"Take Us With You for a Night of Astrophotography"

I used my camera and telescope to photograph the Rho Ophiuchi Cloud Complex. Despite some early setbacks, I managed to capture a decent image of this incredible deep-sky object!
EQUIPMENT USED:
Camera: bit.ly/45uK7r8
Telescope: bit.ly/42Mwumj
Mount: bit.ly/44E7LAa
IMAGE PROCESSING GUIDE:
bit.ly/astroph...
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The final image includes 35 x 3-minute exposures using a one-shot-color camera without a filter!
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[@paulmatley8818]

I loved this format. Not getting bogged down in processing, just a road trip to a dark site to image an object that is impossible from my home - lost in glaring light pollution. The wide field shots of Scorpius skirting the horizon, being tracked by the rig, we were all there with you. Very relaxing!

[@AstroBackyard]

Thank you!

[@bekenhagyjal7567]

I've been following your channel for the past of 1,5-2 years, You, Nico, Alyn and Astrobiscuits inspired me to start my astrophotography journey. I like this video a lot. I like that its a bit longer than usual, and shows things you are not often showing, like how you set up your rig and other stuff like packing your gear before moving out to the location. It had a chill vibe, and I felt more connected and engaged. The usual "Here is my million$ rig consisting of this-this-and that, let me plop it outside my garage, poof, here are the results" kinda videos got slightly repetitive. But this one... this one is golden. Loved it.

[@EvenTheDogAgrees]

CosmicCaptures is another one that just popped up in the past year with some interesting videos. A bit different from the aforementioned, and seems to cover a wider part of the astrophotography landscape, not just narrowly focusing on one type of astrophotography. But some variety is OK. For the rest, yeah, pretty much the ones you mentioned, and Reflactor when I want to watch a guy fixing a banged-up telescope.

[@sunset986S]

When the big reveal came at 17:37 it was a holy crap moment for me since I wasn't expecting such a detailed image! With all those dangling cables during set up this is RedCat spaghetti imaging at its best...you're the five star chef of astrophotography Trevor 🤩

[@AstroBackyard]

😄

[@RCOverlanding]

Haha love the glass break noises!! Freaked me out till I figured you added them in 😂 Thanks for another great episode Trevor!! Inspiring.

[@EvenTheDogAgrees]

Reminded me a bit of the Reflactor channel, but he also throws in a Wilhelm scream along with it. 🤣

[@DylanODonnell]

Super chill vibe. 👌🏼

[@timbotron4000]

That's an amazing image for just about 3 hours of exposure! The power of darker skies

[@astrosathya1984]

Your processing skills are next level. Even with so much vignetting in each sample exposure you showed. you must be getting your flats spot on. Kudos.

[@marcusjancewicz8927]

Always thumbs up for everything that you do. The only problem is that you make things look so easily done. Big thank you from a small group of us in Kissimmee Florida.

[@michaeldeering3996]

I got into Astrophotography only about 12 months ago and you Trevor have been my number one inspiration to delve deeply into it and now its becoming a serious passion of mine. Following your channel and watching your tutorials has made the experience fun and fulfilling and not worrying about all the do's and don't's you find all over the internet. As i write this iv got my scope collecting images on the Dragons of Ara during a nice break from 3 weeks of rain clouds here in west aus. This video as with all your others has been a pleasure to watch, Stunning image 👍👍👍

[@thomasphennigan]

Darn it Trevor ! Video after video you keep spurring us on ! I just acquired an AM5 along with the Red Cat 51 and I’m salivating at the possibilities because of you . Lots to learn but I’m prepared for an exciting journey . Keep those videos coming! You are needed in the astrophotography community!!!

[@KarlKyhl]

Thank you Trevor. You really captured why a lot of us got into this hobby. Not as flashy as produuction , but still high quality .. One of my favorites of yours!

[@astronotna]

Epic indeed! Great photo and really inspiring. I noticed it out in my skies here, too. It's always an emotional sight to behold and marks just the beginning of what is come for our summer. Just need to shake these pesky clouds off that seem to just hang on! Wishing you and everyone clear skies!! Lets goooo!

[@scarman123]

Love how your videos actually tell a story. Well thought out.

