AstroAF

I’ve got a very niche, gear data thing that i wrote a python script to extract data from TPPA logs in NINA. You all interested in a video on this and my making the python script and use docs available?
Let me know here in the comments.
Cheers!
Doug

#astrophotography #astrogear #datavisualization #tppa #polaralign

2 days ago | [YT] | 9

AstroAF

I do not know who you are, YT doesn’t tell me, but thank you to those leaving a Hype! I think these really help with the algorithm suggesting my videos!
If you would like to help out, this is a super simple way!

5 days ago | [YT] | 13

AstroAF

What is a requirement when using any telescope cover long-term?
You can find the answer and explanation in my latest video: Year Round Astro Setup | This Is What You Need!
https://youtu.be/j1kU8n9MVoA

5 days ago | [YT] | 0

AstroAF

Hey Everyone! New video published!

Astrophotography setups often live outdoors year-round, and protecting mounted equipment from weather, heat, and moisture is critical. In this video, I take a hands-on look at the TeleGizmos 365 Series cover, showing it both in real-world outdoor use and in the studio while walking through its design and materials.

This video combines on-site footage of the cover protecting my outdoor-mounted telescope with a closer breakdown of how the 365 Series is built. I cover the dual-layer construction, including the radiant heat barrier inner liner and the heavy, weather-resistant outer shell, and explain why those details matter for equipment that stays outside between imaging sessions.

The TeleGizmos 365 Series is designed specifically for continuous outdoor exposure. The reflective inner liner helps reduce radiant heat buildup and adds moisture protection, while the acrylic-coated woven polyester outer layer is built to resist UV exposure, wind, rain, abrasion, and long-term weathering.

TeleGizmos 365 Series covers and additional product information:
www.telegizmos.com/

Cheers!
Doug

#Astrophotography, #TeleGizmos, #TeleGizmos365, #TelescopeCover, #ObservatorySetup, #PermanentSetup, #AllWeather, #OutdoorImaging, #AstroGear, #TelescopeMount, #ImagingRig, #AmateurAstronomy, #AstroImaging, #WeatherProtection, #EquipmentProtection @bobpitney8665 ​

6 days ago | [YT] | 4

AstroAF

The Horsehead Nebula (Barnard 33)
One of the most iconic dark nebulae in the night sky, the Horsehead was first identified in 1888 by Williamina Fleming on photographic plates at Harvard. It lies about 1,375 light-years away in the constellation Orion, silhouetted against the glowing hydrogen emission of IC 434.

This image was captured under a bright Moon, which meant no detectable O III signal
in my framing. Rather than force it, I worked with the data I did have and created a synthetic blue channel derived from H-alpha, letting the structure and contrast of the Horsehead take center stage.

Integration
H-alpha: 8 × 900s — 2h
S II: 6 × 900s — 1h 30m
Total integration: 3h 30m

Gear
⁨@CelestronDotCom⁩ EdgeHD 8 @ 1440 mm
⁨@playeroneastronomy2772⁩ Artemis-M Pro
​ ⁨@astroasis2020⁩ Oasis focuser & filter wheel
⁨@svbonyoptics⁩ SHO filters
⁨@SkyWatcherUSA⁩ HEQ5 Pro

Processed in PixInsight

Cheers!
— Doug

#HorseheadNebula #Barnard33 #IC434 #Astrophotography #DSO #NarrowbandAstro #HydrogenAlpha #SulfurII #OrionNebulaRegion #EdgeHD #PixInsight #AstronomyPhotography #NightSky #SpacePhotography #AstroImaging #ClearSkies

1 week ago | [YT] | 31

AstroAF

The Moon had other plans for me tonight!
Since deep sky was off the table, I leaned into a mineral Moon instead.

This is a waxing gibbous with subtle color enhancement to reveal real compositional differences:
Iron-rich maria in blues, older highlands in warmer tones. No false color—just enhanced contrast to show what’s already there.

When the moon photobombs your deep sky plans.. well, if you can't beat 'em.. as they say...

Cheers!
Doug

#Astrophotography, #MoonPhotography, #MineralMoon, #LunarGeology, #WaxingGibbous, #NightSky, #AstroImaging

1 week ago | [YT] | 32

AstroAF

New Vid! Player One Xena 585M | Your Guiding Level Up?
AstroAF is among the first, if not THE first, to feature the ‪@playeroneastronomy2772‬ Xena 585M camera introduction!

The Xena 585M is part of Player One’s Dwarf Planet Series, a lineup designed for both guiding and imaging. It features a 1/1.2” mono sensor, 2.9µm pixels, STARVIS 2 technology, HDR mode, and a compact 1.25” form factor that works well for guide scopes and off-axis guiding.
Xena 585M: player-one-astronomy.com/product/xena-585m-usb3-0-…

In this video I feature the Player One Xena 585M, focusing on an unboxing, physical design, and a detailed walkthrough of the camera’s specifications. A follow-up video will cover real-world guiding and imaging performance once the camera is on the sky.

Cheers!
Doug

#Astrophotography, #AstroPhotography, #Guiding, #Autoguiding, #PHD2, #PlayerOneAstronomy, #Xena585M, #IMX585, #GuideCamera, #OffAxisGuiding, #OAG, #DeepSkyImaging, #DSO, #Astronomy, #AstroImaging, #Telescope, #MountGuiding, #NightSky, #AstroTech, #AmateurAstronomy

1 week ago | [YT] | 4

AstroAF

I got pier pants!!
I get a lot of questions about leaving my rig out 24/7/365 and how i ensure it stays protected and safe from elements. So, keep an eye out for my upcoming video on just that topic, featuring TeleGizmos365.

2 weeks ago (edited) | [YT] | 25

AstroAF

Work-In-Progress (but wind is not playing well)

3 weeks ago | [YT] | 29

AstroAF

Orion Nebula (M42 & Running Man)
A stellar nursery carved out of a vast molecular cloud ~1,350 light-years away in the constellation Orion.

What looks like an “explosion” is actually a blister nebula — intense UV radiation from the Trapezium stars ionizing gas and pushing outward where the surrounding cloud is thinnest. The dark lanes are dense dust still resisting that pressure, sculpting the nebula’s dramatic shape. New stars are forming here right now, even as radiation erodes the cloud around them.

This region has been observed since antiquity and cataloged by Nicolas-Claude Fabri de Peiresc in 1610, but modern narrowband imaging reveals just how dynamic and layered it really is.

Integration
H-alpha: 6 × 900s — 1h 30m
O III: 8 × 900s — 2h 00m
S II: 7 × 900s — 1h 45m
Total integration: 5h 15m

Gear
‪@CelestronDotCom‬ EdgeHD 8 @ 1440mm
‪@playeroneastronomy2772‬ Artemis-M Pro
‪@astroasis2020‬ Oasis Focuser and Filter Wheel
‪@svbonyoptics‬ SHO
‪@SkyWatcherUSA‬ HEQ5 Pro

Processed in PixInsight

#astrophotography, #orionnebula, #m42, #runningmannebula, #sho, #narrowband, #deepsky, #space, #nebula, #pixinsight, #amateurastronomy, #nightscape

4 weeks ago | [YT] | 39