„In the consciousness of humans, nature recognizes itself.“

Carl Sagan, Anne Druyan

Sh2-275 (Rosette Nebula), Emission Nebula in MON, 5,440 light years distance, total exposure 8h 35min, Feb 2025, Hart bei Graz, Austria
captured with a 10″ f/3-Newtonian Telescope at 750 mm focal length

     Dr. Michael Werkl, January 2026

This page

 

Originally, this page was thought to be a personal journal and a documentation of my journey – capturing my progress and expanding knowledge in the realms of astronomy and astrophotography. Interestingly, even as I began drafting the first entries, the thought of potentially sharing this work publicly had a profound effect on my learning curve, spurring greater curiosity and insight.

Here, you’ll find personal experiences, hopefully some inspiration, and helpful resources for newcomers (like myself)… and, of course, SpaceImages!

Welcome to a journey through the cosmos, where the vastness of space invites us to explore the wonders of the universe. Through the lens of astrophotography, we can capture glimpses of distant stars, galaxies, and nebulae, each one a reminder of the immense scale and complexity of the cosmos. As Carl Sagan once said, „The cosmos is within us. We are made of star-stuff.“ 

These images are more than just pictures; they are a reflection of our curiosity, our desire to understand our place in the universe, and the boundless beauty that surrounds us. With each capture, we venture further into the unknown, guided by the light of stars that have traveled across eons to reach our eyes.

The fascination of Astronomy

One of the most beautiful explanations of what it means to engage with astronomy comes from Johannes Kepler: for him, practicing astronomy meant being able to read the thoughts of God. Indeed, the act of gazing upon objects that are often unimaginably distant and beautifully otherworldly fills one with a certain sense of awe and undoubtedly opens up new horizons.

Even more fascinating is the fact that these observations are accompanied by discoveries from a science whose potential seems boundless.

To be part of this as an amateur is all the more remarkable, especially in light of the rapid advancements in equipment and imaging technology

Why Astrophotography?

There is a unique fascination in being able to independently capture, even as an amateur, something that lies light-years away from our Earth. Although—or perhaps precisely because—the acquisition of the necessary knowledge and the mastery of the required techniques in astrophotography cannot be achieved „overnight,“ and progress often follows a rather gradual learning curve (…), even the first semi-decent results can serve as a powerful motivator.

Today, amateurs are already producing photos and videos of astounding quality, which would have been unthinkable just 20 years ago.

Ultimately, however, it is perhaps the inherent beauty of the objects themselves that exerts the greatest fascination. 


Projects, Images

AlL PROJECTS / IMAGES