Photographing the PINWHEEL GALAXY with a Small Telescope 

Trevor says he is going to take a picture using a "small" telescope...

"I think the moon is at 70%" *94% intensifies* I swear, I have a love-hate relationship with that moon. I feel your pain Trevor, stay safe out there!

You beeing so calm, so thorough and your voice made me join this hobby this year. You are a true inspiration.

Fingers crossed that the auto-captions are a little more accurate this time!

it's so hard to imagine that that galaxy right there contains another bazillion stars with planets and probably life.

My favorite argument for the hand controller that I still use: it. just. works. It's also really cool to show people and letting them push the "enter" button to slew the mount. They always love that.

Phenomenal!!!! I love this channel!!!! I’ve been talking with chuck for 3 years and watched him grow as an astrophotographer...he is an amazing person and I’m so glad he got mentioned for his amazing work!!! Thank you for everything you do!!!!

Can’t believe it’s taken me this long to come across your channel and videos. It combines two of my favorite things. Astronomy and photography. The only thing I’ve captured from space is the moon using a cheap $50 telescope and my phone.

Parents: Honey, what do you want for christmas? Me: Parents: *uHH*

That new lens for outdoor video is niiiiice Trevor. Good to see you used a behind the scenes clip of the livestream! If this means you have compromising footage of me talking smack please destroy it ;)

The way he introduces the galaxy at the drop of the beat ✨🥁

I gotta say... this was inspiring. I had ONE clear night, just last night, so I set up my 130mm APO and tried to get some data from M101 from MY backyard. I'm looking forward to seeing how it worked... (still capturing the dark frames, even now.) Thanks, Trevor, for the idea/inspiration.

Love the tips! Never knew about adding a custom Stellarium horizon. As always, great video Trevor. Cheers from snowy Alberta!

Just imaged M101 last night, 2nd night imaging ever. This channel is honestly the best, it’s the reason I started this hobby

My wife and I recently found your channel. All I can say is what a treasure. It's an honor to be a new subscriber. We've decided that we'd really love to start this as a hobby. Thanks for what you do. Stay safe.

Keep making videos - They’re the highlight of my week!

Keep sharing all those hints, tips and tricks...Here's a few from my journey... Saw your new video notification for M101, it was on my observing list, so I fired up my gear last night - got just under 5 hours of subs using LRGB and a nebula filter. However, the Moon was incredibly bright and caused havoc on my M51 subs. Agree - PoleMaster is the efficient and effective way for a really good polar alignment. Have tried the EQ6 pole scope with not much luck. I move the PoleMaster camera between mounts - makes it easy to spread the cost of the camera over a couple of mounts. ASIair PA likely works well, and will find time to master this software. I find a red dot to be the best way to do one-star alignment - once you've got the main scope and red dot nicely aligned (zeroed in), doing a one-star alignment gets much easier and quick. ASIair plate solving works really well for me (solve & synch is a great feature), but last night was the first time to get APT to work with Pointcraft - figured it wouldn't work first time - but amazingly it all worked nice with CDC, synching to the mount, and centering the image with the FOV calculator in APT. Remote control - I've got an Intel NUC, loaded with all of the software and mounted on the scope (with a WiFi extender) but have found an ethernet cable (100') is the best connection and then run Desktop Remote (free with Windows 10pro). I can then pull the NUC off the scope, bring it it and transfer images. Have a few tools that I can peek at saved FITS files, stretch the image and make sure there's nothing while working remotely (warm and out of harms way from biting bugs in the summer)! Rank amateur, about 305 up the learning curve. Using a William Optics Zenith Star 81, ASIair and ASI071 OSC for most of my DSO photography. My first scope (Nextstar SE3) was used almost exclusively for visual. So, last night, was able to pull together and getting all the hardware (EQ6, NexStar SE8 & ASI183MM), PHD2 & guide scope work with a ASI EFW, and all of software playing nice. My trick in troubleshooting - when things aren't work well, best to restart the parts - sometimes it means restarting in the right order (but this could be my superstition) - I usually start with the computer > mount > camera > guide scope > EFW > electronic focuser, then everything else. Check that you've got all of the power supply needs filled - last night, I found my camera wasn't cooling well (in the status window of APT) and realized my power (12v) was a mere 500mA and I needed 3A. Boosted the power (with a 12v block) and everything worked perfectly. Likewise, I've found power issues are the invisible gremlins - get a good 12V power supply (Trevor has shared the 12v power supply he used in lieu of a battery) that has capacity to delivery at least 10A. Lots of home-brew solutions out there if you are also a Ham radio operator. Tip - I really like SkySafari Pro (works nicely with ASIair) - just learned that I can use the "Tonights Best" and Highlight Objects (Search > Tonights Best > Highlight Objects, including making a tonight's observing list). Toggling the highlight objects puts each of the objects on the planetarium view. Then I check what's interesting, check transit time (to avoid a meridian flip fiasco), what's in the way, and when clouds, dew points or brisk winds will create havoc. So, back to the top - got 20 subs at 180 seconds using LRGB and nebula filter - I've never been able to get 5 hours of imaging on any one night - M101 cooperated and I avoided any complications with meridian flips! No the hard work begins to do the post processing - I'm only at 20% up the learning curve. Final hint - find a good, detailed "cookbook" for PS or PixInsight - keep notes as you work through all of the tweaks, repeat, and keep trying the recipe until you get what's needed to float your boat.

