New DSLR Image of M31 added to AstroGallery

Jul 24, 2018

During last month's "Astrophysics in a Nutshell" workshop at the Comanche Springs Astronomy Campus, I took some time to produce some simple data using the Nikon D810a DSLR for our students to practice their processing skills. Using the 3" Takahashi FSQ-85 (Baby-Q) f/5.3 Apo Refractor on the Tak NJP mount, it was really simple to take some unattended, unguided images.

Ranging from total exposure times of 22 to 50 minutes at ISO 1600 (2 minutes subs), the five data sets represent some of the easiest deep sky images somebody can take. An easy, accurate polar alignment while targeting very bright objects in extremely dark skies, it’s as close to “point and shoot” as you can get in this hobby. In fact, I didn’t bother hooking up to a PC…I just pointed the scope manually using the finder scope, set the on-camera intervalometer, and went about my business doing other things with the students.

Posted first is this image of M31, with 36 minutes of total exposure time. The other four images will be posted as soon as I can.

Hope you enjoy the images!