I Took Photos of Space for 10 YEARS

[@davidskybrody]

Honesty. Transparency. Sincerity. You’re a good human, Dylan.

[@DylanODonnell]

Thanks Dave!

[@melvyndavis2745]

You've just reminded me of how much I have spent on this hobby, how many 'scopes I've owned, and still own, and how few images I've got to show for it - and the best from Atacama Desert you did not like. Phooey!

[@DylanODonnell]

Haha the forbidden spreadsheet

[@PatrickManley]

There's another thing you have been doing for 10 years and you really need to take a bow for it. You have taught us so much. Whether to not get overwhelmed with the complexity of Pixinsight or to square up the criss cross of the camera wires on a RASA rig. ...and guiding... Thanks Dylan! You got me addicted too pusha!

[@DylanODonnell]

Thanks my dude !

[@weebo1926]

Dylan: i'm just a hobbyist Also Dylan: converts thousands of people into astronomers

[@DylanODonnell]

lol don’t blame me .. you all got yourselves into this mess 😂

[@onewhostudies6856]

Fantastic. The evolution of consciousness.

[@derekderek2570]

I was big into astrophotography during covid. I studied it obsessively and was proud of the work I did. Using a large refractor and a EQ6-R mount… well things opened back up, and I fell in love. She shattered my heart about 3 months ago… and for the past few years I’ve seen my dusty WO132 in the closet and it would make me smile but she always wanted to spend the weekends going out or going on trips. This was the first time in 3 months since the breakup that I really got excited knowing I can come back to my true love, and I have my weekends free to drive to dark sites. Thanks for making this video Dylan, I needed it more than you know.

[@aaronden]

It’s often a very lonely hobby. Your videos connect us all - please don’t stop!

[@GoPackGo-pz3uu]

Thank you for you have done for this hobby. It’s fun to see your progression. The night sky has been inspirational for me ever since I was really young. You and Trevor Jones have helped me improve my skills and fulfill the passion I have for astrophotography. Now I’m hooked. I built an observatory and on an endless quest to produce my next best image.

[@newellbascomb4062]

Thanks Dylan. Well said. I've been thinking about what to do with my astrophotography. I'm not a great artist and don't feel I have the "eye" to make miniscule editing changes for artistic perfection. "Don't compare to others" is great advice. I get a kick from being able to locate and collect enough data to say this thing is millions of light years away and I took a picture of it! That's good enough!

[@robmailconway]

Thanks Dylan for the video, its a good reminder to stick with the hobby even when it gets frustrating at times. Its a long term hobby so plenty of time to work on things. Im sorry but you said your main hobbies that you cant live without day to day are astrophotography and guitar, what about beer 😂😂 I will be having some beer this weekend while watching some of your countrymen, i am going to see AC/DC this Saturday here in Ireland, i hope they can still sing 🤞

[@FAstroHD]

Loved watching this, the journey itself is so satisfying

[@Gtownislander]

Thank you for this!! I’m a beginner with an 8SE on a wedge and a modified Canon and have been told over and over to toss my SCT in the dumpster and get a refractor. My SCT was a gift that enabled my broke a** to get started and you’re proof that I’m not doomed! GO SCTs!! Thanks for being my fave channel!

[@DylanODonnell]

Woop team SCT :)

[@lukomatico]

Great video Dylan mate, I'm quite similar in that I've got/had a lot of hobbies over the years but the ones that really stuck are astro and guitar, hah! (and videogames to be honest!) - I've lately had a major astro slump with other stuff going on, but on the upside the skies will always be there whenever I'm feeling up to it! Clear skies mate and here's to the next 10 years :-)

[@philleng480]

Look at Cuiv and his astro slumps, just after he started his Patreon - then a few weeks later he came out fighting full time. Wait till the little one comes along, that will test your resilience. Thanks anyway, for your processing videos, they are great.

[@DylanODonnell]

Love your work lukomatico and thanks !

[@deanahorsman5040]

You've had so much fun over the years with your telescope stuff I'm buying a new 14 inch Mead lx200 I'm so excited oh my gosh the store is even going to warranty the mechanics on it for a year because they have a mechanic there🎉❤🎉❤🎉🎉

[@EdDarter]

Though I'm going through a bit of an astro photography lull at the moment, and I'm blaming the UK weather over the last year for that I always eagerly await your next video Dylan. They keep me going when I can't get my astro fix in person (F%&*ing clouds!!). You deserve WAY more than the 50k subscribers you have. I really do need to consider a permanent observatory as the set up and set down time each night eats in to the weather window and I'm constantly starting from ground zero for polar alignment etc.

