M 31: A Glimpse of Andromeda from a Light-Polluted City
Hello fellow stargazers!
I'm thrilled to share my latest astrophotography endeavor, a capture of the magnificent Andromeda Galaxy (M 31). As a relative newcomer to amateur astronomy, having only been actively involved for a few months, I've recently ventured into the exciting world of smart telescopes. My journey began with a beginner Newton telescope, and not long after, I acquired a Seestar S30 smart telescope.
This image was taken using the Seestar S30 over several nights, accumulating approximately 200 successful shots. I understand that images taken with smart telescopes might be a new concept for some, but I believe they can certainly fit within the scope of our shared passion.
One of the biggest challenges for aspiring astrophotographers, especially those living on the outskirts of a city like myself, is light pollution. Despite these conditions, I've found that with careful acquisition and processing, beautiful results are still achievable. For this particular shot, I used only the IR CUT filter that came with the telescope.
After capturing the data, I processed the image using a suite of free and powerful applications: Siril, GraXpert, CosmicClarity, and GIMP. While I'm still learning and refining my techniques, I'm quite pleased with how this turned out. It's a testament to the capabilities of modern smart telescopes and the dedication it takes to process the data.
The question of image quality right out of the box is a common one, especially with smart telescopes that often feature built-in AI denoising. While the phone application's AI denoise feature can provide a good starting point, I personally prefer to use dedicated desktop applications for more control over the final image. Achieving truly stunning results takes practice and continuous learning, and I'm embracing that journey.
I'm eager to continue exploring the night sky and improving my skills. I'm particularly looking forward to capturing more deep-sky objects when there's no moon to further enhance image quality. Your feedback and encouragement are always welcome!
