beautiful image
→ have a good weekend, Steve!

Thank you one I have always wanted to take.

Brilliant work Steve.. you are a true Pro'....I see all your Exif' and tackle but it still amazes me how the camera remains on the exact same position over such a lengthy time and multiple shots.. at such vast distances I would think that a passing gnats breath would cause image movement - stunning work indeed - Keep well - and 'Best Wishes' to you - from Dj.. UK.

DJ the best way to explain how it stays on target night after night and all night long or if i came back to target in a years time, the image is plate solved ( checked against the original star plan/pattern). I think the thing that people don't realize is each shot of space is unique each has there own star pattern. Every two shots is plate solved ( star patten checked) to keep the shot on track, the shot is also guided so the stars stay in exactly the same spot and don't move in the frame. The original plan the system knows the stars in the planed shot so it keeps it to those stars. That is not to say there is no movement there is very little, that is automatically cropped out on the edges as the stars are stacked on each the same.

When you consider there is 120 x3 filters shots 360 shots that make up the background and there is 30 x3 filters shots for the stars 90 shot making a total of 450 shot to make the single shot you see above all stacked together so that can make a final image . Why so many, to get the detail in the shot plain and simple, a total of 30 shot has the basic shape but none of the intricate detail you see above. A gnat would not even cause a ficker but clouds and planes do cause a problem let alone satellites.

There are some very smart people out there that worked all this out I just use the programs to my advantage. We are also blessed with clear skies so are able to do this. This area I will come back to next year as its getting too high in the sky for a nights shooting. I hope you get to come back and read this as it all makes sense once you know how the system works.

I did' come back thanks a lot Steve for your further info'.. which I read through several times.. I now have a good insight of 'new to me', 'plate solving' .I also did a Net'. look around and found,. '''Nighttime Imaging 'N' Astronomy''' I might be reading too deep and unnecessary for what I need to know on there but I find the systems and programmes all so fascinating.
To sum up would it be true to say that > Staying on target via 'Plate solving' means the system recognises the previous images - and kind of re-''locks on''' to the image (as you quote 'checked against the original plan/ pattern) and continues the process or programme set up into your system ?

Thanks again Steve,.. keep up your brilliant work,.. and Cheers'.. from Dj.

Overwhelming again, Steve! Fantastic work!

The filaments are quite specular when you see them this close up. Many thanks

Incredible shots!

Thank you... space has some quite spectacular things out there.

Brilliant as ever Steve..,

Thank you, I will keep at this as the rewards are images like this.

100% I tried to keep its simple.

You provide us lots of dreamy photos, specially wide on 27" iMac screen... ******************************************
Guess you have a lot of work done and gear to perform such wonders, you could publish on astronomical magazines also on Nat Geo !

You are right this is the culmination of all the ups down and all that work to get shots like this. Its interesting when my father passed away I was asked to come back to NZ to clear out the house. I found the book that sparked my interest but the photo was so poor early 60's of the Horse Head Nebula.





Even my two images totally put the book to shame so I did not keep it. I get a lot of enjoyment out of this and I know it will never be mastered by Ai.

Marvellous work and great results, Steve.