astrophotography from boats

 Well not from the boats, I mean that would be impossible wouldn't it, all that bobbing about!

However, on those nights beached in remote spots where there are dark skies up the river Tamar, well that is a different scenario isn't it.

I have been saving for some time and finally I have bought a good astrophotography travel rig comprising

• zenithstar 61ii with field flattener - for both visual and imaging work
• samyang 135mm F/2 lens
• skywatcher star adventurer 2i wifi pro star tracker 

It will all team up with my canon 800d dslr and my Benro mach 3 carbon fibre tripod. 

Astrophotography is new to me. It is a huge steep learning curve. I am getting to grips with the tracker and the image taking. The actual post processing is a dark art which I continue to grapple with and I feel I am making little progress in that area. 

Still, the kit packs down well into one storage box inside two dry bags (one inside the other) and on days when the weather gives gentle breezes and good spring tides, I feel some trips up river for stargazing coming on. I will keep you posted. 

The new telescope

the night sky above my garden in a semi rural - suburban area

my first planet image - Jupiter and three of her moons

the sky above my nearest beach