Lee_P

This was a tricky one! It's very faint, so I collected 16 hours of broadband data using an Optolong L-Quad Enhance, and then another 16 hours of Ha/OIII using my faithful Optolong L-Ultimate. Imaging details below the pic, and as ever more info is available on my website. * 3 March to 18 April 2024 (6.5 weeks) * Bristol, UK (Bortle 8 ) * Telescope: Askar 130PHQ Flatfield Astrograph * Camera: ZWO ASI 2600MC-PRO * Mount: Sky-Watcher EQ6-R PRO * Guide: William Optics 50mm Guidescope with 1.25″ RotoLock; ZWO ASI 120MM Mini * Control: ASIAIR Plus * Software: PixInsight, Lightroom * Filters: – Optolong L-Quad Enhance (RGB) 192 x 300 seconds (16 hours) – Optolong L-Ultimate (Ha/OIII) 192 x 300 seconds (16 hours) Total exposure time: 32 hours By Lee Pullen

The weather's been awful lately, so it's taken a long time to produce this image! It's The Flaming Star Nebula, taken using a 2600MC-Pro OSC camera. I image from the centre of a city, so long integration times are a must! This pic is 15 hours of RGB data (Optolong L-Quad Enhance) and 15 hours of Ha/OIII (Optolong L-Ultimate. More info can be found on my website. * 18 January to 3 March 2024 (6.5 weeks) * Bristol, UK (Bortle 8 ) * Telescope: Askar 130PHQ Flatfield Astrograph * Camera: ZWO ASI 2600MC-PRO * Mount: Sky-Watcher EQ6-R PRO * Guide: William Optics 50mm Guidescope with 1.25″ RotoLock; ZWO ASI 120MM Mini * Control: ASIAIR Plus * Software: PixInsight, Lightroom * Filters: – Optolong L-Quad Enhance (RGB) 180 x 300 seconds (15 hours) – Optolong L-Ultimate (Ha/OIII) 180 x 300 seconds (15 hours) Total exposure time: 30 hours By Lee Pullen

Here's the Flaming Star Nebula taken using an OSC camera with an Optolong L-Ultimate filter. It's 15 hours of data from central Bristol (Bortle 8). I've got 15 hours of RGB data to add in too, but that's not allowed in this competition! I'll post it in the Deep Sky forum section when it's done, for anyone that's interested.

Good job! I've never been brave enough to make a mosaic 😂

I've not tried any tri-bands, but nowadays I'm routinely combining Optolong L-Ultimate and Askar D2 data.

Seestars and visual telescopes are very different, so whether it's an alternative for you depends on what you want from the instrument. It's fairer to say that a Seestar complements a visual telescope very well, and vice versa.

That's a good start, nicely done!

Do you need something like this maybe?

Broadband with OSC from Bortle 8 is definitely possible, as I hope these four images show. They weren't taken with any filters either. It does take long integration times however, which the OP said was an issue. Incidentally, I've just tested an Optolong L-Quad Enhance filter, and found it to be quite good under my skies. Review here. If I had the money and time to run multiple rigs though, I'd probably go mono and dedicate each set-up to a different filter.

Lots of good advice here! I'll chip in to say that I've used a 2600MC Pro extensively and found it paired well with an Askar FRA400 telescope. I've written a review of that telescope here, and if you go to my gallery and scroll down a bit then you can see what that combo is capable of (with lots of imaging experience!) You should absolutely be budgeting for accessories as well, as others have mentioned. Note though that the 2600MC Pro has an in-built UV/IR filter, so you don't need to buy one of those. If I can be forgiven for plugging another article on my website, you may get some inspiration for accessories here.

This is great to hear, you're going to have a brilliant time with the 130PHQ and 2600MC Duo!

Ah good timing, I've just added a load more example photos at the end of the review!

Hi Space Cadets, I began reviewing the new Optolong L-Quad Enhance light pollution filter months ago, but unfortunately had to put all my astro endeavors on pause because my 2600MC Pro camera broke! (If you're interested in the process of sending a broken camera to ZWO, click here...) Anyhow, I've now finished reviewing the filter, and (spoiler alert) I actually found it to be quite good. Please click here for the whole review. Here's a short integration (just 6 hours 24 minutes) taken using this filter under Bortle 8 skies:

Brilliant work as ever!

I've just finished a guide to using a Seestar for public outreach star parties. This seems like a good place to plug it! It contains some suggested accessory upgrades, example astro targets, set-up diagrams for two different scenarios, and a list of science communication tips for facilitators. I hope it'll be useful to Seestar users!