My Equipment

Hardware & Software

Astronomical telescope with equipment set up under a starry night sky with the Milky Way visible, surrounded by trees.

Hardware | Widefield System

  • White equatorial telescope mount with a computerized hand controller attached, mounted on a tripod.

    Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro

    I am using the Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro mount, which can carry a OTA with a maximum 40LB capacity.

  • Red cylindrical camera device with black detailing and a lens opening, possibly used for astrophotography or telescopic imaging.

    ZWO ASI 2600MM-Pro

    I am using the ZWO ASI 2600MM-Pro monochrome astronomy camera. This camera has a ton of benefits with a high resolution APS-C sensor, including zero amp glow.

  • A Sky-Watcher telescope with a white optical tube and black mount fittings, viewed from the side.

    Sky-Watcher Esprit 100 ED

    I am using the Sky-Watcher Esprit 100 ED Triplet APO Telescope. This one in particular has an excellent aperture of 100mm at f/5.5. The focal length is 550mm.

  • Three camera lens filters with black rims and transparent centers positioned side by side.

    Antlia Filters

    I am using 36mm Antlia broadband (RGB) filters and 3nm Narrowband filters (Hydrogen Alpha, Oxygen III, and Sulphur II).

  • Blue Pegasus Astro FocusCube 2 automatic focuser on a mounting bracket, equipped with USB, Ethernet, and 12V power connections.

    Pegasus Astro FocusCube 2

    Having autofocus is a must have, as it takes a lot of time to do it manually. I am using the FocusCube 2 as it has proven to be extremely accuratue.

  • Red ZWO ASI290MM Mini astronomy camera with black lens.

    ZWO ASI 290 Mini

    I am using the ASI 290 Mini as a guidecam to help with better star tracking.

  • Black telescope tube with two mounting rings and lens cap on white background

    ZWO 60mm Guidescope

    With the 290 Mini guidecam, I am using the ZWO 60mm guidescope. Unfortunately, this product is discontinued by ZWO, there are other great options available too.

  • WandererRotator Mini V2

    I am using the Wanderer Astro M54 WandererRotator Mini V2 to help with auto framing and keeps consistency throughout multiple imaging sessions.

  • ZWO electronic filter wheel for telescopes, model EFW, with a circular design and control panel.

    ZWO 7 Position Filterwheel

    I use the ZWO EFW for my filters, this one in particular fits 36mm filters.

  • Black compact mini desktop computer with front ports

    Intel NUC 11

    As a controller for the system, I am using the Intel NUC 11th Generation with an intel i7 processor. This is suitable to fit on my telescope for remote desktop and easy imaging sessions.

  • Blue electronic device with multiple 12V outputs and ports labeled Dew Heaters, USB, and 12V DC IN.

    Pegasus Astro PowerBox

    I am using a Pegasus Astro PowerBox Advanced to distribute power to all components on my imaging system. This is an excellent product for easy power distribution.

  • QHYCCD PoleMaster electronic polar scope with lens cap

    QHY PoleMaster

    In order to polar align my telescope, I use the QHY PoleMaster. This provides an easy solution for super accurate polar alignment.

  • Portable power station with multiple outlets, digital display, and handle. Brand logo visible.

    BLUETTI Portable Power Station EB70S

    When I go remote, I use this portable battery to power my telescope all night. On average it lasts about 10-12 hours, good for one night of imaging before needing to be recharged.

Telescope under colorful aurora night sky with stars and trees.

Hardware | Deepfield System

  • Equatorial mount for telescopes, black, metal components, adjustment knobs visible, mounted on tripod legs.

    iOptron CEM 70

    I am using the iOptron CEM 70 mount, which can carry an OTA with a maximum 70LB capacity.

  • Red cylindrical astronomy camera with black details and a lens opening.

    ZWO ASI 533MM-Pro

    I am using the ZWO ASI 533MM-Pro monochrome astronomy camera. This camera has a ton of benefits with new sensor technology, including zero amp glow.

