Campster
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Here is Part Two of My Backyard Observatory Story. I welcome constructive criticism of my work.
Thanks for watching!
David
WPF Observatory Homepage -- https://wpfobservatory.wordpress.com/
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How did the observatory get named the When Pigs Fly Observatory?
Watch Part One-A of My Backyard Observatory Story to find out how and why it got its name.
Hope you enjoy the show!
Cheers, David
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Happy New Year!
Here is the first video of the year from the When Pigs Fly Observatory. Learn about the beginnings of the WPF Observatory.
Hope you enjoy the show!
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Following from the earlier video, I have now posted the slideshow of images from the observatory as a separate video.
When Pigs Fly Observatory .. Slideshow
Hope you'll enjoy this short video.
Regards,
David Aylsworth - WPFO - Earth
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When Pigs Fly Observatory .. a film
For those who might be interested, I've just completed a 17 minute video about the When Pigs Fly Observatory. The story line follows an introduction to the observatory and equipment as well as tracking the development of an image from capture to processing.
It is not a detailed processing guide, but more of a travelog. Hope it's of interest to some of you good folks.
Cheers,
David Aylsworth, ... WPFO .. Canada .. Earth -
From the album: WPF Observatory Images
The Lion Nebula, Sh 2-132 Telescope Equipment: Mount – Celestron CGEM DX, Hypertuned Telescope – TS-115 APO Triplet Guider- Orion StarShoot Autoguider Imaging System: ZWO ASI533MC Pro – Gain 100, Offset 70, Temp -15°C Filter – Optolong L-eXtreme Image Details: Light: 132x300s Dark: 50x300s Flat: 50×9.15625s (27,520 ADU ±5%) Dark-Flat: 50×9.15625s Software: Image Capture – Astro Photography Tools (APT) – PhD2 Pre-Processing, Stacking, Stretching – SiriL, Starnet ++, Photoshop CC Image Taken: October 29, November 3 & 7, 2022 Photographed from the When Pigs Fly Observatory© © 2022 - David Aylsworth - WPF Observatory - Earth
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Here are images taken with my observatory equipment in a light polluted urban location, unless otherwise noted in the comments. All photos are oriented with North to the top of each photo. It's my hope that you'll appreciate my interpretation of the wonders of our galaxy and beyond as much as I do. Keep looking up. Sic itur ad astra .. per alas porci!
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From the album: WPF Observatory Images
The Heart & Soul Nebulae, Sh 2-190 & Sh 2-199 Telescope Equipment: Mount – Celestron CGEM DX, Hypertuned Telescope – TS-115 APO Triplet Guider- Orion StarShoot Autoguider Imaging System: ZWO ASI533MC Pro – Gain 100, Offset 70, Temp -15°C Filter – Optolong L-eXtreme Image Details: Light: 144x300s Dark: 50x300s Flat: 50×9.15625s (27,520 ADU ±5%) Dark-Flat: 50×9.15625s Software: Image Capture – Astro Photography Tools (APT) – PhD2 Pre-Processing, Stacking, Stretching – SiriL, Starnet ++, Photoshop CC Image Taken: October 28, November 8, 9 & 10, 2022 Photographed from the When Pigs Fly Observatory© © 2022 - David Aylsworth - WPF Observatory - Earth
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- observatory
- skyshed pod
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From the album: WPF Observatory Images
Messier 31, The Andromeda Galaxy Telescope Equipment: Mount – Celestron CGEM DX - Hypertuned Telescope – Canon 70-200mm EF, 135mm, f/4 Guider- Orion StarShoot Autoguider Imaging System: ZWO ASI533MC Pro – Gain 100, Offset 70, Temp 0°C Filter – Optolong L-Pro Image Details: Light: 93x300s Dark: 50x300s Flat: 50×8.25s (25,000 ADU ±5%) Dark-Flat: 50×8.25s Software: Image Capture – Astro Photography Tools (APT) – PhD2 Pre-Processing, Stacking, Stretching – PixInsight Core 1.8.9-1 Ripley Image Taken: August 19, 23, 26 & 27, 2022 Photographed from the When Pigs Fly Observatory© © 2022 - David Aylsworth - WPF Observatory - Earth
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- celestron
- astrophotography
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From the album: WPF Observatory Images
