Celestial hemisphere:  Southern  ·  Constellation: Scorpius (Sco)  ·  Contains:  IC 4603  ·  IC 4604  ·  IC 4605  ·  M 4  ·  NGC 6121  ·  Part of the constellation Scorpius (Sco)  ·  The star 13Sco  ·  The star 22Sco  ·  The star Al Niyat (σSco)  ·  The star Antares (αSco)  ·  The star θOph  ·  The star οSco  ·  The star τSco  ·  The star ω1Sco  ·  The star ω2Sco  ·  The star ωOph  ·  rho Oph nebula
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Rho Ophiuchi (using iOptron SkyTracker), Gilbert Ikezaki
Rho Ophiuchi (using iOptron SkyTracker)
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Rho Ophiuchi (using iOptron SkyTracker)

Getting plate-solving status, please wait...
Rho Ophiuchi (using iOptron SkyTracker), Gilbert Ikezaki
Rho Ophiuchi (using iOptron SkyTracker)
Powered byPixInsight

Rho Ophiuchi (using iOptron SkyTracker)

Equipment

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Acquisition details

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Description

The more I use a tracker the more convinced I am that a beginning deep sky astro-photographer should start with one. I sure wish I did. My kit for this photo included:

Canon 60Da Camera

Transcend 32GB SDXC Class10 UHS-1 Flash Memory Card

Rokinon 50mm F1.4 Lens

iOptron SkyTracker Camera Mount with Polar Scope

Eteyo PRO Bk-45 Gimbal Tripod Head

Desmond DPL70 PL-70 70mm Quick Release Plate (Arca Swiss Compatible)

Mefoto GlobeTrotter Travel Tripod

Neewer LCD Timer Shutter Release Remote Control

Using a gimbal head means the camera and lens are always balanced with respect to the RA axis. Compared to a ball head, the gimbal makes tracking much more accurate, and it makes it much easier to point the lens at the target. Compared to a GEM configuration, there is no need for a counterweight, and the payload on the tracker is much lighter. This lens is not sharp wide open, and was stopped down to f/2.8.

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Rho Ophiuchi (using iOptron SkyTracker), Gilbert Ikezaki

In these public groups

SDAA AISIG Group