[@DavidStrong-yy4th]

Great job Trevor! I hope you’ve inspired people to go to dark sky sites. Your video does a great job explaining how it can be done and the amazing results that can be obtained. Thank you!

[@DeepSpaceAstro]

I heard glass break twice and panicked for you both times! ☹️ What was that?

[@AstroBackyard]

Just sound effects... power cable fell in the grass. twice lol

[@luboinchina3013]

I heard it too

[@johnbaker1263]

I thought it was a test...😅😅

[@jesuschrist2284]

Empty beer bottles hopefully

[@TTaylor]

I backed it up 3 times trying to figure out what was up with that. 🤦‍♂️

[@Wheeljack678]

I really enjoy these astro-vlogs of yours when you go on small adventures like this. Inspirational, chill and very atmospheric.

[@AstroBackyard]

Thanks man. My favorite videos to make

[@dasimcoes]

Great image and video Trevor. Your creativity and video processing keep getting better and better.

[@avt_astro206]

Nice shot Trevor! I'm glad You got that globular cluster in the frame too!

[@davidforcier4]

Hi! For your tripod, I would highly advise to get a stone bag. You can get the Vangard's one for like 20$CAD and instead on everything hanging on a small hook, everything would rest in the bag (and still adding weight to it, and probably even adding it lower, lowering gravity center) :)

[@karthikeya6276]

Liked this video very much. As a person who spent most of my life living in cities with high pollution (both kinds), seeing and getting to know about dark sky sites is very fascinating. Will try reaching for one in the near future and will follow your guidelines for astrophotography. Thank you for all this!

[@LittleHubble]

New video from astrophotographer=good day

[@Therajufamily]

Thanks for sharing such inspiring hands-on astrophotography field trips. Getting to think serious about this hobby now. You posting list of equipments is very helpful.

[@peterrichardson4439]

Fantastic capture. You are so lucky living where you do for dark spring and summer skies. I live in Finland and it never gets dark here in those seasons

[@robinhoward6447]

Thank you for sharing this. Trying to capture this where I live is just not possible, it's way too low on the horizon from my latitude. Beautiful photo, there's so much going on in that field of view. Clear skies!

[@brunoqueiros2971]

Damn what a rig... 3000€ camera 1500€ mount, 250€€ tripod, 500€ asiair pc, 900€ telescope and the scope ohh man the things money can buy, i wish i had the budget to get something like this! Great video Trevor, loved it

[@gregsuskin7366]

Wonderful shot Trevor. I'm amazed that at your latitude the image is so clear. I'd expect shooting so low in the sky would simply not allow such an image. Gorgeous.

[@johnposavatz]

Hey Trevor, I really appreciated the longer format video, including your setup commentary, this time. Great stuff! I actually run a 10amp power connection to my AM5, and then from there I daisy chain power from the mount to my ASIair, which in turn powers everything else (2600mm, EAF, EFW, OAG guide camera, and 1 dew heater for my main scope). This works well for me, and no need for a power strip. Fully portable with a Jackery 300 battery for 1-2 nights.

[@jeanettepotter4435]

Gorgeous!! Thank you for showing us your process…your excuse for the cables is totally valid!

[@christianheras4192]

I felt/perceived sadness at the end... Hope everything is ok. Astonished with the final image! Thanks for sharing!

[@AstroBackyard]

Really interesting you mentioned that. I originally had a father's day message at that part but I am trying to stay more personal about certain things. Thank you for noticing - I am pretty intentional with every second of these videos!

[@christianheras4192]

@@AstroBackyard the lights of the stars at night are one of my shelters too, thanks for inspiring us all Trev, God bless you.

[@damiengalanaud3817]

Nice shot in such a short time ! I can feel your frustration while driving to the dark site and seeing the clouds stubbornly refusing to clear away. I have experienced such thing quiet a number of times these last 6 months, driving away from Paris to reach a clear site, only to find it still covered in clouds. Hope summer will be better.

[@RaulMartinez-pq5in]

Im learning so much from your videos. Every video has small bits of information and tips for the new astrophotographer.

[@MrGp3po]

Hey a tip for those assembled astro rigs- I like to use plastic tubs like you get at Walmart. My favorites are the clear ones with colored lid that have handles molded into the tub and lid. I usually get a few pieces of open cell foam in the sewing section to pad the bottom. (My HEQ5 mount fits nicely in one that is rugged enough for this heavy stuff.) These make inexpensive, secure, and dust free cases to transport delicate equipment.