[@DylanODonnell]

Thx Ed!

[@cliffwatson8478]

I've run my own Pomona Astronomy Club for 13 years now and love teaching people, back from the second total eclipse at my very good friend home, Tom Pickett Aka Picketts Bell, in Texas. I have also met Nobel laureate Brian Schmidt , Prof Fred Watson and Thousands of people and school kids too. I love astronomy and astrophotography!!! I have 11 scopes and love taking photos only if the bloody weather is ok which is rare lately, don't have a observery. I also want to put a Telescope in every school! Actually I Sent you Tom's picture of Picketts Balls which you did a show on, and I showed him the episode at his home in Texas! He loved it! Oh and lots of drink in volved too! Perfect Eclipse. Keep up the great work mate, hope to catch up one day, maybe on one of my trips to see my mate Dave Reneke . Take care and clear skies! Oh I got two of your T shirts, nice.

[@ferenc-x7p]

"...and that saves me the pain and suffering to log into Cloudy Nights" Shots fired! 😂 Completely understand the comment after reading that forum for 2 years ! I started doing visual astronomy back in the early 00s, and I used to live at a Bortle 3 area, which I had no clue about or what that even means, until just a few years ago, when I realized that I see a lot less stars at my new location than my old. That's before I started imaging. Then one cold December morning, I figured I'm gonna by my daughter a telescope for Christmas. While at it, I'll get one myself and also a cheap Alt-az tracker and a DSLR. The rest is history. I have 4 telescopes and 2 cooled cameras right now and my shopping list is still endless, but my bank account may never recover.

[@TimK-1971]

Congratulations and Happy 10th Anniversary Dylan! Thanks for all you've shared with us to make the whole community better.

[@Bvcggdert]

Congratulations on your first decade in the stars!

[@kylecormier9930]

This, in my opinion, is your best video yet. Sure, you're not teaching us new techniques or showing off new equipment but you're showing off the struggle and the struggle is real.

[@DylanODonnell]

Hey thanks Kyle !

[@garym5701]

Dylan, your passion is contagious. I’ve been following you for a while now as I’ve always had an interest in astronomy. I have yet to buy a single piece of astronomy related gear, and yet I know that ultimately it will turn into an obsession for me. I’m literally searching in dark sky areas for a property to purchase when I retire in a few years. Of all the people that I follow on KZbin, you’re the one I’d love to have a few beers with. Cheers mate!

[@brianreynolds1098]

No jokes this time, mate. Thanks for this, Dylan. Much appreciated by us all. I've been doing visual for 24 years, with no end in sight. Tried AP but it wasn't for me, like you said. Keep enjoying what you do and remember, you've got the Southern sky and we don't. That should be motivation enough to keep on truckin'.

[@GrowingAnswers]

Always love watching but stuff with Dylan O’Donnell. He’s been doing it for 10 years! Nobody just “try’s it” for that long. I wish I could be into something for that long without second thoughts. I envy you.

[@DylanODonnell]

I'm beginning to suspect I'm an astronomer!

[@michaelcannizzo1076]

​@DylanODonnell I'm just a casual passerby as I live in the suburbs of NYC and with the LED street lights it's killed what I used to be able to view with the old lamps. Maybe see if Celestron will loan you an Origin to test and try and compare with your gear. No doubt your gear is superior, but for someone getting into that level of hobby it may actually be more affordable than the buy and upgrade route.

[@FredLombardo]

Excellent look back. I’m only a year and a half into Astrophotography and I did what you did. I knew nothing about how to take DSO images and bought an Edge HD8 with a HyperStar, Atik DSO camera and all the rest for guided AP. I was fortunate to buy it all on consignment from Starizona and saved thousands of dollars lol. Took me about 4 months to get my first image. A terrible but beautiful image of M101 during the SuperNova phase. The image is utterly crap but I got it and I am very proud of that image. Things are going better now but the learning never stops. Congratulations on your 10 years.

