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Deep Sky

Photographs of astronomical objects outside of the Solar System. Comments and technical data can be found next to each image.
Images have been divided into chronological sections, and most of these correspond to a particular development phase of the imaging system.

QHY600M-PH camera first light, March 2022.

While using the 0.8x focal reducer, 24x36mm is the largest format my RC250 telescope can cover. There's just enough room in the focal plane to also fit the off-axis guider. With this camera my instrument attains the highest "étendue" possible with its optics and design.

The Sony IMX455 sensor is really impressive, especially the blue channel signal is smooth and rich with details. Excluding some minor flaws, the QHY body is well built and reliable. I was pleasantly surprised by the exceptional orthogonality of the sensor, there was no need for additional tilt adjustments.

Tara Mountain, April 2020.

A short spring retreat to wilderness.

Vidojevica Mountain, October 2019.

After persistent issues with optical performance I had to replace the mirror set of my telescope. So this 4th incarnation of my instrument spent 4 nights under the autumn sky on Vidojevica, and judging by the results I'm ready to leave it as final.

Vidojevica Mountain, July 2016.

A few months ago a shiny new ASA AZ1400 telescope was installed here - a fork mounted 1.4m Ritchey-Chretien. The observatory now has two stationary instruments and becomes a much more versatile research facility.

Vidojevica Mountain, July 2015.

Chance had it that a friend of mine unexpectedly borrowed me a brand new Sbig STT-8300 camera with a generous set of seven Baader filters (R, G, B, L, H-α, O-III and S-II). In just two days I managed to make the required adapters to mount it on my instrument and set the balance properly, so the camera got its first light under the dark skies at the Vidojevica mountain summit.

Lipovica Forest, June 2015.

Barbecue astronomy, humans on a soft flat surface, instrument on full auto till dawn.

Vidojevica Mountain, November 2013.

Just a short visit this time...

Vidojevica Mountain, April 2012.

The summit of Vidojevica mountain in southern Serbia has been chosen as the site where the Astronomical Observatory of Belgrade is going to build its remote observing site. At the time of this writing a dome harbouring a 60cm Cassegrain telescope exists here, together with a separate building where the living quarters are. In the future another larger telescope is planned, which should occupy the flat plateau at the summit. The nearest access road is from Prokuplje town, and this location is often visited by both professional and amateur astronomers.

Divčibare, March 2012.

These are the first deep sky test images obtained with the RC 250 telescope and ASA DDM60 Pro mount. Direct drive mounts are not happy when placed on soft ground, so next time I'll need to find a harder surface for better tracking precision. All of the images were obtained with pointing models only, no autoguiding. This imaging session provided valuable experience which I will use to further enhance the system.

Letenka Star Party 2008.

Astronomy Summer Camp "Odvraćenica 2007" on Golija mountain

Lipovica Forest 2006

Astronomy Summer Camp "Odvraćenica 2006" on Golija mountain

Astronomy Summer Camp "Predov Krst 2005" on Tara mountain

Old images from New Belgrade

These are among the first images that I took through a telescope. The building that I lived in was located in the densely populated area of New Belgrade, with gross light pollution and unstable air. Fortunately, that building was one of the tallest in the area, and the roof perimeter had a rather high rim that acted as a shade, so it was possible to catch some starlight from there. All components of the imaging system were still in their juvenile phase, rodeo ride would be a mild comparison to the manual guiding of the TAL 200K's GM3-RA mount through a clumsy 50mm f/14 refractor. But in the end, robust Russian design proved that there was ample space for improvement, and the astrophotography adventures begun.