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Near Cotopaxi, CO USA
04:00 am
Canon R full spectrum Tamron 90mm Macro 120sec f2.8 iso3200 53 shots + 10 flats
Star Adventurer 2i for tracking
I have been experimenting since 9/12/23 on what combination of exposure and iso to use. It seems that a longer exposure and lower iso have been a better choice. Barnard's loop itself is a relatively faint object compared to like the Orion Nebula so trying to find a balance of exposure for the faint and bright has proved really tricky for me. I will have to claim my place as an amateur and I am learning more and more. I am excited about being able to do this with basic camera gear. The only thing unique I have is my camera that has been modified to give me full spectrum that helps bring out some color and is more sensitive to light.
Affinity Photo 2 used for stacking and processing, Starnet2 used to separate stars.
This was by far the most difficult project I have processed. The adjustments were very sensitive. I have so much to learn about processing. What a challenge.
The most exciting thing about this image is that it is the first time I have managed to get a decent pic of Barnard's loop around Orion. And the next most exciting thing is that I managed to include a meteor from a single shot taken that morning of 10/19 that had a pic of a meteor from the Orionid meteor shower. I managed to align the meteor correctly with the surrounding stars in my stacked image (this was the image discussed in the newsletter on 10/20).
I also must reference and thank Amr Abdulwahab. Last January he published a really cool pic of Barnard's loop taken from the desert in Egypt. That pic and his explanation have served as my inspiration to take this pic. Thank you Amr. I promise to improve my skills as time goes by.
