S.W.A.G. TEAM
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HAL-9000 AKA Trash Panda 🗑🦝
🌕 February S.W.A.G. Challenge: “To the Moon and Back!” 🌕
This month, we turn our lenses toward something that is both friend and foe.Loved and hated.But always beautiful.That's right — we're heading back to an old friend: the Moon. In honor of NASA's upcoming Artemis II mission, February's challenge is dedicated to our celestial neighbor. But in true S.W.A.G. spirit, we're not looking for just another moon photo — we want creativity, vision, and personality.Think outside the orbit:Compose a dramatic moonrise over your favorite landscape.Capture a moonlit nightscape with stars shimmering nearby.Create a collage of lunar phases that tells a story.Or, for the gearheads among us, take us on a tour of a crater or rile using your biggest telescope.The Moon's the limit! And that's not all — February also marks the Lunar New Year, ushering in the Year of the Horse. So feel free to add symbolic touches, cultural nods, or even creative interpretations tied to renewal, strength, and movement.Bonus Challenge:For those ready to push their limits — see if you can capture a lunar transit of Artemis II. It'll be tough, but when has S.W.A.G. ever backed down from a challenge?Let's light up February with moonlight and imagination.And as always, Per Aspera, Ad Astra
Maic
A note from the SWAG Group Management
Dear all, We are humbled by the number of join requests for our group. Many awsome astropals want to join and we are more than happy about it. This proves that SWAG made an impact on this community. And for that we THANK YOU ! But also i have to remind you all that SWAG Group is, for some time now, a closed group. We did this to solidify the actual members, for the group to grow in the actual state. And we think this was a good decision. We want to address the fact that we noted all the join requests and they are in pending for now until new management decisions are made. We saw you and we thank you ! All i can say now is wait. If we decide to be an open group again we will contact you for sure ! Also a note to actual members of SWAG: please don't make proposals to others to join SWAG. This will be decided only by the management or by a debate between actual members. We thank you ! Management : @HAL-9000 AKA Trash Panda 🗑🦝 / @XRaySpex / @Maic
FlamiFlamou
Hey Guys, sorry for my inactivity
Coming back completely when sky is :D Also im still random so heres a meme
HAL-9000 AKA Trash Panda 🗑🦝
ATTENTION!!! ACHTUG!!!! ATENCIÓN!!!! A THEIF HAS BEEN SPOTTED!!!!!
@ZWO Official Account Image theft has been detected by @Amsterdam race
HAL-9000 AKA Trash Panda 🗑🦝
S.W.A.G. January Monthly Challenge — New Year, New You
As we kick off a new year, it's the perfect time to look back and see how far we've all come. For January's S.W.A.G. challenge, the theme is “New Year, New You,” and it's all about showing your growth as an astrophotographer since joining AstroImg.Take one of your very first astro images and either re-process it using what you know now, or re-shoot the same target and create a side-by-side comparison of then versus now. Your subject can be anything you want—a nebula, galaxy, planet, the Moon, or a widefield shot. Straight off of the SeeStar compared to a mosaic, minutes of integration compared to weeks of integration...the possibilities are limited only by your imagination!Your approach is completely up to you. Be artistic, scientific, or somewhere in between. This challenge isn't about having the best gear or perfect data, but about reflecting on how your techniques, processing, and overall approach have evolved over time. Get out there and have some fun! Re-live some old memories. Make new ones. Reflect on how much you have improved!It's a great opportunity to appreciate the journey and celebrate the progress you've made. We can't wait to see your comparisons and share in everyone's growth.And as always my friends,Per Aspera, Ad Astra
DeShda
New Operation Lightfall Survey
Well dang! A problem with the Operation Lightfall Survey. I had used Survey Monkey before without issues. This time the answers came in but they would only let me see a few of them on my free plan! They now only offer an annual subscription for $300!!! So, here is the new survey on Google forms. I should have used that to begin with!Please take the survey again. I checked and this one works great!New Survey: https://forms.gle/HCa4iYU4e6MoYPtW6