[@michaeltelesco4764]

Well said Dylan, well said. Astrophotography is something that I am so happy I picked up. From you and Trevor, I was hooked from the start. The addition you mentioned in the beginning is real. In six months, I went from my Star Adventurer 2i and my mom's DSLR and lens; to a Stellarvue SVX102T-R and a Losmandy G11 with a OSC cooled astro cam. It was like a blink of an eye and all of a sudden I was invested deep into the hobby. I still spend probably half my nights problem solving issues, but that's just part of hobby. It does get really, REALLY frustrating at times, but the end result is always worth it for me. When I entered the hobby, my ego was sky high. I was looking at all these people, lost, struggling with equipment issues night after nights. I was like, "God, how hard could it be? "Took me about the first night when I tried to polar align. Spent about an hour to no avail...I was about to quit right then and there, but I am so happy that I stuck with it! Ever since then, I go into each night, expecting to not get any data. When I do, it is always a treat! Anyway, happy 10 years for you Dylan, and here's to 10 more! 😁 Clear skies!

[@DylanODonnell]

The journey is real :)

[@amitashokkamble]

Absolutely epic and I feel the journey, it’s been the same for me, minus how cool your channel has been. This is by far one of the best and genuine content on the internet. I really love the comment about, do it for yourself. I’ve had people ask me how to make images look good for social media etc and my advice has always been, shoot for yourself, if you are happy that’s all that matters

[@DylanODonnell]

💯

[@Planetreefastro]

Great video Dylan. The struggle is very real. I’ve been doing Astrophotogaphy since the B/W hypered films days. It’s much easier now and easier to get instant gratification just by looking at your images immediately on your computer. I started astronomy when I was 9 years ok after reading a book on it. I also enjoy chess and I am a musician as well. I’m now 60 and still learn something new every day. Love your channel. Congratulations and here’s to ten more years ! Best regards Luis from NY

[@DylanODonnell]

Hey thanks Louis ! You sound a lot like me :)

[@mipogrow]

That viral moon shot is what brought me to your channel. I had a 6" Newtonian for a while, but I live in NYC and the moon was about all I could see. Dragging the scope up to the roof and back down is the reason I sold it. I would mind seeing the moon again but I would need to leave the city.

[@jreichle59]

I started taking images back in 1986, Halley's comet. It was film then and guided by hand. I waited for the switch to CCD and got back in love it. Love your work and your videos are always entertaining!

[@Lasastard]

"Spent more than I ever intended to". Welcome to the hobby, we have Tshirts ;)

[@DylanODonnell]

Haha when I bought the 4se I was like "wow.. what an expensive telescope!" .. 1 month later...

[@BSm2919]

The t shirt also follows the 500 rule

[@stefanschneider3681]

That's what we all love about you and your channel: How well you can convey your own fascination to us, even if we live almost exactly on the other side of the world (Switzerland)! Thx!

[@DylanODonnell]

Hello Switzerland! Despite our distance, we have the same human condition. Thanks for watching!

[@bofblog]

Congratulations on the 10 years, I got into Astronomy when as a 13 year old in1968 I saw my first Partial Solar eclipse...I've seen some amazing advances in technology in all fields such as photography,scopes and imaging and still been to pinch myself when I look at the screen when I'm Solar Imaging..the pictures I saw in books back then where dreams..I'm taking them now, here's to the kids dreaming the same your inspiring

[@hansf2281]

I am only two and a half years into the hobby. It is clear that these presentations by you, Trevor Jones and others have shortened my journey considerably and for that I thank you very much. I started with a DSLR and a 400mm lens but I was hooked and it wasn't long before the cash registers really started to ring. The only hobby to stay with me long term has been amateur radio though at the age of 69, keyboard music had also just joined the foray.

[@l0nemonk100]

I started 2 years ago. I remember getting a telescope for my bithday. I couldn't polar align or get back focus for the life of me. First light took 3 months on a different scope. Then I went to NEAF and that changed things for me. Knowledgeable people willing to share information got me to where I now own 5 scopes and can gather data like a champ. Now I am learning PI so I can make my own pics look good. It's channels like yours, Cuiv, Lukematico that make me want to get better! Thank you for sharing your expertise. Now go grab a beer and post more video's!