Another great episode, Trevor! Beautiful shot of the Pinwheel. Love this channel even though I'm just a Planetary AP guy. Oh, yeah. I DID see you, Dylan and the gang live on YT the other night! Loved it! Keep up the great work!

I can't tell you how much I appreciate your channel, it has reignited my love for astronomy and spurred me on to get out with my little 90mm mak again. Keep up the great work my friend, love the channel and thanks for sharing your talent and expertise with the world. Clear skies!

Wow the pinwheel galaxy is amazing with stacking images of the galaxy so Tysm for the showing us the beauty of the pinwheel galaxy

Absolutely brilliant! That picture looks so beautiful

One of the best if not THE best channels on YT, just fantastic. Keep em coming!

Trevor this was probably one of my favourite videos from you, thanks so much for your positive attitude and enthusiasm - it’s greatly appreciated at the moment! I’d really love a tutorial some point on how to use star masks and in particular how to blend RGB stars into narrowband images. Awesome Pinwheel!

Thank you for all the time you spend teaching us how to do Astrophotography. This is by far the most interesting and captivating channel I have subscribed to and I am looking forward to seeing more videos of you taking awesome shots of the night sky. Best regards from Romania, man. I will make sure to share your videos and make people from Romania aware of the beauties of Astrophotography. I can't wait for the next video.

Awesome looking one! your quality is getting better everyday! Congrats!

Nice shot Trevor and I like that you use a filter drawer. If I were doing one shot color, I think that filter draw is ideal to keep my whole imaging train threaded. And thanks for the shoutout.

I watched this while I was imaging Venus during the day....Great combination!

I don't care what they say about you and Radian Raptor... this is awesome especially the choice of music at the end.

Another really helpful session - thanks Trevor. I am a plate solver, but I am so pleased you defend the hand controller. If it works for you, use it! Plate solvers can get a bit snobbish at times 😏

Hi Trevor, I‘m one of those „plate- solving guys“. I can’t tell you how satisfying it is when APT says „Goto++ finished“, and your target is centered within a few pixels 🎯 😜

Please keep making these videos I love watching them and you got me into space!

One of my favorite galaxies! Nice job Trevor. Incredible image considering the terrible light pollution next door

Trevor, you should build you a skybox for your backyard. It's relatively cheap and easy to build. Plus once you finish and use it a couple times to setup in, you will be like Why didn't I do this earlier. Beautiful image btw!