HAL-9000 AKA Trash Panda 🗑🦝
For Those Who Capture Light in the Darkness
S.W.A.G. members — we're exploring something ambitious and potentially epic. PROJECT: LIGHTFALLProject: Lightfall will be a special, completely optional side project for those interested in participating in a large-scale, collaborative imaging effort unlike anything we've done before.The ConceptThe goal is to create a progressive “zoom-in” journey into a deep-sky object (target still to be determined).I'll begin with a widefield DSLR image showing the larger region of the sky.From there, participants will throw everything we have at it:SeeStarsRedCatsCarbonStarsRefractors, reflectors, SCTsEach successive contribution narrows the field, creating the effect of flying deeper and deeper into the object.The final result may take the form of:A collageA cinematic zoom-in videoOr bothSeeStar Remote Network The SeeStar remote network may be implemented to benefit those who want to participate but do not have access to the chosen object due to location, timing, or sky limitations. This allows more members to contribute meaningfully regardless of geographic constraints.Team Structure (Likely)This project will likely involve two primary teams:Image acquisitionImage processingCurrent StatusWe are in the pre-planning phaseCore planning team as of now: Sun Tzu, DeShda, and myselfA planetary nebula is currently being considered as the target, though this is not set in stoneData and AccessGiven the scope of this effort, we anticipate a large volume of data, which may require a separate shared drive account. All participants will have full access to the project data and materials.What We Need From YouIf you're interested in participating, please reply with:Your acknowledgment that you want to participateA list of the gear you plan to use, including:Telescope(s)Camera(s)Any relevant settings or configurationsWhether you are willing to be part of the SeeStar remote networkOptional: which team you're most interested in (image acquisition, image processing, or both)Final ThoughtsThis may very well become one of the largest collaborative projects ever undertaken by members of S.W.A.G. Participation is entirely voluntary and considered a side project, but for those who join, it's an opportunity to push collaboration, creativity, and technical skills to new limits.If this sounds like something you'd like to be part of, raise your hand and let us know what you can bring to the project.PROOF OF CONCEPTInitially, we do need a small "call to arms". A small group of volunteers with a variety of imaging equipment to image an object for a pre-determined amount of time, and possibly one brave soul (@XRaySpex ?) to test out the remote network to work out the bugs. This will be for a random object for a limited amount of time just to see how this all works. This will be hard.This will be COMPLICATED!THIS WILL BE FUN!!!!!Please consider and let us know. And as always,Per Aspera, Ad Astra
HAL-9000 AKA Trash Panda 🗑🦝
This One is a Hard One to Write...
Many of you know Dylan O'Donnell, many of you don't. Many of you know just how deeply he has influenced this community—and my own journey—over the years. Dylan was recently diagnosed with esophageal cancer, and I won't pretend this news hasn't shaken me to the core. I'm sitting here in tears as I write this, because when someone who has meant so much to you faces a battle like this, it hits differently. It hits hard.Dylan is more than an incredible astrophotographer and educator. He's a mentor, an inspiration, and a voice that has encouraged countless people to look up, stay curious, and keep pushing forward—even when things get difficult. His passion, humor, intelligence, and generosity have left a lasting mark on so many of us.And if there's one thing I know for certain, it's this: Dylan is a fighter. He has grit, heart, and strength in abundance. I truly believe he will beat this.If you don't yet know who Dylan O'Donnell is, I implore you to check out his YouTube channel, Star Stuff. View it. Like it. Subscribe to it. You'll find fun, witty, smart, and solid astronomy and astrophotography content—but more importantly, you'll be supporting someone who has given so much to this community.Dylan, we are with you. Your family is in our hearts. You have lifted so many of us up over the years—now it's our turn to lift you up. Stay strong, my friend. We're all pulling for you.
XRaySpex
New stretching script for Pixinsight.
