Vent: my astronomy buddy swore I didn't need a star tracker for nebula photos

He said my tripod and stacking software would be fine, but after 6 months of blurry Orion shots I finally caved and bought a used Sky-Watcher and honestly the difference is night and day, has anyone else had someone give them advice that just set them back?

3 comments

3 Comments

sandra_anderson223d ago

Oh man, I totally get this. I spent a whole year trying to shoot the Orion Nebula with just a tripod and stacking software, and my results looked like someone smeared toothpaste on a window. Finally picked up a used Star Adventurer last spring, and it was like someone turned on the lights. The first time I got a clear shot of M42 with the Trapezium visible I actually yelled out loud. I think the problem with advice like that is people forget how much skill and perfect conditions you need to pull off untracked astro. Stacking can clean up noise but it can't fix trailing or lost detail from short exposures. Your buddy probably meant well but didn't realize how much time you'd waste fighting the equipment. Now you got the tracker and that's what matters.

ross.felix23d ago

Your buddy definitely meant well but forgot what it's like starting out. Untracked astro is a brutal way to learn, takes forever just to get something that doesn't look like garbage. Glad you finally got that tracker, makes all the difference in the world.

troyreed13d ago

Hell yeah, I'm right there with you. @ross.felix nailed it, untracked astro is pure torture for a beginner. I tried the same thing for months with the Orion Nebula and just got these sad little smudges no matter how many frames I stacked. Finally got a used iOptron tracker last year and my first clean shot made me feel like an actual idiot for waiting so long. Your buddy probably thought he was saving you money but honestly that advice just cost you time and frustration. Trackers are worth every penny for saving your sanity. Welcome to the club, man.