Observation Log: M43 Pleiades Star Cluster

Date: 2025/11/1 
Location: Ashland, Ne Bortle 4-5 
Conditions: Seeing (Good), Transparency (Good), Temperature (0°C)

Equipment Used

• Telescope / OTA: Celestron NexStar 9.25 SCT, etc.
• Mount & Tripod: ZWO AM5N + TC40
• Camera(s): ASI533MC Pro
• Accessories: hyperstar
• Software: ASIAIR, PixInsight, Photoshop

Target Information

• Object Name: M45 Pleiades
• Type: Star Cluster
• Constellation: Taurus
• Magnitude: +1.5
• Apparent Size: 120.0 arcmin
• Notes: Prominent in November sky, easily identified with eye and attractive in photos

Imaging Details

• Exposure Settings: 20s X 286 subs at 110 gain
• Filters: No filter, forgot UV/IR filter
• Integration Time: 1 hour 35 minutes 20 seconds
• Calibration Frames: 50 dark frames 200 flat frames 300 bias frames
• Pixel Scale: 1.50”/px
• Backfocus Config: N/A

Observing Notes

• Setup & Alignment: smooth setup and alignment
• Session Highlights: dress warmer
• Challenges: very cold but no dew issues, ota frosted but dew shield kept corrector plate clear the several hours I was out
• Lessons Learned: buy warmer clothing silly

Summary

• Total Imaging/Observing Time: 6 hours in field
• Best Result detailed image of Pleiades Star Cluster
• Data Archived: Yes, home Deep Storage Desktop External Hard Drive