Top 10 in 2010 to shoot (Astronomy, non telescope)

[edit August 5, 2011]
Pict 8d in 2nd post below just made it onto NASA APOD!!!
My 15 minutes of fame....From techniques I learned here, thx Canon POTN gang.
http://apod.nasa.gov/a​pod/ap110805.html

I originally posted this Jan-04-2010 in the photo forum portion, which was "wrong" place for discussion/planning.
https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=805493
Asked to have it moved here but not moved, so I'm here now.

From that thread

Therefore I've consolidated the responses from that thread into below
(thx members Bernoulli, chris.bailey, siriusdogstar, Celestron, Adrena1in, SteveInNZ, troypiggo, xs5875, CalPiker, Jeff, 67champ ).

You've help make my 2010 assignment list, thx people.

I'll continue talk about success/failures/learn​ing/technique here, post photos in the photo forum.

Top 10 in 2010 to shoot (Astronomy, non telescope); underline links to the posts in the photo sharing section.
Green = done, Orange = expected, Red = missed.
1. Full Moon; zoom lens; T1i + 55-250 kit @ 250mmMoon shots: 70-200 f2.8 L mkII + 1.4x + 2.0x TC's stacked
560 via 70-200 + 2x + 1.4x TC

IMAGE LINK: http://lh5.googleuserc​ontent.com …/nozkHz1AbHs/IM​G_2828.jpg

I've had luck with live view, 10x, then manual focus until the brightest star you can find gets small/sharp as possible.
Sometimes that takes a back/forth on the focus ring until you find that center spot of focus.
Even if you have to crank up the ISO just to focus to show the star brightest, then move it down for the actual shot.
Infinity marking on lens is a good start, but that varies on temp and zoom.

This will be a year long thread......

[edit 7/26/10] Now 7 months into 2010, I've got shots for 1, 2, 3 (Dec-09 actually), 5, 7, 8, and 9. [edit 8/27/10] added #11, got shots for #10 2 weeks ago as well

[edit 10/6/10] added #9d M31 [edit 10/22/10] added 7c Iridium flare, 9e/9f Orion/M42 , 10b Perseid meteor's

[edit 07/12/11] moved items 8-11 to post#2 below with 144pix sized images

Top 10 in 2010 to shoot (Astronomy, non telescope) - cont

[edit] added posts #8 - 11 to this post for 144pix preview images

8. Star Trails ; wide lens, long exposures, stacking; images here 8a Loghome star trail (my 1st)
8b Geminid meteor shower night & Star Trails
8c South/North star trails from this weekend (Fri/Sat 2-4-2011)

mtbdudex wrote in post #9896616
So, do all these Iridium flares last only a few seconds??

Yup, just a few seconds as the solar panels of the satellite are just at the right angle to reflect the Sun down to you. Luckily, they're fairly common so you shouldn't have to wait long for another go.

When we finally get some clear skies here in the UK I'll be aiming to capture one on video.

I'd just like to say this is a great forum with helpful members.
I'm amazed at the images posted by so many members here, and at the help/guidance I've gotten by reading what others have accomplished.

Now 7 months into 2010, I've got shots for 1, 2, 3 (Dec-09 actually), 5, 7, 8, and 9.
I've updated my "Top 10 in 2010" color coded with links to threads in the picture sharing section.

Hi all, first post here.

Well, I sort of got no 7 - ISS transit of the Sun.... Using a welding glass as a filter in quite cloudy conditions.

Here

Marty - nice captures, this is the talk forum section, you should re-post your photos in the photo sharing section for wider feedback. Good job @ Iridium Flare!

Added #11 "Jupiter and 4 moons" (thx BlakeG! and GuitarFreak), now I have to go Iridium Flare "hunting"....with setting my camera on continuous shooting in proper direction (from Heavens-above) should ensure me more chance @ success next time I try.

[edit 10/22/10] added 7c Iridium flare, 9e/9f Orion/M42 , 10b Perseid meteor's to 1st post.

Learned a lot past 10 months, later I plan to summarize the shots took, lens/camera settings in a table for myself and others as handy ref chart.
(Christmas 2010 holiday thing to do.....)

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Must say I have to applaud your vision and dedication to achieving the goal you set yourself at the beginning of the year. Well done mate.

troypiggo wrote in post #11216199
Must say I have to applaud your vision and dedication to achieving the goal you set yourself at the beginning of the year. Well done mate.

Thx Troy, its been fun learning so much and a continued challenge.
Still 2 months left in 2010 before the 2011 list of new goals!

I added 144pix "click-able" images next to links as quick previews in posts 1 and 2.

Even though the original title was "Top 10 in 2010 to shoot (Astronomy, non telescope)", as I take more non telescope shots I'll add them here as placeholder and lesson learned, with their techniques.

Since I just got my new telescope, I'll have to ponder a "Top 10 to shoot (Astronomy using 8" SCT )" as my next assignment and challenge.
Probably beak that up into organized categories....

very nice, i've been silently following your progress.

Harm wrote in post #12748964
very nice, i've been silently following your progress.

From a 20k+ poster I take that as a compliment!
I really like POTN community, as I learn try and help/give back so others can grow like I have.
This is my all things Canon home, + much other great resources and sub-forums here.


I'm still pondering what "pure astro forum" to join.
I'm a member of both cloudy nights and astronomyforum.net, so far I'm just a lurker on cloudy nights but have posted on astronomyforum.net a few times.

Not sure where I'll have as my dedicated astro forum, I'll choose 1 as my home and lurk at the other.
I really don't like to "double post" among multiple forums, done it a few times but try and stay away from doing that now, unless its helpful.

G'day again. As I mentioned above, admire your commitment to this project and great work. As far as astro forums I'm familiar with, cloudy nights is good, but I find the community and interface much more like POTN on ice in space http://iceinspace.com.​au

Pict 8d lots of fireflies & star trail (2+ hrs images) just made it onto NASA August 5, 2011 APOD!!!
My 15 minutes of fame....From techniques I learned here, thx Canon POTN gang.

Link here:
http://apod.nasa.gov/a​pod/ap110805.html