Deep Sky Observations with ZWO ASI224MC 2022

Conditions | Observation Overview | Overview of the Observed Sky Objects | Remarks | References

At the beginning of April 2021, I borrowed a ZWO ASI224MC from a starfriend, and bought it from him on April 25, 2021. This camera has the same Sony sensor as my eVscope, which was one reason to borrow and buy the camera and try it out on my various telescope tubes. The other one was that I was not satisfied with my Atik Infinity camera after several tests in early 2021, especially with its sensitivity. It was said that modern CMOS cameras are more sensitive than CCD cameras like the Atik Infinity, which in turn is said to have better dynamic range. Reasons enough to test this camera! The following tests took place in the beginning of 2022.

Update: I bought the ASI224MC from a starfriend on April 25, 2021 and I sold it again in mid-April 2022.

Conditions

Sky Region and Objects

I looked into different sky regions and observed at different times during the year, so a description does not make much sense here.

Overview Map

Since the observations will be separated through a long period of time, a sky map does not make much sense here.

Observation Time

The observations started every day when it was sufficiently dark. This can be at quite different times in the course of the year.

Observation Location

The observations took partly place in Mühlhausen/Kraichgau (Germany) ...:

Coordinates: 49° 15′ N , 8° 43′ E
Coordinates (dec.): 49.25° N, 8.72° E

... and partly in Erkerode (near Braunschweig, Germany):

52° 12' 27.2" N 10° 42' 52.9" E
52.207556° N, 10.714696° E

Equipment Used

Variant 1: StellarMate Astronomy Computer with Camera, GoTo Mount, and Power Supplies, iPad running the StellarMate App

First of all, the ASI224MC camera is needed for taking photos. You also need a GoTo mount and a power supply, typically a power tank. The StellarMate can also be powered from a PowerTank or from a PowerBank. It also provides the power for the camera (if it is a 5V camera like the ASI224). The camera and the mount can be connected to the StellarMate astronomy computer, which is controlled by the StellarMate app running on an iPad (tablet computer).

Variant 2: Camera and Laptop, GoTo Mount, Power Supply, Software, Smartphone/Handbox

First of all, the ASI224MC camera is needed for taking photos. You also need a GoTo mount and a power supply, typically a power tank. The camera can be operated using a laptop on which the camera control application runs. It also provides the power for the camera (if it is a 5V camera like the ASI224). You may also need a smartphone to control the mount via app or a handbox, if you do this "manually".
Initially, I used the software ASILive to control the camera. Later, I used ASILive as well as SharpCap.

Telescope Tubes, Focal Reducer

Last, but not least, you need a telescope. Depending on the telescope tube used, focal length reducers have also to also be used. This is indicated for the respective observations.

PS 72/432

I bought the Omegon PS 73/432 ED refractor (432 mm, f/6) in September 2018, but used it only visually at the beginning. It took until the year 2021 that this changed. To be able to get into focus with the camera, I used the newly acquired T2 extension sleeves (Explore Scientific).

Photos: PS 72/432 with ASI224 camera (spring 2021)

General Conditions

In general, the sky above Mühlhausen/Kraichgau is "light-polluted" and does not invite you to search for deep sky objects. Cameras will find the objects even in poor conditions, but really good results are obtained only under dark skies.

