Mark Bennett
@mark-bennett.bsky.social
Amateur astrophotographer based near Salisbury in 🇬🇧. Current setup is:
📷 ZWO ASI 294MM Pro with Astronomik narrowband and LRGB filters.
🔭TS Optics RC6 on an iOptron GEM 28.
📷 ZWO ASI 294MM Pro with Astronomik narrowband and LRGB filters.
🔭TS Optics RC6 on an iOptron GEM 28.
LBN 684 – Interstellar Dust in Lacerta (LRGB)
About 1,200 light-years away, LBN 684 is a faint reflection and dark nebula where interstellar dust scatters and absorbs starlight, revealing the delicate structure of our galaxy’s interstellar medium.
#LBN684 #LRGB #Astrophotography #DarkNebula
About 1,200 light-years away, LBN 684 is a faint reflection and dark nebula where interstellar dust scatters and absorbs starlight, revealing the delicate structure of our galaxy’s interstellar medium.
#LBN684 #LRGB #Astrophotography #DarkNebula
October 31, 2025 at 11:21 AM
LBN 684 – Interstellar Dust in Lacerta (LRGB)
About 1,200 light-years away, LBN 684 is a faint reflection and dark nebula where interstellar dust scatters and absorbs starlight, revealing the delicate structure of our galaxy’s interstellar medium.
#LBN684 #LRGB #Astrophotography #DarkNebula
About 1,200 light-years away, LBN 684 is a faint reflection and dark nebula where interstellar dust scatters and absorbs starlight, revealing the delicate structure of our galaxy’s interstellar medium.
#LBN684 #LRGB #Astrophotography #DarkNebula
The Pacman Nebula (NGC 281) in SHO palette — a star-forming region 9,200 light-years away in Cassiopeia. Bright gases, dark dust lanes, and newborn stars make this cosmic “Pacman” both playful and profound. #Astrophotography #NGC281 #astronomy
September 28, 2025 at 8:10 AM
The Pacman Nebula (NGC 281) in SHO palette — a star-forming region 9,200 light-years away in Cassiopeia. Bright gases, dark dust lanes, and newborn stars make this cosmic “Pacman” both playful and profound. #Astrophotography #NGC281 #astronomy
Just finished processing my HaLRGB image of the Andromeda Galaxy (M31)
At ~2.5 million light years away, Andromeda is our nearest spiral neighbour. The pink regions mark hydrogen-rich star-forming nebulae, while the dusty lanes and bright core reveal stunning depth.
#Astrophotography #Andromeda
At ~2.5 million light years away, Andromeda is our nearest spiral neighbour. The pink regions mark hydrogen-rich star-forming nebulae, while the dusty lanes and bright core reveal stunning depth.
#Astrophotography #Andromeda
September 27, 2025 at 3:47 PM
Just finished processing my HaLRGB image of the Andromeda Galaxy (M31)
At ~2.5 million light years away, Andromeda is our nearest spiral neighbour. The pink regions mark hydrogen-rich star-forming nebulae, while the dusty lanes and bright core reveal stunning depth.
#Astrophotography #Andromeda
At ~2.5 million light years away, Andromeda is our nearest spiral neighbour. The pink regions mark hydrogen-rich star-forming nebulae, while the dusty lanes and bright core reveal stunning depth.
#Astrophotography #Andromeda
My latest picture of M31 the Andromeda Galaxy in HaLRGB.
September 27, 2025 at 3:09 PM
My latest picture of M31 the Andromeda Galaxy in HaLRGB.
The Cocoon Nebula – IC 5146 in LRGB
Located 2,500 light-years away in Cygnus, the Cocoon Nebula glows with star-forming gas and reflection nebulae, framed by dark dust lanes in this LRGB capture.
#CocoonNebula #IC5146 #LRGB #Astrophotography #DeepSky #Nebula
Located 2,500 light-years away in Cygnus, the Cocoon Nebula glows with star-forming gas and reflection nebulae, framed by dark dust lanes in this LRGB capture.
