Dan's Astrophotography

Image Location and Date: Palomar Mountain… turnout on east grade road. January 10th 2010
Object: M31 Andromeda Galaxy in Andromeda
Mount: CG4
Imaging scope: Omni XLT 150 Newtonian
Imaging FL: 750mm
Imaging focal ratio: f5
Imaging camera: unmodified Nikon D60
Lights: 20 x 120 sec ISO 3200 (40min)
Calibration: None
Guide scope: Antares 8×50mm finder with Orion StarShoot Auto Guider
Other details: guided with PHD, stacked in DSS processed in Photoshop

*

Image Location and Date: SDAA site at Tierra Del Sol on December 24th 2009
Object: M42 Nebula in Orion
Mount: CG5GT
Imaging scope: Omni XLT 150 Newtonian
Imaging FL: 750mm
Imaging focal ratio: f5
Imaging camera: unmodified Nikon D60
Lights: 65 x 30 sec ISO 3200 (32min)
Calibration: None
Guide scope: None
Stacked in DSS processed in Photoshop

*

I really enjoyed this site. Went out on November 21st, 2009 (my birthday). Easily some of the darkest skies I’ve ever seen in Southern California. Mount Laguna was to the west of us, I could easily see the observatory with my scope during the day. It’s a regular campsite with bathrooms, water, fire pits and plenty of space. The SDAA will occasionally host public star parties here.

Read the rest of this entry »

*

Image Location and Date:  Vallecitos Stage Station Campground on November 21st, 2009
Object: Double Cluster in Perseus
Mount: CG5GT
Imaging scope: Omni XLT 150 Newtonian
Imaging FL: 750mm
Imaging focal ratio: f5
Imaging camera: unmodified Nikon D60
Lights: 6 x 30 sec ISO 3200 (3min)
Calibration: None
Guide scope: None
Stacked in DSS processed in Photoshop

*

Image Location and Date:  Vallecitos Stage Station Campground on November 21st, 2009
Object: M45 Cluster in Taurus
Mount: CG5GT
Imaging scope: Omni XLT 150 Newtonian
Imaging FL: 750mm
Imaging focal ratio: f5
Imaging camera: unmodified Nikon D60
Lights: 98 x 30 sec ISO 3200 (49min)
Calibration: None
Guide scope: None
Stacked in DSS processed in Photoshop

*