[@DylanODonnell]

Thanks l0nemonk .. I'm glad your journey is bearing fruit :)

[@seemantadutta]

Started about a year ago. It was a telephoto lens at first. Then came the astromodded 6D. Then the redcat51. Then 533mc pro. Then the Celestron 8” edge. And just now I purchased the hyperstar. It has been an incredible journey and thanks to your channel I have learned so much. This is a marathon, not a sprint and I am all here for it!

[@MarcelBlattner]

It's just great. When I started-and oh boy, that was two years ago, and I am nowhere-your channel was and still is inspiring. Keep going.

[@AstroDenny]

I loved this video for a lot of reasons. I think we started at about the same time but it's impressive how you managed to really build an amazing brand around your work and in the same time you really improved your skills, shared lots of knowledge, and inspired so many. Thank you.

[@DylanODonnell]

Hey thanks Denny!

[@Pilord]

this truely is my favorite astronomy channel, thx Dylon will always follow you! and hey.. in the end, Dylon is always right!

[@mgmcd1]

What I’ve learned in 30 years as a visual astronomer: “LOOK AT IT BUT DON’T LOOK AT IT!”

[@DylanODonnell]

Hahaha

[@astrocarone9671]

Loved this video Dylan. Best hobby ever!

[@mycarolinaskies]

Congratulations on 10 years!

[@shanegullefer3039]

I too started with a 4se about 10 years ago and only recently sold it. Loved how clear it was and it really set the stage for bigger things. Now l'm at the 8se stage with a guild scope and looking for a better mount and camera. Still love rhe hobby and showing others the amazing universe. Have been with you most of the way Dylan and really enjoy your work - congratulations mate and heres to many more years to come 🍻

[@DylanODonnell]

Hey thanks Shane!

[@Spaced_Out_Bill]

Congratulations on your 10 years! Thank you for all your hard work helping others. I have learned so much from your videos. ❤ I'm at 6 years but no where near your level and I don't even think I can count the last year because it's been a cloudy shit show here in California. 😅

[@DylanODonnell]

Thanks.. and yep, some stretches of astro downtime have been so severe I feel like I forgot everything.

[@robertcarroll5036]

My first telescope was a 6inch Newtonian in the early 1970s. Then I saved and got a Celestron 8" but I lost my camera and lenses after taking some snappies of sun spots. I left them on the roof of my escort van while packing away the telescope and the rest is history. I never did anymore astrophotography after that. Sold the dust collecting telescope and purchased a PC. I was always going to get back into it but life got in the way. Now that I am in my seventies I am content to watch you guys work the magic.

[@DylanODonnell]

Hey thanks for watching Robert! I'm glad you're coming along for the ride.

[@aroxchannel]

After 10 years you still haven't apologized to Europeans for being able to see Omega Centauri, the Eta Carinae nebula, and the Magellanic Clouds.

[@DylanODonnell]

This sounds like a really good video idea.

[@reab111]

Have you had an slump period within those 10 years? I'm on my 4th year and for the first time I'm taking a large break the mindset of If only I had x item it would be better (which might be true) I would be more motivated to go out and shoot. But I feel that approach is just an endless loop. I think the smartest thing to do at the moment is not to sell anything and take the time off, and hopefully one day be motivated again to wrestle with my scope.

[@DylanODonnell]

Yes, space fatigue is real. For me KZbin fatigue is real so some sometimes just taking a break from filming is all I need. When my kid was in hospital suddenly astro became really unimportant and uninspiring. It best to just stop and do something else, focus on what's important. Space is only fun when you have the bandwidth and motivation for it. Then after a 6 month rain patch, I was ready to go again.

[@puppiTube]

@@DylanODonnell bless

[@reab111]

@@DylanODonnell Wise words, wish you all the best

[@sjgonline]

Well done! Cheers to 10 more. My journey started 10 year ago as well, I too build a permanent observatory and it’s been years since I watch your channel. Congratulations and keep it up

[@DylanODonnell]

Hey thanks for watching and I hope your journey is going well!

[@andrewsmillie8062]

I rarely ever comment on anything, but here goes. I became aware of the hobby when FRIENDSHIP 7 was flying took a break and now falling hard a few years later (recently retired). Curses on you and Trevor! I love all your content, skills and especially humour. You bring sooo much to the hobby I hope you at least you have a small understanding of how much you are appreciated. Too mushy, ok age & beer does that to you. Any way I get the message, Life…. Enlightenment…..Star Stuff(Dust). 10 more years, 10 more years, 10 more yea…………

[@DylanODonnell]

Thanks so much for taking the time to say so Andrew .. I appreciate it and appreciate you watching !