#CocoonNebula #IC5146 #LRGB #Astrophotography #DeepSky #Nebula
September 8, 2025 at 5:45 PM
The Cocoon Nebula – IC 5146 in LRGB
Located 2,500 light-years away in Cygnus, the Cocoon Nebula glows with star-forming gas and reflection nebulae, framed by dark dust lanes in this LRGB capture.
#CocoonNebula #IC5146 #LRGB #Astrophotography #DeepSky #Nebula
Located 2,500 light-years away in Cygnus, the Cocoon Nebula glows with star-forming gas and reflection nebulae, framed by dark dust lanes in this LRGB capture.
#CocoonNebula #IC5146 #LRGB #Astrophotography #DeepSky #Nebula
🦋 IC 1318, the Butterfly Nebula — glowing hydrogen gas and dark dust clouds weave this vast tapestry around the star Sadr in Cygnus. A star-forming region where light and shadow shape the wings of a cosmic butterfly. 🌌✨ #IC1318 #ButterflyNebula #Astrophotography #DeepSky
August 17, 2025 at 4:27 PM
🦋 IC 1318, the Butterfly Nebula — glowing hydrogen gas and dark dust clouds weave this vast tapestry around the star Sadr in Cygnus. A star-forming region where light and shadow shape the wings of a cosmic butterfly. 🌌✨ #IC1318 #ButterflyNebula #Astrophotography #DeepSky
⚡ The Eastern Veil Nebula — the glowing remains of a massive star that exploded ~2,400 light-years away. Shockwaves of oxygen, hydrogen & sulphur weave this cosmic tapestry of destruction & rebirth. 🌌✨ #EasternVeilNebula #Astrophotography #SupernovaRemnant #DeepSky #Nebula
August 16, 2025 at 4:21 PM
⚡ The Eastern Veil Nebula — the glowing remains of a massive star that exploded ~2,400 light-years away. Shockwaves of oxygen, hydrogen & sulphur weave this cosmic tapestry of destruction & rebirth. 🌌✨ #EasternVeilNebula #Astrophotography #SupernovaRemnant #DeepSky #Nebula
The Heart Nebula in SHO. Not fully happy with the final version so may have to come back to it later in the year (with more data). #astrophotography #nebula #ioptron #asi294mm #tsoptics #Astrophotography #NightSky #Stars #AstroPhotographer #MilkyWay #DeepSpace #StarryNight #Celestial
April 20, 2025 at 3:13 PM
The Heart Nebula in SHO. Not fully happy with the final version so may have to come back to it later in the year (with more data). #astrophotography #nebula #ioptron #asi294mm #tsoptics #Astrophotography #NightSky #Stars #AstroPhotographer #MilkyWay #DeepSpace #StarryNight #Celestial
The Lion Nebula – SH2-132 in SHO & HOO
Captured in narrowband sulphur, hydrogen, and oxygen filters, the palette reveals rich ionisation structures and intricate detail within this stellar nursery.
#LionNebula #SHO #Astrophotography #DeepSky #Nebula #ZWO #SpaceArt #HubblePalette #NightSky
Captured in narrowband sulphur, hydrogen, and oxygen filters, the palette reveals rich ionisation structures and intricate detail within this stellar nursery.
#LionNebula #SHO #Astrophotography #DeepSky #Nebula #ZWO #SpaceArt #HubblePalette #NightSky
April 13, 2025 at 2:04 PM
The Lion Nebula – SH2-132 in SHO & HOO
Captured in narrowband sulphur, hydrogen, and oxygen filters, the palette reveals rich ionisation structures and intricate detail within this stellar nursery.
#LionNebula #SHO #Astrophotography #DeepSky #Nebula #ZWO #SpaceArt #HubblePalette #NightSky
Captured in narrowband sulphur, hydrogen, and oxygen filters, the palette reveals rich ionisation structures and intricate detail within this stellar nursery.
#LionNebula #SHO #Astrophotography #DeepSky #Nebula #ZWO #SpaceArt #HubblePalette #NightSky
M101 – The Pinwheel Galaxy in HaLRGB
A face-on spiral galaxy 21 million light-years away in Ursa Major. This HaLRGB image blends natural colour with hydrogen-alpha data to reveal star-forming regions across its vast, detailed arms.
