This past weekend before Father’s day, all the astrophotography variables lined up: New moon + above average seeing + minimal wind!!!! My FWHM on my images were between 1.4 and 2” for two straight nights. I normally average 3-4”. I was able to run my Edge C9.25, my star adventurer pro with ASI 294 MC and 135 mm Rokinon lens, and take some wide angle untacked Milky Way Scape shots from the back yard.

While the conditions for the astrophotography were as good as it gets, this season of life for myself and my family has been harder than any other. Four weeks ago, my friend, my brother, who happened to be my DAD, passed away unexpectantly 10 days after having surgery. I had a rare relationship with my dad where we were able to share together life, family, faith, vocation, and hobbies.

My dad and mom unexpectantly introduced me to astronomy and astrophotography 2.5 years ago when they purchased a Celestron 4” SE for Christmas to share the joys of space with my young boys and wife after we had moved out into the country. Little did they know what a deep dive I would take in the hobby.

My dad continued to be an exuberant supporter of my passion for astrophotography over the past couple of years. He would always ask what I wanted to capture next. Numerous times he would come out with me when my parents were visiting to help set up my telescope rig. Then sit and drink a beer with me as we watched the night sky and subframes roll in. He saved my work for his work desktop background and would randomly send me pictures of his work computer with my images as the background. This last year, his birthday and Christmas requests were for metal prints of my work to hang at home and in his office. Even in the hospital, dad watched my entire presentation on the Astro Imaging Channel about the RASA 8 ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vgF6_ELsmXs&t=658s ) and how proud he was of me as I made progress in the hobby.

I shared with dad the excitement and anticipation of trying to capture the RHO Ophiuchi complex for months as well as finally getting the Rokinon 135 mm lens and my star adventurer rig set up. Also, I shared the challenge of capturing it at my 39 degree North Latitude and Antares only rising to 24 degrees above the southern horizon at its meridian.

Despite the challenges and my first time using this set up with wide angle astrophotography, the image was a success and a fitting tribute to my dad. Since I first discovered the size, complexity, and breath-taking nature of the complex, I have been fascinating by it. The height of the images is nearly 10 degrees in the night sky (approximately 20 thumb widths at full arm extension). I love regions in space where you can capture bright reflection nebulas, emission nebulas, and dark nebulas in the same image. There are still issues with the image that at a later date I will try to improve, especially the tilt causing coma at the top third of the image because of lens sag. In time, I will return to the image and fix some of the star color too.

At the end of the day, I love my dad and I am grateful for the impact he has made in all seasons of life that have led to the man, husband, and father I am. I know his life will continue to influence my future and the future generations in my own children and others.

I love my friend, my brother, who also happened to be my dad. I am so very thankful for the quality time and life spent with him.