The Heart & Soul Nebulae, Sh 2-190 & Sh 2-199 Telescope Equipment: Mount – Celestron CGEM DX Telescope – Canon 70-200mm EF, 100mm, f/4 Guider- Orion StarShoot Autoguider Imaging System: ZWO ASI533MC Pro – Gain 100, Offset 70, Temp 0°C Filter – Optolong L-eXtreme Image Details: Light: 156x300s Dark: 50x300s Flat: 50×8.25s (25,000 ADU ±5%) Dark-Flat: 50×8.25s Software: Image Capture – Astro Photography Tools (APT) – PhD2 Pre-Processing, Stacking, Stretching – PixInsight Core 1.8.9-1 Ripley Image Taken: August 19, 23, 26 & 27, 2022 Photographed from the When Pigs Fly Observatory© © 2022 - David Aylsworth - WPF Observatory - Earth
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From the album: WPF Observatory Images
The Lobster Claw Nebula - Sh 2-157 Telescope Equipment: Mount – Celestron CGEM DX - Hypertuned Scope – Canon 70-200mm EF @ 135mm, f/4 Guider- Orion StarShoot Autoguider Imaging System: ZWO ASI533MC Pro – Gain 100, Offset 70, Temp 0°C Filter – Optolong L-eXtreme Image Details: Light: 153x300s Dark: 50x300s Flat: 50×13.6875s (25,000 ADU ±5%) Dark-Flat: 50×13.6875s Software: Image Capture – Astro Photography Tools (APT) – PhD2 Pre-Processing, Stacking, Stretching – Siril 1.0.3 Starnett ++ v2 – to separate nebula from stars Post Processing – Adobe Photoshop CC, Astronomy Tools Action Set for Photoshop Image Taken: August 2, 9-11, 2022 Photographed from the When Pigs Fly Observatory© © 2022 - David Aylsworth - WPF Observatory - Earth
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I pretty much did the same to the CGEM-DX by replacing the stock saddle with the ADM dual saddle. Nice to have the ability to change between mounting plates if the need arises. I mostly use the D-style plates anyway, but there have been a few times when it's been very handy to have around. -
The mount is a Celestron CGEM-DX with the ADM upgrades that I got in 2012. I hypertuned the mount in July '22 and the improvement in performance was worth the effort and expense. As long as the motors hold up, I'll keep using it. Now that I know how to service the mount I'll be more inclined to perform the service on a routine basis.
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From the album: When Pigs Fly Observatory
The current setup in the observatory. The Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS USM II is piggybacking on the TS-115, taking wide field images at 135mm f/4. Yes, that's right! I'm using a telesphoto lens as a wide-field imaging scope. Who knew? If you're going to do this don't forget to turn off image stabilization. It matters, a lot.© © 2022 - David Aylsworth - WPF Observatory - Earth
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Images of my home observatory ready to take advantage of clear nights from an urban location in Southern Ontario, Canada.
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From the album: WPF Observatory Images
The Veil Nebula (aka - The Cygnus Loop - Sh 2-103 Telescope Equipment: Mount – Celestron CGEM DX - Hypertuned Scope – Canon 70-200mm EF @ 135mm, f/4 Guider- Orion StarShoot Autoguider Imaging System: ZWO ASI533MC Pro – Gain 100, Offset 70, Temp 0°C Filter – Optolong L-eXtreme Image Details: Light: 64x300s Dark: 25x300s Flat: 25x1.62812s (25,000 ADU ±5%) Dark-Flat: 25x1.62812s Software: Image Capture – Astro Photography Tools (APT) – PhD2 Pre-Processing, Stacking, Stretching – Siril 1.0.3 Starnett ++ v2 – to separate nebula from stars Post Processing – Adobe Photoshop CC, Astronomy Tools Action Set for Photoshop Image Taken: July 31, August 2, 2022 Photographed from the When Pigs Fly Observatory© © 2022 - David Aylsworth - WPF Observatory - Earth
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From the album: WPF Observatory Images
The Butterfly Nebula / Sadr Region, Sh 2-108 Telescope Equipment: Mount – Celestron CGEM DX Scope – Canon 70-200mm EF @ 135mm, f/4 Guider- Orion StarShoot Autoguider Imaging System: ZWO ASI533MC Pro – Gain 100, Offset 70, Temp 0°C Filter – Optolong L-eXtreme Image Details: Light: 52x300s Dark: 25x300s Flat: 25x19.125s (25,000 ADU ±5%) Dark-Flat: 25x19.125s Software: Image Capture – Astro Photography Tools (APT) – PhD2 Pre-Processing, Stacking, Stretching – Siril 1.0.3 Starnett ++ v2 – to separate nebula from stars Post Processing – Adobe Photoshop CC, Astronomy Tools Action Set for Photoshop Image Taken: July 18-19, 2022 Photographed from the When Pigs Fly Observatory© © David Aylsworth ~ WPF Observatory ~ Earth
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From the album: WPF Observatory Images