Wow great video, the quality just keeps getting better and better. That pinwheel galaxy image is just stunning so great job on that even with the city light.

Man! Awesome B-roll sequences! And amazing results too!

Yes!! Galaxy Season Videos. Love it Trevor--can't wait for the next upload!

_Its pretty cool, when everyday public takes an interest in astronomy and starts paying attention to what we're doing_

Another fun and inspired video. I sometimes run your channel on my living room tv while I go about my business around the house; occasionally pausing to watch and replaying segments. Not only do I learn a lot; I just enjoy your sharing the the joy and peaceful wonder of watching the night sky.

Hey Trevor! Thanks for that brilliant video. A) You walking casually around in your garden, talking to us: that looked VERY professional ;-) B) I really (!) liked the section "beginner tricks". PLEASE keep this section in every video you do. It's as you said: It makes your videos not only pretty to look at, but also very helpful for newbies out there. You made your experience: share it! Great job - you develop in editing every episode! Well done. Greetings Chris

BEAUTIFUL PICTURES! ONE DAY I WILL SEE THIS WHITH MY OWN EYES!

Your videos and great shots keep amazing me, thanks for that! Keep up doing this amazing work! Clear skies!

I needed this video today, this was awesome. I actually just ordered my first guiding setup and dedicated cooled astro camera today (ASI183MC Pro) for my Z61 and Star Adventurer. It's a little more intimidating than unguided shots with my full frame DSLR, but if someday I can create anything close to an image like that it will all be worth it.

Hi Trevor, thanks for the great video !!! This is the best astro RU-vid channel ever !!!!!!

Fun fact: at the time of me writing this, a supernova just went off in the galaxy, and this man photographed it

i wish i had even a 3rd copy of your telescope and tools.. ahh man you're so lucky to have all these tools.

Amazing pictures. Im always captivated by them and the music adds to it. Inspiring! Keep it up!

I also love the hand controller for one-night projects, but to get consistent images over multiple sessions, you almost have to plate solve. Great video- I hope do see something besides the bottoms of all these endless clouds soon!

I LOVE your content, man! Space is just too cool!

Astro always intresting, but last night astro try photographing was enough. This channel is best of best in this category. Keep up the good work.

I really like how your video quality (camera, sound, editing, talking, B-roll, etc..) improved over time!

I wish I had that mount and that confidence

I love knowing what's above us all the time, to witness what's out there is a real privilege tho. keep up the great work love your Channel.

You should try something like the cartwheel galaxy or Stephan’s quintet. I just bought an 11” SCT and I am so excited for when I finish setting it up (just gotta put on the guidescope.) I even bought an ASIair for it.

Awesome vid as usual Trevor. I just got the Skywatcher EQM-35 Pro SynScan GOTO my first non manual mount. Yep, you absolutely right about not rushing the setup - learned the hard way. Thank you the for tips for alignment and camera setups from the previous vids. Without it I would probably still scratching my head.

I stumbled on your video by chance,very beautiful foto though! I'd love to see the stars through a telescope 😍

Nicely done man, like the filming angles too

I’m bran new to astronomy and loving your videos. I’ve been looking at Jupiter and Saturn through binoculars recently and that’s great at this stage. Thanks for the videos

Would you be to do a video on what you need equipment hardware and software that you would need to have to capture these galaxies for beginner please. Personally, I've been doing photography for over 3 years and want to get into astrophotography thank you

Nothing wrong with using a hand controller. Old school. May have to get one for my Az Gti as the cold kills my phone battery. Great video and excellent tips as always. Clear skies 👍🏼

I think you and Chuck are stealing all my clear skies! wait... I live in Chicago this is just naturally cloudy :) great job on the vid, I have nothing but Sigma lenses and love them.

Astro I love your vids, you should be the number 1 astrographer in the world! :D

Congrats on the new lens I just picked up the 18-35mm 1.8 Sigma and very happy. I don't do full frame yet. Thanks for the entertainment. Clear Skies!

