Cosmotography News
| 1, March, 2013 |
The Current in the Tide
Interview with Dr. David Martinez-Delgado and R. Jay GaBany published in Germany's Sterne und Weltraum (Stars and Space) Magazine, March 2013
(from: The Current in the Tide, Sterne und Weltraum, March 2013)
Looking for stellar tidal currents close to the spiral galaxies, astrophysicist David Martínez-Delgado and the amateur astrophotographer R. Jay GaBany are on the prowl. Together they combine the best observation techniques with current computer models.
Read the press release
|
|
| 21, September, 2012 |
25 Most Influential People in Space
Leading News Magazine Special Edition Shines a Light on R. Jay GaBany
(from: 25 Most Influential People in Space, Time Books, 2012)
As frontiers of space expand, so do the opportunities for its explorers: to pilot spacecraft, spot planets, search for aliens and share their passion.
Gigantic observatories and orbiting space telescopes don't own astronomy. Not entirely. Smaller can sometimes be better, as astrophotographer R. Jay GaBany has proven. Read the article...
On sale now through December 14, 2012 where ever magazines are sold.
|
|
| 23, August, 2012 |
CNN iReport Facebook Event
R. Jay GaBany Hosts CNN iReport Facebook Event
Join Light Years and CNN iReport on Facebook August 23, 2012 at 2:30 p.m. ET for a chat with R. Jay GaBany, one of the world’s leading amateur astrophotographers.
Jay will answer your questions about celestial photography and share his tips for how to get the best brag-worthy snapshots of meteor showers, the Milky Way and the night sky using minimal equipment.
Read the comments
|
|
| 10, May, 2012 |
NGC 5907 featured on cover of the journal Astronomy & Astrophysics, February 2012, vol. 538, A121
Loops formed by tidal tails as fossil records of a major merger
(from the Astronomy & Astrophysics press release) NGC 5907 is a spiral galaxy lying in the Dragon constellation, showing extraordinary large loops and currents of stars in its surrounding halo. According to researchers, it could have been formed through a gigantic collision of galaxies, 8 to 9 billion years ago. Six scientists of the Observatoire de Paris, CNRS, Chinese Academy of Sciences, National Astronomical Observatories of China and Aix-Marseille Université propose this scenario on the basis of simulations with 200,000 to 6 million particles.
Read the Observatoire de Paris press release
Download the Observatoire de Paris press release
Read the Astronomy & Astrophysics abstract.
|
|
| 8, February, 2012 |
Max-Planck-Gesellschaft research news article published
Tiny galaxy with a huge appetite
(from the Max-Planck-Gesellschaft web site) From small to large- this motto also applies in space. Tiny galaxies can merge into formidable Milky Way systems. But how do dwarf galaxies grow? Apparently, in a similar manner- through cosmic cannibalism. Two research groups including MPIA researchers David Martínez-Delgado and Michelle Collins from the Max Planck Institute for Astronomy in Heidelberg have found a mini galaxy which is just in the process of devouring another.
Read the article.
Read additional information.
|
|
| 8, February, 2012 |
University of California Santa Cruz (UCSC) press release published
New images capture 'stealth merger' of dwarf galaxies
(from the UCSC web site) New images of a nearby dwarf galaxy have revealed a dense stream of stars in its outer regions, the remains of an even smaller companion galaxy in the process of merging with its host. The host galaxy, known as NGC 4449, is the smallest primary galaxy in which a stellar stream from an ongoing merger has been identified and studied in detail.
Read the press release.
Read more information about this research.
|
|
| 8, February, 2012 |
National Astronomical Observatory of Japan (NAOJ) press release published
Subaru Telescope Captures Images of the "Stealth Merger" of Dwarf Galaxies
(from the NAOJ web site) Research by an international team of scientists has revealed a "stealth merger" of dwarf galaxies, where an in-falling satellite galaxy is nearly undetectable by conventional means yet has a substantial influence on its host galaxy. The Subaru Telescope captured high-resolution images of individual stars in a dense stream of stars in the outer regions of a nearby dwarf galaxy (NGC 4449); these outlying stars are the remains of an even smaller companion galaxy in the process of merging with its host.
Read the press release.
