Beginner widefield astrophotography

[zygalski]

Well not great conditions at all last night, but I managed to get 1 3/4 hrs of imaging done. Along with intermittent clouds, the light pollution from the Moon didn't do me any favours.

Anyway, here's M101 The Pinwheel Galaxy in Ursa Major

Skywatcher Star Adventurer 2i Pro
Nikon D5300 (Astro modified) ISO 200
Redcat 51 F/4.9
141 x 45 second lights
50 flats
50 biases
50 darks
I used Siril 1.2.1 along with Starnet++

 

[zygalski]

Markarian's Chain of galaxies in Virgo (cropped)

I count at least 30 visible galaxies in this image, which is my first attempt at photographing the region. I was slightly too low and too far over to the right to have the Chain in the centre of the shot, but still got a decent result.
The galaxies in the image contain trillions upon trillions of suns. How many possibly inhabited worlds? Your guess is as good as mine...
Skywatcher Star Adventurer 2i Pro
Nikon D5300 (Astro modified) ISO 200
Redcat 51 F/4.9
182 x 45 second lights
50 flats
50 biases
50 darks
I used Siril 1.2.1 along with Starnet++

 

[Ad Astra]

Some great shots. You have to be dedicated! Lot of gear, learning, patience and persistence.

Agree on M13. Love the globular clusters myself, waiting for more spring changes. I get typical Seestar shots, but seeing things I never would have. Got a few of Markarian's, hard to fit in frame!

The crossover is fun to see: astronomers getting better gear, photographers learning the sky.

AA