[@SuperNova-py1ec]

I remember you did a Star party video series with some other guys? That was fun and how I began following your content. You even featured one of my early images on the show! Been away from AP for couple of years but aiming to get back out in the next month or so. Thanks for sharing your story you are inspiration .

[@JarrodMcKitterick]

Good stuff! I also started about 10 years ago, but with a 5se. Was able to make the wedge kind of work, but it was so frustrating. I stuck with lunar and planetary using an ASI224mc. Then one night I tried really hard to image the Dumbbell nebula. It's almost laughable that original image, but to me it was my APOD. DSO is life. Last year purchased a used EQ6-R Pro and then an ASI533mm Pro.. filters.. etc. The learning never stops. So happy to have stumbled across your channel years ago. Thank you!

[@DylanODonnell]

“To me it was my APOD” great sentiment!

[@steppen57]

Very nice retrospective. Interesting to see how you use mainly/only SCTs. I have a C8 and a 4 in refractor, and no permanent observatory. I can see how having a permanent set-up is a game changer. living in the middle of a large city, it's hard for me to justify the investment. It's only a matter of time until there's another huge light source in the neighborhood. Good stuff and thanks for sharing!

[@scorpianspirit5124]

Dylan, that was perfect ! I'm defiantly older than you at 62, but it was also ten years ago (2014) that I got into this hobby in a real way. I had a couple of cheaper scopes years before that but not capable of doing AP. My first purchase was a Nexstar 5 se and a Canon camera, but it was about a month later I had to have more and purchased a Celestron 8 Edge scope and a Mallincam video camera, remember those ? ;-)...To cut to the chase unfortunate circumstances came about, (as they always do) and I wasn't able to continue doing the hobby, but I kept the gear I had accumulated. Then fast forward to this year where Fortunate circumstances had arrived (as they always do) and I jumped back in with both feet. In a short period of time I built an observatory and spent a small fortune ($$$) on gear and upgrades ! I live alone so I could do that kind of thing. I really suck at it right now, but it's balls to the wall from here ! And why not, after all at my age, at 62 I know that one day I'm going to die and I really don't want those remaining years to be meaningless !! Life can suck at times and can be heavenly at other times, enjoy the ride... Cheers my friend ! All the best from Mark in Moab Utah (Gods country)... ;-)

[@DylanODonnell]

Thanks Mark !

[@thomasmastrocinque7132]

Awesome video with and awesome ending!

[@melvyndavis2745]

Much good wisdom here. Many thanks. Mel

[@Clint-pe8hi]

Dylan keep going, you are the reason I began astrophotography. As I am sure others have began the hobby because of your videos.

[@DylanODonnell]

Hey thanks Clint that’s very kind.

[@davidmcclintock7819]

This was your best video yet! Thanks for making it.

[@DylanODonnell]

Thanks David :)

[@danielgollner2]

What ride, thanks for sharing.

[@Kris_Utev_astro]

Emotional ending.. at least it felt that way when you said you just can't stop. :) I can relate. Great one!

[@DylanODonnell]

Thanks Kris!

[@dennisthemenace191]

This truly great to see!! Funny enough, the only hobbies I have kept over the years are astronomy and guitar too lol

[@astrodad-simonb277]

Mate love this !!

[@Astrolavista]

Amazing Achievements over those 10 years, Dylan! I look forward to seeing what you get up to over the next ten ;)

[@DylanODonnell]

Thanks !

[@astrolibrarian]

I enjoy your channel, Dylan. Clear Skies from Connecticut!

[@avt_astro206]

Nice video dylan, Im grateful to have started astrophotography at 15 😃. Keep it up man!

[@dannywheeler2550]

I am in the same boat. Watching some of your first videos. I purchased the 4se. I still have it. I have grown some like you. I now have a Losmandy gm811g, edge hd8 with hyperStar v4, zwo 2600 mc pro, and I purchased the nexdome. I do not have the funds that you do so my nexdome is not automated but one day it will hopefully. Thanks for all the videos. I would like to shoot mono but most days I only have maybe 30 minutes to capture.

