Discover Stunning Photos of the Croc’s Eye and Whirlpool Galaxies Captured by a Passionate Backyard Astronomer!

Michele Hernandez Bayliss, a passionate astronomer from Vermont, has captured stunning photos of two iconic galaxies: the Croc’s Eye galaxy (Messier 94) and the Whirlpool galaxy (Messier 51). Her impressive work showcases the beauty of the universe from her own backyard.

After years of visual astronomy, Michele recently ventured into astrophotography. Over the last two years, she built a special observatory at her home in Weybridge, Vermont. Despite the state’s unpredictable weather, she seized a rare clear night in April to photograph the Croc’s Eye galaxy.

Using a Takahashi TOA-130NFB Refractor and a Stellarvue SVX140T-R telescope, along with essential accessories, Michele spent over 20 hours capturing images across two nights. The result was a vibrant portrayal of Messier 94, a spiral galaxy roughly 34 million light-years from Earth.

“The processing was tricky because the galaxy appeared smaller than I expected with my 990 mm scope,” Michele shared with Space.com. She had to use HDR techniques to highlight the core and carefully manage the brightness and color balance.

Earlier this year, Michele turned her telescope towards the stunning Whirlpool galaxy (Messier 51). This galaxy is renowned for its bright core and sweeping spiral arms. To reveal intricate details, she combined RGB and hydrogen-alpha (Ha) filters. Over 16 hours in February, she captured the galaxy’s dark dust lanes and captivating spiral structure, resulting in a breathtaking image.

Interestingly, the spiral arms of the Whirlpool galaxy are thought to be shaped by its interaction with the smaller galaxy NGC 5195. This gravitational dance helps to accentuate its spiral shape—a detail beautifully captured in Michele’s work.

Astrophotography isn’t easy. Michele faced many hurdles, especially the frequent cloudy skies and moonlit nights in Vermont. “Having two clear nights in a row was a miracle!” she exclaimed. Capturing details like those of Messier 94 requires precision, especially reducing the brightness of the galaxy’s core to reveal the delicate spiral arms.

With her telescopes, imaging filters, and digital editing skills, Michele produced images that rival those of professional astronomers. Her journey is a reminder that with passion and persistence, remarkable things can be achieved—even from a backyard observatory.

Astrophotography continues to grow as a popular hobby, with social media becoming a major platform for enthusiasts to showcase their work. For anyone interested in the stars, Michele’s story highlights not just the beauty of the cosmos, but also the dedication and skill it takes to capture it.

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