Sergey S. @sergey@social.ssbx.dev

In more practical terms, things I am learning is how to take calibration frames, how many of them I need, how to frame targets when you don't have much of visual other than stars to give you that perspective of what you are able to capture, how to find your targets, why stars are tailing and how much you have to compensate for it. Not having access to Hubble telescope should not limit your ability to learn all the science behind it and gain that mastery with your equipment and have fun.

It's all about perspective, the other day I've asked question on one astrophotography discord channel, explaining that I am not using start tracker as my choice to learn more about subject. As a result along with quite encouraging comments and advises I've received bit of criticism pointing that there is nothing I could learn without tracker other than planning session. My answer knowledge is limitless it's person who put themselves into fixed mindset and refuses to see that knowledge.

I have been thinking about optimizing my setup for astrophotography, the main issue is that I have to carry an A4 light tracing tablet which I use for flat frames. After a bit of creative thinking I have thought about using my e-ink Kindle for the same purpose, by just uploading an empty PDF and opening it when it's time to take flats. In mean time while I take light frames I can read some books as well:)

Instead of night sky pictures I got punctures in 2 tires on my way to that park, so I spent several hours on the phone with insurance arranging towing and taking care of my car and myself.

Getting ready to spend an hour and some change at state park taking photos at bottle 4 sky.

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

I went camping last weekend, state park was Bortle class 4 however it's a full moon weekend. So me being me, always experimenting, I thought to myself let me take my gear out there and see how Bortle 4 + full moon stacks up against Bortle 7. However things didn't go as planned after kids had a blast viewing full moon and Jupiter in binoculars my tripod broke, then I started shooting and clouds rolled in leaving me with just 150 lights of my first target. 1/2

Went to see the Scorpions yesterday. Awesome experience, the only regret is the venue, American Airlines Center in Dallas does not have proper acoustic.

Fun fact, I ran out of space trying to process 9GB of astro images with just 81GB of empty space.

Apparently according to lightpollution.info it was class 7 which is worse for taking pictures.

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

I finally shot flats, today's targets were Andromeda Galaxy and North America Nebula. I shot those with just 50mm lens and tripod, have no idea if I got anything, but I shot flats :)

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

My very first attempt at #astrophotography with what I had home, just DSLR with default lens

I got it for 3.99. Today is the first day when price for a gallon fell under $4. Time to celebrate?

Время обкатать новую игрушку.

Я проснулся от грохота сковородок, первая мысль ну что там ещё, спустился вниз и обнаружил оладушки, которые дети приготовили, самостоятельно без родителей. Класс! Завтрак перед работой и его не надо было готовить. Горжусь этими малышами. I woke up from the loud sounds in the kitchen, I walked downstairs and found kids who made pancakes for breakfast, this is just awesome proud of my little ones.

Дети поздравили с днём отца.