[@rickbattle5706]

Great video. Truth brother. I am in south Florida and there probably isn't a more difficult environment in the world than the tropics with endless clouds, more humidity in the air than water in the ocean, dew falling by the gallons, and growing light pollution, but I an't gonna quit. Rock on.

[@DylanODonnell]

I hear that! I'm about 800m from the breakers and this sea air is kinda messed up for my seeing. plus the tropical weather. But it's ok .. there's enough clarity to persevere :)

[@marcuskliewer3944]

I’m in it for 15 years now, and still loved it. Living now in Beijing, i upgrade to have 3 sct 8, all collecting data on nights. Dylan, , I’m in Sydney right now, and went to Bintel, just bcs you mentioned them. Had a great chat with the staff. And thanks, for your always inspiring videos. Your channel is my favorite. Love your hummer as well.

[@DylanODonnell]

Oh glad to hear that Marcus! Keep up the good work!

[@marcuskliewer3944]

I meant, humor 😂

[@DSOImager]

I remember that video with the basket ball court. Found it when I was starting out in late 2016. There were only a couple of decent KZbin channels available back then :) It's been a great hobby for me. Checks all the boxes for me.

[@DylanODonnell]

Thanks! I was really proud of that video 😆

[@wesleydonnelly2141]

"I have hobbies like...drinking...and breeding" haha love it mate! 🤣🤣🤣 Dylan you produce awesome content and you make me laugh my man boobs off, so here's to another 10 years of Star Stuff my friend!

[@DylanODonnell]

Thanks Wes :)

[@karthikswaminathan9902]

Gd day Dylan, you're such an inspiration! We love your energy and dedication to astrophotography keep up the awesome work!❤

[@DylanODonnell]

thank you friend :)

[@terencelegrange]

Thanks for getting me into this now also 10 years ago! Have learnt so much from you mate!

[@DylanODonnell]

Cheers mate !

[@waterford_astro]

Well done Dylan .. I first had an interest quite some time ago but it has only been the last 10-12 years that I have gotten a little bit more interested .. first scope was a KMart special so you can imagine how that went .. I guess like you I jumped in the deep end first with a CPC1100 and yes to much to big to soon but I persisted .. I watched a number of KZbin clips (yours and Trevors mostly) and decided to address my own shortcomings by buying another scope .. ED72 on EQ6 mount .. so now after further deliberation I have the CPC, ED72, SCT 8, FF107 and a Meade etx90 .. the SCT8, CPC1100 and ff107 now live in the observatory (and no longer in the lounge room) and I believe my images are getting marginally better because I believe that if I stop learning, stop trying to improve then its time to give it away .. so again well done sport and I hope to come to the next StarStuff if/when you hold one ..

[@DylanODonnell]

Sounds like you know the journey well :)

[@PhilTaylorPhotog]

Congrats Dylan! I've recently inherited an ex-RMIT classic c8. I'm thrilled, but I'm at the stage you were at 10 years ago - struggling on whether to get a Maksutov mask or polarscope or...or... cloud came over tonight so I ended up setting up a false star to try for better collimation. Got a nice look at Saturn a few nights ago, but still wasn't happy I'd perfected collimation, and so far am just doing it visually. A long way to go...

[@DylanODonnell]

Welcome to hell :)

[@PhilTaylorPhotog]

@@DylanODonnell Haha cheers

[@bryanjones520]

Great advice!

[@leoncorns1450]

Thank you for taking us along on your journey Dylan. Thanks to you and others on KZbin. I've learnt so much. and spent enough money to buy a new car. Ah well the telescopes take me much further. 😊

[@DylanODonnell]

Thanks Leo. Remember, a car will only take you 1 million kilometres over a decade or so. You can do that in an evening, with a telescope :)

[@MarcusZabo]

Beautifully Done....

[@keithhanssen7413]

10 years and counting. I’m right there with you side by side. Thanks for taking us along with you for the ride in space 😊

[@DylanODonnell]

Cheers Keith!

[@brucenunn3268]

Fantastic Decade of Astronomy Work.! Thank you for all that you da. I have learned So much from this Channel… “Everything is meaningless and we are all going to die” 👊😎

[@DylanODonnell]

hey thanks Bruce!

