Tracking without a star tracker

[JKIttles]

My first question on here (actually two questions). I'm wondering what the best technique is to get a deep space shot without having a star tracker. I've gotten the Orion Nebula and I don't own a star tracker. What's the best way to get shots where they don't look like they are trailing?

This is my first attempt at a deep space shot -

This is my second attempt at getting Orion's Nebula.

[tonedeaf]

just like my first attempts with my 114/900 newton scope...

try this:

- either guidescope-looking and manualy fiddling on the wheel to track

- or very short exposures 5-10 sec max and then stacking the photos in ps...

with this i´ve got the best results (still trying to track by hand a bit)

with M42 as imaging object this should be fine...

...other DSO´s will be heavier to shoot due to low mag

thats the reason i´ve got my new toys

[JamesF]

Build your own barn door tracker, perhaps?

James

[earth titan]

You don't mention what scope or mount you have? If you have a scope on an EQ mount, then a simple clock drive will give you reasonable tracking, as long as polar alignment is okay.

Other mounts will be a problem.

[JKIttles]

I do have a 4" Mead DSX-102 Maksutov-Cassegrain telescope. I'm not sure the mount with it.

[earth titan]

From what I can find its an alt/az mount which I'm afraid is not best suited to astro photography. Unfortunately, the scope is also far from suitable as a Maktusov, as it has a long focal length which means it is 'slow' so it needs a long time on a target.

To be honest, to get reasonable results for DSOs, a different setup would be I'm order. You might be able to get some acceptable planetary piccies with a webcam though.

Typed by me on my fone, using fumms... Excuse eny speling errurs.