Capturing the Seven Sisters: A Stunning View of the Pleiades (M45)
Last night, under the Bortle 5 skies, I managed to capture this incredible view of the Pleiades star cluster, also known as M45. This iconic celestial grouping, often referred to as the Seven Sisters, is a truly magnificent sight, and I'm thrilled to share the result of my efforts!
The Challenge and the Capture
Astrophotography is a journey of patience and precision. For this shot, I utilized a total integration time of 2 hours and 40 minutes, broken down into 120-second subs. This allowed me to gather enough light to bring out the delicate details and vibrant colors of the nebula surrounding the bright stars.
My equipment setup was key to achieving this image:
- Camera: Omegon Vetec 585c
- Telescope: Askar FMA180 Pro
- Mount: Skywatcher Star Adventurer GTI
- Guide Scope: Bresser Moon and Planets Guide Cam with SvBony SV165
A question arose about filtering, and I'm happy to clarify that no external filter was used. The Omegon Vetec 585c camera has a built-in UV/IR cut filter, which is essential for clean deep-sky imaging.
Bringing the Image to Life
Processing is where the magic truly happens. I used Nina for capturing and stacking, followed by SetiastroSuite Pro for the final processing. This combination allowed me to refine the image, reduce noise, and enhance the subtle details that make M45 so captivating.
This image is a testament to the power of dedicated equipment and careful processing. I'm incredibly pleased with how it turned out and hope you enjoy looking at the Pleiades as much as I enjoyed capturing them!
