M23

Messier 23 (NGC 6494) is a bright, large open star cluster located in the constellation Sagittarius.
It approximately 2,150 light years from Earth and has an apparent magnitude of 6.9. The cluster has a radius of 15 to 20 light years and contains 176 confirmed members (source: Messier Objects).

This is one of the few Messier Objects that I have left that I can actually image from my yard. This object, being in Sagittarius, is in the direction of the center of the Milky Way and, therefore, has lots of gas, dust, nebulosity, and stars. The cloudiness appears faintly in my image.

This brings me up to 93 Messier Objects captured so far...

https://kurtzeppetello.smugmug.com/

M23
Location: Happy Frog Observatory, Monroe, CT
Date: 6-21-17
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
Focal Reducer: Orion 0.8x Focal Reducer for Refractor Telescopes
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: 19 x 60s
ISO: 1600
Temp: 18 C
Post Processing: Deep Sky Stacker, Photoshop, Lightroom, Gradient Exterminator, Astronomy Tools, StarTools.

M20 - Trifid Nebula and M21

The Trifid Nebula (M20 or NGC 6514) is in Sagittarius only a mere 5,200 light-years from Earth.  The object is made of an open cluster; an emission nebula (the lower, red portion), a reflection nebula (the upper, blue portion) and a dark nebula, the apparent 'gaps' within the emission nebula (source: wikipedia).  

This was the first night imaging with the the new Atlas Pro EQ/AZ mount.  I collected 3 min. subframes and the mount was tracking perfectly through the whole session.  I did have one mishap that cost 30 minutes of images but it was my fault.  The computer battery went dead during the session and my backup plan (connecting it to the Black and Decker power pack was also dead.  The third backup plan was to connect an extension cord to the inverter that came with the Rav4.  This worked but I had to have the car running.

When I processed the data I had a lot of scattered reds in the background.  Most often it simply noise in the image, however, there is a lot of nebulosity in this region.  I checked many other images of this region and there was no definitive answer to was it noise or real gas and dust that that my modified camera picked up.  Some images showed it and some did not.  I made the executive decision to lesson it's impact rather than process it away.  There are hints of nebulosity if you look closely.  I did use Fred Espenek's (Astropixels.com) image of this region a guide.

I love these two for one objects.  M21 is a tightly packed cluster of about 57 stars located about 4,250 light-years from Earth.   Since it was in the field of view I was able to pick up two Messier objects for my catalog with one imaging session.  With the addition of these two, I now have captured 92 Messier objects for my catalog.  Only 18 are left!

https://kurtzeppetello.smugmug.com/

Trifid Crop

Trifid Wide Field

M21 Crop

M20 - Trifid Nebula and M21
Location: St. John's Cemetery, Monroe, CT
Date: 6-20-17
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
Focal Reducer: Orion 0.8x Focal Reducer for Refractor Telescopes
Mount: Orion Atlas Pro EQ/AZ Mount
Filter: Astrodon UV/IR, Astronomik UHC
Autoguiding: QHY-5L-II-M attached to an Agena 50mm Guide Scope with Helical Focuser
Exposure:29 x 180s
ISO: 1600
Temp: 20 C
Post Processing: Deep Sky Stacker, Photoshop, Lightroom, Gradient Exterminator, Astronomy Tools, StarTools.
https://kurtzeppetello.smugmug.com/

Beta test for the eclipse!

I plan to update this as I modify the procedure based on testing!

The Plan
I was planning on using a 300 mm Nikon lens or Orion ST80 mm refractor attached to my Canon EOS T3i/600D to image the eclipse. Since I will be traveling by jet and rental car I didn't want to bring a big telescope and heavy mount. Also, I want to use Backyard EOS on my computer to automate control of the camera so I can enjoy the eclipse with minimal tinkering during the eclipse.

Original Equipment List 
Lens - Nikon 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED
Telescope - Orion Short Tube 80 mm
Camera - Canon T3i/computer wire connection
Camera batteries
Adapter - Fotodiox Nikon to Canon
Adapter - T-adapter for Canon cameras to telescopes
Camera Tripod - Manfrotto
Computer - HP Envy
Computer Shade - LapDome

Problems
Right off the bat, the Fotodiox Nikon to Canon adapter that I have used a few times over the past couple years broke so I ordered a new one.  It does not fill me with confidence.  Since I could not test the lens method I decided to go with the telescope test.

Results
This actually worked pretty well.  Unless the camera gives me much better results, I like the telescope method. The camera with a T-adapter screws directly focuser and I can adjust the orientation of the camera.  The LapDome is a must if you are using a computer for camera control as it would be impossible to see the screen during the day.  I took a few test shots to see what I would get.  I will test the automation at a later date.

