Deep Sky Observations with Vespera Pro from January 2026

Conditions | Observation Overview | List of Observed Sky Objects | References

Since the beginning of May 2024, I own a Vaonis Vespera Pro telescope for observing and taking photos of deep sky objects. On this page, I collect information about observations from the beginning of January 2026. The photos that were taken during this phase are presented elsewhere (on the detail pages for the DSO).

Conditions

Sky Region and Objects

From January 2026 on, I observed mostly the following sky area (some observed objects are indicated):

Click the map for a larger version - it opens in a new window (Image Courtesy of SkySafari Astronomy, www.simulationcurriculum.com)

Observation Time

The observations in this phase took place from January 2026 on. They typically took place shortly after dusk, when it was sufficiently dark for a successful initialization of the Vespera Pro. This was at about 6 p.m. at the beginning of January.

Observation Location

The observations took place in Mühlhausen/Kraichgau (Germany):

Coordinates: 49° 15′ N , 8° 43′ E
Coordinates (dec.): 49,25° N, 8,72° E

Equipment Used

When observing with the Vespera Pro, I only needed the Vespera Pro and my iPhone or iPad. I used the Gitzo Systematic High Tripod that I had acquired for my Vespera (Pro). Moreover, I purchased filters for the Vespera (Pro) that I sometimes use during these observations (Dual Band Filter, Solar Filter).

General Conditions

In general, the sky above Mühlhausen/Kraichgau is "light-polluted" (SQM 20.5) and does not invite you to search for deep sky objects. For astro photography, however, light pollution is not as disturbing as for visual observations.

Observation Overview

Observation Dates

Date 2025	Observed Objects	Observed Objects, Details	Remarks	Further Remarks
Jan 5 MH	G: M 33 GN: M 42/43, M 45	Order: M 33 (60 min), M 45 (5 min), M 42/43 (5/30 min)	Vespera Pro; Gitzo High Tripod; dew cap; iPad	Initialization at 8:10/19.5 p.m./SQM; Gitzo tripod fully extended; BalENS ON (rec. settings); dew cap added at the beginnning of the initialization; 2 days after Full Moon M 33 (120 min rec.): Start at 8:19/19.5 p.m./SQM went down to 19.1 and 18.8; stopped at 210:40 after 1 h IT >> asteroid Eros can be seen on the photos as a dot and a trail!!! See page Eros Passes Messier 33 (2026) M 45 (30 min rec.): Start at 9:40/18.8 p.m./SQM; aborted because of clouds after 4:30 min IT (9:54 p.m.) M 42/43 (30 min rec.): Stopped after 5 min, because M 42 appeared fuzzy (10:05 p.m.); autofocus restarted; SQM 18.6; new start at 10:06/18.6 p.m./SQM; the photos became fainter, because clouds (and the moon) appeared; aborted after 30 min IT at about 10:55/17.5 p.m./SQM because of clouds and moon.
Feb 25 MH	GN: M 42/43 Moon	Order: Moon, M 42/43 (100 min)	Vespera Pro; Gitzo High Tripod; dew cap; iPad	Moon 2x, after 7 p.m., automatic settings M 42 as a mosaic, no filter; 7:30-9:54 p.m., SQM 15 ???; 673 Subs, 603 stacked, 70 discarded; after 400 subs better than after 600 Subs (after about 500 subs the image became foggier)... From this date on (after a Singularity update) TrueColor is used and changes the colors...
Feb 26 MH	GN: M 42/43 Moon	Order: Moon, M 42/43 (75 min)	Vespera Pro; Gitzo High Tripod; dew cap; iPad	Moon 2x, after 7 p.m., tested manual settings... M 42/43 as a mosaic with DB filter; 8:27-9:16 p.m. (75 min); SQM about 15??? M 42/43 including NGC 2024 as a long mosaic with DB filter (test for Skycolor in Singularity, FITS aktivated), 9:21-10:13 p.m. (38 min), aborted; Skycolor did not appear in the menu although FITS files were activated...
Mar 2 MH	GN: M 42/43	Order: M 42/43 (60 min)	Vespera Pro; Gitzo High Tripod; dew cap; iPad	SQM about 18.45 (8 p.m.), later 18.2... Tested M 42/43 (no filter) because of Skycolor; three attempts; Skycolor did not appear in the menu although FITS files were activated... Let the third attempt run from 8:15 to 9:37 p.m. (60 min) just for interest...
Mar 3 MH	GN: NGC 2237 OC: NGC 2244	Order: NGC 2237/44 (60 min)	Vespera Pro; Gitzo High Tripod; dew cap; iPad	SQM 18.25...18.36 (7:45 p.m.) Tested NGC 2237/44 because of Skycolor; Skycolor did not appear in the menu although FITS files were activated; DB-Filter; image very dark... Stopped after a little more than one hour IT (9:20 p.m.) Second attempt with CLS filter at 9:25/18.0 p.m./SQM; image similarly faint; aborted because of fog...

Bold: First observation during this observation period; G = galaxy, OC = open star cluster, GC = globular star cluster, GN = galactic nebula, PN = planetary nebula, SP = star pattern, DN = dark nebula, C = comet, SN = supernova, SR = supernova remnant; IT = integration time (net observation time)

List of Observed Sky Objects

Object details can be obtained via the links to the relevant deep sky objects.

DSO Details	Name	Constellation	Type	Remarks
M 33	Triangulum Galaxy	Triangulum	G	Faint but nice; observed because of the passage of asteroid Eros through M 33
M 42/43	Orion Nebula, De Mairan's Nebula	Orion	GN	Nebula nicely captured; NGC 1977 and NGC 1980 are also on the photo; initially not sharp, then aborted because of clouds
M 45	Pleiades, Seven Sisters	Taurus	OC	Somewhat large; hints of the nebulae in M 45 recognizable; aborted after 5 min because of clouds
NGC 2237-39/46	Rosette Nebula	Monoceros	GN	Fits the FOV of the Vespera Pro; observed with Dual Band Filter
NGC 2244	Star cluster in Rosette Nebula	Monoceros	OC+GN	Cluster at the center of the Rosette Nebula; observed with Dual Band Filter

G = galaxy, GaC = galaxy cluster, OC = open star cluster, GC = globular star cluster, GE = galactic emission nebula, GR = galactic reflection nebula, DN = dark nebula, C = comet, PN = planetary nebula, SP = star pattern, A = Asterism, SR = Supernova remnant, HII = HII region (emission nebula in other galaxies)

References

Books

Michael Feiler & Philip Novak (2023). Deep Sky Reiseatlas (5th edition), Oculum Verlag (ISBN 978-3-949370-04-5)
www.oculum-verlag.de/detailview?no=608
Ronald Stoyan (2021). Deep Sky Reiseführer (6th edition), Oculum Verlag (ISBN: 978-3-938649-72-9)
www.oculum-verlag.de/detailview?no=603
Erich Karkoschka (2022). Atlas für Himmelsbeobachter, Kosmos Verlag (EAN: 9783440173602)
www.kosmos.de/de/atlas-fur-himmelsbeobachter_1074889_9783440173602