Yet another year came to an end. I would like to review 2021: it is time to look back and ponder. For us astrophotographers it is a good opportunity to look back and see how has the hobby production evolved in the year. Have any new techniques been incorporated into the workflow? Any new gear? Any new workarounds, “fiddlings” and solutions? What have we accomplished and what have we learnt? And, what about the results - the images themselves? They are, however, at least for me, far from being the unique ultimate goal: it’s much more about the process than just pretty pictures. The knowledge, wonder, friendships, discovery... that is what astroimaging is all about.

2021 was an odd year. As the global pandemic continued from 2020, far too many lost their loved ones. Many activities were halted, work and study were done from home. In some places and with more widespread vaccination, part of our lives was able to go back to a “new-normal”, whatever that is. However, it is still not over, and we still have waves to cross in this dark ocean. For all those that lost their loved ones to covid, my deepest condolence - my thoughts are with you.

2021, continuing from 2020, presented the great opportunity to teach us to care more for one another, to appreciate all the little things of life, and in the loss of so much good things we either must not or could not do, we should be grateful for having once done so much. Technology, family and friends made the almost unbearable tolerable. Here I quote part of the famous "Pale Blue Dot" from Carl Sagan (in a very different context from the original, but to me still valid): "To me, it underscores our responsibility to deal more kindly with one another and to preserve, and cherish, the pale blue dot; the only home we've ever known".

It was a very busy year for me, probably the busiest. On a more personal note, it was my last year of undergraduate, in which I worked on my thesis and internship, alongside classes.  

About my astrophotography year: 2021 was, by far, my best imaging year. Two things contributed to that: my semi-permanent proto-observatory (more news on that coming soon), and the maintenance of remote (online) work/study, which allowed me to stay long periods in my dark site rural cottage (while attending my usual activities online through high-speed internet installed in Jan 2021). Here on AstroBin I posted only 13 images in 2021 (excluding this one). That is just a fraction of the data captured this year: my processing queue is huge as I captured more data than I could handle (that is a nolvelty!) I have some finished images to publish, some semi-finished work, some that awaits more careful processing, and some data I haven't even looked into! Some of the works featured in this review are unpublished. The year finished off with the great comet C/2021 A1 (Leonard), which was my first opportunity to photograph a beautiful comet with my improved skillset. I look forward to finishing many of those images and sharing them here - stay tuned ; - )

I mostly used a dual setup: my 150 f/5 newtonian and the Samyang 135mm lens. Automation was improved with NINA and a miniPC mounted on the scope, furhter enhancing productivity. I also bought a Rokinon 14mm lens, a L-Extreme filter, and some photography accessories. I made a few astro-related DIY projects, which I find very enjoyable and a great learning experience, including a weather station and an allsky camera.

However, the greatest news of the year was the second stage of the building of my observatory! After the twin-piers and slab in early 2020 (proto-observatory), the full observatory started taking shape. The brickwork started on the 6th September and finished the following week. After that, I had a long lead time with the custom-built roof. The roll-off-roof started to be built on site in the last days of December, and its structure is completed!!! Now I wait for the weather to cooperate in order for it to be finished! Expect to hear great news and a more detailed story in the future!

2021 in numbers (from my archives and management spreadsheet): I captured 598 hours of useful data (already excluding tests and clouded exposures)!! That is more than twice the data from 2020 (286h), and likely more than all my previous imaging years combined (2013 to 2020). Unsurprisingly, my most productive optical systems were the 150mm Newtonian (300h) and the 135mm Samyang lens (180h), and cameras were the modded 6D (327h) and T5 (167h). My most productive month was April, with over 159h of integration. I also captured my deepest single-frame-integration at 14.3h (which is still unpublished but featured in the review above – can you spot it?), and my largest telescope-mosaic to date (27 panels, which is also waiting finishing touches but is in the year compilation). I had the honour of having one Image of the Day here on AstroBin (IOTD, 3 Jul) and two Astronomy Pictures of the Day (NASA APOD, 26 Apr and 1 Oct)!

This year I strengthened great bonds with my fellow astro-friends, but our imaging outings were still on hold because of the pandemic. We had a few online calls though, hundreds of messages and thanks to technology we could share experiences, stories and our passion for this hobby – both with my closest friends here in Brazil, as well as with this wonderful community which is AstroBin. And that is what I think astroimaging should be all about: sharing this wonderful journey, together.

As far as images, these are my “best picks” of the year. However not all of them are already posted here – can you spot which ones are still to be published?

It’s propitious time be grateful for the year that just finished and ask: How was 2021? And what are the plans for 2022? I ask you all these questions, as I have asked myself - comments are more than welcome!

Wish you all a healthy, peaceful, harmonious, prosperous, productive and enjoyable 2021, with many imaging opportunities, friendships, achievements and clear skies!

Happy New Year!