Semper Iuvenis Photography

04/12/2026

LDN 183 – Molecular Cloud in Serpens

LDN 183 (also known as L183 or MBM 37) is a cold, dense dark nebula and molecular cloud located in the constellation Serpens Cauda. It is one of the closest molecular clouds to Earth, with distance estimates ranging from approximately 325 to 360 light-years. In deep-sky photography, LDN 183 appears as a dark silhouette or "hole" against the background stars of the Milky Way....

https://montychandler.com/ldn-183-molecular-cloud-in-serpens/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=jetpack_social

04/12/2026

Owl Nebula (M97): A Cosmic Wonder Unveiled

Messier 97 (M97), commonly known as the Owl Nebula, is a planetary nebula located approximately 2,030 light-years away in the constellation Ursa Major. It is one of the most famous planetary nebulae in the night sky, named for its two dark circular patches that resemble the eyes of an owl when viewed through a telescope. It consists of three concentric shells....

https://montychandler.com/owl-nebula-m97-a-cosmic-wonder-unveiled/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=jetpack_social

03/22/2026

Caldwell 53: Insights into a Lenticular Galaxy

Caldwell 53 is also known as NGC 3115 or the Spindle Galaxy. It is a bright lenticular galaxy. It is located approximately 32 million light-years away in the constellation Sextans. It has a "spindle-like" appearance when viewed edge-on from Earth. The galaxy features a prominent central bulge. It also has a disk of elderly stars with very little ongoing star formation....

https://montychandler.com/caldwell-53-insights-into-a-lenticular-galaxy/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=jetpack_social

03/21/2026

Spiral Galaxy Pair – NGC 4302 and NGC 4298

NGC 4302 is an edge-on spiral galaxy located approximately 55 million light-years away in the constellation Coma Berenices. It is famously part of a "starry pair" alongside its companion galaxy. NGC 4298 is tilted more face-on from our perspective. NGC 4302 and NGC 4298 are both members of the Virgo Cluster, a massive collection of nearly 2,000 galaxies. Although they appear close together, astronomers have found no strong evidence of significant gravitational tidal interaction between them....

https://montychandler.com/spiral-galaxy-pair-ngc-4302-and-ngc-4298/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=jetpack_social

03/20/2026

The Virgo III Group: Galaxies in Stunning Detail

NGC 5363 is a prominent member of a galaxy group that includes: NGC 5364: A stunning "grand design" spiral galaxy located nearby in the sky. While they appear as a pair, there is debate among astronomers whether they are gravitationally interacting. Other Members: The group also contains smaller galaxies like NGC 5300, NGC 5348, NGC 5356, IC 966, and NGC 5360....

https://montychandler.com/the-virgo-iii-group-galaxies-in-stunning-detail/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=jetpack_social

03/19/2026

Exploring NGC 3486: A Barred Spiral Galaxy

NGC 3486 is an intermediate barred spiral galaxy located approximately 27.4 million light-years away in the small northern constellation of Leo Minor. It is known for its distinct, "sparkling" appearance. Its face-on orientation allows observers to see its complex spiral structure clearly. The galaxy spans roughly 60,000 to 66,500 light-years in diameter. What makes this galaxy even more fascinating is the presence of a gravitational lensing effect caused by its own mass....

https://montychandler.com/exploring-ngc-3486-a-barred-spiral-galaxy/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=jetpack_social

03/18/2026

Exploring Sh2-241: The Mysteries of Emission Nebulae

Sh2-241 (also known as LBN 824) is a small emission nebula located in the constellation Auriga. The nebula has a bright central core. It also has a less luminous surrounding region. This region is often described as having a "comet-like" tail. Primarily an emission nebula, though it also contains reflection components. Estimated to be approximately 15,000 to 17,000 light-years away from Earth....

Sh2-241 (also known as LBN 824) is a small emission nebula located in the constellation Auriga. The nebula has a bright central core. It also has a less luminous surrounding region. This region is …

03/17/2026

Exploring NGC 2419: The Intergalactic Wanderer

Caldwell 25, or NGC 2419, is a massive, 10th-magnitude globular cluster in the constellation Lynx. It is nicknamed the "Intergalactic Wanderer" because of its extreme distance of ~300,000 light-years from Earth. It is one of the most distant globular clusters associated with the Milky Way. Unlike most globular clusters, studies suggest it contains two different populations of stars. One group is strangely helium-rich and is located in its core....

https://montychandler.com/exploring-ngc-2419-the-intergalactic-wanderer/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=jetpack_social

03/01/2026

Exploring M81 and M82: A Guide for Amateur Astronomers

M81 and M82 are a famous pair of interacting galaxies. They are located approximately 12 million light-years away in the constellation Ursa Major. They are popular targets for amateur astronomers. They are bright enough to be seen with binoculars. They often fit within the same telescopic field of view as they do in this 5" refractor. As the pair are circumpolar, I chose to end my nightly winter sessions with this pair....

https://montychandler.com/exploring-m81-and-m82-a-guide-for-amateur-astronomers/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=jetpack_social

02/28/2026

NGC 5982 Group: A Stunning Galaxy Trio in Draco

The NGC 5982 group is also known as the Draco Triplet or Draco Group. It is a striking trio of galaxies located approximately 100 to 140 million light-years away in the constellation Draco. The group is a favorite for Astro photographers. This is because it features three distinct types of galaxies in a single field of view. The view spans about the width of a full moon....

https://montychandler.com/ngc-5982-group-a-stunning-galaxy-trio-in-draco/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=jetpack_social