Sergey S. @sergey@social.ssbx.dev

Finally added some necessary equipment. This is my first try using SWSA 2i star tracker. Spent quite a while learning Polar alignment process. But imagine session was a breeze with automation that tracker brings. This is retake of M45 aka Pleiades with new equipment, just 52 min of total integration and a bit of processing. Equipment: Canon EOS T3i, Samyang 135mm lens at F2.8 and ISO 800. 124 X 25 second sub-exposures. #astropic

Back to my backyard which is Bortle 7/8 class, however with bit improved skills I've decided to do retake for Andromeda Galaxy. This is M31 at the forefront with M110 bottom and M32 was "lost in translation" #astropic Specs: Canon EOS T3i, 50mm lens at F2.8 and ISO 1600. 20 min of total integration time.

Had a chance to shoot out of Bortle 4 sky, so I shot my favorite constellation Orion, here is the result. #astropic

I had a chance to take some almost "accidental" shots of M45 aka Pleiades. It looked like a smudge on the night sky, as I stepped outside for a second. So I went back inside and unpacked my gear and started shooting. This is just 12 min of integration of 4 second exposures, but I am genuinely happy with the image. I think I am making progress in this hobby. Post processing is just curves and nothing else. #astropic

Totals of that session: Broken tripod, just few light of first target, no shots of moon or other 2 targets I had in mind. Even though it might look as a failure it wasn't, first of all I've never expected to come out with some usable shots there, it's a full moon after all it's so bright you can see outside, so I got my experimentation done and I am happy with it. Also I've discovered astrophotography mode on a Pixel smartphone, can't resist I took self portrait. #astropic 2/2

Results of last night: Andromeda Galaxy and Pelican Nebula. Shot with camera, tripod and 50mm lens in light pollution class 6. #astropic

My attempt to take flats had failed miserably, so here is my attempt to take Milky Way core with a kit lens and no flats. Picture is imperfect, but I am learning. #astropic

Here is another attempt from backyard, which is class 6 light pollution. #astropic

Second attempt, trying to capture Milky Way core, unfortunately it's visible towards South and so is Dallas, thus light pollution getting in a way, I think I am on the right track. #astropic