[@TonyGardnerRC]

Great video Trevor, shame I wasn't able to make the premier for this one, was definitely past my bedtime! This is the sort of video that I really enjoy, something a bit longer and a bit more detail about the process, target and equipment. Its what got me hooked on your channel in the first place.

[@AstroBackyard]

Thank you. It felt good to make this video

[@BLastrophoto]

My favorite region of the sky and wonderfully captured! Surprised by how much you captured in such a short time. Redcat FTW! I’ve got a Pleiades 68 on the way and Rho will be first light for that one. Cracked me up when you talked about cable management. I feel the same way. I zip tie everything and then find myself tearing it all apart days later when I want to change something. Great content as always dude!

[@Astrobloke]

Currently on holiday in Greece from the UK. Rho is a target I have always wanted to try. So at 38deg N and not my usual 52deg I have a chance. Got my EOS-R and 24-105mm L kit lens F4 and msm Nomad star tracker. Cannot wait to get home and see what I got. Hope its as beautiful as your shot Trevor, clear skies

[@AstroBackyard]

Awesome! Thanks and clear skies

[@greglight5808]

Wow that was a fantastic result for just a few hours of data and no filter. Best part of refractor telescopes is that you cant forget your mirror cell in the storage unit 😅 great viddy

[@ozzielfc1568]

Great video Trevor. Nothing beats getting into dark skies. You should really head to Australia where Scorpius is overhead throughout our winter here in Perth... great views and around 10 hours imaging time. Thanks for the video, fantastic image, clear skies.

[@daanklein880]

Fantastic video! This slower paced type of video showing us trough your process of setting up without rushing trough it, is something that we need more of on this platform. So much better than the high-energy (exhausting) editing style on most other channels. Very enjoyable, and a fantastic result for the relatively short exposure time you captured. Also, great tip to connect the storage drive to the USB 3.0 port. I've always used those ports for the main -and guide camera. Do you think there'd be a downside to switching the guidecamera to 2.0?

[@celestialclarity]

Thanks Trevor. This has inspired me to book a weekend trip away to do more dark sky astrophotography!!

[@DLMVegas]

My favorite sky object as well. I finally moved off grid out to a bortle 3/4 area myself and with a 20 minute car ride I'm in a Bortle 2 area.

[@AstroBackyard]

Amazing 👏

[@David-on7co]

Great Video. Love the channel. Just starting out with visual and learning the sky, but it's always fun to watch your content and get excited for the future!

[@AstroBackyard]

Thank you! Clear skies!

[@MrSkySharks]

It would be great to see how you process an image like this! With so many different things going on, I would imagine there are more steps to consider. Awesome shot, brother.

[@whale-nn5rq]

8:58Steve passed by and tossed a bottle of Night Vision Potion.

[@AstroBackyard]

haha

[@markwright748]

Thank you for this video Trevor. I shall definitely try for this with my WO GT81 in the next few weeks.

[@Gumba213]

Wow, amazing image. You really inspired me to get into this hobby. Thanks for all your great work.

[@AstroBenni]

nice video Trevor ! That complex is really amazing

[@bjornhel]

Great video! I just have to say that on several occations, I've had to Shazam your videos to search for the music you use. I have discovered several artists that way. You have great taste in music as well as skill in Astrophotography. Keep up the good work!

[@stuartriley4976]

For ease of leveling, I use a Manfrotto 438 leveling head. It has a payload capacity of over 30lbs. For rotation, I use a Feisol PB-90 with a payload capacity of over 80lbs. Combined, these two make leveling an orienting way faster. You may want to consider looking into these for your smaller mounts.

[@nikaxstrophotography]

Really enjoyed the video and the final image Nicely done!

[@AstroBackyard]

Thanks man

[@Eretaloma]

I'm taking a picture of this right as you uploaded the video! WOW!!!

[@nov3316]

love love love this type of video. small suggestion for next videos, could you lower the music volume for the ultimate reveals at the end and replace it with something that is not harsh EDM(?).

