The Virtual Telescope Project 2.0 Blog

M 57, the "Ring" nebula

M 57 – Lyr

  With no doubts, Messier 57 is the  most famous planetary nebula in the sky. It is often called the “Ring” nebula, for obvious reasons. It was discovered by A. D. de Pellepoix in...

The sky on 15 Sept. 2012, 19:30UT, at lat +41 deg

Monthly Skies: September 2012 (North)

The short description below is valid for a latitude of +42 deg. September is a very interesting month for northern observers. Summer is approaching its astronomical end, but the stars visible at the beginning...

NGC 2392, the "Eskimo" nebula

NGC 2392 – Gem

NGC 2392 is a well-known planetary nebula in Gemini, also because of its funny shape, resembling the face of an “eskimo”, hence its nickname. A dying star, evolving now as a white dwarf, is...

Venus transit: 6 June 2012

Venus transit: 6 June 2012

The Transit of Venus in front of the Sun is a very rare event. The last one for our generation was on June 6, 2012. In Italy, it was only visible the very end...

The “Blue” Moon: 31 Aug. 2012

The “blue” Moon: 31 Aug. 2012 The Moon is the only known natural satellite of our planet. With its distance of less than 400.000 km from the Earth, it is also the first step...

The "blue" Moon: 31 Aug. 2012

The “Blue” Moon: 31 Aug. 2012

  The Moon is the only known natural satellite of our planet. With its distance of less than 400.000 km from the Earth, it is also the first step when climbing the cosmic ladder...

EG Aquarii: discovery of its SU UMa nature

EG Aquarii: discovery of its SU UMa nature

The International Astronomical Union published CBET 736 with the following findings! On Nov. 8.44, 2006 R. Stubbing (AU) spotted this star at mag. 12.4, that is clearly in a bright outburst. The historical record...

NGC 7009

NGC 7009 – Aqr

NGC 7009 is a small planetary nebula with the nickname of  “Saturn Nebula” because of its shape.  It was discovered by W. Herschel on 1782, while Lord Rosse gave it its nickname in the...

NGC 7662

NGC 7662 – And

NGC 7662 is a wonderful planetary nebula, knows as “Blue Snowball” for its intriguing color. It hosts a dying star, almost with the same mass of our Sun.  It was discovered by W. Herschel...

Gamma Delphini

Gamma Delphini

  Gamma Delphini is a well-known and celebrated double star, quite a gem in the late-summer sky. This image was captured with the Celestron C14″, part of the Virtual Telescope Project, with a set...

Porrima, Gamma Virginis

Porrima, Gamma Virginis

  This is a quite outstanding image! it shows the star Porrima, (the Gamma Virginis) one of the most appreciated double stars in the sky. At this epoch, the stars are very close each...