  • Telescope truss tube assembly structure

    iOptron RC 10 Truss

    I am using the iOptron RC 10 Truss Telescope. This one in particular has a deep focal length of 2032mm at f/8.

  • Feathertouch Focuser

    I replaced the standard iOptron Crayford focuser with a Feathertouch as it has stronger support and rigidity for a heavier imaging train.

  • Three overlapping circles in red, green, and blue

    ZWO and Chroma Filters

    I am using 1.25” ZWO broadband (RGB) filters and Chroma 3nm Narrowband filters (Hydrogen Alpha, Oxygen III, and Sulphur II).

  • Pegasus Astro FocusCube 3 motorized focuser, blue and black, with USB-PC, sensor, and EZY HC ports.

    Pegasus Astro FocusCube 3

    Having autofocus is a must have, as it takes a lot of time to do it manually. I am using the FocusCube 3 as it has proven to be extremely accurate.

  • Two red cylindrical ZWO ASI174MM Mini cameras for astrophotography, featuring connector ports on one end.

    ZWO ASI 174 Mini

    I am using the ASI 174 Mini as a guidecam to help with better star tracking.

  • Astronomical filter wheel with black and red design

    ZWO OAG-L

    With the 174 Mini guidecam, I am using the ZWO Off Axis Guider-Large. Supports a larger prism to gather more light so it can be sensitive to more stars while guiding.

  • Blue and black Pegasus Astro Falcon Rotator R V2 device for telescope adjustment.

    Pegasus Astro Falcon V2 rotator

    I am using the Falcon Rotator to help with auto framing and keeps consistency throughout multiple imaging sessions.

  • ZWO EFW electronic filter wheel with logo and specifications

    ZWO 8 Position Filterwheel

    I use the ZWO EFW for my filters, this one in particular fits 1.25” filters.

  • Compact mini PC with USB ports, SD card slot, and power button

    Intel NUC 7

    As a controller for the system, I am using the Intel NUC 7th Generation with an intel i7 processor. This is suitable to fit on my telescope for remote desktop and easy imaging sessions.

  • Blue portable power box with multiple 12V outputs and dew heater connectors, model labeled "Pocket Powerbox Advance 3 0X" by Pegasus Astro.

    Pegasus Astro PowerBox

    I am using a Pegasus Astro PowerBox Advanced to distribute power to all components on my imaging system. This is an excellent product for easy power distribution.

  • Portable power station with USB, AC, and DC outputs

    Jackery Explorer 500

    When I go remote, I use this portable battery to power my telescope all night. On average it lasts about 8-9 hours, good for one night of imaging before needing to be recharged.

Software

  • Yellow triangle with glowing points on a blue background

    ASCOM Driver

    The ASCOM driver is the core to astrophotography on computers. Nothing will work without it!

  • Blue swirling spiral with stars on a black background, suggesting a cosmic or galaxy theme.

    Nighttime Imaging 'N' Astronomy

    Also known as NINA, I use this for sequencing for imaging sessions. This allows to create custom sequences for imaging long exposures with different filters. It’s open source, and free.

  • Green circular logo with the text 'PHD^2' in the center and a black cross dividing the circle into four sections.

    PHD2 Guiding

    As guiding software, I use PHD2. This is an excellent software for simple guiding and provides lots of statistics.

  • Blue stylized horse logo on hexagonal background

    Pegasus Astro Unity

    I use this software to monitor external temperature, power consumption, and more from the Pegasus PowerBox.

  • Silhouette of a tree against a bright moon at night

    Green Swamp Server for EQ6

    I use the GSS software to help my SkyWatcher EQ6 interface with ASCOM drivers.

  • 3D blue hexagonal prism with gradient shading

    PixInsight

    I use PixInsight, which is really popular and is the core to astrophotography editing and processing.

  • Adobe Lightroom logo featuring a blue 'Lr' on a dark background.

    Adobe Lightroom

    I use Lightroom to preform final touch ups after I am done with PixInsight.

  • Windows logo on a blue background

    Windows

    I use Windows 10 to run all of the software.