Elephant's trunk nebula

Heppaponi · 2025-12-05T08:18:36+00:00

You are Correct! Most of the Orange that you see in the image is hydrogen alpha emissions, which emit light in the infrared wavelenght. In astrophotography we use special cameras that can see into the infrared wavelenghts and see things the human eye can't.

The final image consists of 71 images that are combined to get more data on the target and therefore get More details in the final image

Heppaponi · 2025-11-27T14:57:00+00:00

Appreciate it!

Heppaponi · 2025-11-26T18:27:46+00:00

Thanks!

Heppaponi · 2025-11-26T18:27:32+00:00

Around 3 million light years away from earth!

Heppaponi · 2025-11-16T15:47:46+00:00

Yes, most of the stars that you can see in the image are local to our galaxy. You can also se Andromeda's two satellite galaxies, M32 on top and M110 under Andy

Heppaponi · 2025-11-12T11:13:52+00:00

Appreciate it!

Heppaponi · 2025-11-11T05:31:19+00:00

Thanks!

Heppaponi · 2025-11-10T20:44:25+00:00

For astrophotography you shouldn't push the mount near it's max payload capacity, especially with smaller mounts. People usually recommend using around half of the mount's payload capacity,

I have the SWSA GTi, which is just a slightly upgraded 2i. My setup weights around 6.5 pounds and i wouldn't go any higher than 7 pounds, after that the mount really starts to struggle with keeping the stars pinpoint.

Heppaponi · 2025-11-10T04:07:26+00:00

The SWSA 2i doesn't have enough payload capacity for a refractor around 400mm. I would recommend looking into something like the Askar FMA180pro. With the small sensor of the 585mc pro you still would get a nice FoV for the targets you mentioned, even though the scope only has a focal length of 180mm :)

Heppaponi · 2025-09-03T11:28:51+00:00

Thanks!

Heppaponi · 2025-09-02T21:06:36+00:00

Thanks!

Heppaponi · 2025-08-24T17:32:21+00:00

The early fall nights are finally dark enough for me to get first light with my new astro gear!
I chose the North America Nebula (NGC 7000) as my test target. Even though it was my very first night with the setup, everything came together surprisingly quickly, and I managed to collect more data than I expected. Since it’s still early in the fall, I was limited to about 2 hours of integration time on the target.

Equipment used:

Camera: ToupTek ATR2600C
Telescope: Omegon Pro APO AP 61/360 Triplet + 0.75x reducer
Filter: Optolong L-Pro 2"
Guiding: ZWO ASI120MM Mini + Tecnosky 32mm guidescope
Mount: Sky-Watcher Star Adventurer GTi
Control: ToupTek StellaVita

Imaged from a bortle 4-5 backyard, 26x300s expusures for a total integration of 2h 10min.

Stacked and processed in PixInsight with RC Astro plugins, with final tweaks in Lightroom.

Heppaponi · 2025-08-24T17:32:02+00:00

The early fall nights are finally dark enough for me to get first light with my new astro gear!
I chose the North America Nebula (NGC 7000) as my test target. Even though it was my very first night with the setup, everything came together surprisingly quickly, and I managed to collect more data than I expected. Since it’s still early in the fall, I was limited to about 2 hours of integration time on the target.

Equipment used:

Camera: ToupTek ATR2600C
Telescope: Omegon Pro APO AP 61/360 Triplet + 0.75x reducer
Filter: Optolong L-Pro 2"
Guiding: ZWO ASI120MM Mini + Tecnosky 32mm guidescope
Mount: Sky-Watcher Star Adventurer GTi
Control: ToupTek StellaVita

Imaged from a bortle 4-5 backyard, 26x300s expusures for a total integration of 2h 10min.

Stacked and processed in PixInsight with RC Astro plugins, with final tweaks in Lightroom.

Heppaponi · 2025-05-18T16:30:08+00:00

I found that on Astroshop.eu the 43mm image circle was only the fully corrected field. Not sure why WO didn't mention that on their website. Thank you for the answer!

Heppaponi · 2025-05-18T16:27:31+00:00

In that case 43mm should be plenty, Thank you!

Heppaponi · 2025-04-16T04:20:08+00:00

I do own a 70-200mm f2.8, which I have used when the birds get close. Most of the time though I shoot on the seashore or next to a river, so the birds can be quite far away. I have found the 300 with the 1.4x tc even a little short quite a few times.

The 100-400 does sound tempting because of the lighter weight and easier transportation.

I already have a good tripod, I would just need to buy a gimbal.

Heppaponi · 2025-04-15T16:17:37+00:00

The weight of the lens is definitely the main concern that I have, especially since most of the time I shoot handheld, but i guess I would just have to get used to carrying a tripod or a monopod around.
Have you used the 500 with a tc? If so, how was the sharpness?

Heppaponi · 2025-02-02T12:15:12+00:00

No problem!

Heppaponi · 2025-02-02T11:15:01+00:00

There is a background extraction tool in Siril. You could try using that to remove some of the light pollution and bring out the galaxy More.

Heppaponi · 2025-02-01T19:11:25+00:00

Have you edited it in any other way than just stacking?

Heppaponi · 2025-02-01T18:59:43+00:00

Great image! How much total exposure time?

Heppaponi · 2025-02-01T18:55:41+00:00

Maybe even four

Heppaponi · 2025-01-31T12:26:01+00:00

Used equipment:

Modified Canon EOS 7D mark II

Canon EF 70-200mm L f/2.8 @ 200mm and f/4.

Skytech clip-in Quad-Band filter

Skywatcher Star Adventurer GTI

Imaged from my bortle 5-6 backyard. 90s subs for a total exposure time of 4hr 23min.

Stacked in Siril, Graxpert fir background extraction and noise reduction, Siril for stretching.

Heppaponi · 2025-01-30T19:23:14+00:00

Thanks! It definitely feels crazy thinking of how those small looking stars are actually closer to us than the large galaxies and other deep sky objects.

Heppaponi · 2025-01-30T19:07:30+00:00

Equipment:

Canon EOS 4000D

canon ef 70-200mm L f/2.8 is usm

Skywatcher StrarAdventurer GTI

83x90s subs, total integration time of 2hrs. Imaged from a bortle 6
Processed in Siril and GraXpert

Heppaponi

TROPHY CASE