Just in case you haven't seen this, the Veralux hyper metric stretch for Pixinsight. I've given it a go and it does a good job IMO. Here's the repository link if you'd like to try it. https://raw.githubusercontent.com/killerciao/VeraLuxPorting/main/ When you update it will be under script VHS-Porting. When you open it go to step 2 and click on auto calculate then process.
J&P
¡Un año en esta maravillosa comunidad!
En estos días he cumplido un año que participo en esta maravillosa comunidad. Me siento muy feliz de poder ser parte de todos vosotros, compartir mis trabajos y disfrutar de los vuestros, intercambiar conocimientos y poder disfrutar de imágenes del universo realizadas desde todos los rincones del planeta. Ver objetos del hemisferio Sur, es uno de mis mayores sueños y vosotros los que vivís al otro lado del Ecuador me lo estáis haciendo realidad. Mil gracias a todos por estar ahí y hacer posible que esta red universal que estamos creando sea cada vez más rica en conocimientos.
Maic
New to Seestar app’s SkyAtlas: Constellations
Finally, we have Constellations added in SkyAtlas, now that you can capture them in full with the new Wide Camera of the S30 Pro. I'm betting on a new Badge in 2026 regarding this, it must be. Right, ZWO ? 🫣🙏@天文知识馆
Maic
S30 Pro - Field of View simulation
Wow, using the new update of the Seestar app i've simulated 3 FOV for the S30 Pro 1. Framing mode of S30 Pro, 1x (default field of view) Orion: 2. Max framing mode (mozaic) 3. FOV of the new Pro Wide Camera of S30 Pro 😳🥹Impressive !!!
Maic
New Seestar app update: S30 Pro 😳
S30 Pro is closer .... 🥹 Maybe soon we will see some test photos taken with the Pro ... excited
HAL-9000 AKA Trash Panda 🗑🦝
Merry Christmas SWAGs and SWAGETTES!
Dear SWAG Family, As the year draws to a close and the Christmas season settles in, I find myself grateful—not just for the stars above us, but for the incredible community we share here in SWAG. This year, we’ve chased clear skies, wrestled with clouds and equipment gremlins, celebrated victories both big and small, and learned from one another along the way. We’ve shared images that took our breath away and stories that reminded us why we fell in love with astronomy in the first place. Through it all, what truly shines brightest is the camaraderie, encouragement, and generosity of spirit that defines this group. Christmas is a time of reflection—of remembering where we’ve been, appreciating where we are, and looking forward with hope. Just as we pause at the eyepiece or behind the camera to take in the wonder of the universe, may this season invite you to pause, breathe, and find joy in the moments that matter most: time with loved ones, quiet nights under the stars, and the peace that comes from shared passion and friendship. No matter where you are this Christmas—under clear skies, cloudy ones, or far from your gear—know that you are a valued part of this community. SWAG is more than an astronomy club; it’s a group of people connected by curiosity, creativity, and a shared sense of wonder. May your holidays be filled with warmth, light, and hope. May the new year bring clearer skies, steady tracking, and countless reasons to look up in awe once again. Merry Christmas, and thank you for being part of the SWAG journey
Maic
SWAG Comics presents: Movie recommendations
Check out the following 2 movies coming in 2026 in a cinema near you, all in IMAX. 1. Judge Harold in "The Shadow Verdict" Synopsis: In a city drowning in corruption and fear, justice has vanished— until a hooded figure steps out of the shadows. Known only as Judge Harold, the masked arbiter of truth delivers his verdicts without warning, mercy, or paperwork. When a wave of mysterious golden awards begins to disappear from across the city, Harold uncovers a chilling conspiracy: a secret society using stolen symbols of justice to manipulate courts, control officials, and rewrite the law itself. Surrounded by ancient temples, crumbling halls, and statues of justice that seem to watch his every step, Harold follows a trail of clues into the city’s forgotten underground. There, he must confront a ruthless enemy determined to plunge society into chaos. But the deeper he goes, the more Harold realizes the truth: The greatest darkness isn’t in the city—it’s inside the verdict he must deliver. Armed with