Dr. Brian Ottum is a member of the University Lowbrows. Brian will show you deep-sky objects via his remotely controlled telescope located at Dark Sky New Mexico. If we’re lucky, Brian will be able to track an Earth-orbiting satellite!

Brian has been a familiar figure a previous Astronomy at the Beach events – he could be seen at his booth (usually set up inside, where it was warm) selling his stunning astrophotos.

You can follow Brian on Instagram: @astropicsdaily

Brian astrophotos are available for purchase from his website: https://ottum.smugmug.com

About the cover image: The Andromeda Galaxy (M31) is one of our closest galactic neighbors, just 2.5 million light-years away.  We are on a collision course, but it won’t happen for a few billion years.  Brian took this shot through his 10” f/5 reflector, on a Michigan-made PlaneWave L-350, with a Canon 5DmkIII.  About ten hours’ worth of individual images were added together to make this shot.

A sample of Dr. Brian Ottum’s astrophotos from his website.

Satellite image of Dark Sky New Mexico. Credit: Google/

Dr. Brian Ottum (left) was assisted in the installation of his L-350 Mount by Vincent Laupola, Lead Technician at Dark Sky New Mexico.

Brian Ottum and Telescope in the New Mexico desert.