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Comet Lovejoy
Lens: DA* 300 Camera: Pentax K-30 Photo Location: Virginia ISO: 16000 Aperture: F4.5 
Posted By: loco, 01-17-2015, 09:22 AM

Here's an image of Comet Lovejoy from last night. Not that this is a particularly great shot, but I'm continually amazed at what you can capture with a DSLR. When I got into photography, I never imagined I'd be out at night trying to take photos of nebulae and galaxies and comets.

This is 11 stacked 10 second exposures taken at ISO 16000 with the K-30 and DA* 300 at f/4.5. I used the O-GPS1 to prevent trailing during the 10sec exposures and Deep Sky Stacker to stack the exposures. Processed in Lightroom 4.

Thanks for looking!



Last edited by loco; 01-25-2015 at 08:07 AM.
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01-17-2015, 09:38 AM - 1 Like   #2
NKK
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Wow, it's beutiful!
I wanted to see it, but missed it because of clouds, should have been clearest here in Scandinavia around the 7th of January, if i remember correct
01-17-2015, 09:46 AM - 1 Like   #3
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that is fantastic Lori, you've really branched out in photography. Now I've got to give this a try. Thanks for the information on what program to use for stacking. very impressive work here my friend.
01-17-2015, 09:59 AM   #4
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That's a good image. Just shows what a combination of stacking and high ISO can bring about

01-17-2015, 11:44 AM   #5
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QuoteOriginally posted by NKK Quote
Wow, it's beutiful!
I wanted to see it, but missed it because of clouds, should have been clearest here in Scandinavia around the 7th of January, if i remember correct
Thank you! I believe it's still quite bright for another few days at least. I think I read it was actually brighter for a few days after the 7th, even though that was the day it was closest. So, don't feel like you have missed it!

QuoteOriginally posted by Bob Harris Quote
that is fantastic Lori, you've really branched out in photography. Now I've got to give this a try. Thanks for the information on what program to use for stacking. very impressive work here my friend.
Thank you, Bob! I really appreciate that!

QuoteOriginally posted by W412ren Quote
That's a good image. Just shows what a combination of stacking and high ISO can bring about
Indeed. Many thanks for taking the time to look and comment!
01-17-2015, 08:04 PM - 1 Like   #6
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Great image. I still can't find this comet and I have clear dark skies. I must try again tonight.
01-17-2015, 10:15 PM   #7
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Excellent capture. I found that a 200 mm with 3 second exposure to be just barely acceptable as far as trailing goes.

01-18-2015, 12:28 AM   #8
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Great image. Are you using a tracked mount or Astrotracer?
01-18-2015, 01:58 AM   #9
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QuoteOriginally posted by PJ1 Quote
Great image. I still can't find this comet and I have clear dark skies. I must try again tonight.
Thank you! It shouldn't be too far from the Pleiades if you can locate that. Look to the right and slightly up. It is a small hazy smudge through binoculars.

QuoteOriginally posted by Ex Finn. Quote
Excellent capture. I found that a 200 mm with 3 second exposure to be just barely acceptable as far as trailing goes.
Thank you! Yes, star trails are a nuisance! I did use the O-GPS1.

QuoteOriginally posted by Ian.morgan Quote
Great image. Are you using a tracked mount or Astrotracer?
Thank you! I'm sorry, I forgot to mention I was using the O-GPS1. It said I could do a 1 minute exposure, but 10 sec was as long as it could manage without trailing.
01-18-2015, 03:32 AM - 1 Like   #10
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QuoteOriginally posted by loco Quote
from the Pleiades if you can locate that. Look to the right and slightly up

Thanks! Found it. Sounds almost like directions given by Holly in Red Dwarf!
01-18-2015, 04:05 AM   #11
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QuoteOriginally posted by loco Quote
Thank you! I believe it's still quite bright for another few days at least. I think I read it was actually brighter for a few days after the 7th, even though that was the day it was closest. So, don't feel like you have missed it!
Cool - thank you, i will try look for it when the clouds go away
01-22-2015, 07:29 PM   #12
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Any chance that the smudge at the top right is it? Think I missed it Name:  ImageUploadedByTapatalk1421980146.138175.jpg
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01-23-2015, 05:49 AM   #13
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Hey, Lori - I almost missed this marvelous photo - super job!

Jer
01-23-2015, 06:18 AM   #14
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QuoteOriginally posted by Ian.morgan Quote
Any chance that the smudge at the top right is it? Think I missed it
I'm not sure but I don't think so. It's more of a fuzzy green smudge.

QuoteOriginally posted by Sailor Quote
Hey, Lori - I almost missed this marvelous photo - super job!

Jer
Thanks very much, Jer! Glad you like it!
01-23-2015, 07:19 AM   #15
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Great photo! It's amazing how much of a difference dark skies can make. My same attempts at Lovejoy captured more light pollution and atmospheric moisture. I need to get out to a darker location before the comet is gone. You grabbed a great shot and more detail in the tail than I did.


obin
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