#M101 #HaLRGB #Astrophotography #PinwheelGalaxy #ZWO
A face-on spiral galaxy 21 million light-years away in Ursa Major. This HaLRGB image blends natural colour with hydrogen-alpha data to reveal star-forming regions across its vast, detailed arms.
#M101 #HaLRGB #Astrophotography #PinwheelGalaxy #ZWO
April 7, 2025 at 2:13 PM
M101 – The Pinwheel Galaxy in HaLRGB
A face-on spiral galaxy 21 million light-years away in Ursa Major. This HaLRGB image blends natural colour with hydrogen-alpha data to reveal star-forming regions across its vast, detailed arms.
#M101 #HaLRGB #Astrophotography #PinwheelGalaxy #ZWO
A face-on spiral galaxy 21 million light-years away in Ursa Major. This HaLRGB image blends natural colour with hydrogen-alpha data to reveal star-forming regions across its vast, detailed arms.
#M101 #HaLRGB #Astrophotography #PinwheelGalaxy #ZWO
The Cave Nebula
Located approximately 2,400 light-years away in the constellation Cepheus, the Cave Nebula (Sh2-155) is a striking region of ionized gas and dust, shaped by the intense radiation of nearby hot, young stars. #Astrophotography #CaveNebula #Sharpless155 #Nebulae #HubblePalette
Located approximately 2,400 light-years away in the constellation Cepheus, the Cave Nebula (Sh2-155) is a striking region of ionized gas and dust, shaped by the intense radiation of nearby hot, young stars. #Astrophotography #CaveNebula #Sharpless155 #Nebulae #HubblePalette
March 30, 2025 at 4:26 PM
The Cave Nebula
Located approximately 2,400 light-years away in the constellation Cepheus, the Cave Nebula (Sh2-155) is a striking region of ionized gas and dust, shaped by the intense radiation of nearby hot, young stars. #Astrophotography #CaveNebula #Sharpless155 #Nebulae #HubblePalette
Located approximately 2,400 light-years away in the constellation Cepheus, the Cave Nebula (Sh2-155) is a striking region of ionized gas and dust, shaped by the intense radiation of nearby hot, young stars. #Astrophotography #CaveNebula #Sharpless155 #Nebulae #HubblePalette
The Iris Nebula (NGC 7023) – 1,400 light-years away in Cepheus, this reflection nebula glows as starlight scatters through cosmic dust. Dark filaments weave through the blue glow, revealing the beauty of deep space.
#Astrophotography #IrisNebula #NGC7023 #DeepSky
#Astrophotography #IrisNebula #NGC7023 #DeepSky
March 23, 2025 at 11:53 AM
The Iris Nebula (NGC 7023) – 1,400 light-years away in Cepheus, this reflection nebula glows as starlight scatters through cosmic dust. Dark filaments weave through the blue glow, revealing the beauty of deep space.
#Astrophotography #IrisNebula #NGC7023 #DeepSky
#Astrophotography #IrisNebula #NGC7023 #DeepSky
The Whirlpool Galaxy (M51) – A Cosmic Dance
31 million light-years away, M51 is a stunning spiral galaxy locked in a cosmic embrace with NGC 5195. This LRGB image, captured with my ZWO FF80 & ASI294MM Pro, reveals its beauty.
#Astrophotography #M51 #SpacePhotography #DeepSpace
31 million light-years away, M51 is a stunning spiral galaxy locked in a cosmic embrace with NGC 5195. This LRGB image, captured with my ZWO FF80 & ASI294MM Pro, reveals its beauty.
#Astrophotography #M51 #SpacePhotography #DeepSpace
March 16, 2025 at 10:58 AM
The Whirlpool Galaxy (M51) – A Cosmic Dance
31 million light-years away, M51 is a stunning spiral galaxy locked in a cosmic embrace with NGC 5195. This LRGB image, captured with my ZWO FF80 & ASI294MM Pro, reveals its beauty.
