Carole Pope

Imaging from Town

Carole Pope (Carastro) - Imaging from a Light Polluted Location - Bortle 8

Imaging from a LP location is challenging - but I have found that some of the brighter targets can be achieved.

In the winter months I can rarely get to a dark site due to weather and ground conditions, so I have to make the most of imaging from Home in SE London, where it is around SQM 17.2

This site is to showcase images I have achieved from such a location and hopefully it will inspire those without access to a dark location to get at least some targets.

All images on this site were done from here, where I have a SkyPOD Observatory.

If you wish to see my entire imaging achievements including those from a darker location (Bortle 4), go to my other website:

https://sites.google.com/view/astrophotography-carole-pope/home

IC2169

In monocerosOne glorious long night from SE London. Not sure if the pandemic is having an effect on the number of London lights, but I normally can never do LRGB from home, and the SQ seemed a bit darker than normal.
Dual rig:WOZS71 and Atik428EX - Luminance only 31 x 600secs (5h 10m)Skywatcher ED80 and Atik460EX Hutech Idas filter instead of Lum 19 x 600 (3h 10m) + RGB 13 x 300secs binned each totalling 3h 15m
Total imaging time 11 hours 35mins

The Boogeyman Nebula

LDN1622 Combined data in 2022 with data captured in 2019 - both taken from home Bortle 8. Next door's tree had grown so much it was becoming impossible to image Orion area, but they kindly let my son crop it recently giving me a better FOV,
2019: HaRGBWOZS71 and Atik460EXHa 12 x 600, RGB only 3 x 300 each (Binned) Total imaging time 2019 2 3/4 hours Original image: https://www.astrobin.com/fqqupt/B/?nc=&nce=
2022: LHaRGBSkywatcher ED80 and Atik460EXHa 3 x 600Lum 11 x 600RGB 5,5,6 x 300 binned Total imaging time 2022 3h 10mins
Grand totals:Lum 11 x 600 = 1 hour 50minsHa 15 x 600 = 30minsRGB 2hours 5mins
Combined total imaging time = 5hours 55mins (might as well say 6 hours)

WR134

Combination of data from 3 different images.2 different set upsSamyang lens & Atik460EX on Crescent area 5.5 hoursSamyang lens & Atik460EX Widefield Tulip area 9.5 hours Ha and Oiii with WOZS71 and Atik460EX 4 hours

Phantom of the Opera Sh2-173

Data from 3 different set ups spread over 11 monthsALL FROM BORTLE 8
Esprit100 and Atik460EX 8 x 600 Ha February 2021 (1 hour 20 mins)Then November 2021 and January 2022 using a dual rigWOZS71 and Atik428EX Ha only 6 x 600 (1 houtr)ED80 and Atik460EX Ha 6 x 600 Ha (1 hour)ED80 and Atik460EX RGB 17 subs totalling (1 hour RGB)Total imaging time 5 hours 40 minsHEQ5, Manual filter wheel and AtikEFW2

Melotte 15 (combined data from 2016 and 2019)

Combination of image taken in 2016 with a SW 150P and Atik314L(4 hours)Plus image taken in 2019 with a 130PDS and Atik460EX (3hours 5mins)
Total 7h 5mins

Tadpole Nebula IC410

Atik 460EX and SW ED80 on HEQ5Baader filters Ha (3.5nm) 15 x 600Oiii (4.5nm) 8 x 300 binnedSii (8m,) 8 x 300 binned
Total 3 hours 50 mins

Propeller Nebula Simeis 57

Taken over 2 nights just before summer solstice so very little darkness from Bortle 8.
Atik460EX, Skywatcher Esprit100 + Fr x0.79
Ha 18 x 600 (3 hours)
Oiii 11 x 300secs binned (55mins)
Sii 11 x 300secs binned (55mins)
Total imaging time 4 hours 50mins

Sh2-126 Gecko Nebula

I used an Idas LPS LP filter instead of Luminance and also did shorter subs than i would in a dark location as it blew out the sensor.
Atik460EX and William Optics ZS71 on HEQ5Idas filter (Lum) 450sec subs x 32 = 4 hoursHa 6 x 600 secs RGB total of 1 hour combined (binned)Taken over 3 nights Total imaging time 6 hours.
Would still like to try it at a darker location at some point.

