Carole Pope
Imaging from Town
Carole Pope (Carastro) - Imaging from a Light Polluted Location - Bortle 8
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.
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
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.
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.
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:
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
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.IC2169
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, The Boogeyman Nebula
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)
Phantom of the Opera Sh2-173
Data from 3 different set ups spread over 11 monthsALL FROM BORTLE 8Phantom of the Opera Sh2-173
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)Melotte 15 (combined data from 2016 and 2019)
Total 7h 5mins
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.Sh2-126 Gecko Nebula
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.IC417 The Spider and the Fly
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.Clamshell Nebula Sh2-119
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.Bok's Globules in Rosette Nebula
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 8Sadr Region in Cygnus
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 minutesNGC7822
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. Cygnus Mosaic
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
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 HEQ5Heart and Soul Nebulae
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 42.5minsWizard Nebula NGC7380
Data from 2020 and 2015SW Esprit100 and Atik460EXHa, Oiii and SiiTotal imaging time = 13hours 10minsWizard Nebula NGC7380
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 HEQ5Simeis 147 Speghetti Nebula
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 50minsBarnard's Loop, M78 and Bogeyman Nebula LDN1622
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 hoursRosette Nebula NGC2244
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.Same image but a different palette HSO
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 minsIC417 The Spider and the Fly Nebulae