Imaging IC 63 – The Ghost of Cassiopeia
A few nights ago, I finally met up with two exceptionally
talented astrophotographers - WA Emery Photography and Snapadile Dundee
Photography - down at one of my favourite haunts: Wembury Beach on the South
Devon coast. It’s the sort of place where the sky feels close enough to touch,
like someone has lifted the lid off the world and left the universe steaming
gently in the cold night air. Both gents have their own Facebook page by the way, if you are interested in seeing some of their astrophotography work.
These two know their craft inside out. Spending time with
them is like sitting beside some seasoned sailors I know, who can read the sky the way
others read newspapers. Luckily, I’m a lifelong learner—happiest with a
notebook full of new ideas, and a mind grappling with fresh tricks and techniques.
WA happens to own the same mount as me—the EQM-35 Pro. His
was bought new and ‘serviced’ by Dark Frame Ltd; mine is a well-travelled
third-hand veteran that’s survived three different owner styles! Anyone who owns this mount knows balancing it
can feel, on occasions, like coaxing a rusty gate to swing smoothly - thanks to
Sky-Watcher’s famously “thick” factory grease in both RA and DEC.
(I have done a beginners guide to doing a meridian flip with your ASIair Mini - here - https://undersouthwestskies.blogspot.com/2025/12/beginner-tutorial-how-to-set-up.html )
To my surprise, my old mount wasn’t quite the cantankerous
creature I believed it to be. After WA let me try balancing his setup, mine
suddenly felt less like a “drifting spacecraft fighting micro-gravity tumble
and more like a mount settling calmly into alignment.”
I started imaging IC 63, the Ghost of Cassiopeia, at around
19:00. For a while, everything ran beautifully. Then came the meridian flip at
22:00 - and the night then suddenly unravelled like a dropped ball of string.
I’m convinced meridian flips on the ASIAir Mini qualify as a
dark art. That few minute lead up to the flip – the app timer taunting me, watching
my confidence peak… only to be let down after flip time passes – crushing disappointment!
WA’s flip was perfect, effortlessly done, as if ASIAir
itself were bowing in respect to his considerable knowledge and professionalism.
Mine? My mount stared at me with all the enthusiasm of a mule refusing a steep
hill. I had to flip manually, losing twenty minutes reframing. Then the guiding
decided to misbehave. Star trailing everywhere. No tweak, nudge, setting, or
prayer could fix it. Maddening. Infuriating actually!
Regardless of my technological stupidity and mount mutiny,
the night itself was pure magic - crisp, cold, and clear. The new crescent Moon
dipped behind the Great Mewstone around 20:00, scattering a last golden shimmer
across Wembury Bay like an artist dragging a paintbrush of light golden hues
over dark water.
At around 19:00 we caught sight of a Starlink launch low on
the southwest horizon - a surreal greenish glow followed by a pearl-string
parade of fast-moving satellites racing into lower Earth orbit. For a moment,
it felt like the universe was staging its own UFO sci-fi theatrical moment just
for us.
Between sips of hot coffee and glances at each other’s
ASIAir screens, I learned settings and functions I didn’t even know existed. A
proper steep learning curve - but a satisfying one. Despite the guiding
wobbling, I managed steady 7-minute exposures, though it’s clear my mount is
ready for that long-overdue service; WA was pulling off flawless 10-minute subs
like it was nothing.
As the temperature dropped, the cold crept up from the
gravel car park, chilling our bones, despite all our thermal layers and double
duvet jackets. Breath plumed into silver clouds. Hands stiffened. But the
Primus jet boil, flasks of hot drinks, and an unhealthy quantity of snacks kept
the icy bite at bay.
I can’t speak for WA or Snapadile, but I loved every moment.
Their advice, patience, and generosity made the night feel less like a solitary
mission and more like a shared adventure beneath a friendly sky. Thanks guys.
It was great meeting you both; masters of your craft and generous with your
tips. Appreciated.
Equipment Used
- Canon
800D with clip-in Optolong L-eNhance filter
- William
Optics Zenithstar 61II + 61A field flattener
- Sky-Watcher
EQM-35 Pro mount
- ASIAir Mini + ZWO 120mm guide camera
+ RVO 32mm guide scope
- Celestron
Lithium Pro power tank
- Dew
bands (main + guide scope)
- Two
small power banks dedicated to dew bands
- Dummy
battery + power bank for the Canon 800D
- MSM
green laser pen with polar alignment adapter
- Sky-Watcher
right-angled polar viewer
- Neewer
intervalometer
Shooting Details
- 15 ×
420″ lights at ISO 1600
- 15
darks
- 25
bias
- 25
flats
Sometimes I get so excited to start imaging that I forget to
do the basics. “More haste, less speed” - a lesson the night drove home. I
checked my test shots on the rear viewer, but not the histogram, and only later
realised everything was slightly underexposed. The histogram peak was kissing
the left edge—not clipped, thankfully, but not ideal. Longer subs or ISO 3200
would’ve made a world of difference.
Still… even with technical gremlins, underexposed frames,
and a rebellious meridian flip, it was a night full of learning, talk, laughter,
and starlight. The Ghost of Cassiopeia may be faint and elusive, but the
memories from that cold Devon beach feel anything but. A cracking night, top
stuff.
I have fallen behind with my post editing recently, but I will add my first effort on this DSO as soon as possible - so keep checking back on this page to see a 'first' result. I will also share my post editing work flow of the image as well.
