Corona Constellation during Coronavirus pandemic

Corona Borealis is a small but distinctive constellation in the northern sky. Its Latin name means “the Northern Crown”, an ancient symbol that unexpectedly gained new meaning during the global Coronavirus pandemic of 2020.

This photograph was captured during that period, when the word “corona” suddenly became part of everyday life. Against the quiet stillness of lockdown nights, the celestial crown of stars offered a reminder that the universe continues its rhythm regardless of human events.

Corona Borealis is the 73rd constellation in size, occupying an area of 179 square degrees. It lies in the third quadrant of the northern hemisphere and is visible from latitudes between +90° and −50°. Its semicircular arc of stars is easy to recognize once identified, especially on clear autumn nights.

Corona Constellation during Coronavirus pandemic

Camera & Exposure:
Canon EOS Ra · ISO 40,000 · 3 seconds · EF 16–35mm f/2.8L II USM · f/2.8

Astrophotography Reflection

The photograph came first; the meaning followed. Only later did the symbolic connection become clear — a cosmic crown appearing in the sky during a time when humanity was confronting fragility, uncertainty, and shared experience on a global scale.

Related Astrophotography Posts

If you enjoy constellation-focused nightscape photography, you may also find these collections interesting:

• Ursa Major (Big Dipper) — Nightscape Astrophotography Collection
• Orion (constellation) Astrophotography
• A Tree and the Milky Way — Symbolic Night Sky Astrophotography
• Pelican Nebula Astrophotography (IC5070 and IC5067)
• Canon EOS 60Da — Milky Way and Constellation Astrophotography

Peru Astrophotography

Finally, my dream happens and I was able to see south sky – Southern Cross, Alpha Centauri, Large Magellanic Cloud etc. These photos were done during my trip to Peru, Central Andes, near Inca sacred valley and Cusco city - Chinchero village. I had limited time for astrophotography during shopping time of our women. Altitude is about 3,762 m or 12,339 ft. At such altitude the sky absolutely amazing! You really feel that stars are much closer.  

Canon EOS 60Da,  EF16-35mm f/2.8L II USM lens, ISO-4000, f/2.8, 30 seconds. on this photo you can see Alpha Centauri which is the closest star to the Sun, just 4.37 light-years. Thinking about next vacation :)

Peru Astrophotography - Milky Way and Alpha Centauri

  

Canon EOS 60Da,  EF16-35mm f/2.8L II USM lens, ISO-4000, f/2.8, 30 seconds. Peru is on South hemisphere and on the photo you can find the south pole (3 1/2 times the distance between Gacrux and Acrux).

Southern Cross (Crux constellation), Milky Way and and Alpha Centauri - Peru Astrophotography

Canon EOS 60Da,  EF16-35mm f/2.8L II USM lens, ISO-4000, f/2.8, 6 seconds.

Orion under Central Andes Mountains - Chinchero city - Peru Astrophotography

Canon EOS 60Da,  EF16-35mm f/2.8L II USM lens, ISO-4000, f/2.8, 30 seconds.

Jupiter - Peru Astrophotography

Large Magellanic Cloud Southern Cross - Peru Annotated Astrophotography

There is one more photo which I did in Cusco Planetarium

Peru Cusco Planetarium - Night Sky View

Orion Constellation Astrophotography Around the World

One of the most recognizable constellations in the night sky is Orion, often called “The Hunter.” Its distinctive shape is easy to identify thanks to the three bright stars that form Orion’s Belt — Alnitak, Alnilam, and Mintaka.

Orion is especially popular among astrophotographers because it contains some of the most beautiful deep-sky objects visible even with modest equipment. The most famous of these is the Orion Nebula (M42), one of the brightest stellar nurseries in the sky.

Below is a small collection of my Orion constellation astrophotography taken from different locations around the world — including the Negev Desert in Israel, Puerto Rico, Iceland, and New York City. These images show how Orion appears under very different observing conditions, from dark desert skies and tropical horizons to aurora displays and heavily light-polluted urban environments.

From dark skies Orion reveals rich star fields and faint nebulae, while even from urban locations it remains one of the easiest and most rewarding constellations for astrophotography.

