https://youtu.be/GNxO2EX8m5s Save your money for the optics and the camera. After all a dedicated astronomy camera is the next logical step. Given that I'm dad of the century, my family…
![Eagle Nebula, A Stellar Nursery [M16]](https://i1.wp.com/kevinrfrancis.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/M16_Eagle_Nebula_9_6_20-scaled.jpg?fit=2560%2C1772&ssl=1)
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…
![Planetary Nebula Are Spectacular [M27 Dumbbell Nebula]](https://i2.wp.com/kevinrfrancis.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/M27_Dumbbell_Nebula_8_26_20_RRRT.jpg?fit=951%2C781&ssl=1)
Planetary Nebula take on beautiful shapes and colors. There's one called the God's Eye Nebula because it looks like an eye. Similarly, M27 the Dumbbell Nebula, is classified as a…
![Dual Axis Motor Drive [Mount Upgrade]](https://i1.wp.com/kevinrfrancis.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/image.png?fit=1920%2C1080&ssl=1)
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…
![Coma Corrector Equals Round Stars Everywhere [Newtonian Telescope]](https://i1.wp.com/kevinrfrancis.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/failuresetup_comacorrector-1.jpg?fit=973%2C666&ssl=1)
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…
![Polar Alignment Camera Install [Polar Scope]](https://i0.wp.com/kevinrfrancis.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/IMG_20200520_134505-scaled.jpg?fit=2560%2C1440&ssl=1)
It's time to buy a polar alignment camera. The QHY PoleMaster or Orion Starshoot are each a nice $299 opportunity. iPolar, by iOptron is a cool $249. And that's it.…
![Image Stacking in Astrophotography [Reduce Noise]](https://i1.wp.com/kevinrfrancis.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/M31_Andromeda-Galaxy_noisecomparison_web.jpg?fit=2159%2C723&ssl=1)
Image stacking is how you reduce noise from your precious photo. Yes, noise...those seemingly random specks that dot the landscape of your photo. What is it? How it get there?…
![Long Exposure Astrophotography [Get A Drive Motor]](https://i0.wp.com/kevinrfrancis.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/M42_Orion_1600_2_26_19_ST_v4.jpg?fit=1280%2C792&ssl=1)
Long exposure astrophotography without a GoTo Mount has been a fun challenge for me. Over the past few months, I've posted a few of my results on Reddit to some…
![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)
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…
![Messier 51 On The RRRT [Whirlpool Galaxy]](https://i2.wp.com/kevinrfrancis.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/M51-Whirlpool-Galaxy_RRRT_05072019.jpg?fit=962%2C940&ssl=1)
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…