M2 - Globular Cluster

M2 is a globular cluster in the constellation of Aquarius. It contains about 150,000 stars, including 21 known variable stars. M2 is about 37,500 light-years distant from Earth. At 175 light-years in diameter, it is one of the larger globular clusters known and can be seen with binoculars or the naked eye under dark skies. At 13 billion years old it is one of the older globular clusters in the Milky Way Galaxy (source: wikipedia).

This was the first celestial image I took with my newly modified Canon EOS Rebel T3i (600D). The modification work was done by Hap Griffin at Imaging Infinity. Hap has several options available for DSLR modification. I chose to have the IR Filter Replaced with the Astrodon UV/IR block filter. This modification passes hydrogen-alpha light but blocks IR. This modification will be especially noticeable on images of nebulae with high ionized hydrogen concentration, however, it does allow a bit more light to pass through so other images will benefit as well.

Closeup

M2
Location: Happy Frog Observatory, Monroe, CT
Date/Time: 09/24/16 11:45 pm
Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i(a), Backyard EOS
Telescope: Orion ED80 80mm f/7.5 Apochromatic Refractor Telescope
Barlow: None
Focal Length: 600mm
f/7.5
Mount: Orion Sirius EQ-G GoTo Telescope Mount
Filter: Astrodon UV/IR
Autoguiding: QHY-5L-II-M attached to an Agena 50mm Guide Scope with Helical Focuser
Exposure: 28 x 120 sec (56 min)
ISO: 800
Temp: 27 C
Post Processing: Deep Sky Stacker, Photoshop, Lightroom

Wide-field

M2

Location: Happy Frog Observatory, Monroe, CT
Date/Time: 09/24/16 11:45 pm
Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i(a), Backyard EOS
Telescope: Orion ED80 80mm f/7.5 Apochromatic Refractor Telescope
Barlow: None
Focal Length: 600mm
f/7.5
Mount: Orion Sirius EQ-G GoTo Telescope Mount
Filter: Astrodon UV/IR
Autoguiding: QHY-5L-II-M attached to an Agena 50mm Guide Scope with Helical Focuser
Exposure: 28 x 120 sec (56 min)
ISO: 800
Temp: 27 C
Post Processing: Deep Sky Stacker, Photoshop, Lightroom

Harvest Moon - Next Night

This is the day after the Harvest Moon taken from Roosevelt Forest in Stratford, CT while camping with the Boy Scouts.

Harvest Moon
Location: Roosevelt Forest, Stratford, CT
Date/Time: 09/17/16 10:12 pm
Camera: Nikon D3000
Telescope/Lens: Nikon 70-300mm
Barlow: None
Focal Length: 300mm
f/5.6

Mount: Fixed
Filter: None
Autoguiding: None
Exposure: 1/1250 sec
ISO: 800
Temp: NA
Post Processing: Photoshop, Lightroom

Pet Caterpillar

Proof that I take more than just astrophotos. My wife, Alexandra Mack, just happened to catch our 'pet' caterpillar metamorphosing into a chrysalis while procrastinating on exercising.

M25 and M73 - the Messier that almost wasn't!

M25 is an open cluster in the constellation Sagittarius and located some 2,000 light-years away (source: wikipedia).  M73 is an asterism (group of stars that appear close to each other from earth) in the constellation Aquarius and located located 2,500 light-years from Earth. Messier described the object as a cluster of four stars with some nebulosity, however, no one since then has observed it (source: wikipedia).  Of course I would have liked to have longer exposure but M25 went behind a tree and I was entertaining an out of town guest (brother) during the session.

These two objects represent 40 and 41 on the Messier Objects with an ED80 project that I am working on.

M25
Closeup

Wide Field

M25

Location: Happy Frog Observatory, Monroe, CT
Date/Time: 09/03/16 10:15 pm
Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i, Backyard EOS
Telescope: Orion ED80 80mm f/7.5 Apochromatic Refractor Telescope
Barlow: None
Focal Length: 600mm
f/7.5
Mount: Orion Sirius EQ-G GoTo Telescope Mount
Filter: None
Autoguiding: QHY-5L-II-M attached to an Agena 50mm Guide Scope with Helical Focuser
Exposure: 20 x 80 sec, 1 x 90 (28 min)
ISO: 800
Temp: 30 C
Post Processing: Deep Sky Stacker, Photoshop, Lightroom

M73

Closeup

Wide Field

M73

Location: Happy Frog Observatory, Monroe, CT
Date/Time: 09/03/16 11:15 pm
Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T3i, Backyard EOS
Telescope: Orion ED80 80mm f/7.5 Apochromatic Refractor Telescope
Barlow: None
Focal Length: 600mm
f/7.5
Mount: Orion Sirius EQ-G GoTo Telescope Mount
Filter: None
Autoguiding: QHY-5L-II-M attached to an Agena 50mm Guide Scope with Helical Focuser
Exposure: 17 x 80 sec (23 min)
ISO: 800
Temp: 30 C
Post Processing: Deep Sky Stacker, Photoshop, Lightroom