Orion Constellation over the Negev Desert, Israel – Astrophotography

Wide-field astrophotography of Orion taken from the Negev Desert, Israel clearly shows the different colors of its brightest stars. While most of the stars appear blue-white, Betelgeuse stands out with its yellow-orange to reddish color. This happens because Betelgeuse is a massive red supergiant, much cooler than the hot blue stars in Orion such as Rigel and the stars of Orion’s Belt.

Orion Constellation Astrophotography Culebra Island Puerto Rico

This wide-field Orion image taken from Culebra Island, Puerto Rico under Bortle class 3–4 skies reveals many nebulae that form part of the Orion Molecular Cloud Complex. Visible in the photograph are Barnard’s Loop, the bright Orion Nebula (M42), the Horsehead Nebula in front of IC 434, the faint Witch Head Nebula (IC 2118), and more distant objects such as the Rosette Nebula and the large emission region known as the Seagull Nebula (IC 2177).

Orion Constellation with Northern Lights – Iceland Astrophotography

In this photograph taken in Iceland, the Orion constellation appears together with the Northern Lights. A soft glow from the Moon is visible in the upper left corner of the image, while an aurora band moves diagonally across the sky from the lower right toward the upper left, partially crossing the constellation. Despite these bright sky conditions, Orion remains easy to identify thanks to its bright stars and the distinctive line of Orion’s Belt.

Orion Nebula (M42) photographed from urban New York City

The Orion Nebula (M42) photographed from heavily light-polluted New York City. By stacking many tracked exposures it is still possible to reveal nebula structure even under bright urban skies.

Orion Constellation Astrophotography

This photograph shows the Orion constellation above tropical palm trees at Wyndham Grand Rio Mar Beach Resort, Puerto Rico. The bright star Sirius in the nearby constellation Canis Major is also visible. Because Orion lies close to the celestial equator, it rises high in the sky when observed from tropical locations, making it an excellent target for wide-field astrophotography.

Orion Constellation over Kfar Szold Kibbutz, Israel – Astrophotography

This photograph shows the Orion constellation above the trees of Kfar Szold Kibbutz, Israel. The familiar line of Orion’s Belt makes the constellation easy to recognize even in a wide-field landscape scene. The image also captures the bright star Sirius from the nearby constellation Canis Major, one of the brightest stars in the night sky.

Orion Constellation over Lighthouse, Puerto Rico – Night Sky Astrophotography

The Orion constellation rising above a lighthouse in Puerto Rico. The three stars of Orion’s Belt form a clear line in the sky, making the constellation easy to recognize even in wide-field night landscapes.

Because Orion lies on the celestial equator, it can be observed from almost anywhere on Earth. This makes it one of the few constellations that astrophotographers can capture from many different continents and climates. From tropical Caribbean skies to northern aurora landscapes and even light-polluted cities, Orion remains one of the most recognizable constellations of the Northern Hemisphere winter sky.

Bright Stars and Deep-Sky Objects in Orion

• Betelgeuse – red supergiant marking Orion’s shoulder
• Rigel – bright blue supergiant marking Orion’s foot
• Alnitak, Alnilam, Mintaka – the three stars of Orion’s Belt
• M42 Orion Nebula – bright emission nebula and stellar nursery

Related Orion Astrophotography

• Orion Nebula (M42) Astrophotography from New York City
• Orion Constellation over Lighthouse – Puerto Rico Astrophotography
• Puerto Rico Astrophotography – Orion Constellation
• Orion Constellation Astrophotography – Israel Night Sky
• Orion Constellation with Northern Lights – Iceland Astrophotography

Other Constellation Astrophotography

If you enjoy constellation photography, you may also find these posts interesting. They show other constellations and annotated night-sky images captured from different locations around the world.

• Big Dipper (Ursa Major) Astrophotography Around the World
• Corona Constellation during the Coronavirus Pandemic
• Crux (Southern Cross) – Milky Way Astrophotography from the Galápagos
• Annotated Southern Sky Astrophotography – Crux, Centaurus, Carina and the Magellanic Clouds
• Urban Constellation Astrophotography – Lyra and Cassiopeia from New York City
• Annotated Summer Milky Way – Constellations and Nebulae

Big Dipper (Ursa Major) Astrophotography Around the World

The Big Dipper, part of the constellation Ursa Major, is one of the most recognizable star patterns in the night sky. For many people it is the first constellation they learn to identify. The seven bright stars form a distinctive shape resembling a ladle or wagon, and the two stars at the end of the “bowl” point directly toward the North Star (Polaris).

