M 45 – The Seven Sisters: A Triumph Over Light Pollution
Capturing the cosmos can be a challenging endeavor, especially when battling the pervasive glow of light pollution. Yet, for dedicated astrophotographers, these obstacles often lead to more satisfying victories. Such is the case with this breathtaking image of Messier 45, more commonly known as the Seven Sisters or the Pleiades star cluster.
After dedicating almost a year to this particular target, the astrophotographer behind this image has finally managed to extract a remarkable result from data collected under challenging light-polluted skies. The effort is clearly evident in the vibrant colors and intricate details of the surrounding dust clouds that give the Pleiades its ethereal beauty.
This impressive feat was achieved using a setup that includes:
- Telescope: Askar 120 apo with a 0.8x reducer
- Camera: Asi 294 mc pro paired with an L-Quad Enhance filter
- Mount: Eq6r pro
- Integration Time: 7.5 hours
The photographer expresses satisfaction with the final processed image and looks forward to capturing the Pleiades again under darker, more favorable skies – perhaps with fewer mosquitoes!
Even in a light-polluted environment, the dedication and technical skill involved in acquiring and processing such an image are truly commendable. It serves as an inspiring reminder that even with limitations, the pursuit of capturing the universe's wonders can yield spectacular results. Keep an eye out for future captures from this talented astrophotographer!
As a bonus, keen-eyed observers might notice an edge-on galaxy, UGC 2838, photobombing the image in the top left corner – a small reminder of the vastness of the universe beyond our immediate celestial neighborhood!
