° 09′ 14″
Distance: 45 Mly
Date: April 19th, 2025
Location: Afton, MN
Bortle Scale: Class 6
Integration: 5 hours, 20
Aurora Borealis
Aurora Borealis
Aurora Borealis
Historic G5 storm of May 11th, 2024. Captured with iPhone 14 from Palisade, MN.
Aurora Borealis
Historic G5 storm of May 11th, 2024. Captured with iPhone 14 from Palisade, MN.
Aurora Borealis
Historic G5 storm of May 11th, 2024. Captured with iPhone 14 from Palisade, MN.
Aurora Borealis
Historic G5 storm of May 11th, 2024. Captured with iPhone 14 from Palisade, MN.
Aurora Borealis
Historic G5 storm of May 11th, 2024. Captured with iPhone 14 from Palisade, MN.
Aurora Borealis
Historic G5 storm of May 11th, 2024. Captured with iPhone 14 from Palisade, MN.
Star Clusters
Star Clusters
Messier 13
Object Type: Globular Cluster
Constellation: Hercules
Right Ascension: 16h 41m 41.24s
Declination: +36° 27′ 35.5″
Distance: 24 kly
Date: June 26th, 2025
Location: Afton, MN
Bortle Scale: Class 6
Constellation: Hercules
Right Ascension: 16h 41m 41.24s
Declination: +36° 27′ 35.5″
Distance: 24 kly
Date: June 26th, 2025
Location: Afton, MN
Bortle Scale: Class 6
Messier 5
Object Type: Globular Cluster
Constellation: Serpens
Right Ascension: 15h 18m 33.22s
Declination: +02° 04′ 51.7″
Distance: 24.5 kly
Date: May 25th, 2025
Location: Kenyon, MN
Bortle Scale: Class 4
Constellation: Serpens
Right Ascension: 15h 18m 33.22s
Declination: +02° 04′ 51.7″
Distance: 24.5 kly
Date: May 25th, 2025
Location: Kenyon, MN
Bortle Scale: Class 4
Messier 3
Object Type: Globular Cluster
Constellation: Canes Venatici
Right Ascension: 13h 42m 11.62s
Declination: +28° 22′ 38.2″
Distance: 33.9 kly
Date: April 24th, 2026
Location: Oakdale, MN
Bortle Scale: Class 7
Constellation: Canes Venatici
Right Ascension: 13h 42m 11.62s
Declination: +28° 22′ 38.2″
Distance: 33.9 kly
Date: April 24th, 2026
Location: Oakdale, MN
Bortle Scale: Class 7
Solar System
Solar System
Comet C/2025 A6 Lemmon
Comet C/2025 A6 Lemmon shot on 10/20/25 from Kenton, OK.
Partial Lunar Eclipse
-93% Partial Lunar Eclipse
-August 27th, 2026 11:18pm CST
-iPhone 14, Meade LX90, 26mm Plossl eyepiece
-August 27th, 2026 11:18pm CST
-iPhone 14, Meade LX90, 26mm Plossl eyepiece
Total Solar Eclipse
Total Lunar Eclipse
Total Solar Eclipse
Solar Eclipse
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