First Light with the Redcat 51: Capturing the Majestic Heart Nebula (IC 1805)
Hello fellow stargazers!
I'm absolutely thrilled to share my very first astrophotography captures with my brand new William Optics Redcat 51! This isn't just any new telescope; it's my very first dedicated scope, and the difference compared to using just a camera lens is simply mind-blowing.
This image showcases the incredible Heart Nebula, also known as IC 1805. I managed to gather a total of 2 hours and 20 minutes of data (28 x 300-second exposures), and I am genuinely impressed with the results. The detail and clarity are far beyond what I could have imagined. It's moments like these that truly fuel the passion for exploring the night sky.
Gear Used for this Cosmic Adventure:
- Camera: ZWO ASI533MC Pro
- Telescope: William Optics Redcat 51 WIFD
- Filter: Optolong L-eNhance 2”
- Mount: Star Adventurer GTi
- Control: ZWO ASIAIR Mini
- Guiding: ZWO ASI120mm Mini + ZWO Mini Guide Scope
- Processing Software: PixInsight
Acquisition and Processing Details:
- Exposure Time: 28 x 300 seconds (2 hours 20 minutes total)
- Gain: 100
- Camera Temperature: Cooled to -10°C
- Calibration Frames: Darks, Flats, and Dark Flats were used for calibration.
This is just the beginning of my astrophotography journey with this amazing setup, and I can't wait to capture more of the universe's wonders. Stay tuned for more celestial sights!
Clear skies!
