This is my current astrophotography setup. It has evolved considerably over the years — I started with just the C9.25 and a CGEM mount, and have added equipment gradually since then.

Mount

Paramount MyT 5000

My primary mount since September 2021.

Celestron CGEM I (retired)

My original imaging mount, used for all images taken before August 31, 2021. I now only use it for visual observing and public star parties.

Telescopes

AstroTech AT130EDT

My main imaging refractor — a 130mm f/7 apochromatic triplet. I use it with either an AstroTech .8x reducer/flattener or a Hotech field flattener depending on the target. This is the workhorse for most of my serious imaging sessions.

William Optics Zenithstar 73

A 73mm doublet refractor that I user when I want a wider field of view. It uses a .8x reducer/flattener. It is nounted on top of my AT130.

Celestron C9.25

A 9.25” (235mm) Schmidt-Cassegrain that I’ve owned since around 2002. It’s the older 1990s-era OTA. I use it for visual astronomy.

ZWO Seestar S50

An all-in-one smart telescope I use when I want to image without a full setup. It’s a great little scope.

Cameras

QHYCCD miniCAM8M

A dedicated monochrome astronomy camera with an integrated filter wheel. I use it with broadband (LRGB) filters as well as 3nm narrowband filters. Being a dedicated mono camera, it produces noticeably cleaner data than the DSLR for demanding targets.

Canon T6i (astro-modified)

A Canon T6i that has been full-spectrum astro-modified by Spencer’s Camera in Utah. The modification removes the stock IR cut filter, significantly improving Ha sensitivity. I still use it regularly alongside the miniCAM8M.

Filters

I use a mix of filters depending on the target and conditions:

  • Optolong L-eNhance — dual-narrowband (Ha/OIII) for emission nebulae from my light-polluted backyard
  • Astronomik CLS-CCD — broadband light pollution filter for use with the T6i
  • LRGB — standard broadband set used with the miniCAM8M
  • UV/IR Cut — used with the T6i for broadband targets
  • LP Filter — built-in filter on the Seestar S50

Software

I use NINA (Nighttime Imaging ‘N’ Astronomy) for sequence planning and camera/mount control.

I process all my images using Siril