Let's Photograph The Whirlpool Galaxy! (CMOS Astrophotography)

[@robertsipes7391]

AstroPark has become my new and one my most favourite channels on astrophotography. Thanks for sharing!

[@Stefan-Born]

fantastic capture of M51!! also really like your format, great explanation, showing how it all works, that will help many people to get a good start! ! I whished LA wasn't such a light bulb, I can't get to see anything over here, like Mag 0.5 or so. looking forward to your next video!

[@steveerpenbeck7357]

Wow! Great instructional content that I likely will rewatch and take lots of notes to read upon. The photo was amazing, great image!

[@joshuagraves3844]

It's really cool seeing the process and the end result is amazing!

[@alandyer910]

Nicely done and well shot! Thank you and clear skies!

[@whitefluffydogs3129]

Great video and results. Really encouraging to see the good results you get in spite of so much light pollution. Thank you for your work and for sharing.

[@andrewnoden9117]

Hi Kwai, Andrew here in Ottawa Canada, found your channel tonight as it showed up on my pages. You have a new subscriber. You have music in your voice! Well presented and informative. Cheers Andrew

[@lilwaso]

Love this! Crazy how even in a relatively light polluted suburb you can still see those wonderful celestial objects light years away. Looking forward to more videos

[@PafMedic]

God Bless IR/Cut Filters😂

[@mr.d.8121]

Nicely done. Good set up, excellent presentation, great result...👏👏👏👏👏

[@pompeymonkey3271]

Just halfway though your video and I'm screaming "Platesolving Platesolving Platesolving!" at my screen. lol. Fantastic to see you imaging form a light polluted site.

[@robindavies5579]

Really great and informative video, the background music was a little too loud and drowned you out though.

[@LiamTheRed]

So glad I found this channel, very helpful for a beginner!

[@hawk120]

Really nice work on M51!!! Looks like you have a great setup there!

[@NickBorders]

I'm learning this stuff too. Thanks for the overview. There were some tools you use I was unaware of. Best of luck and I look forward to watching more and learning along-side you.

[@Todd_Riley]

Great video. It's nice to see someone doing astrophotography near city lights and get get results. It gives me hope for myself. Also you include more detail than other youtubers which is nice.

[@michaellovell5477]

A visual favourite of mine - great to see your setup and process.

[@Adv504]

Cool to see someone in the DMV doing Astrophotography despite the light pollution. Good to have folks advocating for urban observing. Keep it up!

[@deejaybustab]

Great stuff man!! I feel you with the light pollution I’m in Richmond VA & I’m in a class 7 myself. It’s challenging but we make it work with our images 👍🏽

[@rocketfast09]

Wonderful video. Nice to see how others deal with light pollution. Keep up the videos coming!

[@NickYo773]

Passion is energy! Thank for sharing your passion and encouraging others.

[@NoahsAstrophotography]

Wow, that final image is insane!! Awesome work and video! :)

[@mattestabrook]

Good job--I'm not far away from you and it's inspiring to see how well you've overcome light pollution. Keep up the good work!

[@jpastroguy]

Great image! You have quite the impressive imaging rig!

[@jeffreyvictor3678]

I would like to see your see your setup and imaging train for the EON 130!! Thanks for the guided tour!

[@oM1naE]

Nice result :) A few questions/tips: - Newest PHD2 supports multi-star-guiding: Recommended to use as it is more resistent to seeing - Do you prefer doing the alignment with the hand controller? There's also the possibility to let APT determine where the telescope is pointed at and align it that way. Then you would not need the finder scope. The required technique is called plate solving.

[@AstroParkAstrophotography]

I've grown so accustomed to using a hand controller that it's second nature to me now. I'm aware of plate solving and might experiment with it later to see how it works.

[@stanislavvladimirsky8462]

I remember the forum discussions where Bahtinov actually invented this mask, in early 2000's. I think the man deserves more credit for all the astrophotographers using his invention.

[@VisibledarkAstro]

Great video! Enjoyed watching. Nice smooth background music choices.

[@AstroParkAstrophotography]

Much appreciated Shawn! Your PixInsight tutorials have been a valuable resource for me, and I've learned a lot!

