Here is a look at the various Astrophotography Configurations most commonly used by me for image acquisition. As you will see, depending on the target type, I need to modify the equipment used to obtain the best results.
I have added clickable links to most of the equipment below to make it easier for you to locate the items online. I am using affiliate links and while you will not be charged anything additional for any of the items, I may be compensated if you use the links. It would certainly be appreciated!
Deep Sky Object (DSO) and Lunar Astrophotography
When I want to image Deep Sky Objects (DSO) such as Nebula and Galaxies, I often need a shorter focal length than I use when imaging planets to increase my Field of View (FOV) to a larger area of the night sky.
- Mount: SkyWatcher EQ6R-PRO
- Polar Scope: QHY PoleMaster
- Optics: Celestron NexStar 8i OTA w/ 0.63 Focal Reducer/Corrector
- Dew Management: 2x Heating Straps for C8 corrector plate and Dew Zapper
- Focuser: Pegasus Astro FocusCube2
- Guider: Celestron OAG w/ ZWO ASI174mm-mini camera
- Filter Assembly: QHY CFW3 Filter Wheel w/ 7 Filters (L/R/G/B/Sii/Ha/Oiii)
- Imaging Camera: ZWO ASI1600MM-PRO often cooled to -15ºC
- PC: Mini-PC w/Win10 Pro via RDP
- Software: N.I.N.A. for DSO imaging session, SharpCap Pro for Lunar imaging session & PHD2 for guiding
Planetary Astrophotography
Imaging planetary objects requires you to zoom in very tightly on these distant and relatively small objects.
- Mount: SkyWatcher EQ6R-PRO
- Polar Scope: QHY PoleMaster
- Optics: Celestron NexStar 8i OTA w/ 2x-5x Barlows
- Dew Management: 2x Heating Straps for C8 corrector plate and Dew Zapper
- Focuser: Pegasus Astro FocusCube2
- Finder Scope: Laser Pointer
- Option 1 (Mono):
- Filter Assembly: QHY CFW3 Filter Wheel w/ 7 Filters (L/R/G/B/Sii/Ha/Oiii)
- Imaging Camera: ZWO ASI1600MM-PRO often cooled to -15ºC
- Option 2 (OSC):
- Imaging Camera: ZWO ASI183MC-PRO often cooled to -15ºC
- PC: Mini-PC w/Win10 Pro via RDP
- Software: SharpCap Pro for Planetary imaging session
Solar Astrophotography
Imaging the Sun is exciting and opens up a whole new world of imaging (and all of the previously useless daytime hours). This does require a very particular setup and can be very dangerous if done incorrectly.
- Mount: Orion Sirius EQ-G
- Optics: Explore Scientific AR102 f/6.5 APO Doublet
- Focuser: Pegasus Astro FocusCube2
- Finder Scope: DIY Solar Finder
- Imaging Camera: ZWO ASI174MM
- Solar Filter: Daystar QUARK H-Alpha Chromosphere w/ Astronomik L1 UV-IR filter
- PC: Mini-PC w/Win10 Pro via RDP
- Software: SharpCap Pro for Solar imaging session
Wide-Field Astrophotography
Wide-field Astrophotography allows you to zoom way out and get a much bigger image. Capture multiple nebulas or even very large nebula.
- Mount: Orion Sirius EQ-G
- Polar Scope: QHY PoleMaster
- Optics: Canon 200mm f/2.8 L II USM EF
- Dew Management: Heating Straps for 200mm and Finder Scope plus a Dew Zapper
- Focuser: Astromechanics ASCOM APS-C M42 Canon Lens Controller
- Guider: ZWO 30mm f/4 Finder Scope w/ ZWO ASI174MM-Mini
- Imaging Camera: ZWO ASI183MC-PRO often cooled to -15ºC
- PC: Mini-PC w/Win10 Pro via RDP
- Software: N.I.N.A. for DSO imaging session & PHD2 for guiding
Ultra Wide-Field Astrophotography
Ultra Wide-field Astrophotography allows you to zoom out to the extreme to get entire constellations and even the Milky Way core!
- Mount: Orion Sirius EQ-G
- Polar Scope: QHY PoleMaster
- Optics: Rokinon FE14M-C 14mm F/2.8 Ultra Wide
- Dew Management: Heating Straps for 14mm and Finder Scope plus a Dew Zapper
- Focuser: None
- Guider: ZWO 30mm f/4 Finder Scope w/ ZWO ASI174MM-Mini
- Imaging Camera: ZWO ASI183MC-PRO often cooled to -15ºC
- PC: Mini-PC w/Win10 Pro via RDP
- Software: N.I.N.A. for DSO imaging session & PHD2 for guiding
All Sky Astrophotography
All Sky Astrophotography allows you image directly overhead for a 360º view of the entire sky. This allows me to monitor the weather and image meteors, not to mention the occasional airplane!
- Mount: DIY Small Powerbox or on Pole
- Power: Direct AC or DC Battery
- Optics: Fish-eye Lens
- Imaging Camera: ZWO ASI224MC
- PC: Raspberry PI or Win10
- Software: AllSky or AllSkEye Pro
Additional Components
This is a few extra bits and pieces I break out from time to time.
- Star Party Viewing: I will use a small Vankyo Burger 101 projector and Google Chromecast dongle to show live imaging sessions or Live Stacks for many people to watch along with me.
- Security and Baby Sitting: I have one of these Blink Mini Cameras linked to each of one my mounts so I can monitor the equipment and even the occasional meridian flip from inside the house.