As shown on the photo, I set sun just to to the left of the box.  After 5 minutes it was still in the field of view (FOV).  It looks like one or two adjustments during the eclipse is all that is necessary to keep the sun in the FOV.  Although the Manfrotto tripod held the equipment it was not easy to do minor adjustments with the camera tripod.  I have a an Explore Scientific Twilight I portable tripod that would work great if I were driving to the eclipse but it is hardly portable enough for the airplane.  I saw that Explore Scientific has a Twilight Nano tripod which may be exactly what I am looking for. It is a telescope tripod which has the fine adjustments and can handle up 14 lbs but is much smaller than the Twilight I so I ordered it from High Point Scientific.

The camera plus Nikon 300mm lens (3.8 lbs)
The camera plus ST80 refractor (5.8 lbs)

Automation Plan

Automation sequence using Backyard EOS

Settings	30 min before	5 min before/after	1 min before/after	During
Exposure	1/2000	1/2000	1/2000	1/250 sec 1/8 sec 1 sec
Intervals	1 min	10 sec	5 sec	5 sec
ISO	200	200	200	200
F/6.3	6.3	6.3	6.3	6.3
Focal Length	480mm	480mm	480mm	480mm
Aperture	80mm	80mm	80mm	80mm

Comments are welcome...

M68 & M83 - Southern Pinwheel Galaxy

M68

Messier 68 (also known as M68 or NGC 4590) is a globular cluster in the constellation Hydra. It is about 33,000 light-years away from Earth and has a highly elliptical orbit around the galaxy. This orbit carries it as far as 100,000 light years from the galactic center (source: wikipedia).

This is my first non-galaxy Messier object in over four months and I was quite excited at that.  It was also the first time with the new mount, Atlas Pro EQ/AZ.  The sky was clear but this object was very low in fact it is not visible from my yard so I went to the alternate location, a nearby cemetery.  Also with Bridgeport and all the other cities heading towards NYC, there is heavy light pollution to the south.  I could only take 45 second sub-frames and managed to get 24 shots before I moved to M83.  I wasn't holding my breath as a matter of fact I thought I made a mistake even trying to image these objects.  After reviewing the data I was convinced I made a mistake, however, all things considered, I was very happy with the results.

Wide Field

Crop

M68
Location: St. John's Cemetery, Monroe, CT
Date: 6-20-17
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
Focal Reducer: Orion 0.8x Focal Reducer for Refractor Telescopes
Mount: Orion Atlas Pro EQ/AZ Mount
Filter: Astrodon UV/IR
Autoguiding: QHY-5L-II-M attached to an Agena 50mm Guide Scope with Helical Focuser
Exposure:24 x 45s
ISO: 1600
Temp: 18 C
Post Processing: Deep Sky Stacker, Photoshop, Lightroom, Gradient Exterminator, Astronomy Tools, StarTools.
https://kurtzeppetello.smugmug.com/

M83

"I know what your thinking. More galaxies! I thought you were done!" There are a couple in this region but not like the last four months.  Messier 83 (also known as the Southern Pinwheel Galaxy, M83 or NGC 5236) is a barred spiral galaxy  about 15 million light-years away in the constellation Hydra.  Its nickname of the Southern Pinwheel derives from its resemblance to the Pinwheel Galaxy (source: wikipedia). 

Although there are better images of the Southern Pinwheel Galaxy (M83), I am happy that I was able pull together something with only 30 minutes before disappearing behind some trees.  These summer objects are very low in the sky with heavy light pollution and not visible from my yard. Southwest Connecticut is not exactly dark sky haven of New England.  I did capture another object but I am doing that separately since it a nebula. 

These two objects are Messier's 89 and 90 on my catalog.  

M83
Location: St. John's Cemetery, Monroe, CT
Date: 6-20-17
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
Focal Reducer: Orion 0.8x Focal Reducer for Refractor Telescopes
Mount: Orion Atlas Pro EQ/AZ Mount
Filter: Astrodon UV/IR
Autoguiding: QHY-5L-II-M attached to an Agena 50mm Guide Scope with Helical Focuser
Exposure:30 x 60s
ISO: 1600
Temp: 18 C
Post Processing: Deep Sky Stacker, Photoshop, Lightroom, Gradient Exterminator, Astronomy Tools, StarTools.
https://kurtzeppetello.smugmug.com/

M61

All good things must come to an end (George Harrison)!  Messier 61 is the last of the great galaxies in the Big Dipper and Virgo regions I have been imaging since February.  Although it has been fun, I am ready to move to something different such as nebulae and clusters.  Unfortunately the next set of Messier Objects are not visible from the Happy Frog Observatory located in my yard so I will have to drive to my alternate location.

