Hot take: I finally got a decent shot of the Milky Way from my backyard in Flagstaff

Honestly, I've been trying for months but my shots were always just a grainy mess. I read that stacking multiple exposures helps, so I took 30 shots at 15 seconds each with my Canon EOS Ra and stacked them in DeepSkyStacker. Ngl, the difference was crazy, the core actually looked detailed instead of noisy. Has anyone else had luck with this method from a Bortle 4 zone, or is there a better free stacking program you'd recommend?

2 comments

2 Comments

claire_ramirez225d ago

I always thought you needed crazy expensive gear for good astro shots. My old DSLR could never get the Milky Way core clear from my place near Sedona. Stacking 20 exposures in DeepSkyStacker last year was a total game changer, the noise just melted away. For a free program it works solid, I haven't felt the need to switch. Your results from a Bortle 4 zone sound about right for what that method can do.

noahcampbell4d ago

Wait, Sedona's actually a Bortle 2 or 3 zone on a good night. That's way darker than Bortle 4. If you're stacking from there, your results should be way cleaner than what you'd get from a 4. Maybe check a light pollution map for your exact spot.