Hey what’s up everyone! Mack Murdoc here from OPT and can you believe it? It’s already spring! That
means warmer weather, longer nights, and a whole new slew of targets to start imaging in the sky!
And in this video, we’re gonna be going over the Top 15 targets to image this spring.
Springtime also means that we are now in galaxy season which means
we are at a point where we are looking away from the center of our galaxy out into the
universe. During this time of year there's very little nebula to shoot, but TONS of galaxies.
And not only are we gonna mention the best targets to image, but also what
focal length to shoot them in and I'll even throw out a few personal recommendations
of which telescope filters and accessories that will be very helpful.
These focal lengths are meant to have these targets fill the majority of your frame, so don’t
worry if you have a shorter scope, you can still get these targets and it will still be awesome!
Now keep in mind, just like our winter targets video, all focal lengths in
this video are based off a micro four thirds sensor, which is in cameras like the ASI1600,
so these will change depending on which camera you’re shooting with. BUT! To make
it easier on you, we’ve included some tools in the description to help you with your specific gear.
Alright Let's get started! So the first Object on our list is by far the biggest
and brightest one out there. You can capture it with a simple gentle click of the mouse. This is
the Like Button Galaxy. You can find this target under this video and its most special because of
its interactive nature. If you click this object, this galaxy reacts by its glowing emission pixels
getting excited and turning it blue. So, If you want to win an easy APOD go
ahead and capture the like button galaxy and its neighbor The Subscribe nebula.
Alright! Let’s get into our list, starting with our first pair, which are M81 and M82 also
known as the Bode’s and Cigar Galaxies. Located in Ursa Major about 12 million light
years from earth. These two targets are broadband LRGB objects rich with Hydrogen
data and best imaged between a focal length of 600 and 950mm.
So pick yourself up a Hydrogen alpha filter to get the bright red parts of these objects. This
shot was taken with An Explore scientific 127 at 952mm and it fills the frame nicely.
At number two, we have the Pinwheel Galaxy, also in Ursa Major 20 million light years
from earth. Another great RGB target that is rich in Ha data as well. Picking up that
extra bit of bright nebula really adds to the image can be imaged around 700 to 1000mm. You can
see in this image how the Hydrogen Alpha really brought out the bright nebula within the galaxy.
At number three we have M51 the Whirlpool Galaxy, located 31 million light-years from Earth in the
constellation Canes Venatici. This incredible target is actually two separate galaxies
interacting with each other. Events like this take billions of years to complete!
And you can capture this one best in broadband with a focal length between 1200 and 2000mm.
Now i just want to jump in here and say that for these broadband (LRGB or OSC) targets
we highly recommend that you use a light pollution filter if you live in light polluted areas.
While there is no substitute to a super dark Bortle 1 sky filters like the Optolong L-Pro
are perfect for helping tame some of unwanted light pollution glow from your image.
Cool thing about the L-pro is it also comes as a clip in filter for your DSLR.
Just clip it in and start shooting!
Up next is the Beautiful spiral galaxy M63 also known as the Sunflower Galaxy. This
faint, yet beautiful target is best shot in broadband at a focal length of 1200-2000mm.
Located relatively close to Ursa Major 29 million light years from
earth makes it a great challenge target. For targets that require a good amount of
focal length you definitely want to make sure you are accurately polar aligned,
balanced, and guiding definitely helps as well. Be sure to check out our video
up here on the QHY Polemaster and how use it to get perfect polar alignment under 5 mins.
At number five, we have the Leo Triplet, aka the M66 Group. This galaxy trio consists of the M65,
M66, and NGC 3628 galaxies, located in the Leo constellation. You can catch
all three of these targets in a focal length between 600 and 900mm. Here's
the one I shot with the ASI1600mm Pro and the Explore Scientific 127.
NGC3628 is also known as the Hamburger Galaxy, mmhhmm now I know what I'm having for lunch!
Moving on to number six, which is the Sombrero Galaxy. This target is best imaged
around 1500 to 2000mm, BUT you can zoom in all the way to 4000 if you wanna fill the frame. The
Sombrero Galaxy lies 31 million light years away in the constellation of Virgo. This wonderful
galaxy is a favorite to many, here's an image of it taken from the Hubble Space Telescope.
