Astrophotography anyone?

TristanP

Last May while in Dewey Beach, DE, I was able to take some pics of Comet NEAT as it had a close encounter with the Beehive cluster (M44). This is 12 shots (F/2.4, 3 sec, ISO 200) from my tripod-mounted F717, full optical zoom, stacked and massaged in PS7.



In comparison, here's what the comet looked like with some real optics:

http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap040423.html

And another shot of it near M44:

http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap040617.html

Shay Stephens

Here's one of the Andromeda galaxy I did with the 717:


The andromeda image was f/2 - 30 seconds - ISO 400. I stacked 5 images I believe, and I piggy backed the camera off a Meade ETX-60. Bare lens looking up at the sky. You can just make out some of the spiral detail too.

DoctorIt

TristanP wrote:

In comparison, here's what the comet looked like with some real optics:

http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap040423.html

And another shot of it near M44:

http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap040617.html

Do they make those lenses in Canon mount??? lol3

pathfinder

Shay Stephens wrote:

Here's one of the Andromeda galaxy I did with the 717:


The andromeda image was f/2 - 30 seconds - ISO 400. I stacked 5 images I believe, and I piggy backed the camera off a Meade ETX-60. Bare lens looking up at the sky. You can just make out some of the spiral detail too.

How did you mount the 717 to the Meade ETX-60, Shay?

I own an ETX-90 I believe, and had not thought of using it's tripod and tube as a mount for an outboard camera. Would it be strong enough to hold a 20D and a small short telephoto prime like an 85 f1.8 ?? How would you connect it to the optical tube of the telescope?

My only astrophotos were taken with stationary tripods like this image of Orion. You can see the movement of the stars in this 30 sec exposure.


Or this image of the moon...



We should encourage other astronomers to post the astro photos here - they are fascinating to see

davev

this is the best I can do.
The moon, D reb, sigma 80-400 o.s. hand held, 100% crop.
With Tamron 1.4 tc (the cheap one)