Mars looking like 6 pointed star

[Vegable]

Hello,

I'm new here and have very recently taken up Night Sky Photography.

I took an image of Mars which is distorted by looking like a 6 pointed star.  Can someone please tell me what I've done wrong please.  Is it just too much exposure?

 

Equipment etc.,

Canon 5D Mk II,  F80mm, ISO 2000,  f5.6, 5secs exp.

Thanks

Mike

[paul mc c]

It looks like an image you would get when just using a camera and lens,i think the spikes come from the lens stop.

Edited September 26, 2020 by paul mc c

[PeterCPC]

Overexposed for sure.

Peter

[alacant]

Hi

Leave the lens wide open at iso 1600. If you really do want f5.6, cut a circle out of black card and stick it over the lens. Or use a filter reducing ring e.g. 58 to 46 without the filter. Start at say, 1/250s and gradually increase until you have an orange blob.

HTH

Edited September 26, 2020 by alacant

[Vegable]

Thanks very much. Now I know what to do......hopefully!

Mike