#Astrophotography #M51 #SpacePhotography #DeepSpace
31 million light-years away, M51 is a stunning spiral galaxy locked in a cosmic embrace with NGC 5195. This LRGB image, captured with my ZWO FF80 & ASI294MM Pro, reveals its beauty.
#Astrophotography #M51 #SpacePhotography #DeepSpace
Finally managed to get first light on my ZWO FF80. Very happy with the scope so far, just need more clear nights! Happy Sunday! #astrophotography #astronomy #nebula #galaxy #deepsky #star #deepskyphoto #deepspacephoto #ioptron #asi294mm #tsoptics #Astrophotography #NightSky #Stars #SpacePhotography
March 9, 2025 at 5:39 PM
Finally managed to get first light on my ZWO FF80. Very happy with the scope so far, just need more clear nights! Happy Sunday! #astrophotography #astronomy #nebula #galaxy #deepsky #star #deepskyphoto #deepspacephoto #ioptron #asi294mm #tsoptics #Astrophotography #NightSky #Stars #SpacePhotography
This LRGB image captures M78, a stunning reflection nebula in Orion, 1,350 light-years away. Its blue glow comes from starlight scattering off interstellar dust, surrounded by dark lanes and young stars.
#Astrophotography #M78 #Space
#Astrophotography #M78 #Space
January 12, 2025 at 2:50 PM
This LRGB image captures M78, a stunning reflection nebula in Orion, 1,350 light-years away. Its blue glow comes from starlight scattering off interstellar dust, surrounded by dark lanes and young stars.
#Astrophotography #M78 #Space
#Astrophotography #M78 #Space
Welcome to 2025! My first images of M1 the Crab Nebula in both SHO and FORAXX palettes. The SHO image is my preferred one despite not getting the colours as I'd like. Moving onto some LRGB targets next, weather permitting 🌨 #astrophotography #astronomy
January 4, 2025 at 2:29 PM
Welcome to 2025! My first images of M1 the Crab Nebula in both SHO and FORAXX palettes. The SHO image is my preferred one despite not getting the colours as I'd like. Moving onto some LRGB targets next, weather permitting 🌨 #astrophotography #astronomy
My final version of the Wizard Nebula in SHO with RGB stars. Would have loved to get more data on the nebula but the weather had other ideas!
#astrophotography #astronomy #nebula #galaxy #deepsky #star #deepskyphoto #deepspacephoto #ioptron #asi294mm #tsoptics #Astrophotography #NightSky #Stars
#astrophotography #astronomy #nebula #galaxy #deepsky #star #deepskyphoto #deepspacephoto #ioptron #asi294mm #tsoptics #Astrophotography #NightSky #Stars
November 16, 2024 at 2:03 PM
My final version of the Wizard Nebula in SHO with RGB stars. Would have loved to get more data on the nebula but the weather had other ideas!
#astrophotography #astronomy #nebula #galaxy #deepsky #star #deepskyphoto #deepspacephoto #ioptron #asi294mm #tsoptics #Astrophotography #NightSky #Stars
#astrophotography #astronomy #nebula #galaxy #deepsky #star #deepskyphoto #deepspacephoto #ioptron #asi294mm #tsoptics #Astrophotography #NightSky #Stars
Work in progress, NGC 7380 the Wizard Nebula. Need a bit more time on the nebula then going to replace the stars with true colour stars. More to follow! #astrophotography #astronomy #nebula #galaxy #deepsky #star #deepskyphoto #deepspacephoto
October 27, 2024 at 1:30 PM
Work in progress, NGC 7380 the Wizard Nebula. Need a bit more time on the nebula then going to replace the stars with true colour stars. More to follow! #astrophotography #astronomy #nebula #galaxy #deepsky #star #deepskyphoto #deepspacephoto
Cosmic Question Mark reprocessed 🌌
Captured amidst the vastness of space the intricate blend of colours, from dark veils of dust to glowing gas, serves as a reminder of how many questions the universe still holds.
