Suggestions for first target for DSLR and 66mm refractor @f4.7

[C8er (Chris)]

Hi All,

Looking for suggestions for some suitable first widefield astrophotography targets. I've been using my C8 SCT for AP for the last year or so with my Canon 60D DSLR but am about to try some first images with my little f5.9 William Optics ZS66 SD doublet refractor (with x.08 flattener/reducer, so working at f4.72 and 311mm focal length, giving a 4.1 x 2.7 degrees fov on the sensor I think), from Northern New Zealand.

Mount is a Celestron AVX, guiding with Orion SSAG/50mm mini guidescope.

Ideas for targets I have so far myself are the Eta Carinae Nebula region, Southern Pleiades, Pleiades, Running Chicken Nebula region, Witch Head Nebula, Flame/Horsehead region, Orion/Running man region.

Any other suggestions?

Cheers,
Chris M

[cometcatcher (Kevin)]

You've got some good ideas there already. You could also add SMC, LMC, Antares region, M8 - M20, M16 - M17, M6 - M7 clusters, Omega Centauri, Dumbell neb, any bright passing comets etc...

[pfitzgerald (Paul)]

+1 to both yours and Kevin's suggestions. They're more than enough to keep you out of michief for quite some time!

Paul

Plus they are all magnificient targets to image.

[C8er (Chris)]

Thanks for those suggestions Kevin and Paul.

With my own thoughts, your suggestions, and some astronomy software I've built up a list now of 30 plus objects and regions that I can try imaging with the 66mm f4.7 WO Refractor and my DSLR. That should keep me going with imaging on that scope for some time!


Chris M

Originally Posted by cometcatcher

You've got some good ideas there already. You could also add SMC, LMC, Antares region, M8 - M20, M16 - M17, M6 - M7 clusters, Omega Centauri, Dumbell neb, any bright passing comets etc...

[starfield7 (Dave)]

The Southern Pleiades is always a nice target. I never tire of looking at the open star clusters in the southern hemisphere.

Regards
David
@clearskiestv

[C8er (Chris)]

Thanks for that David.

Cheers,
Chris M

Originally Posted by starfield7

The Southern Pleiades is always a nice target. I never tire of looking at the open star clusters in the southern hemisphere.

Regards
David
@clearskiestv