Read more information about this research.
|
|
| 8, February, 2012 |
Max-Planck Institute for Astronomy press release issued
Watching a tiny galaxy grow
(from the Max-Planck Institute for Astronomy web site) For the first time, astronomers have caught a so-called dwarf galaxy in the process of swallowing another, even smaller galaxy. Whether such mergers are important for the evolution of the tiniest galaxies has been the subject of debate among theoreticians. Now, thanks to research by two independent groups including MPIA researchers David Martínez-Delgado and Michelle Collins, there is empirical evidence that such mergers occur. The analyses draw on deep images from modestly sized telescopes, in an example for successful collaboration between amateur and professional astronomers.
Read the more about this project here and an article that provides background information about dwarf galaxies here. Read the press release here.
|
|
| 1, February, 2012 |
Article appears in February 2012 Sky and Space magazine
Amateur astronomers hunt down dark matter
(from the Ciel et Espace website) Another example of successful collaboration between amateurs and professionals! Photographers Jay GaBany and Ken Crawford embarked on the trail of the dark matter , along with an international scientific team, by Raphaël Chevrier. (Ciel et Espace, February 2012, pages 28-31)
|
|
| 29, December, 2011 |
M106 Makes Cover of Ovaldsen's 2012 Calendar Handbook
2012 Heavenly Calendar, Astronomical Handbook and Almanac
This picture of spiral galaxy M106 was selected for the cover of Jan-Erik Ovaldsen's 2012 Calendar, Handbook and Almanac. Jan-Erik is an acclaimed Norwegian astrophysicist, published author and astronomy evangelist.
|
|
| 9, December, 2011 |
New scientific collaboration submitted to the Astrophysical Journal Letters
Dwarfs gobbling dwarfs: a tidal star stream around NGC 4449
We have mapped and analyzed a stellar stream in the halo of the nearby dwarf starburst galaxy NGC 4449, detecting it in deep integrated-light images using the Black Bird II Observatory 0.5-meter telescope, and resolving it into a river of individual red giant branch stars using the 8.2-meter Subaru/Suprime-Cam (NAOJ). The properties of the stream imply a massive dwarf spheroidal progenitor, which will continue to disrupt and deposit an amount of stellar mass that is comparable to the existing stellar halo of the main galaxy. The ratio between luminosity or stellar-mass between the two galaxies represents a stealth major merger. This singular discovery also suggests that satellite accretion can play a significant role in building up the stellar halos of low-mass galaxies, and possibly in triggering their starbursts.
Read the full .pdf documentation.
|
|
| 11, November, 2011 |
New scientific collaboration published in the Astrophysical Journal Letters
The formation of shell galaxies similar to NGC 7600 in the cold dark matter cosmogony
A new N-body simulation, demostrates the continuous accretion of stars and dark matter clumps can create a swath of diffuse circumgalactic structures. The disruption of a massive near-radial orbiting dark matter clump creates a complex system of transient concentric shells which bare a striking resemblance to those observed surrounding NGC 7600. With the aid of the simulation we interpret NGC 7600 in the context of the CDM model.
Read the full .pdf documentation.
|
|
| 17, October, 2011 |
Recent scientific collaboration published in the Astronomical Journal
Discovery of a Stellar Tidal Stream in the Halo of Messier 63 (NGC 5055)
The results of a collaboration spanning several years regarding the existance of a stellar stream surrounding Messier 63 (NGC 5055) has been published by the Astronomical Journal. Click here for the full pdf documentation.
|
|
|
| 3, October, 2011 |
Astronomy Magazine Includes 4 Images in 100 Greatest PIctures of the Year 2011
 |
NGC 4651, the Umbrella galaxy
NGC 4258, M106
NGC 5055, M63, the Sunflower galaxy
|
NGC 6514, the Trifid nebula
|
|
The November 2011 issue of Astronomy magazine selects the 100 Greatest Pictures of the Year and includes four images seen at Cosmotography.
|
|
| 1, October, 2011 |
Wikipedia page released
A page with my biography and modest contributions to astronomy has been released on Wikipedia.
|
|
| 15, September, 2011 |
NGC 5907 published in the journal Nature
This image of NGC 5907 illustrated a News & Views article titled Rough Times in the Galactic Neighborhood by Curtis Struck (Vol 477 Number 7364, September 15, 2011, pages 286- 287) in the journal Nature.
|
|
| 15, May, 2011 |
New scientific collaboration published
Good Science with Modest Instruments
Download the PDF document.
