the Sky Above

The Sky Above - Astronomy

Observational astronomy centered on the 2026 Spartan Race season, including foundational reference essays, imaging workflows, and field-based reports produced through the Shank Gym Observatory.

This section includes the Night Sky Archive, a place-based record of sky observations as well as a preserved archive of sky images captured prior to 2026. Together, these materials document both the current expedition-driven work and earlier observations that inform and contextualize it.

a. Foundational / Reference Essays

The Sun (Sol): Structure, Energy, and Its Role in the Solar System

Messier 33 (The Triangulum Galaxy): Structure, Location, and Cosmic Context

The Day Texas was Rocked from Outer Space

b. Observational Reports by Location

1. SGO — Shank Gym Observatory

SGO-001 — Messier 17 (The Omega Nebula / NGC 6618)

SGO-002 — The Sun (Sol)

SGO-003 — The Moon (Luna)

SGO-004 — NGC 7293 (The Helix Nebula)

SGO-005 — Waning Gibbous Moon

SGO-007 — Messier 31 (The Andromeda Galaxy)

SGO-008 — Messier 27 (The Dumbbell Nebula)

SGO-009 — NGC 6888 (The Crescent Nebula)

II. MFO — Mobile Field Observatory

MFO-001 — The Pelican Nebula (IC 5070)

MFO-002 — Messier 31 (The Andromeda Galaxy)

MFO-003 — Messier 33 (The Triangulum Galaxy)

MFO-004 — The Sun (Sol)

III. The Night Sky Archive - 2026 Spartan Season Expedition Series

NSA - 001 M45 The Seven Sisters