[@AstroBackyard]

lol suggestion noted. I get carried away in the edit 😄

[@nov3316]

@@AstroBackyard :D

[@cjmenagh882]

As long as you get no cable snags those rigs with all the cables tight against each other not only put extra tension on the cable increasing the failure risk but also increases risk of cross talk and interference.

[@stefanschneider3681]

What a fun video!! So hands on 👍😊! And the picture ... man 🤩!!

[@AstroBackyard]

Thank you!!

[@stefanschneider3681]

@@AstroBackyard Wellcome: A little story about that target, if you don't mind: I am from Switzerland where one storm after the other is coming in from the Atlantic. But in April we went on vacation in Egypt and I just took my camera and tripod with me. The seeing was excellent, not as hazy as it often is there, but first I took pictures in the evening, 12P for example, just because I needed the sleep. But when fidling with SkyGuide I suddenly realised: Hey, the core of the Milky Way is way higher here after flying south for 4 hours! So in one of the last nights I gut up at two in the morning, took wonderful pictures of the Milky Way with my mighty fifty, really challenged the camera and my MacBook with over 200 4 second exposures and all the calibration frames, came out great. Then I changed to the 75-300 and focused at that Rho-thing. Of course with not star tracker I was limited to 1 second exposures, high ISO, with the stock lense I had elongated stars in the corners etc, but still, with quite some post-processing-magic it come out alright, love the result! For the first time I could really see those dark streaks of dust covering a lot of stars. And just being out there, the quietness at the beach, the smell of the sea, later the birds awaking, just a beautiful memory.

[@kyzercube]

Fantastic image! One of my fellow amateur astronomers across the state took a Rho Ophiuchi cloud complex image just a few nights ago and it was this good. He's got some really nice equipment.

[@Si-fp2ij]

What great spot Trevor! Makes me wanna get going on my next road trip. Love the image and process 👏👏🌌🔭 Cheers Simon

[@kaichwo]

8:58 that glass shatter sound made my heart stop😢😅

[@briantheprimateastro]

I really enjoyed the change up in pace with this video. :) You could do a whole series perhaps on AirBnB's that are great for a base for astrophotography.

[@MrMrduke1975]

Great video! Always envious of your awesome equipment! I thought id start this hobby and just be happy with my WO GT71, but I can’t believe I’ve been bitten by the bug that makes a person want a bigger scope! lol! So in love with astrophotography!

[@SamuelSheridan-h6o]

The GT71 is a killer scope

[@MrMrduke1975]

@@SamuelSheridan-h6oit is! I just bought the Player One 533 mono, and that would be the perfect scope to learn mono on. It’s so forgiving

[@star_titan]

13:05 that evil Starlink sat

[@ACW_Astro]

I can see that you put hours into every video you post, keep up the good work!

[@justinhofmann2599]

You will enjoy Aus in a few weeks. Rho is right on the meridian here around 11pm at the moment!

[@KingLoopie1]

Beautiful image as always, Trevor! 👍👍

[@AstroBackyard]

Thank you!

[@ian408]

The detail is much better than I expected!

[@oldgittarist]

Stunning result, Trevor!

[@Rick_B52]

Good gravy so much detail and colors! Great shot!

[@gamerchanleanne8512]

on the right screen of the photo it looks like a 3 sun's together, eitherway beautiful picture as always!

[@bigjimny]

Loved the talk through the process and the result was far better than I imagined. Would be interested in a talk through of the B-roll setup, both the time lapse and the slow pans as they are also much better than I have achieved

[@lostmypicks]

That looks stunning. I'm for sure going to mosaic that with my little seestar. Haha. Awesome dude. Love the videos

[@anthonygraham6449]

You always keep it real. Nice work.

[@philleng480]

I went to South Africa to get Rho Ophiucus. Bortle not much however many bush fires. Still got a few hours and a cracking image.

[@jffro]

Awesome vid mate - can’t wait for u to come down to Aus & maybe do a comparison image / vid of Rho

[@justinlefebvre7582]

Absolutely stunning work! Cant wait to start on this target soon!!

[@astronomybob]

Great video and image Trevor!

[@AstroBackyard]

Thanks Bob! I drove past your area on the way there!

[@AndreaGirones]

I liked the step by step and love the FOVof the Redcat and rho!!

[@physmc1]

Nicely done! As you said that one is really low for us Canadian. It's on my bucket list of DSO to capture!