nothing but a golden gavel and an unbreakable sense of duty, Judge Harold faces his final ruling— one that could expose the truth… or end him forever. Justice is coming. And it wears a mask. 2. RuKo and JRB in "RuKo & JRB: Press X for Trouble" Synopsis: When mild-mannered tech wiz RuKo and overly-enthusiastic historian-slash-pawn-shop-regular JRB accidentally enter an underground gaming tournament, they think they’re just signing up for a friendly retro challenge. Instead, they trigger a full-blown city-wide chaos event involving: 🎮 malfunctioning consoles, 🦝 trash-panda sabotage, 🚗 runaway cars, 🥇 stolen trophies, 🍌 dangerous banana peels, and a pawn shop owner who may or may not be running a secret criminal empire. With zero teamwork skills, RuKo’s explosive gaming rage, and JRB’s questionable strategic advice (“Trust me, my friend, I saw this in a documentary”), the two unlikely heroes must glitch, dodge, mash, and panic-press their way through the tournament… …to save their neighborhood, recover a mysterious missing award, and maybe—just maybe—finally beat Level 1. Friendship gets tested. Controllers get broken. And pressing the wrong button could end the world. Who brings the popcorn? 🍿🥤
Maic
SWAG Comics Volume 3 is here !
SWAGs and friends, Here it is: Vol.3 of SWAG Comics. I know it may look a little bit short but having so many characters in this volume is more or less an introduction of them. In volume 4 i will take my time and develop more the already shown characters and introduce new ones in a more "breathable pace". Hope you like it as much as i making it ! And remember this: every SWAG is a superhero in his own way. Don't forget this ! PS: also the PDF version is on Drive
DeShda
Rather fun looking back at my first year of astrophotography!
I had some fun making a video of my best images of 2025. Let me know what you think! A few of you have had issues with the embedded link, weird as many have not had issues. Anyway, I removed the link and just placed the address: www.youtube.com/watch?v=nGCK7Ae__Ss I would just copy and paste it into a web browser.David . . .
HAL-9000 AKA Trash Panda 🗑🦝
Cosmic Christmas: Announcing the December S.W.A.G. Challenge
Good evening, S.W.A.G. family!As we step into the final month of the year, a season filled with wonder, warmth, and just a touch of cosmic magic, it's time to unveil our December S.W.A.G. Challenge. And this month, we're getting festive!In honor of Christmas and the holiday season, your mission is to create your very own holiday card using your astrophotography. Whether you pull a favorite shot from your archives or bundle up and capture something new this month, the universe is already beautifully decorated — all you have to do is turn it into a card.The possibilities are endless:A shimmering Pleiades as twinkling winter lights…The Christmas Tree Nebula standing tall…The Orion Nebula glowing like a celestial fireplace…Or even a bright globular cluster serving as the perfect cosmic tree topper.Let your creativity soar! Your card can be traditionally Christmas-themed or simply holiday-inspired — whatever brings joy to your cosmic creation.This month we also have a special holiday-themed badge just for this challenge designed by our very own @Maic ! Feel free to add this festive badge to your cosmic Christmas cards. And don't forget — when you share your creations, use the hashtag #CosmicChristmas# so we can all celebrate together.Now, on to an exciting update:Our S.W.A.G. Meet & Greet is still very much in the works! We are actively exploring options using the group chat itself, as well as looking into platforms like Zoom and Teams. The goal is to pull this off with the least amount of technical gremlins possible — because we all know those little creatures love to show up at the worst times. As we get closer, we'll keep everyone updated right in the chat so you don't miss a thing.Thank you all for another incredible year of creativity, community, and cosmic wonder. Let's finish 2025 strong with a sky full of stars — and hearts full of holiday cheer.Now… let the Cosmic Christmas Challenge begin!And as always...Per Aspera, Ad Astra
Maic
Hungry for more SWAG Comics ? ?
Well, put an end to your hunger by ordering from TONY's NEAH-YEAH PIZZA's new meniu, with special discounts for SWAGs. So SWAG a slice ! Bon apetit !