My First Glimpse of Andromeda with a New Refractor!
It's always an exciting moment when you get to test out new gear, and my latest addition, a refractor telescope, didn't disappoint! For my inaugural outing with this new setup, I set my sights on the magnificent Andromeda Galaxy (M31).
This shot represents my first attempt at capturing Andromeda with my new refractor, and I'm thrilled with the results.
Here's a breakdown of the equipment and process used:
- Telescope: AT90EDX with a 1x flattener
- Mount: AM5
- Camera: Nikon Z6 mirrorless camera
- Acquisition: 240 subs, 45 seconds each, guided. This resulted in a total integration time of 3 hours.
- Processing: Initial stacking and some post-processing were performed using Siril, with further enhancements carried out in Photoshop.
All of this was captured from the comfort of my own backyard here in Central New York (CNY).
I'm really pleased with how the details of Andromeda have come through, especially the subtle dust lanes and the bright core. The refractor provided a clear and sharp view, and the combination with the Nikon Z6 and the AM5 mount made for a very stable and enjoyable imaging session.
Stay tuned for more celestial wonders captured with this fantastic new setup!
