Pleiades or Seven Sisters (M45) Open Star Cluster

[weixing]

Hi,
This is the first target I took during the clear night on 24 Jan 2011. Intend to shoot at F6.3, but forget to switch back to F6.3 after testing the F8.0. Don't really like the "look" of the diffraction spikes cause by the Canon 400mm lens at F8.0... hopefully the spikes will not look so "unnatural" when I try to reshoot at F6.3 next time.

Anyway, for those who are new to Astronomy, this is a very beautiful and bright open star cluster in the constellation Taurus and can be easily seen using naked eye even in Singapore. For those who own a Subaru car, the car's logo is base on this open star cluster as "Subaru" is the name for Pleiades in Japanese.

Pleiades or Seven Sisters (M45) Open Star Cluster

Lens: Canon EF 400mm F5.6L @ F8.0
Camera: Mod Canon 450D
Mount: Vixen GPD mount (unguided)
Location: Tampines, Singapore
Image: 60 images x 2 minute exposure @ ISO800

Have a nice day.

 

[Andyc8470]

:thumbsup::thumbsup: Very nice!!!!

 

[freedomx10]

hi, what is the software you used to stack the 60 photos?

 

[zk-diq]

一级棒！！:thumbsup:

 

[weixing]

Hi,

hi, what is the software you used to stack the 60 photos?

I use IRIS(http://www.astrosurf.com/buil/us/iris/iris.htm), but a bit troublesome and higher learning curve if you are new as it use mainly command method. The other software that is easiler to use is the DeepSkyStacker (http://deepskystacker.free.fr/english/index.html). Both are freeware.

一级棒！！:thumbsup:

Thanks... not there yet... still learning, but hopefully someday it'll will be.

Have a nice day.

 

[freedomx10]

Hi,

I use IRIS(http://www.astrosurf.com/buil/us/iris/iris.htm), but a bit troublesome and higher learning curve if you are new as it use mainly command method. The other software that is easiler to use is the DeepSkyStacker (http://deepskystacker.free.fr/english/index.html). Both are freeware.


Thanks... not there yet... still learning, but hopefully someday it'll will be.

Have a nice day.

Thanks!

 

[kilkenny]

Nice!! i like =)

cheers,
kilkenny

 

[NazgulKing]

What do you mean by a "Mod Canon 450d"?

Nice pics by the way. Been tempted to try out astro photography sometime too.

 

[weixing]

Hi,

What do you mean by a "Mod Canon 450d"?

Nice pics by the way. Been tempted to try out astro photography sometime too.

Mod (Modified) mean the original low pass filter had been replace with another optical glass... Some will replace with a clear optical glass. In my case, I replace it with another filter which increase H-alpha and red response.

Have a nice day.

 

[NazgulKing]

Hi,

Mod (Modified) mean the original low pass filter had been replace with another optical glass... Some will replace with a clear optical glass. In my case, I replace it with another filter which increase H-alpha and red response.

Have a nice day.

Where do you get it done?

 

[weixing]

Hi,

Where do you get it done?

My DSLR is mod by a local Astro Vendor called "Astro Bargains". I know two people manage to convince Canon Singapore to modified their Canon DSLR for them (don't ask me how they manage to do that), but they need to provide the correct size replacement filter.

Please note that after you modified the camera, white balance will be off and auto focus might not work properly (depend on the type and thickness of the replacement filter)... of course, you'll void your camera warranty.

Have a nice day.

 

[kensou]

nice weixing you are posting it here too get more people interested in astro field hehe