Observation with the Unistellar eQuinox 2 by Deekshit

With a passion for astronomy, our data scientist, Deekshit, spends time observing the night sky whenever conditions are clear. This regular practice inspires him to go deeper with every observation and constantly seek discoveries. The experience, combining technology and astronomy, was both rewarding and informative.

This passion has also shaped his professional path. Deekshit now collaborates with the SETI Institute and Unistellar to support their daily astronomical observations. His contributions include developing a data management system that enables scientists to access and analyze observational data more efficiently.

Recently, Deekshit had the opportunity to observe a range of fascinating distant galaxies using the Unistellar eQuinox 2 telescope:

• Andromeda is the closest major galaxy to our Milky Way, about 2.5 million light-years away.
• The Orion Nebula, around 1,350 light-years from Earth, is one of the brightest and the first nebula to be photographed.
• NGC 0891, also called the Silver Silver Galaxy, lies approximately 30 million light-years away in the constellation Andromeda.
• M81 Bode’s Galaxy is a spiral galaxy located in the constellation Ursa Major, about 12 million light-years from Earth.
• The variable star LY CMa, found in the constellation Canis Major, is known for its fluctuating brightness.
• The cataclysmic variable T Coronae Borealis (T CrB) is a binary star system, located in the constellation Corona Borealis.

This observation was part of the Citizen Science Program — a collaborative effort between the SETI Institute and Unistellar that empowers space enthusiasts to contribute to scientific discoveries. By participating, individuals like Deekshit help bridge the gap between professional research and community involvement by collecting data, monitoring environments, and supporting research projects.

For Deekshit, this was more than just a visual experience.