Your videos are still wonderful. Well done Trevor

Hey I have a friendly tip for you that might help, not so sure tho. I've noticed that everything with your equipment has red/orange lights and your laptop doesn't, you can open notification center (on the right of date and time in taskbar) and click on "Expand" in bottom and turn on "Night light" also u could right click it and go to settings to make it even more orange :) I hope this helps in any way

Truly amazing video with very much educational content.

I really enjoy your clips. I have always been fascinated by outer space and other planets and stars.

This is one of your best post! Great job.

Loved the video!

I truly enjoy your channel and your work.

New sub. I love your videos

The pinwheel galaxy is like trillions of miles away

The pinwheel look so beautiful 👍👍👍

Thanks for the AnyDesk Tip Trevor! I have never given any flak about using the hand controller, whever floats your boat. In fact I started using it last night for the first time this year setting up in the yard, although I had to ditch it as it was not connecting to the computer. I felt like Inspector Clouseau.

Very nice - great photo. 👍🏻 🔭

Wow, that was a good picture of the Pinwheel Galaxy!

That's amazing! Thanks for your videos.

It bothers me that someone disliked the video. Keep up the great work!

The sigma 1.4 almost turns night into day. Nice image of M101 by the way.

Amazing! Keep doing what your doing. ✨🔭🤓

fascinating

+1 on switching to AnyDesk. I just did the same for that exact reason. Works well on cell phones and tablets also. Nice vid!

Brilliant end result! I find myself slowing down now when I setup...used to feel a panic almost trying to get setup and data coming in...now I have a better understanding and knowledge I am a lot more chilled :) You seem fairly chilled in this video Trevor! did you have a little to drink? ;)

i like the cool new sound effects its majestic

Hey Trevor! Another option to control your pc remotely is "chrome remote control" extension. It's A 3 click setup and you can control your pc without having to turn it on from anywhere (another pc, your cellphone, tablet) just by logging in to your Google account. That's s what I've been using and it's super reliable 😊

That thumbnail is so cool

Damn, just watched the intro so looking forward to watching the rest! 👍

Nice image and video Trevor!

Great video Trev, reminiscent of some of your older videos where you are just hanging out in the yard and we get to hang out with ya. Keep em coming. Trapped in this house and tired of Netflix shows. LOL

Wow Trevor, that is amazing with such a bright moon! great shot! thanks for sharing!

You can use sharpcap to polar align using you guidescope now. It's pretty amazing!

Great video man.... super pro

Great Shot. You know if you use a laser pointer you can turn off that street light in front of your house. Just hit the sensor on top. if that works for you rig it up on a tripod. Doesn't damage the light at all.

Love it!

Lovely video! I live in London, and have trees other end of the garden, and condos to my left of the backdoor (North) so not sure I can even view M101 with my Skywatcher ST-80? Keep up the awesome work, buddy! And stay safe.

Damn dude you've made your videos more cinematic(filming yourself wise). Keep it up

I think it's a pretty damn good picture.

I live on a bush property in Western Australia, and I cannot see the SCP from my telescope setup spot thanks to trees. I use APT to platesolve to drift alignment points, and PHD2 to drift align my polar alignment. Platesolving will always get my telescope bang-on the target, it's just headache-free imaging. Repeatability! Platesolving has its advantages!

Let's be done and photograph Ash. She'll will love it!

great video like always trevor

Trevor, I want to complain. Watching your channel has cost me a lot of money :-) Due to the enforced time at home at the moment I have bought myself an HEQ5 Pro to use for DSLR based imaging upgrading from a Sky Guider Pro. I don't have anyone locally who is also into astro so I have found your channel so so useful. Your explanations are very clear, and you allow us all to tap into your accumulated knowledge and experience. Thank you so much for making the effort to share. I'm struggling a bit to get going well, but I am enjoying the challenge and each little bit of progress feels very satisfying. Say "Hi!" to Rudy for me. Regards, Nick