The North America & Pelican Nebulae, NGC-7000, IC-5070 Telescope Equipment: Mount – Celestron CGEM DX Scope – Canon 70-200mm EF @ 135mm, f/4 Guider- Orion StarShoot Autoguider Imaging System: ZWO ASI533MC Pro – Gain 100, Offset 70, Temp 0°C Filter – Optolong L-eXtreme Image Details: Light: 30x300s Dark: 20x300s Flat: 20x10.0625s (25,000 ADU ±5%) Dark-Flat: 20x10.0625s Software: Image Capture – Astro Photography Tools (APT) – PhD2 Pre-Processing, Stacking, Stretching – Siril 1.0.3 Starnett ++ v2 – to separate nebula from stars Post Processing – Adobe Photoshop CC, Astronomy Tools Action Set for Photoshop Image Taken: July 16, 2022 Photographed from the When Pigs Fly Observatory© © David Aylsworth - WPF Observatory - Earth
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From the album: WPF Observatory Images
The Elephant Trunk Nebula - IC-1396 Telescope Equipment: Mount – Celestron CGEM DX - Hypertuned Scope – Canon 70-200mm EF @ 135mm, f/4 Guider- Orion StarShoot Autoguider Imaging System: ZWO ASI533MC Pro – Gain 100, Offset 70, Temp -15°C Filter – Optolong L-eXtreme Image Details: Light: 48x300s Dark: 24x300s Flat: 24x17.3125s (25,000 ADU ±5%) Dark-Flat: 24x17.3125s Software: Image Capture – Astro Photography Tools (APT) – PhD2 Pre-Processing, Stacking, Stretching – Siril 1.0.3 Starnett ++ v2 – to separate nebula from stars Post Processing – Adobe Photoshop CC, Astronomy Tools Action Set for Photoshop Image Taken: July 10, 2022 Photographed from the When Pigs Fly Observatory© © David Aylsworth - WPF Observatory - Earth
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- astrophography
- cgem-dx
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From the album: WPF Observatory Images
The Crescent Nebula - NGC-6888 Telescope Equipment: Mount – Celestron CGEM DX Scope – TS Photoline 115mm f/6.96 Guider- Orion StarShoot Autoguider Imaging System: ZWO ASI533MC Pro – Gain 100, Offset 70, Temp -15°C Filter – Optolong L-eXtreme Image Details: Light: 78x300s Dark: 30x300s Flat: 30×9.13s (25,000 ADU ±5%) Dark-Flat: 30×9.13s Software: Image Capture – Astro Photography Tools (APT) – PhD2 Pre-Processing, Stacking, Stretching – Siril 1.01 Starnett ++ v2 – to separate nebula from stars Post Processing – Adobe Photoshop CC, Astronomy Tools Action Set for Photoshop Image Taken: May 12 & 17, 2022 Photographed from the When Pigs Fly Observatory© © David Aylsworth - WPF Observatory - Earth
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From the album: WPF Observatory Images
Messier 106 Telescope Equipment: Mount – Celestron CGEM DX Scope – TS Photoline 115mm f/6.96 Guider- Orion StarShoot Autoguider Imaging System: ZWO ASI533MC Pro – Gain 100, Offset 70, Temp -25°C Filter – Optolong L-Pro Image Details: Light: 76x240s Dark: 36x240s Flat: 36×3.719s (25,000 ADU ±5%) Dark-Flat: 36x3.719s Software: Image Capture – Astro Photography Tools (APT) – PhD2 Pre-Processing, Stacking, Stretching – Siril 1.01 Starnet ++ V2 – to separate nebula from stars Post Processing – Adobe Photoshop CC, Astronomy Tools Action Set for Photoshop Image Taken: April 28, 2022 Photographed from the When Pigs Fly Observatory© © David Aylsworth - WPF Observatory - Earth
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From the album: WPF Observatory Images
The Cats-Eye (or Croc's-Eye) Galaxy - Messier 94 Telescope Equipment: Mount – Celestron CGEM DX Scope – TS Photoline 115mm f/6.96 Guider- Orion StarShoot Autoguider Imaging System: ZWO ASI533MC Pro – Gain 100, Offset 70, Temp -25°C Filter – Optolong L-Pro Image Details: Light: 72x240s Dark: 40x240s Flat: 40×3.719s (25,000 ADU ±5%) Dark-Flat: 40x3.719s Software: Image Capture – Astro Photography Tools (APT) – PhD2 Pre-Processing, Stacking, Stretching – Siril 1.01 Starnet ++ V2 – to separate nebula from stars Post Processing – Adobe Photoshop CC, Astronomy Tools Action Set for Photoshop Image Taken: April 29, 2022 Photographed from the When Pigs Fly Observatory© © David Aylsworth - WPF Observatory - Earth
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From the album: WPF Observatory Images
The Sunflower Galaxy - Messier 63 Telescope Equipment: Mount – Celestron CGEM DX Scope – TS Photoline 115mm f/6.96 Guider- Orion StarShoot Autoguider Imaging System: ZWO ASI533MC Pro – Gain 100, Offset 70, Temp -25°C Filter – Optolong L-Pro Image Details: Light: 66x180s Dark: 36x240s Flat: 36×3.719ss (25,000 ADU ±5%) Dark-Flat: 36x3.719s Software: Image Capture – Astro Photography Tools (APT) – PhD2 Pre-Processing, Stacking, Stretching – Siril 1.01 Starnet ++ V2 – to separate nebula from stars Post Processing – Adobe Photoshop CC, Astronomy Tools Action Set for Photoshop Image Taken: April 22, 2022 Photographed from the When Pigs Fly Observatory© © David Aylsworth - WPF Observatory - Earth