IC417 The Spider and the Fly

Taken during a full Moon (in desperation) as no clear skies for ages, also in Bortle 8 (during lockdown) so not ideal.
Skywatcher Esprit100 and Atik460EX Baader filters (Ha is 3.5nm)
HaRGB
Ha 23 x 600 (3h 50m)
Red 6 x 200 & 4 x 150 binned (30m)
Green 5 x 200 & 3 x 150 binned (24m)
Blue 6 x 200 & 4 x 150 (30m)
Total imaging time 5 hours 14 mins

Clamshell Nebula Sh2-119

A lot of hard work went into producing this because the Oiii and Sii was so faint from my location. Had to use the Equalize function in Photoshop to bring out the faint stuff.
Ha 13 x 900, Oiii 4 x 450binned, Sii 2 x 450 binned
I know I should have got more Oiii and Sii, but was so disappointed with so little data showing I gave up and went for HaRGB instead.
But today i decided to "have a go" and see what I could do with SHO and the equalize function.
Samyang 135mm lens @ f2.8 and Atik460EX Baader filters on HEQ5

Bok's Globules in Rosette Nebula

Combined data from 4 different years done with different equipment.Including Atik383L and Atik460EXWilliam Optics ZS71, Skywatcher 130PDS, Skywatcher Esprit1002014 4h 20m 2015 3h 40m 2019 2h 15m 2021 8hTotal imaging time per filterHa 11h 10m, Oiii 4h 25m, Sii 2h 40mGrand total 18 1/4 hours.

Jellyfish nebula IC443

3 hours Ha (Baader 3.5nm)30mins Sii (binned 8nm)35m RGB totalling, just over 4 hours.Skywatcher Esprit100 and Atik460EX on HEQ5

California Nebula NGC1499 Ha 31 x 600s + 4 x900sSii 17 x 300s binned x 2 Processed as HSS WOZS71 and Atik460EX + FR x 0.8 HEQ52018

Spider Nebula IC417 HaRGB SW130PDS & Atik460L Ha 14 x 900RGB 12 x 150secs binned2018

Double cluster Skywatcher 130PDS & Atik460EX Baader CC 10 x 3min Luminance RGB 31 x 90secs binned HEQ5 Total 1 hour 16.5 mins2018

Monkeyhead Nebula NGC2175 Imaged on a supermoon3 x 600Ha + 8 x 900 Ha Oiii + Sii 11 x 300 binned Mapped SHO Atik460EX, EFW2, HEQ5 Skywatcher 130PDS and Baader CC 2018

IC2162

Mapped HOS and combined with RGB for star colour. 2018

Horsehead NebulaHa 21 x 900secs + 10 x 600secs - RGB 32 x 150 binned total 1hour 20minsGrand total 8 1/4 hoursSW130PDS & Atik460EX, HEQ52017

Horsehead Nebula

Ha almost 7 hours Mixture of 900secs and 600secs 900 x 21 600 x 10SW 150PDS, HEQ5, Atik 460EX

M1 Crab Nebula

Atik314L and SW130PDSHa 8 x 600secsOiii 17.5 mins 300 secs binned & unbinnedSii 12.5 mins 300secs binned & unbinned Total 2 hours 2017

M57 Ring Nebula

Ha collected in 2015 and 2017 combined with DSLR data from 2011

M45 Pleiades

Combination of 3 telescopes, 2 cameras over 3 different years inc some with refractor and some with Reflector. DSLR WO Megrez 72Apo 13 x 5mins 2011Luminance Atik460 + FR x0.8 13 x 5 ED80 Jan 2016LRGB SW130PDS, Atik460, Lum 8 x 900secs, RGB 6 x 300secs binned x 2 each Nov 2016

Jupiter

DBK 21 ED120 + 3 x barlow 2017

Jellyfish Nebula

Ha 2015 Atik 314 3hours 20 mins Ha 2017 9 x 900secs Atik460 + 7 x 300secs binned x 2 in Oiii and SiiBoth with WO ZS71NEQ6 2017

