Just a quick stack of a few DSO's from the early hours on Sunday morning (11/10/2026).
First up is comet 161P Hartley-IRAS, followed by B33, the Horsehead Nebula, and NGC 2072, the Tarantula Nebula.
Last is a short grab of NGC 2359, Thor's Helmet.
Taken with an S30 Pro on EQ mode from Pearly Beach.
Comet 161P Hartley-IRAS, 10 October 2026, 10:06 (SAST). 20 x 60 seconds.
The Horsehead Nebula (Barnard 33 or B33) is a dark cloud of cold gas and dust in the constellation of Orion, located about 1,375 light-years from Earth. 80 x 60 seconds.
The Tarantula Nebula (also designated as 30 Doradus or NGC 2070) is an immense, highly active star-forming region located approximately 160,000 to 170,000 light-years away from Earth. It sits in the constellation Dorado within the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC), which is a dwarf satellite galaxy orbiting our own Milky Way. 80 x 60 seconds.
Thor's Helmet Nebula (catalogued as NGC 2359) is a striking emission nebula located roughly 12,000 to 15,000 light-years away in the constellation Canis Major. Its popular name comes from its distinct shape: a central cosmic bubble flanked by wing-like filamentary structures, bearing a remarkable resemblance to the iconic headwear of the Norse god of thunder. 12 x 60 seconds.
Southern Cape Astronomy Club meets at least once a month for stargazing or observation evenings close to new Moon or during astronomical related events. The well-established club is based in Pearly Beach just outside Gansbaai.
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