M30 – Globular Cluster in Capricornus
Telescope: LXD75 SC8 @ f/6.3, LX65 mount, altaz mode
Camera: Baader modified Canon 600Da, interval timer
Filter: GSO IR Blocking Filter
Guide scope: None
Exposure: 31x10sec, ISO 1600, saved as RAW
Darks: Internal (Long Exposure Noise Reduction On)
Flats: 32×1/25sec, Tee shirt flats taken at dusk
Average Light Pollution: Red zone, Bortle 8, poor transparency, moonlight
Lensed Sky Quality Meter: 18.4
Stacking: Mean with a 1-sigma clip.
White Balance: Nebulosity Automatic
Software: Deep Sky Stacker, Nebulosity, Photoshop
M30 is a relatively small, bright, condensed globular that makes a fine target for small telescopes. In larger scopes it resolves nicely into a tiny patch of stardust.
This is one of a series of images that I have been taking to explore using relatively simple equipment and techniques. This is a good example of a patrol image; a quick’n simple image taken just to see what a target looks like. Looking at mjy notes this is only the 3rd time that I have imaged M30, so for me it lies a bit off of the beaten path. I have since visited it several time with my visual gear and it makes a fine target while star-hopping across Capricornus.
M30 is currently well placed to the lower left of Jupiter in the evening sky.
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