First MilkyWay attempt with compact camera

[prbaxter]

here is my first attempt with my new canon powershot a480 with CHDK installed on the sd card (to allow for programming of the camera - long exposures, continuous shooting).

This image is about 65 stacked images. levels adjusted in PS to bring out the fainter stars.

All in all, not bad for a 30 quid camera.

[prbaxter]

And another stacked image ~20mins exposure total (81 photos):

[russ]

amazing what the little compacts can pick up. Is the Canon limited to 15secs?

I took these with a Panasonic FZ18 while at the Salisbury SP:

[russ]

They are just single subs using the starry night mode - 60secs @ iso100:

[prbaxter]

the camera firmware is limited to 15s expsoures. CHDK allows for longer custom exposure times.