bwana Loc: Bergen, Alberta, Canada

I was going after galaxies in the northern sky but shut it down after the first session due to an annoying Aurora playing havoc with the background.

Anyway, a David Levy 152 scope with Sony A7R III on an iOptron CEM26 mount.

Wanted about 50 subs on M81/M82 but ended up with 13 after discarding the ones wiped out by the Aurora. I should have known I was going to have problems after Mizar kept fading in and out when I was trying to get a good focus (last image).

After the one galaxy session I decided to give the DL 152 some exercise on planets. I shot Jupiter and its Moons @ 730mm (2nd image) then decided to add a 2.5x PowerMate into the configuration and redid the session @ 1825mm (3rd image with 4x GigaPixel enlargement). Still not nearly enough focal length for planets but still a fun test.

I ended off the evening shooting a session of Saturn with the 2.5x PowerMate configuration (4th image with 8x GigaPixel enlargement).

Enjoy!

bwa

Bode's & Cigar Galaxies (M81&M82)(Sony A7R III,DL 152,13of~50x30s,ISO6400)_LR_PI_ABE_PS(A-P)_LR

(Download)

Jupiter&Moons(5of23,1/250s,1x)_RS_LR


Jupiter&Moons(40of44,1/100s,2.5xPowerMate)_RS_4xGP_LR

(Download)

Saturn(6of61,2.5xPowerMate)_RS_8xGP_LR


Mizar (Dbl Star)(Sony A7R III,DL 152,1x30s,ISO6400)_LR_PI_MStretch_ABE_LR

(Download)

tramsey Loc: Texas

How you guys do such excellent work. I have no idea. I try it and all I get is a nice white blur

alberio Loc: Casa Grande AZ

👍👍👍

bwana Loc: Bergen, Alberta, Canada

I was once told by a much more experienced astrophotographer than myself that astro-imaging was 20% data collection, 70% postprocessing and 10% sheer luck. After many years of astro-imaging I think the 10% is an underestimation!

For your information I've attached my processing crib sheet.

bwa

P.S.: From personal experience, a 'nice white blur' is a good start

Attached file:
(Download)

Ballard Loc: Grass Valley, California

Great shot of M81 & M82 with only 12 subs. Nice view of Jupiter with just a few frames also. I find that to get enough data on the planets I need to run video and capture 500 or more frames.