![Read more about the article Tilt In My Beginner Telescope [Equipment Setup]](https://i0.wp.com/kevinrfrancis.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/maxresdefault.jpg?fit=1280%2C720&ssl=1)
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 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…
![Read more about the article Comet Neowise: The Elusive One [C/2020 F3]](https://i0.wp.com/kevinrfrancis.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/C_2020_F3_Neowise-scaled.jpg?fit=2560%2C1694&ssl=1)
Telescope: Orion St-80
Camera: Canon T3i
ISO: 1600 @ 10 s
Total Time: 3.3 minutes
Comet Neowise: The Elusive One [C/2020 F3]
https://youtu.be/oqMb05rfBXw Comet Neowise or C/2020 F3 is the 3rd comet found by the NASA Neowise Mission. Neowise is an acronym meaning Near Earth Object Wide-Field Infrared Survey. Altogether it's a…
![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…
![Read more about the article How to Star Hop [Beginner Astrophotography]](https://i0.wp.com/kevinrfrancis.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/qtq80-S9PstL.jpeg?fit=2375%2C1440&ssl=1)
View of Night Sky
How to Star Hop [Beginner Astrophotography]
Navigating the night sky can be challenging for beginners. The Star Hop technique is the best way to find night sky objects for the beginner. And there are a few…
![Read more about the article Dark Sky: Where Are You? [Astrophotography]](https://i0.wp.com/kevinrfrancis.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/darkskymap.jpg?fit=1366%2C675&ssl=1)
Dark Sky Map
Dark Sky: Where Are You? [Astrophotography]
Milky Way (I didn't take this photo) The hunt for a dark sky was once imaginary. Before Lewis Howard Latimer and Thomas Alva Edison dropped the mic on the light…
![Read more about the article Wide Field Astrophotography and First Light with My Orion ST-80 [Andromeda Galaxy]](https://i0.wp.com/kevinrfrancis.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/M31_Andromeda-Galaxy_9_20_19_web.jpg?fit=1080%2C831&ssl=1)
Messier 31 Andromeda Galaxy
Telescope & Mount: Orion ST-80 with Astroview Mount
Camera: Canon EOS XTi
Guiding: None
Location: Carrollton, VA
Sky: Bortle Class 5
Acquisition & Calibration:
- Filter: None
- APT (Astrophotography Tool)
- ISO 1600
- 40 Light Frames @ 120 s
- 62 Dark Frames @ 120 s
- 19 Flat Frames
- 60 Bias Frames
- Total Integration Time: 80 minutes
Wide Field Astrophotography and First Light with My Orion ST-80 [Andromeda Galaxy]
Because it's small and great for wide field astrophotography picked up an Orion ST-80 telescope. The ST stands for Short Tube. In case you're wondering, first light, simply means the…
![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 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…
![Read more about the article UVA, Norfolk State & Me [Fan Mountain Observatory]](https://i0.wp.com/kevinrfrancis.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/IMG_20190426_192727-EFFECTS.jpg?fit=4032%2C3024&ssl=1)
Fan Mountain Observatory Complex which houses the 30 inch and 40 inch telescopes.
UVA, Norfolk State & Me [Fan Mountain Observatory]
Fresh off seeing my UVA Cavaliers win the NCAA Mens Basketball Championship, I couldn't wait to visit grounds. In fact I packed all my UVA gear