Presented on May 23, 2011 at the Society of Astronomical Sciences Symposium in Big Bear Lake, California, this paper summarizes the benefits of conducting astronomical research with off the shelf equipment and a motivated team of professionals and amateurs. This paper was written in collaboration with Dr. David Martinez-Delgado, MPIA.
|
|
| 12, May, 2011 |
Eta Carinae Makes the Cover of Astronomy Magazine's Spectacular Universe
Cover Image
This image of Eta Carinae was selected for the cover of Astronomy's Spectacular Universe special edition.
Order a copy here.
|
|
| 21, April, 2011 |
Article published in June 2011 Sky and Telescope
Layering Image Contrast
This article in the June issue of Sky and Telescope discusses a novel technique I use to exaggerate contrast and make structures more apparaent in astronomical images. See pages 72- 75.
Read more information here.
|
|
| 1, March, 2011 |
M83 makes the cover of the UK's AstronomyNow March 2011 edition
Run the Messier Marathon
This image of M83 was selected for the cover of the UK's largest selling astronomy magazine for the March 2011 issue.
|
|
| 10, January, 2011 |
Award Recipient
2010 AAS Chambliss Amateur Achievement Award
I have the extreme honor of being named the recipient of the 2010 AAS Chambliss Amateur Achievement Award for my work with Dr. David Martinez-Delgado and his international team of professional astronomers!
Read more information here.
|
|
| 2, January, 2011 |
Article published in January 2011 issue of Astronomy Now
Gearheads- Remote Viewing
This article about remote observatory operation has been published in the January 2011 issue of Astronomy Now- pages 84- 85.
|
|
| 25, December, 2010 |
M63 Collaboration featured on Official MPIA 2010 Christmas Card
Season's Greeting and all the best for the New Year!
This image from the recent collaborative investigation with Dr. David Martinez-Delgado (MPIA) was selected to adorn the front of the 2010 Official Christmas Card from the Max-Plank-Institute for Astronomy, Heidelberg.
|
|
| 15, December, 2010 |
NGC 5907 Makes Cover of Sweden's Populär Astronomi December 2010 issue
Dark Secrets of the Smallest Galaxies
Daniel Aden's article describes stellar streams and their signficance to galactic evolution. See pages 36 through 40.
|
|
| 10, November, 2010 |
NGC 5907 Featured on Cover of Patrick Moore's 2011 Astronomy Yearbook
This picture of NGC 5907 was selected for the cover of this popular book published in the UK.
|
|
| 30, October, 2010 |
M63 Collaboration featured in Nature Physics
Galactic Leftovers
The results of a collaboration spanning several years regarding the existance of a stellar stream surrounding Messier 63 (NGC 5055) has been featured in Nature Physics October 2010 edition.
|
|
| 9, September, 2010 |
New scientific collaboration submitted for publication
Discovery of a Stellar Tidal Stream in the Halo of Messier 63 (NGC 5055)
The results of a collaboration spanning several years regarding the existance of a stellar stream surrounding Messier 63 (NGC 5055) have been submitted for publication to the Astronomical Journal and can be previewed here.
|
|
| 20, April, 2010 |
AstroPhotography Tonight
Interview
I was recently interviewed by Ray Shore for an article that's now available at AstroPhotography Tonight.
|
|
| 10, April, 2010 |
Astronomical Journal
Scientific Paper
Stellar Tidal Streams in Spiral Galaxies of the Local Volume: A Pilot Survey with Modest Aperture Telescopes
A fifth scientific paper that includes my imaging contributions has been accepted for publication in the Astronomical Journal. Click here for the full text in PDF format.
|
|
| 15, December, 2009 |
Horsehead Makes Cover of Ovaldsen's 2010 Calendar Handbook
Heavenly Calendar, Astronomical Handbook and Almanac
This picture of the Horsehead Nebula was selected for the cover of Jan-Erik Ovaldsen's 2010 Calendar Handbook. Jan-Erik is an acclaimed Norwegian astrophysicist, published author and astronomy evangelist.
|
|
| 1, December, 2009 |
Article published in Sky & Telescope's Beautiful Universe 2010
The Art of Science
The 2010 edition of Sky & Telescope's Beautiful Universe includes two images and an article I wrote introducing the amateur section for deep space and planetary images. Titled The Art of Science, the article discussed my long held belief that astrophotography is an form of art in service to science. It was a singular honor to be a contributor to this annual special edition. See pages 38- 39.
