Subframe Duration under These Conditions - Forums

Topic starter

Frequent contributor

14 days ago

Hi!

I'm imaging VdB 158 tonight. The moon is 74% full and is at a distance of a little over 112 degrees from the object.
I plan on imaging in RGB, foregoing L due to moonlight. This is under a Bortle 1 sky and should be very clear all night.

Is a 180" subframe exposure optimal, or should I go to 90"?

If I go to 90 seconds, then I have to use another set of 90" darks. How will WBPP know which darks go with which lights? I usually have all my darks in one folder but in this case the other 3 nights I've been imaging this object I've been using 180 second subs.

Thanks!
Jerry

Well Written

andrea tasselli

Frequent contributor

14 days ago · Edited: 14 days ago

I wouldn't fuss around, just get what is easiest to you. At that distance I would be tempted to go 300s and damn the torpedoes.

John Stone

11 days ago · Edited: 11 days ago

If you want, you can install the NINA "Optimal Exposure Calculator" plugin and it will use your SharpCap sensor evaluation and a snapshot of your target to tell you the optimal exposure time (a.k.a. swamp the read noise by 10x) for that target, on that day, at that time.

Helpful Concise