A framing of most of the constellation of Perseus, with the brightest star in the constellation, Mirfak or Alpha Persei at centre. At lower right is Algol, the Demon Star. At top is the Double Cluster of stars, aka NGC 868 and 884, while at top left is the Heart and Soul Nebula complex, aka IC 1805 and IC 1848. The small star cluster NGC 1245 lies between Mirfak and Algol. The bright Messier cluster M34 is just off frame at right. The bright blue stars surrounding Mirfak are the Perseus OB3 Association, or Melotte 20, aka the Alpha Persei Moving Group. The field is about 16° by 24°. This is a stack of 8 x 2-minute exposures with the Rokinon RF85mm lens at f/2.8 on the Canon R5 at ISO 800. An additional exposure through an Alyn Wallace/Kase Star Glow filter added the star glows to emphasize their colours and prominence. All stacking, alignment and layering in Photoshop. The camera was on the Star Adventurer. Taken from home on a very clear night, September 27, 2022.
The Milky Way through the Perseus to Auriga area, populated by clusters and nebulas of the next spiral arm out from ours, in the Perseus Arm. The Double Cluster is at right, with the Heart and Soul Nebulas above it, while the Auriga clusters and nebulas are at left. At bottom is the California Nebula and Messier 34 cluster. The Perseus OB Association of hot blue stars is at centre. Capella is the bright star at upper left. The Taurus Dark Clouds are at lower left. This is a stack of 8 x 3-minute exposures with the 35mm Canon lens at f/2.8 and Canon EOS Ra at ISO 800. 4 shots were through the NISI Natural Night light pollution reduction filter and 4 were through the Hoya Red Enhancer filter, taken as part of testing. An additional exposure through the Kenko Softon filter adds the star glows. Taken from home on a very clear night, December 29, 2019 on the iOptron SkyGuider Pro.
