Colorado, November 2012

M31

Here is another M31 image using my 70-200 zoom and a friend's Paramount mount for tracking. This was shot unguided with light clouds and the moon eventually coming up right as the imaging session ended. I might have done better with a light pollution filter, but I am relatively happy with this result and it is a definite improvement over my previous attempt. Details are: Camera: Canon 40D (unmodified) Telescope: Canon 70-200 f/4 L IS Lens Mount: Paramount ME Location: Lyons, CO Software: PixInsight Total Exposure: 1 hour and 9 mins Light Frames: ISO 400, 120 secs x 1 ISO 400, 180 secs x 9 ISO 400, 240 secs x 10 Dark Frames: ISO 400, 120 secs x 15 ISO 400, 180 secs x 15 ISO 400, 240 secs x 15

M42 Complex

A wide shot of the Orion Nebula, but also including the Running Man Nebula, The Horsehead Nebula, and the Flame Nebula. The lens was borrowed from a friend. There are some artifacts on stars, especially the brightest blue ones that are still not fully explained but this is still one of my best Astrotrac images to date. Camera: Canon 40D (unmodified) Telescope: Canon 200 f/2.8 L II Lens Location: Crow Valley Campground, CO Mount: Astrotrac Software: PixInsight Total Exposure: 54 mins Light Frames: ISO 1600, 90 secs x 36 Dark Frames: ISO 1600, 90 secs x 15