Monthly Archives: January 2023

Comets, Nebulae

Comet C/2022 E3 ZTF on Jan 27, 2023

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Comet C/2022 E3 ZTF. 175×60 sec, gain 20, offset 32, UHC-S filter, QHY183c at -20C, TPO/Askar 40mm F/4.5.
M78. 8×60 sec at gain 30, offset 17, QHY183c at -20C, TPO/Askar 40mm F/4.5. Moon inserted for scale.

Another good night for imaging.   I had great luck on the comet, but not much luck with a two nebula and only so, so with another.

California Nebula. 30×60 sec, gain 20, offset 32, UHC-S filter, QHY183c at -20C, TPO/Askar 40mm F/4.5.

I missed focus on the California Nebula.  Salvaged what I could for this display image.   It is on my list for a do over.

M78 (again.) 101×60 sec, gain 20, offset 32, UHC-S filter, QHY183c at -20C, TPO/Askar 40mm F/4.5.

Still not enough time for M78.  It needs 3 or more hours and with a comet around, it is not getting it until the comet is gone.  lol

The Belt of Orion. 110×60 sec, Gain 20, Offset 32, UHC-S fitler, QHY183c at -20C, TPO/Askar 40mm F/4.5.

Last on the list is the Belt of Orion.  I had a little more luck with this one than the others.   It too could use more time, however.

 

 

Comets, Nebulae

Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) on Jan 23, 2023

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Comet C/2022 E3 ZTF. 16×300 sec @ gain 11, offset 17, QHY183c at -15C, UV/IR Filter, TPO/Askar 40mm F/4.5.

Comet C/2022 E3 was where Earth was passing through the comet’s orbital plane and we got to see a strong anti-tail during the passage.

While waiting on the comet, I imaged a few nebula.  None of them serious attempts.

The Witch Head Nebula. 22×300 sec, gain 11, offset 17, QHY183c at -20C, UV/IR filter, TPO/Askar 40mm F/4.5.
M78. 8×60 sec at gain 30, offset 17, QHY183c at -20C, TPO/Askar 40mm F/4.5.
Comets, Nebulae, Star Clusters

Friday the 13th Imaging Session

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Normally I avoid doing anything on Friday the 13th.  lol.  But, since astronomical time is Greenwich Mean Time, the 13th ended at 6:00PM CST, so I was good.  Ha!

The Orion Nebula and Friends. 37×2 (core,) 22 x 300 sec, Gain 11, Offset 17, QHY183c at -20C, Astronomic L-3 UV/IR filter, TPO (Askar) 180mm, F/4.5.

I imaged 3 objects this night. One was the object above, the Orion Nebula (and friends,) one was the Flaming Star Nebula and I shot about 2.5 hours of Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF.)

Equipment used was an Askar 180mm F.L., F/4.5 scope (40mm objective,) an Astronomic L-3 UV/IR filter and a QHY183c camera, and an Atlas EQ-G with EQMOD.

Here’s the Flaming Star. I missed the focus on this. I threw away several processing attempts before salvaging what I could for this display image. Oh, well… next time.

The Flaming Star Nebula (and friends.) 33 x 300 sec, Gain 11, Offset 17, QHY183c at -20C, Astronomic L-3 UV/IR filter, TPO (Askar) 180mm, F/4.5.

Next, after waiting till 2:30-3:00 AM, I took images of Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF).   It is small and still kind of dim, but has a long, faint tail.  I have two data sets  with about an hour each of exposure.

Star Freeze version of Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF). 11×300 sec, guided on the comet, Gain 11, Offset 17, QHY183c at -20C, Astronomic L-3 UV/IR filter, TPO (Askar) 180mm, F/4.5.
Star Streaks version of Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF). 11×300 sec, guided on the comet, Gain 11, Offset 17, QHY183c at -20C, Astronomic L-3 UV/IR filter, TPO (Askar) 180mm, F/4.5.
tar Freeze version of Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF). 12×300 sec, guided on the comet, Gain 11, Offset 17, QHY183c at -20C, Astronomic L-3 UV/IR filter, TPO (Askar) 180mm, F/4.5.
Star Streaks version of Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF). 12×300 sec, guided on the comet, Gain 11, Offset 17, QHY183c at -20C, Astronomic L-3 UV/IR filter, TPO (Askar) 180mm, F/4.5.