My main object during a small series of clear nights was the Crab Nebula, Messier 1. On each of the three evenings, I was able to capture a star cluster preceding the Crab Nebula.
In the meantime, I had to (successfully) adjust the VC200L, eliminate backlash on the mount (successfully), fine-tune the Off Axis Guider (successfully), and 3D print a new adapter (successfully). Unfortunately, the existing adapter was too loose in the frigid temperatures, dropping as low as -6°C.
Full resolution on Flickr:
Technical overview
| Telescope | Vixen VISAC VC200L |
| Focal Length | 1800mm |
| Erecting Lense | – |
| Camera | CANON EOS M100(a) |
| Guiding Equipment | Pegasus Astro Indigo OAG |
| Guiding Camera | QHY 5-III-462C |
| Mount | Skywatcher HEQ5 Pro, Belt and Hypertuned |
| Photography Date | 01/09/2024 01/10/2024 01/11/2024 |
| Exposure-Time Lights | 130x180s |
| Correction frames | FLATS, BIASES |
| Sensitivity | ISO 1600 |
| Processing Date | 01/13/2024 |
| Software Stack | INDI, PixInsight, Affinity Photo |
| Capture Place | Koblenz, Germany |