Michael Sidonio: Fighting Dragons of Ara Poster
Michael Sidonio: Fighting Dragons of Ara Poster
Michael Sidonio: Fighting Dragons of Ara Poster
Michael Sidonio: Fighting Dragons of Ara Poster
Michael Sidonio: Fighting Dragons of Ara Poster
Michael Sidonio: Fighting Dragons of Ara Poster
Michael Sidonio: Fighting Dragons of Ara Poster
Michael Sidonio: Fighting Dragons of Ara Poster
Michael Sidonio: Fighting Dragons of Ara Poster
Michael Sidonio: Fighting Dragons of Ara Poster
Michael Sidonio: Fighting Dragons of Ara Poster
Michael Sidonio: Fighting Dragons of Ara Poster
Michael Sidonio: Fighting Dragons of Ara Poster
Michael Sidonio: Fighting Dragons of Ara Poster

Michael Sidonio: Fighting Dragons of Ara Poster

🚀 Premium Astrography™ Print
Rated 4.9 out of 5
Based on 56 reviews
Type
Size
$59.00 $32.45
45% OFF 🔥 Black Weeks discount will be applied automatically at checkout.
Shipping calculated at checkout.

Fine Art™ or Poster™ Print Tube:

⚡ Your Print (rolled)
⚡ Framing guide 
⚡ Surprise sticker

Frame not included - Locate a nearby print framing studio for your convenience.

Panel Box:

⚡ Your amazing Astrography™ Panel Print
⚡ Wall Mounting Strips System
⚡ Installation Instructions
⚡ Surprise sticker
⚡ A frame is not required, although it can be used

Shipping/Delivery Time: Shipping and delivery times are separate from the manufacturing process.

Standard Manufacturing Time: up to 5 business days (excluding weekends and holidays). 

Priority Service: Skip the standard queue with a manufacturing time of up to 2 business days.

Delivery Time: Average delivery takes between 3 to 7 business days.

Shipping Assurance (optional): your order is protected from loss, theft, or damage—even after unboxing. Plus, our quick claims process ensures hassle-free resolutions (we will send a replacement with no questions asked).

In our small creative studio, each Astrography treasure is handcrafted just for you. While we prioritize stellar quality over speed, forgive us if we're a tad tardy.

Delays? Holidays, global events, or distant locations might be the culprits. If a change of heart strikes, send it back within 14 days, no questions. Dive into our Shipping & Returns page for details.

Customers outside the EU may incur customs duties based on local regulations. Astrography will not cover these charges.

Your trust means the universe to us! 🚀

    Michael Sidonio, also known as "Strongmanmike," is a well-known Australian amateur astronomer and astrophotographer with a background in strength athletics. He studied astronomy at Dickson College and worked at the Canberra Observatory for over a decade. After retiring from strongman competitions in 2005, Michael focused on astronomy and astrophotography. His work has been featured in various exhibitions worldwide and has won numerous awards.

    Michael has made significant contributions to astronomy research, including discovering a galaxy 11 million light-years away. His astrophotography is displayed at Australia's National Science and Technology Centre in Canberra. Michael recently completed the construction of the highest astronomical observatory in Australia, located in the Tinderry Mountains.

    Fighting Dragons of Ara ( NGC 6188 & NGC 6164) by Michael Sidonio

    Awarded a Highly Commended (top 5) in the 2011 Royal Observatory Greenwich Astronomy Photographer of the Year

    This vibrant image captures clouds of swirling purple, green, and orange gas and dust, artistically resembling 'fighting dragons.' These dynamic formations are shaped by the recent births of massive stars, far larger and brighter than our Sun.

     Prominently in the lower left of the image, one such star is encased within two glowing shells of gas. Offering a glimpse into the chaotic environments of stellar nurseries where stars are born, this scene mirrors the likely birthplace of our Sun some 4.5 billion years ago.

    What National Geographic say about this image?

    Known as the fighting dragons of Ara, two colorful gas clouds appear to be posing in attack position in a picture that received honorable mention in the "Deep Sky" category. Australian astroimager Michael Sidonio captured subtle hues of purple, orange, and green from the giant cloud of gas and dust, which sits 4,000 light-years from Earth in the southern constellation of Ara. The 300-light-year-wide molecular cloud is being shaped by radiation from massive young stars formed inside during the past few million years.

    Photo details & setup

    • Orion Optics AG12 12" F3.8 Astrograph
    • FLI ProLine 16803 CCD & CFW-5-7 + Atlas Focuser
    • SII Ha OIII (RGB) = 95 120 120min (10 10 10min) bin 1X1 Astronomik filters
    • -30C chip temp, darks and flats (Astronomik Aurora Light Panel used for flats)
    • Focal length 1180mm
    • FOV = 1.8deg X 1.8deg (2.6deg diagonal)
    • Image scale 1.57"/pix
    • Guide Camera: The venerable Starlightxpress SXVH9

     

    You may also like

    The Product

    Unmatched Print Quality

    Astrography uses cutting-edge fine art pigment printers, the same technology found in top art galleries and museums. Every print is crafted in-house, ensuring exceptional clarity, color, and durability. Experience the difference with Astrography.

    Learn more

    Explore Astrography™ Prints

    Charts
    Charts
    Astrophotography
    Astrophotography
    Spaceflight Photography
    Spaceflight Photography
    Space Art
    Space Art

    Super Happy Customers

    We are immensely grateful to our fans for helping us become the leading global seller of Space Art. With our products reaching over 30,000 customers across 70 nations, your support has truly been invaluable.

    View all reviews
    Our Founder

    Meet Jesion

    Hey there, space enthusiasts! I’m Adam Jesionkiewicz, the founder of Astrography. A few years ago, I decided to step off the corporate ladder and follow my lifelong dream—immersing myself in the breathtaking beauty of the cosmos. Astrography isn't just a business; it's a sanctuary for anyone captivated by the stars, planets, and galaxies far, far away.

    Click here for an interview with Jesion on Insider.com

    Learn more about us

    Blog posts View all

    TOP 15 Most Powerful Cassini Images
    TOP 15 Most Powerful Cassini Images
    Cassini-Huygens Mission: Overview
    Cassini-Huygens Mission: Overview
    Pale Blue Dot Revisited: A Cosmic Reflection on Humanity
    Pale Blue Dot Revisited: A Cosmic Reflection on Humanity