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Tilt In My Beginner Telescope [Equipment Setup]
It should be of no major earth shattering announcement, the my Orion ST-80 has tilt in the imaging train. Recapping, over the past few years you've followed me on my…
![Read more about the article Binning In Astrophotography [To Bin or Not To Bin?]](https://i0.wp.com/kevinrfrancis.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/IC1848_st.jpg?fit=2253%2C1694&ssl=1)
Binning In Astrophotography [To Bin or Not To Bin?]
Comparatively, anyone starting out can find binning in astrophotography mysterious. What does it mean to combine pixels? Why would I want to combine pixels? All in all great questions and…
![Read more about the article Eagle Nebula, A Stellar Nursery [M16]](https://i0.wp.com/kevinrfrancis.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/M16_Eagle_Nebula_9_6_20-scaled.jpg?fit=2560%2C1772&ssl=1)
Picture saved with settings embedded.
Eagle Nebula, A Stellar Nursery [M16]
Eagle Nebula, M16 The Eagle Nebula is the 16th object cataloged by Charles Messier and discovered by Jean-Philippe de Cheseaux in 1745. Also it spans 70 by 55 light years…
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Dual Axis Motor Drive [Mount Upgrade]
https://youtu.be/-t-pmW4_pdI A Dual Axis Motor Drive is a logical next upgrade to my mount. Why? Although I already have a motor on the RA axis, why add one to the…
![Read more about the article Coma Corrector Equals Round Stars Everywhere [Newtonian Telescope]](https://i0.wp.com/kevinrfrancis.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/failuresetup_comacorrector-1.jpg?fit=973%2C666&ssl=1)
Coma Corrector
Coma Corrector Equals Round Stars Everywhere [Newtonian Telescope]
A Coma Corrector has never been part of my continuous improvement plan. I have been happy with the progress of my astrophotography. And literally thought nothing of it. At least…
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M13: Great Globular Cluster May 16, 2019
Messier 13
Telescope: RRRT (Fan Mountain)
Camera: SBIG STX-16803
Exposure:
Visible (Mono): 40 @ 2 min
Total - 1 Hour 20 minutes exposure
Comparing M13 Photos [Messier 13]
M13 or the Great Globular Cluster in Hercules is an astronomy favorite. It is 145 light years in diameter and contains approximately 300,000 stars. I've recently focused two telescopes on…
![Read more about the article How To Find Night Sky Objects Without A GoTo Mount [Plate Solving]](https://i0.wp.com/kevinrfrancis.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/M3_5_28_19_.jpg?fit=2457%2C1714&ssl=1)
Messier 3 Globular Cluster May 28, 2019
Messier 3
Telescope: Modified Orion Astroview 6
Camera: Canon EOS XTi
Exposure:
No Filter: 14 @ 90 seconds
Total - 21 minutes exposure
How To Find Night Sky Objects Without A GoTo Mount [Plate Solving]
I want to find night sky objects with a GoTo mount. If you know me, I love technology. Yet for this hobby, I want to learn the night sky with…
![Read more about the article My Polar Alignment Methods [Telescope Setup]](https://i0.wp.com/kevinrfrancis.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/IMG_20190602_164653.jpg?fit=4032%2C3024&ssl=1)
Google Pixel Really Blue using the NOAA Magnetic Field Calculator to determine true north
My Polar Alignment Methods [Telescope Setup]
Messier 51 or M51 or Whirlpool Galaxy. Telescope: RRRT (Fan Mountain) Camera: SBIG STX-16803 Exposure: Red: 14 @ 2 min Blue: 14 @ 2 min Visible: 14 @ 2 min…
![Read more about the article Messier 51 On The RRRT [Whirlpool Galaxy]](https://i0.wp.com/kevinrfrancis.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/M51-Whirlpool-Galaxy_RRRT_05072019.jpg?fit=962%2C940&ssl=1)
Messier 51 or M51 or Whirlpool Galaxy.
Telescope: RRRT (Fan Mountain)
Camera: SBIG STX-16803
Exposure:
Red: 14 @ 2 min
Blue: 14 @ 2 min
Visible: 14 @ 2 min
Total - 84 minutes exposure
Messier 51 On The RRRT [Whirlpool Galaxy]
Remember my last article? You know the one about my experience at the Fan Mountain Observatory in April 2019. The outcome was to target Messier 51 or the Whirlpool Galaxy…