Buy a copy!
|
|
| 10, October, 2009 |
Astrophysical Journal
Scientific paper
Unveiling the Nature of M94’s Outer Region: a Panchromatic Perspective
A third scientific paper that includes my imaging contributions has been published in the Astrophysical Journal. Click here for the full text in PDF format.
|
|
| 9, June, 2009 |
Instituto Cervantes, Madrid, Spain
Image exhibition
Surprises of the Cosmos
The Instituto Cervantes presents the spectacular images of the project Surprises of the Cosmos.
The exhibition, organized by the Institute of Astrophysics of the Canary Islands, the Canary Government and the Instituto Cervantes, includes spectacular large format photographs showing planets, nebulas, galaxies and stars, starting from a ‘scan’ of the universe from its beginning.
The opening will take place the 22nd of July, at 6:30 pm, and will include a brief presentation of the exhibition held by Annia Domènech, journalist in science and curator of the project Surprises of the Cosmos.
The objective of this exhibition is to present abroad the astrophysics investigation studies that are carried out in Spain, a country that counts important observatories in its territory, coinciding with the celebration of the Year International of Astronomy in 2009.
Many of the most remarkable international observatories are in Spanish speaking countries: Chile, Mexico, Argentina, Venezuela and Spain, with the Roque de los muchachos observatory, (La Palma) and the Teide observatory (Tenerife) both belonging to the Institute of Astrophysics of the Canary Islands.
These thirty spectacular astronomic photographs show planets, nebulas, galaxies, and stars, starting from a ‘scan’ of the universe from its beginning. The four stages of the journey are: up to the borders of the Milky Way; our galaxy, the Milky Way; the Solar System.
Surprises of the Cosmos has been touring since April 2009, showing in various international branches of the Instituto Cervantes including those in Madrid, Lisbon, Beijing, Shanghai, Tokyo, Utrecht, London, New Delhi, Sydney.
Two of my images are part of an exhibition. Included are NGC 5907 and NGC 891 |
|
| 5, June, 2009 |
NGC 5709 published in June 2009 issue of the journal Science
The Tales Told by Lonely Galaxies
 
This image of NGC 5907 has been published in the journal Science..
(from the Science website)To what extent are a galaxy's properties determined by its inner workings or through interactions with its surroundings? To solve that puzzle, some astronomers are searching for rare galaxies well isolated from their neighbors. By comparing these loners to their more-gregarious brethren, researchers hope to tease apart the inherent inner workings of galaxies and the effects of interactions. Last month, 120 researchers gathered in Granada, Spain, to discuss such efforts. Article by Adrian Cho
|
|
| 1, June, 2009 |
Capturing the Stars: Astrophotography by the Masters (Hardcover)
Book publication
Several images have been published in a new book by master astrophotographer Robert Gendler. Images include:The Iris Nebula (my personal favorite picture), The Horsehead Nebula, The Crab Nebula and others. Robert included a short, but exceedingly generous, introduction to the section of this book featuring my collection of images.
Book description: Galaxies, star clusters, nebulae, and other deep-sky treasures fill the pages of this beautiful volume of space photography from ten of the most accomplished astrophotographers in the world. Along with the marvels of the night sky--the Andromeda and Whirlpool galaxies, the Pleiades and the Praesepe, the Orion and Crab nebulae, and many more--each section features a profile of the photographer’s work, techniques, philosophy, and experiences. Compiled by the world's leading amateur astrophotographer, with an introduction to the history of space photography, this spectacular volume is an essential for every stargazer’s bookshelf.
Buy the book! |
|
| 1, June, 2009 |
The Heavens Proclaim: Astronomy and the Vatican
Book publication
My image of NGC 5907 has been included in a new book by Guy Consolmagno that has been published by the Vatican Observatory Publications.
For more than 100 years, the Vatican has supported an astronomical observatory. But that should come as no surprise; from even before the Gregorian Reform of the Calendar in 1582, indeed dating back to the invention of the University (where studying astronomy was a requirement for anyone wanting a doctorate in philosophy or theology!) the Church has not only supported astronomical research...it has seen the study of the Heavens as a way of getting to know the Creator!