[@johnmcbryde715]

you keep doin that voodoo that you do. you help make my journey through time that bit more enjoyable. cheers dude. 👍

[@DylanODonnell]

Thanks John!

[@blobrana8515]

❤ What a journey ❤

[@TheAlabamaWildman]

I saw Your WONDERFUL Lunar Photo - way over here here in Alabama. I didn't "know about" You, then. But I Do Now !! Your Work is Fascinating (and I'm old enough to, likely, be your grandpa 😊) I've been a Photog most of my life - only recently getting started taking Astronomy Photos. (yes. they stink on-ice) but.. hoping to learn by watching You, Sir

[@DylanODonnell]

Thanks Randy !

[@jimcarter2092]

Great video, really enjoyed it! My greatest passion from a very early age was being a musician but i was raised with it, and now play 5 dufferent instruments and own many of them Always loved science and space stuff And now astrophotography has brought me another passionate enjoyment ....with much spending, and only wish u would have discovered it years ago. But it's never to late! Thanks for this great video! 😊 ...and you play piano too? Possibly a Yamaha '6.5" grand?

[@DylanODonnell]

K Kawai concert sized grand ! It’s Anna’s!

[@jimcarter2092]

@@DylanODonnell my brother owns a 6.5 ft gran in his recording studio I have played many hours on, although I own a 88 key natural hammer Yamaha digital there's nothing like a real acoustic grand! Thanks!

[@dumpydalekobservatory]

Wise words Dylan I've been doing this for 12 years on & off now I was setting up at home doing planetary with a 200P on an EQ5 pro which was the wrong way of starting things, polar alignment what polar alignment near enough would do. Over the years I'd set up out at a dark site due to my then neighbours insecurity lights or at star parties I did enjoy it but wanted more hence why mojo would build then wane again. Another factor for me is budget as I don't have much spare cash, my observatory I bought for £155 from ebay the CGE pro & RASA 11 were free to pick up from a friend as it they got damaged in a storm & were in a poor state. The RASA is working now but still gives me some headaches as it's a V1 the mount I got boing by fitting an Onstep kit onto it. I have been quite fortunate over the years as some of my gear I've got for next to nothing but the rest has been second hand & worked well. Ok so I still shoot OSC so I'm not a proper astronomer like yourself hee hee but I still enjoy it & try to better myself even though I'm still not using Pixinsight due to still using an old PC & I think it would have a meltdown if I did try lol. Just lately my mojo has been at a low due to health issues & an operation coming up for me soon so hopefully when that's over I can start where I left off. Anyhow enough of my ramblings I'm off for a drink

[@DylanODonnell]

Good luck with the operation man.. like I say there are more important things to do a lot of the time but when we have the foundation solid we sometimes have the time to self actualise and indulge in the things we love (like astro).

[@ronboe6325]

One thing I learned from CloudyNights fairly early on (well, way before 2014!) was that astro imaging was an expensive and deep rabbit hole. Back then we didn't have (or they were the very beginnings of editing tools) specialized editors. Photoshop was the main choice. Camera's were cutting edge but primative compared to today. But you had a steep learning curve with the editors, the camera's, the mount and the scope. And none of it played well with my personality. LOL And none of it was cheap. And I had too many other hobbies demanding my money. Choose your rabbit hole carefully - kinda sounds like your rabbit hole choose you.

[@radwest86406]

Excellent video!

[@Bortle-6-Astrophotography]

Bravo, well said.

[@sianikolaou5440]

Sage advice!

[@77BlackKnight]

Good to know that I am not the only one that thinks about astronomy ever day and gets older😂. Have follow your channel from beginning of 2018 and grown and learned and also got inspired to get better every year. I am compete agains my self and grow my wast knoledge and love also helping others. I learn to make the hobby for me sustanible and leared from the core. Thanks for your channel and makes me happy to see your growing and looking back i guess me alot. One of the best astro channel. Clear skies and keep inspire. Cheers mate and hope your other half is doing fine also.😃 this hobby is addictive.

[@DylanODonnell]

Thanks so much for coming along for the ride :) Sounds like you're approaching it the right way too!