Tadpole Nebula IC410

dual rig.Atik314L+ and WOZS71 + x0.8 FRAtik460EX and ED80 + x0.8 FRHa 31 x 600secsOiii 16 x 600secs, Sii 13 x 600 Grand Total 10 hours.2016

Soul Nebula Feature IC1871

Skywatcher ED80 and Atik314L, Baader FiltersHa 6 x 900secs, + 5 x 1200secsOiii 3 x 900 (sky deteriorating at this stage)Sii 4 x 900secs Mapped SHOTotal time = 4hours 35mins2015

Full lunar eclipse 28-9-2015

11 x 1/1 @ 1600isoModified Canon 450DHEQ5 & ED80

Lunar eclipse Montage

2015

Rosette Nebula NGC2237

Ha 11 x 1200 Atik460EX Oiii Sii from 2014 WO ZS71 + x0.8 focal reducer NEQ62015

Blackeye Galaxy M64

HaRGB with DSLR & Atik Mono

Pacman Nebula NGC281

Ha Oiii OiiiOiii data was not great, so made the best of it.Ha 9 x 1200 secsOiii 5 x 1200 secs Atik314L and Skywatcher ED1202014

Eastern Veil IC1340

Bicolour Ha, Oiii, OiiiAtik314, Skywatcher ED1209 x 1200secs each filterNEQ6 2014

Rosette Nebula

(made front page of Astronomy Now magazine) Ha 9 x 600, Oiii 12 x 600 Sii 5 x 600Atik383L, WO ZS71 APO2014

Bok's globules (Rosette Nebula)

2014

Witches Broom NGC6960 Veil Nebula)

Combination of data taken in July 2011 with modified Canon 450D 18 x 5mins and data taken July 2013 with Atik383L Ha 900 x 14 secs

Ptolemaus Group

Deforked ETX125 and CG5GT

Rosette Nebula

Combined Ha RGB from January 2012 - 7 hours Modified Canon DSLR 450DDec 2012 - 2 hours Ha Atik383L Shown on Stargazing live

M42 Orion Nebula

Nebula taken with QHY8L2013

M42 Orion Nebula

Combined data 2 years apart26 x 5mins Modified Canon 450D2 x 900secs Atik383L Ha Baader 7nm filter

Comet Lovejoy

Atik314L + DSLR for RGBLum approx 1 hour of 2 x 15 & 5 x 5minsDSLR 14 x 2mins stacked manually in photoshop. DSLR and ED120 2015

Solar Mosaic 6 panes

PST & DMK21 2013

A combination of DSLR date taken in November 2011 with a Modified Canon 450D (4hours 5mins) in 5min subs at 800 ISO ED80 - Plus Ha data (3 hours) 12 x 900 secs with an Atik 383L in November 2012 also with the ED80 - Stacked in DSS and aligned with Registar, processed with PS CS3

Butterfly Nebula

Done over 3 nights22-7-12, 2 x 600 secs 400 ISO Modified Canon 450D23-7-12 , 13 x 600 secs 24-7-12, 10 x 600 secstotal 4 hours 10 minutes on the hottest day of the year

Fish head nebula IC1795

11.2.20183 1/2 hours from Home10 x 900secs Ha5 x 300secs Oiii & SiiSkywatcher 130PDSAtik460EX HEQ5

Melotte 15

11-9-2016 from SE London (definitely needs a dark site)Ha 9 x 900 secs Oiii & Sii each 7 x 450 secs binned Atik 314L & SW 150PNEQ6

North America Nebula NGC7000

Mapped SHOReally need a dark site for the Oiii and Sii components. First light for my SW130PDSHa 5 x 15 + 2 x 500secsOiii 3 x 150secs binned x 2Sii 4 x 150 secs binned x 2

Transit of Mercury

NEQ6 ED120 & Modified Canon 450DOnly managed one image due to cloud, had planned to do a mosaic throughout the day.

