Astronomical Imaging

Image Credit: Kelly Gorham

Ryan speaks nationally to groups about NASA science and his work in the field of astronomy. He is pictured above on the film set at Montana State University in Bozeman.

Ryan is one of nine NASA Space Science Student Ambassadors in the United States. He works with thousands of students, teachers, and those interested. As an NASA Student Ambassador, Ryan has partnered with the Montana Space Grant Consortium and the Space Public Outreach Team to bring science to others. Those interested in having Ryan speak to their group, should contact him via email (rmhannahoe {at} gmail.com).

Additionally, Ryan’s efforts are supported by the kind generosity of Mike and Lynn Rice of New Mexico Skies Observatories.

Upcoming events:

• Lehigh Valley Amateur Astronomical Society – Allentown, PA, July 7
• Berks County Amateur Astronomical Society – Reading, PA, June 14
• Astronomy Day at the Museum of the Rockies – Bozeman, MT,  April 21
• Montana Space Grant Consortium’s Student Research Symposium  – Bozeman, MT, April 20

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The Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC), located 163,000 light-years from Earth, is a dwarf galaxy that can be observed mainly from our Southern Hemisphere.  This galaxy spans 10,000 light-years across and contains some 30 billion stars.  Located in the constellation of Tucana, the SMC is known for its HII regions, supernova remnants, and young star clusters.

Data acquired by: Ryan M. Hannahoe
Data processed by: Robert Gendler
Exposure Time: 35 hours
Equipment used: Takahashi FSQ106, Bisque Paramount ME, STX 16803 CCD
Location: Fair Dinkum Skies Observatory, Moorook – Australia

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Located in the constellation Cassiopeia, the Heart Nebula resides 7,500 light-years away from Earth.  This emission nebula is a combination of glowing-gas and dark-dust clouds. The nebula glows bright red representing the element hydrogen.

Image credit: Ryan M. Hannahoe
Exposure time: 30 hours
Equipment Used: 16″ RC Optical Systems Telescope, Bisque Paramount ME, STX16803 CCD
Location: Perez Observatory at New Mexico Skies, Mayhill – New Mexico

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Located in the constellation Scorpius, the Cat’s Paw Nebula is 5,500 light-years from Earth. This nebula spans 100 light-years across and resembles a cat’s paw.

Two-frame Mosaic, Hydrogen Alpha Color Composite

Data acquired by: Ryan M. Hannahoe
Data processed by: Robert Gendler
Exposure Time: 60 hours
Equipment used: 14.5″ RC Optical Systems Telescope, Bisque Paramount ME, STL11000 CCD
Location: Fair Dinkum Skies Observatory, Moorook – Australia

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Located 1,800 light-years away, the planetary nebula NGC 5189 resides in the constellation Musca. This image depicts the remains of a star in its final life stage.

Luminance Data Courtesy Gemini Observatory/AURA

R.G.B. Data acquired by: Ryan M. Hannahoe
Equipment used: 14.5″ RC Optical Systems Telescope, Bisque Paramount ME, STL11000 CCD
Location: Fair Dinkum Skies Observatory, Moorook – Australia

Data processed by: Robert Gendler

The original image created by Gemini Observatory/AURA, was modified to create a true color image

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Data acquired by: Ryan M. Hannahoe
Data processed by: Jim & Gail Keenan
Exposure Time: 1/2000
Equipment used: Nikon D200, AF-S NIKKOR 90mm, F/5.6
Location: KSC Banana Creek Viewing Site, FL

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NGC 4945 is an edge-on spiral galaxy that resides 13 million light-years from Earth. This starburst galaxy appears in the constellation Centaurus and is comparable in size to our own Milky Way.

Data acquired by: Ryan M. Hannahoe
Data processed by: Robert Gendler
Exposure Time: 25 hours
Equipment used: 14.5″ RC Optical Systems Telescope, Bisque Paramount ME, STL11000 CCD
Location: Fair Dinkum Skies Observatory, Moorook – Australia

** Portion of central luminance data from the ESO/Danish 1.5m telescope at La Silla, Chile **
(Robert Gendler and Christina Thöne)

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The Eta Carinae Nebula is a colossal object that appears in the constellation of Carina. This nebula resides some 7,500 light-years from Earth and spans 260 light-years across. Its size makes it one of the largest nebulas in our galaxy. The star, Eta Carinae, is about 150 times larger than our Sun and is said to shine some 5 million times brighter. Gasses surrounding this star rush outward at a rate of 4.5 million miles per hour.

Data acquired by: Ryan M. Hannahoe
Data processed by: Robert Gendler
Exposure Time: 25 hours
Equipment used: 14.5″ RC Optical Systems Telescope, Bisque Paramount ME, STL11000 CCD
Location: Fair Dinkum Skies Observatory, Moorook – Australia

** Portion of central luminance data from the ESO/Danish 1.5m telescope at La Silla, Chile **
(Robert Gendler, Jan-Erik Ovaldsen, Christina Thöne, and Chloé Feron)

Click photo for larger view.

Data acquired by: Ryan M. Hannahoe
Data processed by: Robert Gendler
Exposure Time: 14 hours
Equipment used: 14.5″ RC Optical Systems Telescope, Bisque Paramount ME, STL11000 CCD
Location: Fair Dinkum Skies Observatory, Moorook – Australia

Click photo for larger view.

2.4 million light-years from Earth, the Triangulum Galaxy (M33)  resides in the constellation Triangulum and spans some 50,000 light-years. This galaxy contains roughly 40 billion stars and is the third largest galaxy in the Local Group. M33 contains many star-forming regions and these regions are represented by the color red.

Image credit: Ryan M. Hannahoe
Exposure time: 60 hours
Equipment Used: 16″ RC Optical Systems Telescope, Bisque Paramount ME, STX16803 CCD
Location: Perez Observatory at New Mexico Skies, Mayhill – New Mexico