Observation Overview

Observation Details

Date 2022	Observed Objects	Further Observations and Remarks	Devices Used	Reducers Used	General Remarks
Feb 9 MH	GN: M 42/43	Order: M 42/43	PS 72/432 on AZ-GTi with ASI224MC and UV/IR cut filter, StellarMate	---	The GoTo to Rigel did not work. Once or twice the "Align" towards M 42 worked, mostly, it went to nowhere or signaled an error ("Alignment failed"), although M 42 could be seen on the photos... Using Live Stacking, I was able to take photos this time, which were saved in the "StellarMate" album in the iPad "Photos" app. Whether single shots were also saved, and if so, where, I unfortunately do not know.... Partially I also took photos with 2x2 binning. Live stacking rarely worked as expected... Photos
Feb 12 MH	Moon	Moon (full)	PS 72/432 on AZ-GTi with ASI224MC and UV/IR cut filter, StellarMate	---	Night tests worked with the AZ-GTi via cable connection, but not with the Star Discovery (only briefly tested). This time, the mount went directly to M 42 after a more precise alignment, but the alignment still failed. After that, I was only "messing around", no further objects were found, not even the moon, although I found it in the list. Ultimately disappointing after first success. I took only a few photos... Stacking barely worked out.... Refreshing the screen happened far too infrequently (or not at all). Photos
Feb 13 MH	GN: M 42/43	Order: M 42	PS 72/432 on AZ-GTi with ASI224MC and UV/IR cut filter, StellarMate	---	I connected the AZ-GTi mount by cable as usual. On the first attempt at M 42, the mount was a bit off (despite being reasonably "homed"). I tried to capture M 42 with the arrow buttons, but moving was a drama - either nothing moved, or the image overshot. Still, I was able to find M 42; however, the image results remained poor. I also tried the Atik Infinity camera, which sort of went and sort of did not (initially it blocked the app). Later, practically nothing worked, then clouds came.... There were always problems with the "sync" when calling Ekos. Possibly my iPad lost the connection to the StellarMate network. All in all, this was more or less an evening where nothing worked every again and again... Photos
Feb 26 Erk	GN: M 42/43, NGC 2024	Order: M 42, NGC 2024	PS 72/432 on AZ-GTi with ASI224MC and UV/IR cut filter, StellarMate	---	Goal: Test ASI224 at StellarMate (with AZ-GTi) by night (7:30-8:10 p.m.) The "technique" worked right away while observing. The North position was achieved using a compass app (iPhone), focusing was first done using stars, later also by using Bahtinov mask (on Alnitak). Apparently, the focus kept shifting a bit. Originally, I thought of using similar targets as I had approached with the Atik Infinity, but this did not work. Only after much effort I found M 42; M 31 could not be found, then back to M 42 back again only "so so " and finally Alnitak, which I used also for focusing using a Bahtinov mask (after re-adjusting the home position). At Alnitak, the Flame Nebula was also partly seen on the photos, once more, once less. There were again problems with screen refreshes. I do not know of any trick yet with which this might be "enforced"... Overall, it was a pretty "dreary evening" with nothing to offer to two little girls except a blurry and then a slightly sharper Orion Nebula M 42. Photos
Mar 26 MH	OS: NGC 2264 GN: M 42/43, M 78	Order: M 42, NGC 2264, M 78	PS 72/432 on AZ-GTi with ASI224MC, StellarMate	---	Goal: Test the ASI224 at the StellarMate (19:50-20:10). Maximum 19.6 SQM. Focusing was done with the Bahtinov mask, and was a bit tedious. I found M 42 and a few other targets, but the app always reported "alignment failed"... No photos published...
Mar 28 MH	GN: M 42/43 G: M 81, M 82	Order: M 42, M 81, M 82; M 51 und M 65/66 did not work (covered)	PS 72/432 on AZ-GTi with ASI224MC, StellarMate	---	Goal: Test the ASI224 at the StellarMate Focused with a Bahtinov mask. I approached part of the previous day's targets (with AI) and found some of them, later also from indoors. Photos
Apr 3 MH	GN: M 42/43	Target: M 42	PS 72/432 on AZ-GTi with ASI224MC, StellarMate	---	Bahtinov mask used for focusing; Alnitak located more or less at the center, got nevertheless "Alignment failed" messages... Photos

Bold: First observation during this observation period; G = galaxy, GH = galaxy cluster, OC = open star cluster, GC = globular star cluster, P = star pattern, DN = dark nebula, GN = galactic nebula, PN = planetary nebula

Overview of the Observed Sky Objects

DSO Details	Name	Constellation	Type	Tube	Remarks
M 42/43	Orion Nebula	Orion	GN	PS72	Mostly rather disappointing
M 78		Orion	GN	PS72	No photo published
M 81	Bode Galaxy	Ursa Major	G	PS72	Faint, poor Tracking
M 82	Cigar Galaxy	Ursa Major	G	PS72	Quite OK
NGC 2024	Flame Nebula	Orion	GN	PS72	Faint, found via Alnitak
NGC 2264	Christmas Tree Cluster	Monoceros	OC	PS72	Only the star cluster is visible on the photo

G = galaxy, GH = galaxy cluster, OC = open star cluster, GC = globular star cluster, DS = double star, SP = star pattern, DN = dark nebula, GN = galactic nebula, PN = planetary nebula

Remarks

Preparation

When searching for deep sky objects, a good preparation is obligatory - you read this, and I can confirm it. "Good preparation" means, on the one hand, that you compile a list of objects that you want to observe, including notes on where and how to find them.

On the other hand, even when doing "quick astro photography" with the ZWO ASI224MC camera (a variety of "video astronomy") more technology has to be prepared than for purely visual observation, especially if you just put a small Dobson or Maksutov telescope on the terrace table for this... Above, I describe, what equipment I use and need for taking photos with the ZWO ASI224 camera.

References

Books

Michael Feiler & Philip Novak (2014). Deep Sky Reiseatlas, Oculum Verlag
www.oculum-verlag.de/detailview?no=2014
Ronald Stoyan (2014). Deep Sky Reiseführer, Oculum Verlag
www.oculum-verlag.de/detailview?no=2015
Erich Karkoschka (2016). Atlas für Himmelsbeobachter, Kosmos Verlag
www.kosmos.de/buecher/ratgeber/astronomie/einsteiger/6598/atlas-fuer-himmelsbeobachter?number=15147