I would like to tell you the story of my relationship with the Orion Nebula. I hope you won’t find it too boring, because this is how my astro journey began.
Since I was a child, I’ve been fascinated by the night sky, always looking up in amazement at the twinkling stars. I used to make Play-Doh planets and space rockets all the time. When I was 12, I heard my father talking about something in space called the Great Orion Nebula. From that moment on, I looked at the night sky even more, constantly wondering what it was and where I could find it.
As the years went by, I slowly lost interest — until June 2016.
I was watching a documentary about telescopes and the night sky when I decided to buy my first telescope. It was only a small Newtonian reflector, and I wasn’t really happy with it, so I sent it back and upgraded to a Sky-Watcher Explorer 200P. As I started learning more about the telescope and the night sky, I came across the Great Orion Nebula again — my childhood mystery object. I was amazed by the photos. I couldn’t believe my eyes. The childhood memories came flooding back, and I felt an overwhelming excitement to learn more.
In September 2016, I had the chance to visit a dark site. From the bottom of my heart, I hoped I would be able to see it with my own eyes. And guess what — I did. I was absolutely speechless. I had tears of joy in my eyes and felt the gap in my soul, one I had carried for so long, finally being filled. In that moment, I knew I wanted to capture this beautiful wonder of the night sky.
So I started learning about astrophotography. In November 2016, I took my first deep-sky object photo — and yes, it was the Great Orion Nebula. I captured it through an eyepiece using my mobile phone. I was happier than you could ever imagine.
Since I was a child, I’ve been fascinated by the night sky, always looking up in amazement at the twinkling stars. I used to make Play-Doh planets and space rockets all the time. When I was 12, I heard my father talking about something in space called the Great Orion Nebula. From that moment on, I looked at the night sky even more, constantly wondering what it was and where I could find it.
As the years went by, I slowly lost interest — until June 2016.
I was watching a documentary about telescopes and the night sky when I decided to buy my first telescope. It was only a small Newtonian reflector, and I wasn’t really happy with it, so I sent it back and upgraded to a Sky-Watcher Explorer 200P. As I started learning more about the telescope and the night sky, I came across the Great Orion Nebula again — my childhood mystery object. I was amazed by the photos. I couldn’t believe my eyes. The childhood memories came flooding back, and I felt an overwhelming excitement to learn more.
In September 2016, I had the chance to visit a dark site. From the bottom of my heart, I hoped I would be able to see it with my own eyes. And guess what — I did. I was absolutely speechless. I had tears of joy in my eyes and felt the gap in my soul, one I had carried for so long, finally being filled. In that moment, I knew I wanted to capture this beautiful wonder of the night sky.
So I started learning about astrophotography. In November 2016, I took my first deep-sky object photo — and yes, it was the Great Orion Nebula. I captured it through an eyepiece using my mobile phone. I was happier than you could ever imagine.
Of course, I couldn’t stop there. I bought a Canon 700D and sent it to Juan at Cheap Astrophotography for a Baader modification. The first deep-sky image I took with it was, once again, M42.
And here I am now, doing something I once thought was impossible.
What started as a childhood curiosity about a mysterious object in the sky, became a passion that shaped who I am today. The Orion Nebula was more than just my first deep-sky image — it was the spark that reignited a lifelong fascination and gave it direction.
Every time I look at M42, whether through a telescope or on my camera screen, I’m reminded of that 12-year-old boy staring up at the night sky, full of wonder. That feeling hasn’t gone away. If anything, it has grown stronger.
Astrophotography is not just about capturing light that has travelled for thousands of years. For me, it’s about reconnecting with that sense of awe, chasing the emotion I felt on that first night under a dark sky, and sharing it with others.
The Orion Nebula filled a gap in my soul once — and it continues to guide my journey among the stars.
What started as a childhood curiosity about a mysterious object in the sky, became a passion that shaped who I am today. The Orion Nebula was more than just my first deep-sky image — it was the spark that reignited a lifelong fascination and gave it direction.
Every time I look at M42, whether through a telescope or on my camera screen, I’m reminded of that 12-year-old boy staring up at the night sky, full of wonder. That feeling hasn’t gone away. If anything, it has grown stronger.
Astrophotography is not just about capturing light that has travelled for thousands of years. For me, it’s about reconnecting with that sense of awe, chasing the emotion I felt on that first night under a dark sky, and sharing it with others.
The Orion Nebula filled a gap in my soul once — and it continues to guide my journey among the stars.
Thank you!
