<p>Images are often presented with (Earth's) North at the top but there is no correct orientation. For example, in this image from the VLT north is 0.1 degrees from the vertical, <a href="https://www.eso.org/public/unitedkingdom/images/eso1322a/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">the sidebar</a> on the image page has details on the position, field of view and orientation.</p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/Ui3OE.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/Ui3OE.jpg" alt="IC 2944"></a></p>

<p>However, <a href="https://www.eso.org/public/unitedkingdom/images/eso1238a/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">this image</a> from the same telescope has been rotated left 9 degrees, which is likely an artistic decision.</p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/N1wwA.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/N1wwA.jpg" alt="Thor&#39;s Helmet"></a></p>

<p>Amateurs also regularly align the cameras on their scopes so that north is up as it can make it easier to diagnose tracking problems. However, it's fairly common to change the camera alignment on the telescope to frame particular targets or groups of targets.</p>

<p>Many classes as astronomical objects, such as elliptical galaxies, irregular galaxies or nebulae don't have a well defined or known axis of rotation, which is why Earth's poles are used as a reference.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-03-28T07:58:24.260Z
2019-03-28T12:22:31.080Z
2019-03-28T12:22:31.080Z
MichaelB76
<p>We are used to viewing pictures of the Earth and the planets with their North Pole pointing towards the upper portion of the photo. But when a space telescope snaps photos of cosmic entities, do they rotate the photo around to get an attractive composition? Is it a subjective rotation, or are there rules? Which way is up?</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-03-27T18:42:47.683Z
The enemy's gate is down.   Use the right-hand rule to define X and Y axes with respect to the gate.
Carl Witthoft
<photography><space-telescope>
Pictures of galaxies, nebulae: which way is up?
John Canon
# Pictures of galaxies, nebulae: which way is up?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2019-03-27)

We are used to viewing pictures of the Earth and the planets with their North Pole pointing towards the upper portion of the photo. But when a space telescope snaps photos of cosmic entities, do they rotate the photo around to get an attractive composition? Is it a subjective rotation, or are there rules? Which way is up?

**Tags:** photography, space-telescope

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: The enemy's gate is down.   Use the right-hand rule to define X and Y axes with respect to the gate.  

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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2019-03-28. Score: 3

Images are often presented with (Earth's) North at the top but there is no correct orientation. For example, in this image from the VLT north is 0.1 degrees from the vertical, [the sidebar](https://www.eso.org/public/unitedkingdom/images/eso1322a/) on the image page has details on the position, field of view and orientation.

[![IC 2944](https://i.sstatic.net/Ui3OE.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/Ui3OE.jpg)

However, [this image](https://www.eso.org/public/unitedkingdom/images/eso1238a/) from the same telescope has been rotated left 9 degrees, which is likely an artistic decision.

[![Thor's Helmet](https://i.sstatic.net/N1wwA.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/N1wwA.jpg)

Amateurs also regularly align the cameras on their scopes so that north is up as it can make it easier to diagnose tracking problems. However, it's fairly common to change the camera alignment on the telescope to frame particular targets or groups of targets.

Many classes as astronomical objects, such as elliptical galaxies, irregular galaxies or nebulae don't have a well defined or known axis of rotation, which is why Earth's poles are used as a reference.


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