40 years ago, these photos, captured on film, were world class. Taken through the 200" Hale Reflector and the 60" at Mt Wilson respectively.
Compare these to what Amateurs are now capturing in their back yards through scopes as small as 8".
These are amazing times we're living in.
I can't even imagine how it will be in 5 years time.
Images are taken from Patrick Moores book, "The Story of Astronomy" .