[@possummanrld]

Kwasi, you have a nice setup! And this is a very nice video! I found it interesting about refocusing on a regular basis. I had never heard that before. Thanks for the great information!

[@LarryRankJr]

Nice work! I really enjoyed watching the process you went through to prepare your telescope. I appreciate you sharing your experience and tips. I like the transitions where you walk into frame from the dark background. Keep up the good work! Subscribed!

[@jackelrdhdhd4534]

VERY Impressive ! Thank You for the walk through of your process //

[@knightclan4]

Really great teacher mate! Thanks for sharing your knowledge

[@rickcrume739]

I love your videos they are very informative and you give a lot of information about your subject matter it's a real pleasure to watch your videos

[@TheRuffusMD]

stunning photo . the best i have ever seen

[@Fannanel]

This is luvly. Thank you so much for this. 😌 💫💫

[@phreakmode]

Very enjoyable watching and hearing your process, you have the perfect mind to explain details. Very well done, this type of astronomy is not something I am able to do myself, I do admire those that both attempt and succeed at it.

[@OlliesSpace]

That looked a really great final stacked image Kwasi great work. Great looking triplet you have there. Enjoyed the video, clear skies.👍

[@AstroParkAstrophotography]

Much appreciated Ollie! I've enjoyed your videos as well, and the original piano music that you composed for each of your images is quite unique!

[@OlliesSpace]

@@AstroParkAstrophotography Thanks very much appreciate it.

[@jimpoop]

You deserve more followers dude,. Good stuff.

[@enriqueboeneker]

Awesome picture! You've got a new subscriber!

[@steveba50]

Great video im new to this and about to purchase a setup. After watching a lot of videos your video is easy to understand and one of the best. Thanks for sharing Greetings from Brisbane Australia,

[@nehemiahdixon8869]

That’s a good picture, you should get ig and post your astrophotography on there💪🏾

[@wadeprunty]

Great video! You should give the ASIAIR Pro a try. It would shave off your star alignment process time, your target framing time and possibly a good chuck of your polar alignment process time. It's such a useful tool, especially for the type of mobile imaging you're doing.

[@brianrose2342]

Thank you for sharing. I'm glad the algorithm showed me your 2nd video so I could subscribe early. I look forward to more content. Thank you again.

[@simonzinc-trumpetharris852]

Excellent images.

[@OGGAMER36]

Fantastic man! I’m a beginner getting into astrophotography

[@bradleydennis210]

Hey kwasi! Maryland skies can be rough but if you ever do get the chance, heading out further west in maryland (there are some good astronomy clubs out there as well) hold some incredible dark skies that will blow you away with the amount of stars. I consistently see the faint glow of the milkyway on good nights and the level of detail in some simple shots i get off a dslr on my avx mount are incredible. I highly recommend the trip out if you can make it since relatively dark skies arent too far from where nasa is located. Good luck, I look forward to following your journey!

[@AstroParkAstrophotography]

Thanks for the tip Bradley! Once things start getting back to normal, I'd like to take the chance to explore some dark sites.

[@jonathanr2830]

Fantastic! I enjoyed your presentation very much. Newly subscribed, and looking forward to following your channel. All the best!

[@AstroParkAstrophotography]

It's good to have you here Jonathan! Welcome to the AstroPark!

[@surinderparkash1135]

Wow!! Awesome image. And another galaxy to the bottom right of the image. Well done!

[@AstroParkAstrophotography]

You've got a good eye! That additional galaxy is IC 4263!

[@nickambrose8606]

Nice work. Keep going !

[@pan4909]

Amazing video, the end result was awesome. I was the 172nd subscriber, I can see your channel blowing up

[@AstroParkAstrophotography]

Thanks Leopard! I appreciate your support, and I look forward to new videos once I can get some good weather!

[@n176ae]

Awesome video! You do such a great job of explaining all the details and process and for someone looking to get into this it is so helpful. On top of that, you can tell how much fun you had capturing this and your image is great as well

[@knightclan4]

Look forward to seeing you again

[@fishing1335]

Beautiful video.

[@Astrobloke]

Just found your channel and subbed. Very nice, keep up the great work

[@AstroParkAstrophotography]

Thanks Glenn, and congratulations on your recent APOD! That was well deserved!

