Stars are the simplest stories in the night — bright points shaped by distance and time. Just beyond the doorstep, they become quiet companions in the sky’s slow drift.
Under city skies, only the brightest remain visible to the eye. But the camera sees further, gathering what light pollution tries to hide.
Integration: 60 minutes (120 × 30s)
Equipment: Askar FRA300/5.0 APO • ZWO ASI585MC-Air • Explore Scientific iEXOS-100-2
Filters: Optolong L-Quad Enhance
Acquisition: ASIAIR • ASIAIR Guiding
Processing: GraXpert • Siril
Notes:
Captured November 23, 2025. A bright cluster rising above Chicago’s glow, where the blue reflection dust pushes through even under Bortle 9 skies. Short exposures and careful gradient control help preserve the delicate nebulosity without overwhelming the stars’ structure.