Plato Crater

DBK 21, ED120 + 3 x barlow

Lunar Appenines

DBK21, ED120 + 3 x Barlow

Clavius Crater

DBK21, ED120 + 3 x Barlow

Lunar eclipse 28-9-2015

Modified Canon 450DHEQ5 & ED80

M27 Dumbell Nebula

SW200PDS Atik383LR = 6 x 600secsG = 4 x 600 secsB = 10 x 600secs

IC1871 Whirling Dervish

Data taken 3 years apart. 2016 ED80 and Atik314L (3 hrs Ha, 45m Oiii & Sii 1 hr)2019 SW130PDS and Atik460EX (3 hrs 20m Ha, 1 hr Oiii, 1 hr Sii) Totals 6 hours 20mins Ha1h 45mins Oiii 2 hours SiiGrand total 10 hours 5 mins

M13 Globular Cluster in Hercules

24 x 180 secs Idas filter as luminance, Red 6 x 180 secsGreen 5 x 180 secs, Blue 5 x 180 secs Atik428EX and x0.8 FRSkywatcher ED120 HEQ5

Melotte 15

Mapped SHOHa 8 x 900 + 1 x 600Oiii 6 x 300Sii 5 x 300SW130PDS, NEQ6, Atik460

Butterfly Nebula IC1318

WOZS71, Atik460EX, HEQ5Ha Both 7nm and 3nm combined (experiment) 22 x 600 in totalOiii 11 x 300 binned, Sii 12 x 300 BinnedStars RGB 4 x 150 binned eachTotal 6hours 5 mins

Little Rosette Nebula Sh2-170

SWED80 & Atik428EX HEQ5Ha 3 x 600 (then realised I needed to do longer subs) Ha 12 x 900Red 5 x 300 binned x 2Green 7 x 300 binned x 2Blue 5 x 300 x 2 Total Imaging time:Ha 3 h 45minsRGB 1 h 25minsGrand total 5h 10 mins

Flying Dragons Sh2-114

Ha 5 Hours 10minsTotal RGB 1 hour 35minsGrand total 6 hours 45 mins = Atik428EX, SWED80, HEQ5Ha RGB

Bogeyman Nebula LDN1622

Ha 12 x 600secs Baader 3nm RGB 3 x 300 binned per each channelAtik460EX, WO ZS71HEQ5 Published in Astronomy Now February 2020

Sh2-232 (Pumpkin Nebula)

Imaged over 2 nights.Ha (Baader 3nm) 17 x 600 secs, Sii 13 x 600 binnedRGB stars 10 x 150 binned (each filter)Total imaging time 6 hours 15 mins.Atik460EX Baader filters.WO ZS71 with x0.8 FRHEQ5

WR134 in Cygnus

Ha 20 x 600 Baader 3nmOiii 8 x 300 + 4 x 900 + 5 x 600 Baader 8.5 nmRGB (for stars) 4 x 150secs binned in all channels.Total 6 hours 20 minutesWOZS71 & Atik460EX + x 0.8 FRHEQ5

IC405 & IC410

Flaming star: 12 x Ha (2 hours)RGB 15 x 150secs binnedTotal 2hours 37.5minsTadpoles: 9 x 600secs Ha (1.5 hours)RGB 14 x 150secs binnedTotal 2hours 5minsGrand total for the Mosaic = 4 hours 43.5 minsAtik460EX Baader 3nm Ha filter Baader RGB filters . WOZS71 and HEQ5Mapped HaRHaRGB

Jellyfish Nebula IC443

First light with Samyang 135mm F2 lens imaging at F2.8Atik460EXNewly Rowan belt modded HEQ5Ha 12 x 600 secsRGB 17 x 150 secsOiii 10 x 300secs (but doesn't really add to the image)

North America Nebula NGC7000 and Pelican Nebula IC5070

2nd image with Samyang 135mm F2 lens and Atik460EXHa only so far16 x 600secs Baader 7nmHEQ5Bortle 8

IC405 and IC410 + IC417

Taken from SE London UK Bortle 8Atik460EX and Samyang 135mm F2.8Ha 17 x 600Ha 4 x 900Oiii 13 x 300 Binned x 2Sii 13 x 300 Binned x 2RGB 7 x 150 eachTotal 6h 32mins Taken over 2 eveningsCombined as RHa, GOiii, BSii

North America Nebula and Pelican Nebula

Bortle 8 Samyang 135mm F2.8

Sh2-115

Needs a dark sky, but stuck at home in Bortle 8 during Coronavirus lockdown. Atik428EX and SW ED80 + x 0.8 FR HEQ5 Ha 600 x 13 Oiii 300 x 13 binned RGB (for stars) - 150 x 3 each channel Total approx 3 1/2 hours. Bottom right is a planetary Nebula, I think it is Sh2-116

