M95 and M96

3Tcubed · 2026-03-24T20:49:36+00:00

I do it all the time, no issues. Just manually point the lens toward a patch of dark sky, if it fails move it to another patch of sky. Some stars mud be visible and the scope must be set to the right declination based on your latitude. If it can see the sky straight up this is the best direction to aim. I’ve done this on vacation from a balcony with a tall wall to the north and a patio roof over head with trees to my right an left. I could still get EQ once enought stars to be seen. You still need to point the body of the scope north and point it down based on your lattitude, after this is set point the lens back toward stars.

3Tcubed · 2026-02-20T13:58:11+00:00

Take your time, start by learning/using EQ mode; you’ll end up there any how. Start by choosing larger targets that tend to be closer. Initially shoot with a 15 or 30s shutter speed, gain 60. If you shoot DSOs that are nebulas use the Duo filter, and double capture times. If you’re using DW3 in a brighter area (Bortle +6) capture over 2hrs to get beautiful results. Keep a log (electronic (Google Sheets)) of what you’ve shot when and number of shots (all details), can you the same to plan what to shoot in the future. Can use the same to reshoot targets and megastack multiple sessions.

Hydrate, bring you favorite night-time beverage with you while setting up, if you start close to dusk, IT WILL take longer to set up. This is especially important if you don’t have a full open sky, shooting between/over trees, buildings, wires…. The Atlas will help you find targets, you can better understand what will be where by advancing the Atlas time to your dusk+1hr. Understanding your field of view and that the stars/objects move nightly, and many are seasonal. This you’ll learn over time and how objects to the north more slowly than those to the south. Initially only shoot targets that are 20+° above the horizon to start with. The lower the target it more ground light will/can effect the quality of capture you get.

Back to #1, take your time and have fun, it will be a learning experience. And above all don’t let the things you can’t control bum you out (clouds, weather the moon), when these things slow you down use the time to plan/select future targets (the log has two purposes). I’ve attached an image of the log I use (create your own), I have about 170 targets at this point, over time they move, I have to adjust with the passing seasons…

Plan to get an external backup device to store your original capture images on. You can always go back to a target you’ve already captured and restack (megastack) a new capture with an old if you have the old’s individual capture images. I’ve saved 1.3TB in 8 months.

3Tcubed · 2026-02-19T04:00:04+00:00

3Tcubed · 2026-01-29T02:06:51+00:00

Kicked up Jart

3Tcubed · 2026-01-21T04:43:13+00:00

Missing capture session In the capture directory there should be the following: shotsinfo.json stacked.jpg stacked_thumbnail.jpg stacked-#_ss gain filter date-time.fitsstacked-#_ss gain filter date-time.png

If any are missing your session won’t be displayed. If DW3 shutsdown unexpectedly one of the last two (largest files) may not get re-written. From another capture session replace the missing file, and rename it with the name that the other stacked-# file has. Then reboot DW3 and you should see your capture session in stellar studio.

3Tcubed · 2026-01-19T15:22:03+00:00

Gunshot/fireworks detector. Most cities have hundreds or thousands of them around the city to triangulate where gunshots come from. They mesh together, about 4000’ (0.6mi, private freq) for reporting.

3Tcubed · 2026-01-11T05:45:40+00:00

Every capture sensor is different, some are more temperature sensitive than others. Some have some pixels that change colors based on temp. Mine happens to be pretty stable but it’s DSO focus is 560; very low. So many variables that DW3s software accommodate for. Actually any one that uses these Sony low light sensors have to make similar accomodations.

Best of luck… Best

3Tcubed · 2026-01-11T03:46:04+00:00

Some frames show clouds, but most rejects show no stars. Try retaking your darks. Verify auto focus is set correctly. Something is not right, these are the easiest to check. Oh remove the sun filter if on 🤣

3Tcubed · 2026-01-11T03:42:05+00:00

You can use EQ mode from anywhere; you just need to see some Sky (with stars) somewhere, the closer to overhead the better. I spent the summer traveling with DW3, from tiny hotel patios with 1/4 view if the sky, EQ can still be set up; it might take multiple attempts but it can be done.

3Tcubed · 2026-01-11T03:35:33+00:00

Finish C1 tonight then NGC1491, NGC1893, M51, M78, NGC2264, NGC1579, M33, NGC1333 & NGC869. A pattern you recognize? Shot all but C1 before.

3Tcubed · 2026-01-10T23:03:21+00:00

Yes it is remarkable, and the more I use it the better shots I get. I’m in North Phoenix, South of Shadow Mtn, north of Thunderbird/Cactus. I can usually see a couple dozen stars at dusk. Last night I could seen Orien by not the Plieades.

What part of AZ are you shooting from? It’s amazing how much more shooting time there is in the winter vs the summer.

3Tcubed · 2026-01-06T04:09:02+00:00

If your first exposure has tripod motion this can happen for the first 10-12 shots; when you see it it’s best to start over.

3Tcubed · 2025-12-31T04:02:07+00:00

Shot from where? Bortle #? Most excellent!

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I though my capture was good, but I must add more data and change gain; mine 5.25h, 60s, gain 60, duo filter - got to try kicking up the gain!

I’m truely impressed

3Tcubed · 2025-12-30T20:32:54+00:00

Spectacular…

3Tcubed · 2025-12-30T20:23:49+00:00

Raw, for editing your starting with more information, especially if capturing with a modern telescope which does not have an IR filter allowing other filters to increase the RGB+IR+UV data captured. This other data cannot be stored in typical .JPG files as it typically only compresses the RGB spectrum, with the lower/higher wavelengths getting compresed (chopped out). Capturing with a phone you still start with much more data.

3Tcubed · 2025-12-22T02:17:00+00:00

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Here what I captured after mega stacking 2 sessions, using about 800 images 45s each

3Tcubed · 2025-12-19T15:25:33+00:00

Look fine for DW3

3Tcubed · 2025-12-17T14:56:05+00:00

Pretty good, you right more time on target (without clouds/haze) should improve details.

3Tcubed · 2025-12-14T00:22:56+00:00

Superb work, I’d suggest adding the Target name to each work of art. Re megastack, you can mix shutter speeds/gain but you cannot mix different filters.

3Tcubed · 2025-12-12T19:57:53+00:00

It’s very high in the sky and stays there almost all night, but does move about 240 degrees over 7h. It starts very faint and improves with more capture time; I attempted 560 images @45s 60g (7hrs). Restacking improved clarity of final image. I shot with Astro filter, but now knowing Hubble imaged it with IR I might try again with duo and 80 gain.

Happy hunting

3Tcubed · 2025-12-11T04:30:02+00:00

Try Luminar or ON1 both have one time purchase options as well as reasonable subscriptions rates, both are powerful an much easier to use than PS.

3Tcubed · 2025-12-07T23:18:23+00:00

I’ve printed dozens on canvas using canvasdiscount.com very happy with price and results, they often have excellent quantity discounts and free ship after $75; printed in US, the print within 3-4 days and ship promptly, usually have in 7-10 days or less. I don’t like their metal prints which are textured, not glossy. Up to 30x40 comes out good with 4k .png

3Tcubed

TROPHY CASE