[@LM-ek2hb]

Awesome stack you've done there! I never knew that APT can do dithering.. Maybe we could get a review of that mount now that you have it dialed in? :) Thanks!

[@doogoodminds8157]

Nice Shot!

[@axford696969]

Superb, you've also captured a small galaxy in the bottom right of your image...

[@texdoms]

Excellent narration!

[@radioparisment628]

Thanks for sharing. Could you give a link to the full ? Do you use a field corrector ?

[@astroworld744]

Absolutely awesome great video keep them coming 👍

[@elisteele6481]

Amazing picture! I can see your channel taking off!

[@AstroParkAstrophotography]

Yeah, the channel passed 100 subs at the time I'm writing this! Thanks for your support! I look forward to creating new videos once I can get some clear skies!

[@markcraven8788]

Great instructions. Thanks for sharing. I am looking forward to seeing you again.

[@thomasfox8027]

I really enjoyed this video, man! Subbed and bell notifications switched on!🪐🔭📸

[@thomasfox8027]

Btw, is that another galaxy I see below and off to the right of the Whirlpool?

[@AstroParkAstrophotography]

Yep, that's galaxy IC 4263!

[@sebastianf.3079]

Great video, entertaining and informative. Subscribed!

[@DMarko22]

I really should try astrophotography, being out stargazing is amazing but this seems like pretty much fun too. Great job btw. actually amazing!

[@AstroParkAstrophotography]

Much appreciated! Visual astronomy is lots of fun but astrophotography brings out more details that my eyes can't see on their own.

[@bennybooboobear3940]

@@AstroParkAstrophotography hey, I only have a a dobsonian reflector 😔. I have a MacBook so I can’t run autostakker, apt, or things like that. What would you recommend for me to get started?

[@foobee2]

I'm jealous of your park so close to home. I have to drive 2+ hours to to get to the club dark sky site, imaging from my patio just isn't possible. I run a fairly similar setup: 115 APO triplet (Astrotech) SW EQ6R-pro the same ASI2600MC (love it) Good work so far keep it up!

[@bennybooboobear3940]

I can literally walk to my park, but it’s just that there are houses around the park and it’s kinda weird for them to see you, you know

[@foobee2]

@@bennybooboobear3940 Lol, I wouldn't mind at all, as long as people didn't walk up too frequently. Before I had access to a private bortle 3 dark site, I went to state parks, and even there too many people walk up to see what you are doing. I don't blame them, they don't know any better, but every time they do, its with a white light blazing, and there's a sub ruined!

[@bennybooboobear3940]

@@foobee2 lol!

[@andrewbrooks2001]

Awesome!

[@jim3029]

Brave walking around a dog park at night, if you know what I mean! Great video. Thanks for sharing your joy!

[@bennybooboobear3940]

Lolll

[@jongoldsby]

This is great information. I am preparing to transition from visual to astrophotography. I don't have an apo so I will use an 8 inch f4 Newtonian. My first target M81 Bode's Galaxy.

[@AstroParkAstrophotography]

M81 and M82 was my first pair of targets as well!

[@AA-vs9kh]

Ridiculously good. and a cool vid, man.

[@cookiestamps101]

Cool vid man hope to see u again

[@AstroParkAstrophotography]

Once I get some clear skies again, definitely! It'll just take some time.

[@martinhair3935]

Nice vid whirlpool one of my favourites too best wishes from uk

[@nehemiahdixon8869]

I suggest you get on to Instagram to upload your astrophotography because those pictures are amazing💪🏾💪🏾

[@nostalgiaarcadefuture]

I love the image was so well done I never noticed the other two smaller galaxies that are edge on , and look to be spiral in structure.... I just got into this hobby a month ago and I am feeling so far away from imaging since I only have a Orion xt6 dobsonian so far. Cant wait to get a nice refractor and a mount!

[@AstroParkAstrophotography]

I've learned that this hobby can last a lifetime so there's no need to rush! Just go at your own pace.

[@Mr6sess]

Nice gear and great work! I'm taking my 8" Newtonian out tonight and my small wide field dslr rig to shoot some milky way shots.

[@AstroParkAstrophotography]

Awesome! I wish you all the best and clear skies!

[@davidletz9123]

Outstanding image! Do you think an Ha filter would enhance the appearance of those red bands in the galaxy? I think you used only a light pollution filter. Thanks!

