Distant Gas Giants, Uranus and Neptune with DSLR

Uranus was an observing list item for November, and the last time I photographed Neptune I wasn't zoomed all the way in with the 300mm lens - so I wanted to try to get both of them this month. Although they just look like stars with my gear, it's still fun to try to locate them. 

Neptune was fairly easy, and I had a good shot out my west-facing balcony. Uranus was very tricky because Pisces doesn't offer many bright landmarks for me to hop between - which is evident from the nameless stars surrounding it in the photo below. 

Stack of 165 subs, 40 dark, 40 bias, f/5.6, ISO 1600, 1.3 sec, 300mm

Stack of 92 subs, 40 dark, 40 bias, f/5.6, ISO 1600, 1.3 sec, 300mm

Solar System Showcase: My Collection So Far

In the past year and a half, I've photographed every planet in the solar system and then some. I've always wanted to put them all together and see my collection all at once - so here it is! Hopefully as I learn to take photos with my scope, I will be able to improve upon this collection. But for now, this is what I've got.

Click to enlarge

Updated 10-8-13 Click to enlarge

Neptune in Aquarius

My first ever shot of Neptune! Neptune was the first planet found by mathematical prediction rather than by empirical observation, and wasn't directly observed until 1846! Took these photos last night at around 5:30am ET over the western horizon.

35 subs, 12 darks, 12 bias frames each at ISO 1600, 35mm, 8 sec, f/4.5

Cropped from 35mm image above