Novice Astrophotographer
Sep 10, 2022 19:19:43 #
An avid amateur landscape photographer my entire life, I purchased a telescope about a year and a half ago. I spent the first months learning how to use it visually before hanging my DSLR off the back of it. Then the terrible wildfires hit and smoked me out. Winter came, and I had terrible dew issues that prevented me from doing much. I spent a lot of time reading and doing more research on imaging. Finally, at the end of last winter, I purchased a dedicated astro camera and everything needed for guiding. So I've been at it now solid for about six months. I haven't used any dedicated astro processing software yet. All of my shots so far were live stacked or single exposures, followed by simple post in ordinary photographic suites such as LightRoom and Photoshop. It's an interesting journey to say the least; I've learned quite a bit, unlearned a couple of things, and still have a lot more to learn. What follows are some of my captures so far...
Celestron 8" Edge HD / Celestron CGEM II
ASI178 planetary / guide camera
ASI2600MC Pro DSO camera
ASIAir / MackBook Pro
Celestron 8" Edge HD / Celestron CGEM II
ASI178 planetary / guide camera
ASI2600MC Pro DSO camera
ASIAir / MackBook Pro
Sep 10, 2022 19:31:35 #
The Horsehead and Flame Nebula
This is first light from my ASI2600MC Pro. It was attached to my Canon 100-400L lens and riding piggyback atop my telescope. No guiding and no filters used. Just the tracking of the telescope mount. f5.6 @ 400mm with an exposure time of 5minutes at full gain and -20º.
This is first light from my ASI2600MC Pro. It was attached to my Canon 100-400L lens and riding piggyback atop my telescope. No guiding and no filters used. Just the tracking of the telescope mount. f5.6 @ 400mm with an exposure time of 5minutes at full gain and -20º.
Sep 10, 2022 19:38:34 #
Bodes Nebula (Galaxy)
This was my very first attempt at guiding. Shot at 2032mm, this is a single 16.7 minute exposure. I'm aware of the over-exposed and bloated stars, but you've got to admit they're pretty round considering the FL and exposure time...
This was my very first attempt at guiding. Shot at 2032mm, this is a single 16.7 minute exposure. I'm aware of the over-exposed and bloated stars, but you've got to admit they're pretty round considering the FL and exposure time...
Sep 10, 2022 19:46:56 #
Whirpool Galaxy
Shot using live stacking. This is about 90 minutes of 3 minute exposures. No filters, no reducer. Shot at the full 2032mm FL of my telescope, it's my first stacked image, even though it was stacked automatically via live-stack on my ASIAir. Shot from my yard under Boatel 4 skies.
Shot using live stacking. This is about 90 minutes of 3 minute exposures. No filters, no reducer. Shot at the full 2032mm FL of my telescope, it's my first stacked image, even though it was stacked automatically via live-stack on my ASIAir. Shot from my yard under Boatel 4 skies.
Sep 10, 2022 19:54:47 #
The Hercules Cluster
About 30 minutes of 60 second exposures live stacked via my ASIAir. Full 2032mm of my telescope from my yard. Not especially happy with this one, I will revisit it in the future.
About 30 minutes of 60 second exposures live stacked via my ASIAir. Full 2032mm of my telescope from my yard. Not especially happy with this one, I will revisit it in the future.
Sep 10, 2022 20:02:42 #
The Bubble Nebula
This is a current favorite target of mine. It's quite faint, and I will revisit this one for more data in the future for sure. This is a live stack of about 2.5 hours at 180 seconds each. As always, shot at the full 2032mm FL of my telescope.
This is a current favorite target of mine. It's quite faint, and I will revisit this one for more data in the future for sure. This is a live stack of about 2.5 hours at 180 seconds each. As always, shot at the full 2032mm FL of my telescope.
Sep 10, 2022 20:11:21 #
With planet season just beginning, I decided to give planetary imaging a try. This is my first attempt at Jupiter. I still need to color correct the yellow cast out of it, and it is a little soft. You can see Europa way out in left field, and IO just beginning a transit with its shadow just showing on the planet surface. Captured as a 90 second video and auto-stacked keeping 20% of the frames. Frame rate was about 22fps. I used a 2X Televue PowerMate and ZWO ADC in front of my ASI178MC camera.
Sep 10, 2022 20:16:19 #
Finally, I present my latest capture. The seeing was forecast to be exceptional at one of my favorite camping sites, which also happens to be at 8000'. So I took advantage and went telescope camping. This is the result, and is my second planetary attempt. I'm actually pretty happy with this one. Captured as a 90 second video and auto-stacked keeping 20% of the frames. Frame rate was about 22fps. I used a 2X Televue PowerMate and ZWO ADC in front of my ASI178MC camera.
Sep 10, 2022 20:20:08 #
Sep 10, 2022 20:22:07 #
Outstanding work.
I haven’t been able to capture this one very well. I have had much better luck with the cigar galaxy.
Nicely done.
I haven’t been able to capture this one very well. I have had much better luck with the cigar galaxy.
Nicely done.
Sep 10, 2022 20:23:18 #
Nicely captured.
This is one that I have had decent results with.
Beautiful job.
This is one that I have had decent results with.
Beautiful job.
Sep 10, 2022 20:25:31 #
It’s a very nice image.
This is another one that I have had decent results with.
Very well done.
This is another one that I have had decent results with.
Very well done.
Sep 10, 2022 20:28:02 #
This is a very nicely captured image.
All of your lines are clean and the surface is loaded with detail.
This should go on a wall.
Well done.
All of your lines are clean and the surface is loaded with detail.
This should go on a wall.
Well done.
Sep 11, 2022 08:12:17 #
Sep 11, 2022 08:21:07 #
You've managed to get past the first obstacle of astrophotography...buying a telescope. The rest you have excelled at. Beautiful Saturn.
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.