Is the ZWO ASI 120 MC good enough for DSO?

[alberto91]

Especially galaxies..

I had the 120 MM for exoplanet detection, but sold it.

If someone could include an astrobin link to images of galaxies taken with the ZWO ASI 120 MC and a small non-apo telescope (under 130mm) I would appreaciate it.

Edited March 29, 2021 by alberto91

[vlaiv]

While you can shoot galaxies with something like ASI120mc - you don't really want to do that.

If you are considering ASI120 because of budget constraints - look at used Canon DSLR instead.

When I was beginning I had QHY5LIIc - which has the same sensor as ASI120mc I think and here are a few images of galaxies that I did with that:

M82 Cigar:

C30 / NGC7331:

M51 - this was taken with an upgrade camera ASI185mc - a bit larger sensor, more sensitive and less noise:

But I don't think any of these were taken with a small scope - they were taken with 8" newtonian.

[alberto91]

Thank you.

I was suspecting it.

I realized most people use it just as a guide camera.

I actually have a Nikon d3400, but since the shutter has a life expectancy, it might not be the best for short-exposure live stacking.

[Tan Zhi Qi]

No I don't think so. ZWO ASI 120 MC is more of a planetary camera. For DSO you may need the 183, 294 or 533. 

[7170]

On 29/03/2021 at 02:31, alberto91 said:

Especially galaxies..

I had the 120 MM for exoplanet detection, but sold it.

If someone could include an astrobin link to images of galaxies taken with the ZWO ASI 120 MC and a small non-apo telescope (under 130mm) I would appreaciate it.

Not sure if it is of any use but this is an image of M81 taken last night with my 120MM. I usually use it for guiding but it gets lots of use elsewhere too! 111 lights @ 25s each on the ED80/HEQ5 (no guiding). Stacked and just a few curves applied in gimp. Wasn't focused well (autofocus part of the script didn't work)  and would benefit from more subs but it was a test on the capture software side for some automated scripts I've written and it made sense to have a target of interest and the smaller file sizes from the 120.

[Paul M]

 

 

 

 

A while ago I was playing around and noticed in PHD2 guiding frames that I could make out the Flame Nebula next to Alnitak in 2.5 sec subs using the standard Skywatcher 50mm finder scope and ASI120 MM mini.

Intrigued by the sensitivity shown, I increased the exposure to 10 sec and stacked 3 of those. Not breath taking but you can just make out the Horse Head neb.

Not much use but lots of fun!

With more effort and a short focal length you could certainly make a start in imaging. As already said, not the best way to spend your money unless you were intending to use the 120mm for guiding in the future.

 

[Adam J]

On 29/03/2021 at 02:31, alberto91 said:

Especially galaxies..

I had the 120 MM for exoplanet detection, but sold it.

If someone could include an astrobin link to images of galaxies taken with the ZWO ASI 120 MC and a small non-apo telescope (under 130mm) I would appreaciate it.

I think that the issue is not that the 120mc cant take an image of a galaxy its that the 224mc is so so much better at that for not very much more money. 

Adam

 

Edited April 8, 2021 by Adam J