Astrophotography by Walt Davis

Arcturus is the 3rd brightest star in the sky. This picture was taken with a Nikon D70 and 600mm f4 ED lens - diffraction spikes created with fishing line and stopping down the aperture ring. By Walt Davis.
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Object Information

Name: Arcturus
Star Type: Red Giant Star
Description: Arcturus is the 3rd brightest star in the sky. This picture was taken with a Nikon D70 and 600mm f4 ED lens - diffraction spikes created with fishing line and stopping down the aperture ring.
Magnitude: -0.05
Related Photos: none

References:

Arcturus Boötes Constellation Google Images
Acquisition

Location:

Latitude 44.841N by Longitude -122.869W at an elevation of 87 meters.
Aumsville, Oregon USA

Date:

 July 6, 2008

Zone: -8 (Pacific Standard Time)
Equipment

Imager:

Nikon D70

OTA:

Nikkor 600mm f4 ED telephoto lens
Barlow: none
Platform: 2X Super Modified Nikon Imaging Platform
Guiding: none
Imaging
Mode: Mode 2
White Balance: Sunlight

Color Space:

sRGB
Format: JPG (1504 x 1000)

Light frames:

Single 30 sec frame at ISO 1600.

Darks:

none

Flats:

none
Filters: none
Mask: none
f-stops: f22
FOV: 136 x 89 arcminutes
Scale: 2.71 arcseconds per pixel
Software: Nikon Capture 4 Control
Image Processing

Stacking:

none

Combined:

none
Processing: PhotoShop CS3
Notes

The unusual combination of diffraction spikes was achieved by stopping the lens aperture down to f22 (the small spikes) and then using two pieces of 60lb fishing line across the front of the lens (the large spikes).

Copyright © 2008 Walt L. Davis All Rights Reserved