M42 & Horsehead Nebulae

March/April 2020 more as a test of FOV but only got very little data before it sank behind the trees. during the Coronavirus lockdown. Atik460EX and Samyang 135mm F2 lens. Ha 600secs x 3 RGB 2 x 100secs . Total imaging time 35minutes

Leo Triplet M65, M66, & NGC3628

Data from both 2020 and 2012 combined. 2012 = 24 x 5mins with Modified Canon 450D 2020 = Atik428EX and ED80 Baader Hutech LPF, LRGB 6h 40 mins Making total of 8h 40mins

Markarian's Chain in Leo

Combined data from 2011 and 2020 2011 28 x 5mins Modified canon 450D Blacklands and Herstmonceux 2020 Atik460EX, LRGB WOZS71 Lum 14 x 600 RGB 5 x 150secs binned (each) Total imaging time 5h 15mins

Colour adjusted version

Sadr Region in Cygnus

Samyang 135mm F2 lens - Atik460EX and Baader filters on HEQ5Ha 900 x 8 & Ha 600 X 9 total Ha 3 1/2 hoursOiii 9 x 300 binned (45m)Sii 8 x 300 binned (40m)Hubble Palette + RGB (for the stars) 12 x 200 each NOT binned. Total 2 hoursTotal imaging time (over 2 nights) 6h 55mins or 7 hours as near as damn it.Bortle 8

Elephant's Trunk Nebula IC1396

During Lockdown Bortle 8Atik460EX and Samyang 135mm F2 lens @ F2.8HEQ5Ha 4 x 900Ha 15 x 600Oiii 10 x 300 binnedSii 12 x 300x2RGB stars 6 x 150 (eachTotal of 6 hours 5mins

NGC7822

8 March 2020 over 2 nightsHa 21 x 600Oiii 4 x 450secs binned + 7 x 300secs binnedSii 10 x 300 secs binned + 4 x 450secs binnedRGB 5 x 150 each (for stars)Samyang 135mm F2 Stopped down to F2.8Atik460EX and Baader filterson HEQ5Little Rosette at bottom of imageTotal Imaging time 6 hours 32.5 minutes

Veil Nebula complex

Taken over 2 nights May 2020 from Bortle 8Samyang 135mm F2 lens stopped down to F2.8Atik460EX and Baader filtersHEQ5Ha 2 x 600secs + 6 x 900secsOiii 6 x 300secs binned + 3 x 600 unbinnedRGB 3 x 150 (each)Total imaging time 2hours 55mins (almost 3 hours)

Bat Nebula Sh2-129

Taken over 4 nights.Ha 12 x 600secs (total 2 hours)Oiii 2 x 20mins, 2 x 30mins, and 7 x 15mins 3 x 900secs binned x 2 (total 4 hours 10 mins)Atik460EX and Samyang 135mm F2 lens @ F2.8Guided on HEQ5Total imaging time 6 hours and 10 mins.

Crescent nebula and surroundsTaken over 2 short nights during nautical twilight in SE London.SHO palette with added RGB starsAtik 460EX, Samyang 135mm F2 lens @ F2.8Guided on HEQ5Ha 15 x 600secs (2 1/2 hours)Oiii 7 x 600 secs (1 hour 10 mins)Sii 8 x 600secs (1 hour 20mins)RGB 3 x 150secs Each 22.5 minsTotal 5 hours 22.5 mins

Cygnus Mosaic

Two of the images above joined together, plus 2 extra corners.
I hadn't planned to make a mosaic, but as there was a big overlap I thought I would see how it would come out.Now I suppose I will have to get the missing bits.Atik 460EX, Samyang 135mmCrescent panel: F2 lens @ F2.8 5 hours 22.5 minsSadr panel: Just under 7 hoursStitched with ICE (Image Composite Editor) (thanks for the tip Sigga)Now completeGrand total of 15h 17.5 mins