[@McCritRaid]

Awesome capture and it must of taken some time to process! Thank you for sharing! :)

[@celiaxel3448]

Really nice video and gorgeous target! Thanks!

[@hartcityparanormal115]

Stunning image!! It's been so cloudy here in Northern Indiana that I haven't been able to get out in about a month and a half. The only clear moonless lights have been on work nights, which makes it difficult to get out to a Bortle 4 sky about an hour away. Ugh!

[@chrishanson3497]

Trevor, how about using s D-clip to put your wires in and then put the D-clip on the tripod hook, that might help the cable management. Just a thought.

[@batfirewaf123]

lol I was setup to go after the Pinwheel tonight but after watching your video Im turning to this complex and taking that tonight, Im using my sharpstar 94mm EDPH tonight on adx mount. We will see. Thanks for sharing.

[@TiagoRamos79]

Hi Trevor, thanks for the new video. As you know, there are many brands that manufacture Power Hubs. I recently acquired a very small and very cheap one for small setups, for my plug and play setup with the Air Pro and a Samyang 135 F2, I purchased the Power HUB from a manufacturer called Deep Sky Dad: "DC HUB 2". Although it has two Pegasus Power Boxes, each one will power two other setups. This one from Deep Sky Dad is very small, cheap and reliable, it looks impeccable in my Samyang setup. This way you don't have a tangle of wires on the tripod. Hope this helps. Big hug from Portugal.

[@BiscuitAdvisory]

considering doing this. living in SW Ontario. have a popup tent trailer and plan to use Hipcamp for campsites on peoples farms. $100 is double the price youd expect from Hipcamp here btw

[@raycapetillo5569]

You know how some people live vicariously through the actions of extreme sports athletes? Yea not me, I live vicariously through astrophotographers like yourself because this shot you captured is just breathtaking! I really want to get started taking pictures with my camera and meager Astromaster 130. It's small, non digital, but one of these days Alice.. To the moon!

[@josh8560]

Awesome picture and video, too, Trevor!!

[@R.Hogarth]

Great video, but I have a quick question. Have you considered using a tripod "stone bag" rather than hanging you gear from a hook on the tripod? It would still add the weight to stabilize the tripod, but it would put no tension on either end of the cables. An additional benefit is that it would "cradle" your gear so that if there is a breeze, the gear won't swing in the breeze..

[@AstroBackyard]

I have used one of those - and you're right, it's a much better solution!

[@richardjudge8]

I live too far north, plus hills, trees, houses etc, to ever shoot this target 😢, wonderful video as always.

[@AstroBackyard]

Thank you!

[@clarencemumphrey]

Stunning! 🎯

[@angelteron8205]

I can't wait to get to this level of astrophotography

[@hunter133official]

me too

[@jimcumming7966]

Always enjoy your videos, what a tangled web of wires tho. Wishing you clear dark skies.

[@georgecarlinismytribe]

Smashed glass sound effects :) :) :)

[@rolsonn]

Outstanding video! Thank you!

[@craigwallace6601]

That target will be right overhead in Byron Bay in July... And long nights too. Nice work.

[@JMLAstrophotos]

Idk why but the glass break sound effects were hilarious to me. Awesome shot!

[@AstroBackyard]

I laughed out loud watching it back in the edit lol

[@NebulaeFlames]

wohohooo!!!, that made me speechless🤩

[@briankotak403]

Beautiful image Trev! I have Rho on my target list for this week if I can get a clear night. My framing won’t be quite as wide, as I will use my WO ZenithStar 61 with a 0.8x reducer and 2600MC Pro. Looks like the bugs were not too bad for you. It is a blood fest out here after dark. Dr B from Manitoba, Canada 🇨🇦

[@spacekip38]

Great location to stay at!

[@nireesh]

Epic picture! I’ve got to find a dark sky spot like that

[@Dana_Watson]

Get a dummy battery for your Canon. I switched to one on my Nikon D5300, and haven't looked back. One less worry all night! Great work as always. I've got open access to a Bortle 3, 300 acre field in Mississippi if you ever want to test your equipment against humidity, we invented the word down here. 😂

[@duanemelvin292]

Awesome video. Thanks for this inspiration!

[@МаксимКозлов-к4и]

Amazing! Thanks!