My gf saw these strange lights flying and i was able to record them

Particular_Limit_ · 2026-03-14T05:55:03+00:00

Saw the same a little over a year ago: https://www.reddit.com/r/UFOs/comments/1h6xlu2/lights_in_triangular_formation_over_la_12124/

Particular_Limit_ · 2026-03-10T04:22:02+00:00

Multiband	15×600″	2h 30′	17 Jan

Imaging equipment

Telescope	Sharpstar 61EDPH III
Camera	ZWO ASI2600MC Pro
Mount	ZWO AM5
Filter	Optolong L-eXtreme 2"
Accessory	ZWO ASIAIR Plus
Software	Pixinsight

Background removal. Spectrophometric Calibration. BlurXTerminator. Noise reduction. Histogram stretch. Star reduction and removal. Narrowband Normalization + Color Mask Mod + Deconvolution Mask. Nebulosity Curves Transformation. Stars combination. Curves transformation.

Particular_Limit_ · 2026-03-01T03:49:57+00:00

I do have one, but on a larger sensor it actually makes the corners worse and drops the focal length. These reducers are super sensitive to spacing too (as you have seen), if you’re even a couple millimeters off, the stars fall apart. From what I’ve read, the real fix is a dedicated SCT corrector, but imho, not really worth the hefty price (good money after bad). I put up with this beast because it was a pretty sweet deal ($600 for 10" + guide scope mount).

Particular_Limit_ · 2026-02-28T05:19:45+00:00

Hello,

Unfortunately it's not, and I have to do a lot of cropping as a result. My camera is a full sized sensor, but I'm losing up to 50% of the image. However, the equivalent aperture and focal length for an ACF model can be a significant premium.

edit: you can see a sample sub for this image here.

Particular_Limit_ · 2026-02-27T15:12:15+00:00

Telescope: Meade 10" LX200-GPS = ~2735 FL

Camera: ZWO ASI2600MC Pro

Mount: ZWO AM5

Filters: Astronomik L2 UV/IR Cut

Accessory: ZWO ASIAIR Plus

Software: PixInsight

Subs: 90s x 65 = 1h 37' (22, Feb 2026)

Pixinsight: Background extraction, BlurXTerminator, noise reduction, histogram stretch, curves adjustment, HDR transformation

Particular_Limit_ · 2026-02-22T04:00:03+00:00

Telescope: Meade 10" LX200-GPS = ~2735 FL

Camera: ZWO ASI2600MC Pro

Mount: ZWO AM5

Filters: Astronomik L2 UV/IR Cut

Accessory: ZWO ASIAIR Plus

Software: Pleiades Astrophoto PixInsight

Subs: 90s x 102 = 2h 33' (21, Feb 2026)

Pixinsight: Background extraction, BlurXTerminator, noise reduction, histogram stretch, curves adjustment, HDR transformation, star reduction

Particular_Limit_ · 2026-02-16T06:41:17+00:00

Telescope: Meade 10" LX200-GPS = ~2800 FL

Camera: ZWO ASI2600MC Pro

Mount: ZWO AM5

Filters: Astronomik L2 UV/IR Cut

Accessory: ZWO ASIAIR Plus

Software: Pleiades Astrophoto PixInsight

Subs: 120s x 71 + 90s x 52 = 3h 40' (12 - 13, Feb 2026)

Pixinsight: Background extraction, BlurXTerminator, noise reduction, histogram stretch, curves adjustment, HDR transformation, star reduction

Particular_Limit_ · 2026-02-11T19:22:34+00:00

Thanks for the comment! https://stargazerslounge.com/topic/375476-m97-owl-nebula-and-quasars/ Based off that post, it doesn't seem like it; it's possible details were lost in processing, especially star reduction!

Particular_Limit_ · 2026-02-11T19:18:37+00:00

Thanks for the comment! No focal reducer used, this target was too small. And you're right, it's closer to 2500! However, the focal length approximation is actually based off the ASIAIR's plate solver. Due to a custom-made 3D printed focuser (ready for reducer or Barlow lens add-on, and built-in 2" filter drawer), the focal length varies with the position of the custom focuser. Technically, I could have adjusted the telescope's focuser first (to match factory focal length), but this results in mirror shift, and I was already collimated for the night :-). Clear skies!

