A Little Piece of Heaven: Capturing the Cosmos with a 50mm Lens Under Bortle 9 Skies
Sometimes, even under the challenging conditions of Bortle 9 light pollution, the universe offers glimpses of breathtaking beauty. This image, captured with a simple 50mm f/1.8 lens, is a testament to that.
While the exact celestial target wasn't initially pinpointed due to GPS limitations, the photographer believes it to be a nebula located somewhere within our own Milky Way. The resulting image showcases intricate details and vibrant colors, proving that you don't need the most specialized equipment to touch the cosmos.
The Setup and Process
The capture involved approximately 80 light frames and 20 dark frames, each with an exposure time of 4 seconds at ISO 3200. A modified Canon t2i DSLR camera was used, a popular choice for amateur astrophotography.
The post-processing workflow employed a powerful suite of tools: Siril for initial stacking and calibration, StarNet for star removal to enhance nebular detail, Graxpert for further processing and noise reduction, and finally Adobe Lightroom for color correction and final touches.
This project demonstrates that with dedication and a willingness to learn, stunning astrophotography is achievable, even when battling significant light pollution. It's a reminder that the night sky holds wonders waiting to be discovered by anyone with a camera and a passion for the stars.