After that, we have Markarian’s Chain. This giant cluster of galaxies can all be captured
in one frame at a focal length between 250 and 500 mm. This is seriously one of the
most beautiful spectacles of the night sky. Looking up and seeing hundreds of galaxies,
maybe 30 of them with a good significant amount of detail. Check out this image taken by one of our
own OPT Family Brian Fulda taken on one of our favorite telescope, The Radian Raptor 61.
At number eight is the Needle Galaxy about 50 million light years away from earth. This
beautiful bright colored galaxy is a great broadband target, and can be captured with
a focal length of 1500 to 2000 mm. But like I mentioned in the beginning of the video, these
are just rough estimates on where to mostly fill a frame, for example here's a shot I took at 952mm.
At number nine is our first nebula target, the Owl Nebula! This planetary nebula is rich
with Ha, He, Oiii, and Ni data. You can capture this target
at a focal length of 2000 mm or higher which makes it a challenging target
but lets be real with ourselves here… We didn't get into astrophotography because it was easy…
That being there are ways of making astrophotography easier like Smashing the like
button. With one simple swoop and a click of the like button and now you
are one step closer to winning an APOD. How easy was that! Anyways.
Our next nebula target is the Ring Nebula. Located in the constellation Lyra about 2,300 light years
from home You can capture this planetary nebula in both broadband AND narrowband at a focal length
of 3000mm and above. To shoot these small targets a telescope like The Celestron Edge
HD 11 or 14inch is a perfect match to get up close to it with its 2800 to 3900mm focal length.Cool
thing about these planetary Nebulae is that they are a good idea of what our solar system will look
like 5 million years from now when out star sheds its outer layer and turns into a white dwarf star.
At number eleven is the Dumbbell Nebula. Another beautiful planetary nebula much like
the ring nebula located in the constellation Vulpeculae and around 1300 light years away.
Our OPT family Diana and Rafal actually shot this nebula at 450mm with the incredibly easy to use
smart scope, The Unistellar eV scope. You could watch that object come alive on your smart phone
or through the eyepiece. To watch that video check out the video right here.
This target can be shot in both narrowband and Broadband,
if you're doing narrowband be sure to pick up lots of Ha and Oiii Data
Up next at number twelve is M106, or NGC 4258 which is around 25 million light years from earth.
M106 is super colorful especially when Ha Data is added. This broadband target is best imaged
between 800 and 1200mm. Don't forget with any of these targets you can shoot them with an IR Cut
filter to help tame your stars and atmospheric distortion. It’s not going to make a crazy
world of difference but definitely noticeable. Check out the Astronomik UV/IR Cut filter. It's
perfect for deep space, also great to use on the moon to manage the Seeing a little bit better.
After that we have the Cat’s Eye Nebula. This target is a little difficult to capture but
DEFINITELY worth it in the end. It can be captured at focal length between 2000 and
2500 mm. Check out the incredible image by Jason from the TheVastReaches taken on a Celestron 8
inch Edge HD! The hubble space telescope also did a brilliant shot of this nebula! Are you
up for the challenge? If so tag us using the hashtag #OPTeam for a chance to be featured.
At number fourteen is M83 the Southern Pinwheel Galaxy. Definitely one of my favorite targets
because of its brightness and beautiful colors. This galaxy can be captured between
1500 and 2000 mm. It is located at the tip of the constellation Hydra and is about 15
million light years from earth. As a thank you for tapping the like button and making it this far,
We have included some free raw data of the southern Pinwheel Galaxy in the description below
provided by astrophotographer extraordinair Matt Dietrich.
And finally, at number fifteen, is the Great Hercules Cluster, M13! It only made sense to
throw in at least one cluster into the mix. This target can be captured between 1000 and
1500mm located in the hercules constellation 22 million light years from earth. Several hundred
thousand stars light up that region letting you see this cluster with your naked eye.
Phew! That about covers it guys.
Was there one we didn’t mention in this list that you’re excited about? Let us know in the
comments below! And just a friendly reminder, we’ve included some tools in the description
to help you determine the best focal lengths for your specific camera and we've included
links to all the Telescopes, Cameras and Filters we've mentioned in the video.
If you guys liked this video, don’t forget to hit that thumbs up and subscribe.
My name is Mack with OPT, and we’ll see you in the next video, clear skies!