Save The Date: let’s head to the Virgo Cluster on May 12th

03 May. 2023

The results are in!

Vaonis is excited to share the first ever collaborative image captured by the Vaonis community during the recent Virgo Cluster Challenge.

Despite the inclement weather, our team received over 100 entries over the weekend.

Thanks to your participation, we were able to push the limits of Vespera’s and Stellina’s capabilities, especially in detecting the faintest celestial bodies, also known as the limiting magnitude, that our instruments can perceive.

On behalf of the entire Vaonis team, we would like to thank ALL of you, challenge participants and the entire Vaonis community, for participating in this unique challenge!

Here are the results obtained by Vespera and Stellina users.

Vespera

Stellina

DOWNLOAD STELLINA FINAL TIFF VERSION

DOWNLOAD VESPERA FINAL TIFF VERSION

Save The Date: let’s head to the Virgo Cluster on May 12th! With modern technology, capturing stunning photographs of the universe has become more accessible than ever before. Today, Vaonis is inviting you to create a new world record with the longest cumulative exposure time image in 24 hours ever taken by Vaonis fast-growing community.

On May 12th, Vespera owners will point their instruments at NGC 4438 (part of the Markarian’s Chain), while Stellina owners are invited to point theirs at M60, both part of the Virgo cluster, and work together to create the longest exposure photograph ever captured with the same gear. This is a fantastic opportunity to join a pioneering community of individuals with a shared passion for astrophotography.

Join Vaonis on that special day as we set our sights on the beautiful Virgo Cluster on May 12th! In this blog post, we’ll discuss the Virgo Cluster and how you can participate in Vaonis’ exciting new challenge.

What is the Virgo Cluster?

The Virgo Cluster is a stunning and awe-inspiring phenomenon in the cosmos. Located within the constellation Virgo, this cluster is a massive collection of galaxies that contains thousands of individual members. From massive elliptical galaxies to smaller, irregular ones, the Virgo Cluster is a testament to the sheer scale and complexity of the universe. At its core lies the M87 galaxy, a behemoth that weighs in at trillions of times the mass of our Sun. The Virgo Cluster has captivated astronomers and stargazers alike with its intricate structure and breathtaking beauty. Whether you’re a seasoned astrophotographer or simply an admirer of the cosmos, the Virgo Cluster is a must-see spectacle that is sure to leave you in wonderment.

Save The Date: let’s head to the Virgo Cluster on May 12th

Vaonis’ new challenge is designed to bring together amateur astronomers from all over the world to capture a new world record with the longest cumulative exposure time image in 24 hours ever taken by Vaonis fast-growing community.

On May 12th, Vespera owners will point their instruments at NGC 4438 (part of the Markarian’s Chain), while Stellina owners are invited to point theirs at M60, both part of the Virgo Cluster, and work together to create the longest exposure photograph ever captured with the same gear.

How to Participate

Participating in Vaonis’ challenge is easy and straightforward. All you need to do is follow these simple steps:

Own a Vespera or a Stellina
Save the date in your calendar and set an alarm for May 12th
Check if the Virgo Cluster is visible from your location using tools such as Stellarium : if you live between Olso and Cape Horn, you should be able to observe it
Ensure your observation station and app are up-to-date by checking the latest releases
Enable TIFF export in your Singularity app settings by following the tutorial provided by Vaonis

Stellina owners

Vespera owners

Select Messier 60 galaxy
Let the observation run for at least 1 hour (stacking time)
Do not use the CovalENS or Reframe features
Find more help here

Select NGC 4438 (the target will be added in the next app release of May 9th)
If you want to have a try and observe the object before May 9th, enter the following coordinates in the manual mode:

ra: 12h27min47s dec:13°0′

CovalENS mode REQUIRED: change the size of the mosaic then center the square of the mosaic on NGC 4438 by keeping the field 2.8° x 2.0°, without changing the default position, nor rotate

Let the observation for at least 1 hour (stacking time)
Find more help here

Once you have captured your image, save it in TIFF format and send the file to photo@vaonis.com before May 14th, along with your full name, email address, and location.

Join the Community

Join the dedicated event on the mySingularity Facebook group to meet other participants and get advice. You can also browse the FAQ for Vespera and Stellina section to get answers to any questions you may have. Joining the community can be a great way to learn more about astrophotography and connect with other astronomy enthusiasts.

Vaonis’ new challenge promises to be a unique and exciting experience for amateur astronomers all over the world. By participating in the challenge, you’ll have the opportunity to capture a stunning photograph of the Virgo Cluster and potentially be a part of a new world record. With simple instructions and plenty of resources provided by Vaonis, this is a great opportunity for amateur astronomers of all levels to come together and capture the beauty of the universe.