200 frames total x 10 s
Canon SX40HS – 1.3mm f/2.7 – ISO800
Post-Process: SIRIL + Photoshop for colour correcting
After 10 years as an astrophysicist, I decided to start astrophotography as a hobby. I don't have great equipment, only an old SX40HS (which is my wife's!) with a bad display and a tripod. No tracker.
The sky here is Bortle 7-8, so it is challenging to even check where to point. I tried to situate myself based on bright stars I could see, but the LCD of the camera was blank, so my pointings are totally blind. I decided to try to image some region around the Southern Cross. I took 100 frames at 10' seconds each from two close regions, as I don't have tracking, and then stacked them. I found Siril and other plate solving solutions really bad, so I implemented my own script based on this area with GAIA DR3. This image is the region around Eta Car (in yellowish hue).
I also have limited line of sight as my house blocks everything that is to the right of this, so I can't currently image the LMC, although I really wish.
Anyway, posting it here as I was happy with the final result. If anybody has any tips on how to make it easier to observe without a tracker, that would be appreciated. Or any tips for begginners!
PS: I don't want to buy a tracker as we are going to build one in the university alongside students as a DIY project.
by splashtriplered