#astronomy
#astrophotography
Captured amidst the vastness of space the intricate blend of colours, from dark veils of dust to glowing gas, serves as a reminder of how many questions the universe still holds.
#astronomy
#astrophotography
October 13, 2024 at 9:34 AM
Cosmic Question Mark reprocessed 🌌
Captured amidst the vastness of space the intricate blend of colours, from dark veils of dust to glowing gas, serves as a reminder of how many questions the universe still holds.
#astronomy
#astrophotography
Captured amidst the vastness of space the intricate blend of colours, from dark veils of dust to glowing gas, serves as a reminder of how many questions the universe still holds.
#astronomy
#astrophotography
Work in progress! HOO version of the Dumbbell Nebula. Only managed 4.5hrs of integration time so far and need to get some RGB stars as I'm not a fan of the HOO stars. Hoping to finish this later next week so keep tuned! #astrophotography #astronomy
September 29, 2024 at 8:19 AM
Work in progress! HOO version of the Dumbbell Nebula. Only managed 4.5hrs of integration time so far and need to get some RGB stars as I'm not a fan of the HOO stars. Hoping to finish this later next week so keep tuned! #astrophotography #astronomy
The Cocoon Nebula (IC 5146), a stellar nursery located in the constellation Cygnus. This vibrant nebula showcases ongoing star formation, with its striking pink hue emitted by ionised hydrogen gas. A remarkable view of the cosmos. #Astronomy #CocoonNebula #Astrophysics #Astrophotography
September 15, 2024 at 11:05 AM
The Cocoon Nebula (IC 5146), a stellar nursery located in the constellation Cygnus. This vibrant nebula showcases ongoing star formation, with its striking pink hue emitted by ionised hydrogen gas. A remarkable view of the cosmos. #Astronomy #CocoonNebula #Astrophysics #Astrophotography
Just reprocessed my old data of the Tadpole Nebula! 🌌It’s amazing what a fresh look can reveal. Always worth revisiting old captures with new techniques. #Astrophotography #TadpoleNebula #Space
September 1, 2024 at 3:14 PM
Just reprocessed my old data of the Tadpole Nebula! 🌌It’s amazing what a fresh look can reveal. Always worth revisiting old captures with new techniques. #Astrophotography #TadpoleNebula #Space
IC 342: The Hidden Galaxy
After 18 hours of exposure, I captured IC 342, a spiral galaxy about 11 million light-years away. Known as the “Hidden Galaxy,” it’s obscured by the Milky Way’s dense stars and dust, making it a challenging target. #astrophotography #galaxy #astronomy #deepsky
After 18 hours of exposure, I captured IC 342, a spiral galaxy about 11 million light-years away. Known as the “Hidden Galaxy,” it’s obscured by the Milky Way’s dense stars and dust, making it a challenging target. #astrophotography #galaxy #astronomy #deepsky
August 30, 2024 at 5:35 PM
IC 342: The Hidden Galaxy
After 18 hours of exposure, I captured IC 342, a spiral galaxy about 11 million light-years away. Known as the “Hidden Galaxy,” it’s obscured by the Milky Way’s dense stars and dust, making it a challenging target. #astrophotography #galaxy #astronomy #deepsky
After 18 hours of exposure, I captured IC 342, a spiral galaxy about 11 million light-years away. Known as the “Hidden Galaxy,” it’s obscured by the Milky Way’s dense stars and dust, making it a challenging target. #astrophotography #galaxy #astronomy #deepsky
The Crescent Nebula in HOO. The stars aren’t perfect as I may be pushing the weight limit of my mount. Bring on a mount upgrade! #astrophotography #nebula #deepsky
August 11, 2024 at 9:28 AM
The Crescent Nebula in HOO. The stars aren’t perfect as I may be pushing the weight limit of my mount. Bring on a mount upgrade! #astrophotography #nebula #deepsky
The Bubble Nebula captured this week and processed in SHO, HOO and FORAXX palettes. #astrophotography #nebula
August 10, 2024 at 7:50 PM
The Bubble Nebula captured this week and processed in SHO, HOO and FORAXX palettes. #astrophotography #nebula