In honor of the International Year of Astronomy, the Vatican and its Observatory is delighted to present this small expression of support, filled with beautiful images from the Vatican's telescopes and wisdom from the Popes, to show that indeed.
Buy the book! |
|
| 15, March, 2009 |
Discover the Universe 2009- Norway
Image Exhibition
At the invitation of Jan-Erik Ovaldsen, the acclaimed Norwegian astrophysicist, author and astronomy evangelist, and with the permission of the Subaru Observatory on Maua Kea, Hawaii, I prepared an updated rendtion of the Subaru Deep Field image, produced several years ago for the Norwegian celebration of Discover the Universe 2009.
So far, the Subaru Deep Field project has generated over thirty scientific papers. To the delight of the original research team, one of the earliest findings announced the identification of one of the farthest known galaxies- an early star system 12.88 billion light years from Earth!
This rendition, plus one or two other pictures, are being displayed on oversized, outdoor posters with photographs from professional observatories, orbiting space telescopes and several other independent astrophotographers in Oslo, Norway, from April through June 2009, in Sandefjord, Norway from August 1- 31, 2009 and Kristiansand, Norway, from mid-June through October 31, 2009. |
|
| 20, February 2009 |
Astrophysical Journal
Scientific Paper release
Discovery of a giant stellar tidal stream around the disk galaxy NGC 4013
A second scientific paper has been published featuring my image of NGC 4013.
|
|
| 30, January 2009 |
Article published in the January 2009 issue of Sky and Telescope
Galaxy Archeology with Amateurs
An article co-authored with Dr. David Martinez-Delgado has been published in the January 2009 edition of Sky and Telescope discussing our research into stellar star streams around distanct galaxies. See pages 92- 98
| |
| 22, January 2009 |
University of Michagan
Image Exhibition
The Universe- Yours to Discover: Out of this World Astronomical images
My image of NGC 5907 is on display at the Harlan Hatcher Gallery January 22 through March 7, 2009
| |
| 15, December, 2009 |
Horsehead Makes Cover of Dickinson & Dyer's Third Edition
The Backyard Astronomer's Guide
This picture of the Horsehead Nebula was selected for the cover of Terence Dickinson & Alan Dyer's third edtion of the Backyard Astronomer's Guide.
Sky & Telescope said: "Guide books for amateur astronomers abound, but none is more up to date than the heavily illustrated third edition of Terence Dickinson and Alan Dyer's The Backyard Astronomer's Guide. It's an indispensible aid for amateurs wading into the ocean of modern telescopes, eyepieces and accessories. And the section on astrophotography with digital cameras is among the finest we've seen..If you were to own only one book on amateur astronomy, this is it!"
|
|
| 10, December 2008 |
Astrophysical Journal
Scientific Paper release
The ghost of a dwarf galaxy: fossils of the hierarchical formation
of the nearby spiral galaxy ngc 5907
First scientific paper has been published featuring my image of NGC 5907.
|
|
4, April 2008
News release
|
Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC)
News release
|
|
(from the IAC web site) Gigantes corrientes estelares, surgidas tras la muerte de galaxias enanas, circundan las regiones exteriores de dos galaxias espirales
Un equipo internacional de astrónomos ha identificado gigantescas corrientes de estrellas en la periferia de dos galaxias espirales próximas y, por primera vez, ha obtenido una visión panorámica de un fenómeno de canibalismo galáctico similar al de la galaxia enana de Sagitario en el entorno de la Vía Láctea
|
| |
Astrophysical Institute of the Canaries (IAC)
News release
|
 |
(from the IAC web site) Huge star streams, resulting from the death of dwarf galaxies, surround the outer regions of two spiral galaxies.
An international team of astronomers has identified huge star streams in the outskirts of two nearby spiral galaxies. For the first time, they have obtained a panoramic overview of an example of galactic cannibalism similar to that involving the Sagittarius dwarf galaxy in the vicinity of the Milky Way.
|
| 4, April 2008 |
Museo de la Ciencia y el Cosmos
Public presentation
Fantasmas de galaxias: el papel del astrónomo amateur en la arqueología galáctica
Co-presentación con Dr. David Martinez-Delgado |
|
| |
Museum Of Science and the Cosmos
Ghost galaxies: The role of the amateur astronomer in the Galactic archeology
Co-presentation with Dr. David Martinez-Delgado |
|
|