[@AstroParkAstrophotography]

Thank you! Yeah, I used only my L-Pro filter for this image. With a color camera, you could use a narrowband filter such as the L-eXtreme or L-Ultimate, extract the Ha data, and blend it with the L-Pro color data to enhance the Ha regions of the galaxy. The new L-Quad Enhance filter has a better response to the Ha regions in galaxies. I noticed that when I was doing my tests on M33 with it. So I'll do a re-shoot of M51 with that filter.

[@pa60pilot]

Nice job. Please consider mixing the music volume lower relative to your voice. It must be challenging/frustrating doing AP from a big city.

[@davidpage9769]

Nice work! Loved the video.

[@KJsCosmos]

Loved the video keep up all the hard work! Great image and great music! :)

[@DSOImager]

Great shot! Really nice colors.

[@jongoldsby]

Are place your camera at -10C or 10 degrees below ambient? Great image you even caught a smaller galaxy in the lower right of the frame.

[@AstroParkAstrophotography]

Yeah, when I say -10 degrees C, I'm talking about 10 degrees below ambient temperature. Also, the smaller galaxy to the lower right is IC 4263! You've got a keen eye!

[@brucemullis479]

Nice one, like to see you find some dark skies with no ambient light.

[@AstroParkAstrophotography]

Hopefully once things start getting back to normal, I would like to visit a dark site. That's the dream!

[@vsawyer61]

very nice

[@billvinson7859]

I live in South Tacoma Washington. We have the new LED lighting so it is a Bortal 8 or 9. I use the Optalong L-Extreme filter for deep sky. To get away from the light pollution I go to Mt Rainier during the summer. It is at 62 hundred feet so it gets closed down during the winter because of snow. But in the summer it gives great sky’s.

[@TitanAnyMe]

Really enjoyable video, I'm about to buy my first telescope. I'm going for the celestron nexstar 6se. Would love to see more video's of your work

[@christophmartin5381]

Excellent result !

[@rickspeedygonzales]

Just came across your vid, great work! How do you like the Eon refractor? I'm at my wits end with collimating (an SCT), I really like the specs on that scope.....

[@AstroParkAstrophotography]

The EON 130 performs well both visually and photographically. I also have an EdgeHD 9.25 SCT. I've only collimated it a couple of times, as it seems to hold collimation pretty well so far.

[@SohsoBlox]

Wow! Beatiful image,nice

[@spookydonkey2195]

Great vid and image, keep it up!

[@mupangamwanakatwe1300]

Congratulations and well done, an excellent image!! Would appreciate a video on your Pixinsight processing for the Galaxy, if possible. Warm regards, Mupanga (Zambia)

[@AstroParkAstrophotography]

Thank you! I do plan to do processing tutorials in future videos!

[@BrianFraser]

Really well covered, for. Newbie like me that was really informative. How were you powering everything?

[@AstroParkAstrophotography]

I use a couple of external batteries to power my equipment.

[@starlust.]

Very informative video. Great work :)

[@User1dentification]

Like your Voice! Keep on Doing! Best wishes from Germany :)

[@AZ4RunnersRealm]

Nice Job!! How Do you like the 130mm EON?? That is a beast of a scope.. Great capture of M51.. very nicley done!! Clear Skies!

[@AstroParkAstrophotography]

The EON 130 has served me well thus far. Looking forward to getting more photos with it!

[@matthewbrown8679]

Have you switched to NINA yet? Took me a while to switch to.NINA from APT. It was hard to leave that compfort zone. There's no comparison. NINA is anazing, and will save you sooo much time.

[@AstroParkAstrophotography]

I tend to have a "If it isn't broken, then don't fix it" mentality when it comes to most things in life. APT hasn't failed me yet, but I will look into NINA eventually.

[@nocturneastro2539]

That was a great image, fantastic job!

[@hosephanerothe1440]

Awesome end result but yes turn music down a little please - good tunes tho

[@joshuagraves3844]

Hey can you put the gear you use in the description?

[@AstroParkAstrophotography]

I've edited the description so you should be able to see it now

[@davidjackson7675]

Nice job.

[@curtisbeimborn1800]

So cool!

[@tkarthikeya5872]

It's amazing