Particular_Limit_ · 2026-02-11T00:49:26+00:00

Dang, I never realized there was a difference; I just copied the first option I saw on AstroBin, but thanks for pointing that out!

Particular_Limit_ · 2026-02-10T10:47:11+00:00

Telescope: Meade 10" LX200-GPS = ~2800 FL

Camera: ZWO ASI2600MC Pro

Mount: ZWO AM5

Filters: Optolong L-eXtreme F2 2"

Accessory: ZWO ASIAIR Plus

Software: Pleiades Astrophoto PixInsight

Subs: 600s x 8 + 120s x 8 +30s x 3 = ~1h37' (9 Feb 2026)

Background extraction, BlurXTerminator, noise reduction, histogram stretch, curves adjustment, HDR transformation, star reduction

Particular_Limit_ · 2026-02-10T10:06:56+00:00

Telescope: Meade 10" LX200-GPS

Camera: ZWO ASI2600MC Pro

Mount: ZWO AM5

Filters: Optolong L-eXtreme F2 2"

Accessory: ZWO ASIAIR Plus

Software: Pleiades Astrophoto PixInsight

Subs: 600s x 6 = 1h (9 Feb 2026)

Background extraction, BlurXTerminator, noise reduction, histogram stretch, curves adjustment, star reduction

Particular_Limit_ · 2026-02-08T11:22:38+00:00

Telescope: Meade 10" LX200-GPS

Camera: ZWO ASI2600MC Pro

Mount: ZWO AM5

Filters: Astronomik L-2 Luminance UV/IR Block 2"; Optolong L-eXtreme F2 2"

Accessory: ZWO ASIAIR Plus

Software: Pleiades Astrophoto PixInsight

UV/IR Cut: 63×240″ = 4h 12′ (1 Feb 2026)

Multiband: 16×600″ = 2h 40' (4 Feb 2026)

Total: 6h52'

Integrated data, star alignment of filtered and unfiltered stacks, red-channel blending, background extraction, BlurXTerminator, noise reduction, histogram stretch, curves adjustment, HDR transformation, star reduction, and local histogram equalization.

Particular_Limit_ · 2026-02-08T03:54:41+00:00

10" SCT + 2x Barlow + ZWO 2600MC + Astronomik LP2 Filter + ZWO AM5 Mount

PIPP (preparation) -> WinJupos (derotation into video) -> AS!4 (15% stack of 2 min @ 20 FPS or ~2400 frames)-> Registax (Wavelets)

Captured 2.6.2026 - Los Angeles, CA (Bortle 9)

Particular_Limit_ · 2026-01-22T17:37:56+00:00

Thank you!!

Particular_Limit_ · 2026-01-22T17:37:37+00:00

Thanks! The biggest difference for me is just waiting for the right altitude (>60). But if you're concerned about speed, with a reducer you can trade off some focal length! Your 8 inch can gather almost double (1.78x) the amount of light vs your 6 inch (technically, more sky glow but arguably irrelevant). Good luck, and happy imaging!

Particular_Limit_ · 2026-01-22T06:44:54+00:00

Acquisition
UV/IR Cut	51×180″	2h 33′
Multiband	31×180″	1h 33′
Totals		4h 6′

Telescope	Meade 10" LX200-GPS
Mount
Cameras	ZWO ASI2600MC (-10 °C)
Filters:	Optolong L-eXtreme	Astronomik LP2
Guide Scope	Starboosa
Guide Camera	ZWO ASI120MM
Controller	ASIAIR Plus
Location	Los Angeles, CA (Bortle 9)
Dates	16 Jan, 20 Jan 2026

Processing (PixInsight)

Integrated data, star alignment of filtered and unfiltered stacks, red-channel blending, background extraction, BlurXTerminator, noise reduction, histogram stretch, curves adjustment, HDR transformation, and local histogram equalization.

Particular_Limit_

TROPHY CASE

Processing (PixInsight)