Comet Neowise

3rd July 2020Taken from Local park at 2.30 am (no clear view from home).11 x 5 secs Modified Canon 1100DSamyang 135mm @ f2.8On Manfrotto Tripod and ballheadBortle 8 looking towards the glare of London. (I live in SE London)

Heart and Soul Nebulae

Taken over 2 short nights whilst waiting for another target to rise above the houses.Was hoping to get more data, but it will have to do for now due to technical issues.Ha 11 x 600Oiii 2 x 600 + 3 x 300 binnedSii 2 x 600 + 4 x 300 binnedSamyang 135mm lens @f2.8Atik460EX guided on HEQ5

The Lobster's Claw Nebula Sh2-157, The Bubble Nebula NGC7635 The Cave Nebula Sh2-155 Open cluster NGC7654 or M52 NGC7538Samyang 135MM @ F2.8Atik460EX, Atik EFW2 and Baader filtersBackyard Bortle 8Taken over 2 nights. July 2020Ha 15 x 600 + 3 x 300Oiii 9 x 300 binnedSii 9 x 300 binnedRGB (for Stars) 3 x 150Total imaging time almost 4 3/4 hours

SH2-115 & Sh2-112

Atik460EX and Samyang 135mm @ f2.8Ha 18 x 600Oiii 3 x 300 + 2 x 450 + 10 x 600 (all binned)Sii 3 x 300 + 2 x 450 + 10 x 600 (all binned)(different length were as I was going along I realise I needed longer subs).Total 7 hours 42.5mins

Wizard Nebula NGC7380

Data from 2020 and 2015SW Esprit100 and Atik460EXHa, Oiii and SiiTotal imaging time = 13hours 10mins

Simeis 147 Speghetti Nebula

A challenge from my backyard @ Bortle during lockdown,Ha 21 x 600, RGB 5 x 150 each. Samyang lens 135mm @ f2.8 HEQ5

Barnard's Loop, M78 and Bogeyman Nebula LDN1622

Taken over 3 nights (bit of a struggle as I have to wait for it to appear over the houses, have a very short window of opportunity followed by about 3 hours behind a tree, then shortly after it emerges there is a Meridian flip and then I am lucky to get 1 1/2 hours before it disappears behind the next lot of trees), not to mention how cloudy it has been over the last 2 months.Atik460EX and Baader filters EFW, Samyang 135mm Bortle 8Ha 11 x 600, RGB total of 25 x 150secs between all filters.Total imaging time approx 2h 50mins

Rosette Nebula NGC2244

Ha entirely from the Esprit/460Ha 12 x 600 (2h)Ha 8 x 900 (2h)Ha 3 x 600 binned x 3 (error!! but decided to combine it). 30minsTotal Ha 4 1/2 hours.Oiii with Esprit/460 8 x 300 binned 40minsOiii with WO/383 9 x 600Total Oiii 2 hoursSii Esprit/460 8 x 300 binned 40minsSii WO/383 5 x 600 50minsTotal Sii 1 1/2 hoursTotal imaging time 8 hours

Same image but a different palette HSO

Mainly taken with Esprit100 and 0.79 focal reducer/Atik460EX on HEQ5However it was almost a full Moon and I didn't get a lot of Oiii and Sii and no clear skies forecast in the near future, so I utilised some Oiii and Sii from 2014 done with my WOZS71 and Atik383L, thus increasing the Oiii from 40mins to 2 hours, and the Sii from 40mins to 1 1/2 hours.

IC417 The Spider and the Fly Nebulae

Taken during a full Moon (in desperation) as no clear skies for ages, also in Bortle 8 (during lockdown) so not ideal.Skywatcher Esprit100 and Atik460EX Baader filters (Ha is 3.5nm)HaRGBHa 23 x 600 (3h 50m)Red 6 x 200 & 4 x 150 binned (30m)Green 5 x 200 & 3 x 150 binned (24m)Blue 6 x 200 & 4 x 150 (30m)Total imaging time 5 hours 14 mins

NGC6820

Dual RigED80 and Atik460EX ED72 and Atik 460EXHEQ5Ha 20 x 600secs Oiii 8 x 300secs binnedSii 8 x 300secs binned Total 4 hours 40mins
SE London Bortle 8
There is a faint PN Lan 21 top left, which is just starting to appear.

Google Sites

Report abuse