This post shows a small collection of my Big Dipper astrophotography taken from different locations around the world. Even though it is the same constellation, its orientation and position in the sky change depending on latitude. In northern locations the Big Dipper is often circumpolar, meaning it never sets below the horizon. Closer to the equator, however, the constellation appears lower in the sky and sometimes even touches the horizon.

These photographs were taken during various astrophotography trips — from the dark skies of Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks to tropical skies in Puerto Rico, desert skies in Utah, and my local observing sites in New York.

The Big Dipper (Ursa Major) Yellowstone Astrophotography

The Big Dipper (Ursa Major) Grand Teton Astrophotography

Big Dipper (Ursa Major) Yellowstone Astrophotography

The Big Dipper (Ursa Major) Puerto Rico Astrophotography

The Big Dipper (Ursa Major) Bryce Canyon Astrophotography

In this image both the Big Dipper and the Little Dipper can be identified. The two outer stars of the Big Dipper’s bowl — Dubhe and Merak — are known as Pointer Stars because they point directly toward Polaris, the North Star, located at the end of the handle of the Little Dipper (Ursa Minor). For centuries travelers and astronomers have used this simple relationship to locate true north in the night sky.

Under dark skies like those at Bryce Canyon National Park, the entire Little Dipper becomes visible, while in light-polluted cities often only Polaris can be seen.

Big Dipper (Ursa Major) Puerto Rico Astrophotography

The Big Dipper (Ursa Major) New York Astrophotography

The Big Dipper (Ursa Major) Catskills NY Astrophotography

How the Big Dipper Changes Across the Earth

One fascinating aspect of wide-field astrophotography is seeing how the same constellation appears different depending on where it is photographed.

• High northern latitudes – The Big Dipper circles around Polaris and never sets.
• Mid-latitudes (USA, Europe) – The constellation rotates during the night and through the seasons.
• Near the equator – The Big Dipper sits much lower above the horizon and may even disappear seasonally.

In places like Puerto Rico, it becomes possible to capture both the Big Dipper and Little Dipper low above the northern horizon — something that looks very different from the high overhead views seen in places like Yellowstone or the Catskill Mountains.

The Big Dipper in Astrophotography

Because of its bright stars and large angular size, the Big Dipper is an excellent target for wide-field astrophotography. It is frequently used as a reference point when photographing the northern sky.

The constellation also contains several famous deep-sky objects visible with telescopes and binoculars:

• Mizar and Alcor – a famous naked-eye double star.
• M81 & M82 – the Bode’s Galaxy pair.
• M101 – the Pinwheel Galaxy.
• M51 – the Whirlpool Galaxy near the handle of the Dipper.

Even in wide nightscape photography, the Big Dipper often becomes a natural anchor in the composition, helping viewers instantly orient themselves in the night sky.

The Seven Stars of the Big Dipper

Annotated view of the Big Dipper showing its seven main stars, along with Polaris and the Little Dipper for orientation.

The familiar pattern of the Big Dipper is formed by seven bright stars that are part of the larger constellation Ursa Major. These stars have been known and named since ancient times and are easily visible to the naked eye.

• Dubhe – one of the two famous Pointer Stars that help locate Polaris.
• Merak – the second Pointer Star pointing toward the North Star.
• Phecda – located at the bottom of the Dipper’s bowl.
• Megrez – the faintest of the seven stars, connecting the bowl and handle.
• Alioth – the brightest star in the Big Dipper.
• Mizar – a famous double star visible to the naked eye with companion Alcor.
• Alkaid – the star at the tip of the handle.

These seven stars form one of the most recognizable patterns in the northern sky and have helped observers navigate the night for thousands of years.