[@77BlackKnight]

@@DylanODonnell Yes i bought my first telescope about 28 year ago. Was a Tasco 60mm. My first computerrized was a Nexstar 8se for visual in 2009 but when i stared imagine i bacame addiced and wanted more data. Huge data horder and got all my data from 2018 so yes it is what is. The force is stong in this one. 😃

[@rmuhlack]

Cool video. I've been into astrophotography for a similar length of time, and reflecting on my own journey I see many similarities. "Spent more than I ever intended to" definitely hits home lol (as I am about to hit BUY on another order to Sidereal and Testar...)

[@DylanODonnell]

Haha good good. I love sidereal :)

[@gghana]

Great video Dylan

[@Astropostie]

Inspirational. I’m funding the habit on a postman’s wage… almost as much fun as waiting for the clouds to clear in order to pursue the hobby here in the UK 😂🌧️

[@allenn9068]

Yep, just got a new job after a 2 month break and I'm already planning my telescope/image train/mini pc upgrades. I'm telling myself that this one will be the last upgrade for a while. It should. Going from amateur telescope C8 to pro model (maybe). But this hobby is influencing where I want to move to as well. Looking at new homes that I can't afford and the first thought is, are there trees and power lines in the fov? Not sure why, not making me any money. Just really like the process and the results when it all works, I guess.

[@StarlancerAstro]

Amen brother!

[@ddubz446]

Improved dramatically congrats

[@DylanODonnell]

cheers dubz

[@Mrpaulgs]

Great video as always. How about a tutorial on how to get the C11 EdgeHD to work at f10 🤣🤣😂? I am really struggling, I want it to work so badly! The Dumbell Nebula M27 looks so awesome filling the whole FOV. I can't get Nina Hocus Focus to work no matter what settings I use. My 5" refractor is a walk in the park compared to this beast.

[@DylanODonnell]

Good idea

[@gwthomas52]

👏 Well done.

[@TexasEngineerScotty]

Love the video! I still have my 4se tucked away, it was my gateway drug 4 years ago. I'm currently 53 and i knew as a teenager in the 1980s I wanted a Celestron SCT. I would write to Celestron and drool over the catalogs every year. Well the kids are done with college and I as my astrobin says "I needed to find something to spend my money on as fast as possible". Enter my C9.25, EHD11" and due to a once in a lifetime deal I got a cooling modded EHD14" for $2,500 USD (the old boy cut four holes in the OTA to mount fans, he also took 5 top picks and 1 IOTD planetary on astrobin with it so I'm not too worried). I truly have spent more than I ever intended to. Maybe by an order of magnitude.

[@DylanODonnell]

You’ve got all the Pokémon cards ! 🫡

[@afd33]

I've only been doing this 4 years. Started with a William Optics Z61. Then decided I wanted an 8" SCT, so I sold it and bought one. Now I still have the SCT, but I'm primarily using a FRA300 I bought. I just love refractors. I think my next purchase is going to be a big refractor. Like you, just have to budget and save until I can afford one though.

[@DylanODonnell]

Yeh .. baby steps. No need to buy everything all at once. Just buy one bit at a time.

[@Cydsdad]

Well Done Dylan Thank You

[@DangeeksC]

I was eating a bag of crisps whilst watching this so I missed half of it over the crunching, but, good work on the anniversary, watching yourself grow from 4" to 11 must be very rewarding.

[@DylanODonnell]

lol I hope they were good chips

[@DangeeksC]

@@DylanODonnell Yeah not bad, a strong Prawn Cocktail flavour so my hands smell like I fingered... you know what? nevermind!

[@scottbadger4107]

Also started with a 9.25 (Edge) and not sure I agree with the common opinion that it's too much for a beginner. Celestron's polar alignment and goto methods were pretty easy to follow and a bahtinov mask helped with focusing. All of which was a huge PIA in hindsight compared to platesolving, auto-focusing, etc. now, but not difficult technically. Anyhow, I just stuck my dslr on it using the onboard battery and memory card, plus no guiding, so no laptop (or USB ports!!), and could keep about 2/3 of 2 min subs, even with a crappy CGEM. Probably the most blissful part of my AP experience!.... It was biting into the guiding apple that turned astro Eden into astro jungle. Quickly learned how crappy my mount really was for AP, but stubbornly took way to long to get a new one! And that was only the beginning of the descent..... : )

[@DylanODonnell]

Yeh I never fully agreed it was a “bad” choice either .. it just forced me to get good good at the mount / alignment / guiding :)