Come join the friendliest, most engaging and inclusive astronomy forum geared for beginners and advanced telescope users, astrophotography devotees, plus check out our "Astro" goods vendors.
Come join the friendliest, most engaging and inclusive astronomy forum geared for beginners and advanced telescope users, astrophotography devotees, plus check out our "Astro" goods vendors.
I am new to deep space astrophotography, but have been photographing the Milky Way for several years. We have a lot of light pollution in FL but we do have a few spots where the MW is visible. I also made several trips out west to enjoy the dark skies and photograph the MW. Then COVID, a couple of other things happened and haven't been on a photo trip for a couple of years. I have always enjoyed looking at the stars, using astronomy apps and photographing the eclipse back in 2017. Sitting at home, I thought I would try a couple of other lenses (90mm macro & 200mm f4) to see what was possible. I was able to get a small version of the Orion Nebula and thought that was pretty cool. Unfortunately my tracker, iOptron Skytracker Pro has a lot of play and could not reliably track with the 200mm. So then the research and the rabbit hole began. I found a used Orion EQ-G mount for a very reasonable cost only a couple of hours from me and it came with a 10" reflector. So I made the plunge and the crazy journey has begun. I will say it has been a bit challenging starting out with a 10" (lots of coma), finding targets, plate solving, tilt, light pollution and other challenges. I have gotten to know APT and have got it to work with my Sony a7s and finally figured out how to plate solve, but still working through other little things. Have started to play with NINA in which I like the interface much better.
Looking at the near future, looking at the Askar V, possibly the AM5 for portability (we have an RV and another location), portable power station and possibly a dedicated astro camera.
Looking forward to learning more with everyone.
Brad
Attachments
One of my favorite MW shots on the Outer Banks of NC.
Hi Brad and Welcome to the Forums! We're glad you're here!
-Michael Refractors: ES AR152 f/6.5 Achromat on Twilight II, Celestron 102mm XLT f/9.8 on Celestron Heavy Duty Alt Az mount, KOWA 90mm spotting scope Binoculars: Celestron SkyMaster 15x70, Bushnell 10x50 Eyepieces: Various, GSO Superview, 9mm Plossl, Celestron 25mm Plossl Camera: ZWO ASI 120 Naked Eye: Two Eyeballs Latitude: 48.7229° N
Hi Brad. It's great to have you join us here on TSS and that was a very nice introduction and MW image from you too. Welcome to the forum Brad and the best of wishes on your astronomy and astrophotography adventures from a fellow Floridian.
Marshall
Sky-Watcher 90mm f/13.8 Maksutov-Cassegrain on motorized Multimount
Orion Astroview 120ST f/5 Refractor on EQ3 mount
Celestron Comet Catcher 140mm f/3.64 Schmidt-Newtonian on alt-az mount
Celestron Omni XLT150R f/5 Refractor on CG4 mount with dual axis drives.
Orion 180mm f/15 Maksutov-Cassegrain on CG5-GT Goto mount.
Orion XT12i 12" f/4.9 Dobsonian Intelliscope.
Kamakura 7x35 Binoculars and Celestron SkyMaster 15x70 Binoculars. ZWO ASI 120MC camera.
>)))))*>
Stephen
- - - - - Telescopes: Questar 3.5 Standard SN 18-11421; Stellina (EAA) Solar: Thousand Oaks white light filter; Daystar Quark (chromosphere) Hα filter Mounts: Explore Scientific Twilight I; Majestic heavy duty tripod Local Club: New Hampshire Astronomical Society
Hi Brad and welcome to TSS! It's great to have you here!
Jim
Scopes: Explore Scientific ED102 APO, Sharpstar 61 EDPH II APO, Samyang 135 F2 (still on the Nikon).
Mount: Skywatcher HEQ5 Pro with Rowan Belt Mod
Stuff: ASI EAF Focus Motor (x2), ZWO OAG, ZWO 30 mm Guide Scope, ASI 220mm min, ASI 120mm mini, Stellarview 0.8 FR/FF, Sharpstar 0.8 FR/FF, Mele Overloock 3C.
Camera/Filters/Software: ASI 533 mc pro, ASI 120mm mini, ASI 220mm mini , IDAS LPS D-1, Optolong L-Enhance, ZWO UV/IR Cut, N.I.N.A., Green Swamp Server, PHD2, Adobe Photoshop CC, Pixinsight.
Dog and best bud: Jack
Sky: Bortle 6-7
My Astrobin: https://www.astrobin.com/users/Juno16/
Welcome to TSS Brad, nice intro and great pic as well!
Nice to have you here and all the best,
Mark
"The Hankmeister" Celestron 8SE, orange tube Vixen made C80, CG4, AZ-EQ5 and SolarQuest mounts.
Too much Towa glass/mirrors.
Solar:
H/A - PST stage 2 mod with a Baader 90mm ERF on a Celestron XLT 102 (thanks Mike!)
Ca-K - W/O 61mm, Antares 1.6 barlow, Baader 3.8 OD and Ca-K filters with a ZWO ASI174mm.
W/L - C80-HD with Baader 5.0 & 3.8 Solar film, Solar Continuum 7.5nm and UV/IR filters with a Canon EOS 550D. Member of the RASC