Mini Messier Marathon: M27 (Dumbbell Nebula), M15, M56, M71

I woke up at 2:30am on Saturday morning to take the dog out. It was clear out, so I decided to set up my camera on the balcony and shoot some objects around the Summer Triangle that was in the western sky. Between 2:30am - 4:00am I was able to image four Messier objects and Nova Delphini 2013.

First up, M27 the Dumbbell Nebula. I never thought I'd be able to catch this dim nebula with just my DSLR on a fixed tripod, but I was excited that the basic shape is visible! This object also counts toward my IAS Novice/Urban Observing List for August 2013.

161 subs, 62 dark, 45 bias each at 300mm, ISO 1600, f/5.6, 1.3 sec

Crop of the above image showing Dumbbell Nebula shape

132 subs, 62 dark, 45 bias each at 300mm, ISO 1600, f/5.6, 1.3 sec

88 subs, 62 dark, 45 bias each at 300mm, ISO 1600, f/5.6, 1.3 sec

145 subs, 62 dark, 45 bias each at 300mm, ISO 1600, f/5.6, 1.3 sec

I also noticed that the apparent magnitudes listed on each item's main Wikipedia page is different from the items listed on the Messier object page, and different than the magnitudes listed in Stellarium - So which should I use?? Either way, M71 and M56 were super faint.

I also recycled some bias and dark frames from another day entirely. I know it's probably not the best solution, but I don't think at this level of photography it's that noticeable - plus my memory card was completely full.

So much easier! Another reason why I love a balcony.

I brought my laptop running Stellarium out onto the balcony with me - which was so much easier than going back and forth to look up anchor stars or stars that look familiar. Luckily it has a night vision mode, and I turned the screen brightness way down.