Astrophotography

Here is a brief collection of some of the imaging I have done locally from South Bend, Indiana. The light pollution (and continuous cloud coverage) makes imaging in urbanized Northern Indiana quite challenging, but with enough exposure time you can overcome the light pollution! The OSC images are in true color, whereby the monochromatic gas images are processed with some “artistic liberties”.

The Great Orion Nebula (M42) & Running Man Nebula imaged on 3/11/2019 from South Bend, IN

30 x 5s + 30 x 10s + 30 x 30s + 10 x 90s on Medium Gain Preset using Atik Horizon OSC


The Dumbbell Nebula (NGC6853) imaged on 8/8/2019 from South Bend, IN

100 x 120s Ha + 120 x 120s  Oiii+ on 139 Gain using ZWO ASI1600mm (color combined using R=Ha, G=Ha*Oiii*0.9, B=Oiii).


The Crescent Nebula (NGC6888) imaged on 7/10/2019 from South Bend, IN

100 x 60s Ha + 120 x 120s  Ha+ 60 x 300s Oiii on 300 Gain using ZWO ASI1600mm.


Bode’s Galaxy (M81) & Cigar Galaxy (M82) imaged on 4/8/2019 from South Bend, IN

150 x 60s on Medium Gain Preset using Atik Horizon OSC


The Horsehead & Flame Nebula & Alnitak (leftmost star in Orion’s belt) imaged on 3/16/2019 from South Bend, IN

40 x 10s + 40 x 30s on Medium Gain Preset + 40 x 30s on 0 Gain using Atik Horizon OSC


Whirlpool Galaxy (M51) imaged on 6/12/2019 from South Bend, IN

200 x 30s L – 20 x 30s in each R/G/B – ASI1600MM Pro @ 139 Gain (Medium Preset)


Pinwheel Galaxy (M101) imaged on 4/20/2019 from South Bend, IN

100 x 60s on Medium Gain Preset using Atik Horizon OSC


Globular Cluster (M003) imaged on 5/5/2019 from South Bend, IN

150 x 15s + 30 x 30s + 30 x 60s on Medium Gain Preset using Atik Horizon OSC


My current gear setup for astrophotography:

  • Celestron C11 EdgeHD Optical Tube Assembly
  • Celestron CGEM DX Equatorial Mount
  • Starizona Hyperstar V3 Focal Reducer/0.7x Celestron Focal Reducer
  • ZWO ASI1600MM Pro Monochrome CMOS Camera
  • ZWO LRGB + Narrowband 1.25″ Filters in ZWO 8 Position Filter Wheel
  • ASIair Control Unit/Acquisition Software + Pixinsight/Photoshop Processing Software