A bit of DSO imaging with a planetary webcam

[lukebl]

Hi folks,

For no other reason than idle curiosity, I thought I'd have a brief bash at deep sky imaging with my basic IMG132e planetary cam using Sharpcap's live stacking ability. The IMG is basically just a webcam with a 1/3 inch CMOS sensor with 1280 x 1024 pixels. I was quite surprised at the results with just short exposures (4 seconds).

Looking at M57, a single 4 second  exposure was very noisy but the mag 15.3 central star was clearly visible, with a hint of the nearby 16.3 mag star. With increasing stacking and exposures, the image becomes less noisy and fainter stars become much clearer.

Anyway, here's a few captures from the session. Albireo always looks awesome! IMG132e cam, 250mm f/4.8 Newtonian. In my youth, capturing a mag 15 star with just 4s exposures was sheer fantasy! Hardly prize-winning stuff but, as a relative old-timer, I'm just amazed at what is achievable with relatively basic kit.

M57 closeup with various stacks

M57 full frame:

Albireo, 29 x 2s

M2, 33 x 4s

 

[cuivenion]

I use Sharpcap for this myself, awesome software. The polar alignment routine is spot on as well. Nice images, very impressive for 4s exposures.

[Mr niall]

Brilliant images, thanks for the comparison of the subs very interesting.

[Dave In Vermont]

Most impressive! I couldn't agree more with your observation & feelings about it being amazing at what all can be done with what we consider relatively simple equipment - such as a "lowly webcam."

I love those images of M57 and the central white-dwarf (& friend)! And the Albireo is perfect - and always one of my personal favorites.

Thank you!

Dave

[ollypenrice]

Good experiment and Albireo - perfect!

Olly

[Stub Mandrel]

I plan to try out my ASI120MC on a DSO some time :-)