Conclusion

Photographing the same constellation from different locations highlights one of the beautiful aspects of astronomy: the sky is universal, yet it always looks slightly different depending on where you stand on Earth. From the geysers of Yellowstone to the tropical skies of Puerto Rico and the mountains of Utah, the Big Dipper remains a constant guide in the northern sky — one that has helped travelers, explorers, and astronomers navigate the night for centuries.

Related Constellation Astrophotography

• Orion Constellation Astrophotography – A Winter Constellation Around the World
• Big Dipper (Ursa Major) over Old Faithful – Yellowstone National Park Astrophotography
• Reflection of the Big Dipper (Ursa Major) – Grand Teton Nightscape Astrophotography
• Big Dipper and Natural Airglow – Bryce Canyon Dark Sky Astrophotography
• Big Dipper Near the Equator – Puerto Rico Astrophotography
• Camel on a Dune Under the Starry Sahara Sky – Merzouga, Morocco
• Big Dipper and Little Dipper – Catskills New York Astrophotography

Astronomy Green Laser Pointer

An astronomy green laser pointer is a very useful tool for pointing out stars and constellations during night sky lectures and public stargazing events. Unlike a normal flashlight, the beam of a green laser becomes visible in the atmosphere and appears as a bright line extending into the sky.

This makes it easy for astronomers and astrophotographers to show exactly where a star, planet, or constellation is located. During group observations it helps beginners quickly identify objects such as the Big Dipper, Cassiopeia, or Polaris.

The green wavelength (~532 nm) is especially effective because the human eye is most sensitive to green light. For this reason green laser pointers are widely used in astronomy education, planetarium demonstrations, and astrophotography tutorials.

Most astronomy laser pointers used for stargazing are low-power green lasers (typically around 5 mW). This level is bright enough for the beam to be visible in the night sky while still being suitable for educational demonstrations when used responsibly. Many amateur astronomers use simple handheld laser pointers powered by AAA batteries during public observing sessions.

Below are several examples of green laser pointers used for astronomy. The photos show both the handheld laser pointer device and the visible green beam used to point at stars and constellations during stargazing and astrophotography sessions.

Astronomy green laser pointer pointing to the Big Dipper (Ursa Major)

In the first image the green laser beam is pointing toward the Big Dipper (Ursa Major), one of the easiest constellations to recognize in the northern sky.

Green laser beam reflected from my backyard astronomy observing table

In this photo the green laser beam is reflected from the astronomy table in my backyard observing setup. This is the table where I usually keep my laptop, batteries, and other equipment during astrophotography sessions.

The following photos show the green laser pointer itself placed on the observing table. These images were taken during daytime so the details of the handheld astronomy laser pointer can be seen more clearly.

Green laser pointer on the astronomy observing table photographed during daytime to show the device used for stargazing

Close-up daytime view of a handheld green laser pointer used for astronomy observations

Laser Pointer astrophotography Canon 60Da Cassiopeia constellation

In my case I use a simple handheld green laser pointer powered by AAA batteries. It is an inexpensive device (about $15) but works very well for astronomy demonstrations and small stargazing groups.

Safety note: Green laser pointers should always be used responsibly. Never point a laser toward aircraft, vehicles, or people. Many astronomy clubs use low-power lasers (typically 5 mW or less) and only activate them briefly when explaining constellations during stargazing events.

A green laser pointer is one of the most useful tools for teaching and exploring the night sky. During public stargazing events it helps observers quickly identify stars and constellations by visually tracing patterns in the sky. Used responsibly, a green astronomy laser pointer becomes an excellent aid for learning how to locate familiar objects such as the Big Dipper, Cassiopeia, and the North Star (Polaris), and it can also be helpful during astrophotography sessions when explaining the structure of the night sky.

If you use a green laser pointer during stargazing or astronomy observations, feel free to share your experience or tips in the comments below.

Related Astrophotography Posts

• Big Dipper (Ursa Major) Astrophotography Around the World
• Urban Astrophotography in New York City
• Corona Constellation Astrophotography

Summer Milky Way

Summer Milky Way Cygnus constellation
Simple tripod photo - Canon 40D ISO 1200

Summer Milky Way Cygnus constellation
Simple tripod photo - Canon 40D ISO 1200