M61 (or NGC 4303) is one of the largest barred spiral galaxies in Virgo and approximately 52 million light-years from Earth.  It has a diameter of about 100,000 light years which is roughly the same size as our galaxy, the Milky Way (source: Messier Objects).

Only 22 Messier objects are left on my catalog but it may take a while to image them as only about four are visible from my yard.

https://sites.google.com/site/messierobjectsed80/

Crop2

Crop

Wide Field

M61
Location: Happy Frog Observatory, Monroe, CT
Date: 5-26-17, 5-31-17, 6-12-17
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
Focal Reducer: Orion 0.8x Focal Reducer for Refractor Telescopes
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: 2 x 90s, 28 x 90s, 38 x 90s
ISO: 1600
Temp: 18 C, 24 C, 18
Post Processing: Deep Sky Stacker, Photoshop, Lightroom, Gradient Exterminator, Astronomy Tools, StarTools.
https://kurtzeppetello.smugmug.com/

M49

Although I am happy how this image of M49 turned out, APOD this is NOT.  Lots processing to fix things.  In addition to the normal noise and gradients that I deal with, there were black spots (sometimes colored close up) speckled throughout the image (looked like chicken pox).  I have had a couple of this pop up from time to time but not in a long time or like this. The only thing different from the other Virgo Galaxies I have imaged is it was really warm outside, 75 F or 24 C.  I was able to get most of the spots out with normal smoothing in PS, Astronomy Tools, Star Tools, and LR, however, some of the spots were on M49 so I used the healing brush (i.e. the image is not pure).

Anybody in Astrobin Land have similar experiences or know what this caused this?  If it noise caused by the heat is there something that can be done other than getting a CCD?  I saw on Cloudynights someone made a homemade DSLR cooler for a Canon T3i.  I might go with this approach.

The weather has been awful for the past month and it looks like cloudy weather for the next two weeks so this image will have to do for my Messier catalog.

M49 (NGC 4472) is an elliptical galaxy located in the constellation Virgo at a distance of 55.9 million light years from Earth. M49 can be found 4.1 degrees to the west-southwest of the star Vindemiatrix, a yellow giant that is the third brightest star in Virgo.

M49 was the first member of the Virgo Cluster to be discovered and is the brightest galaxy in this group.  About 157,000 light years across in size, M49 is larger both than the Milky Way (100,000 light years) and the Andromeda Galaxy (140,000 light years). The galaxy contains at least 200 billion stars. It is receding from us at an approximate velocity of 981 km/s (source: Messier Objects).

This is the 87th Messier Object for my catalog and the second to the last Virgo Galaxy (M61 is the last). 

Wide Field

Interesting Frame

M49 Crop

M49
Location: Happy Frog Observatory, Monroe, CT
Date: 6-11-17
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
Focal Reducer: Orion 0.8x Focal Reducer for Refractor Telescopes
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: 54 x 90s
ISO: 1600
Temp: 24 C
Post Processing: Deep Sky Stacker, Photoshop, Lightroom, Gradient Exterminator, Astronomy Tools, StarTools.
https://kurtzeppetello.smugmug.com/

M102 - Spindle Galaxy

I was finally was able to do some imaging.  Since the moon was near Virgo, I pointed the telescope in the other direction and finished the last of the Messier objects near the Big Dipper.

M102 (NGC 5866), also known as the Spindle Galaxy, is an edge-on lenticular galaxy located in the northern constellation Draco at a distance of 50 million light years from Earth.  This is a circumpolar galaxy and never sets below the horizon North of 35 degrees. Also of interest, the north celestial pole passes within a degree of M102 every 25,800 years. The galaxy last marked the location of the pole about 6,900 years ago, in 4900 BC, and will do so again in 18,900 years, around 20900 AD (source: Messier Objects).

This is 86 Messier objects and counting...

Crop

Wide Field

M102
Location: Happy Frog Observatory, Monroe, CT
Date: 6-1-17
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
Focal Reducer: Orion 0.8x Focal Reducer for Refractor Telescopes
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: 43 x 90s
ISO: 1600
Temp: 18 C
Post Processing: Deep Sky Stacker, Photoshop, Lightroom, Gradient Exterminator, Astronomy Tools, StarTools.
https://kurtzeppetello.smugmug.com/