🔭 October Imaging Plan — Switzerland (46°N)

Optimized for your 400 mm, 700 mm, 1000 mm, 2000 mm rigs (APS‑C, color + narrowband)

🌄 400 mm f/5 — Widefield Heart & Soul

APS‑C FOV ≈ 3.2° × 2.1°

🎯 Best October Target: Heart + Soul Nebulae (IC 1805 + IC 1848)

Why this target fits 400 mm Both nebulae are huge and sit perfectly together in a single widefield frame at 400 mm.

Filters

• Narrowband Hα/OIII (duo‑band)

• RGB optional for star color

Exposure strategy

• 180–240 s NB

• 60–120 s RGB

• 8–12 h total integration

Expected result A dramatic double‑nebula composition with rich Hα structures and dark dust lanes.

Secondary October target: IC 342 (The Hidden Galaxy)

🌌 700 mm f/7 — Soul Core & IC 342

APS‑C FOV ≈ 1.8° × 1.2°

🎯 Best October Target: Soul Nebula (IC 1848) — Core Region

Why this target fits 700 mm You capture the central Hα structures with excellent detail while keeping the nebula’s shape intact.

Filters

• Narrowband Hα/OIII

• RGB optional

Exposure strategy

• 240–300 s NB

• 10–15 h total integration

Expected result A richly detailed Soul Nebula core with strong emission and defined dust structures.

Secondary October target: IC 342 (medium‑field galaxy)

🌠 1000 mm f/4 — Edge‑on Galaxies & Bubble Region

APS‑C FOV ≈ 1.2° × 0.8°

🎯 Best October Target: NGC 891 — Edge‑on Galaxy

Why this target fits 1000 mm NGC 891 is a perfect match: long dust lane, crisp edge‑on profile, and enough size to fill the frame.

Filters

• RGB for galaxy structure

• Optional Hα for faint emission regions

Exposure strategy

• 180–240 s RGB

• 8–12 h total integration

Expected result A razor‑sharp edge‑on galaxy with a dark dust lane and faint halo.

Secondary October target: NGC 7331 (Autumn classic)

🌑 2000 mm f/10 — Stephan’s Quintet & Tight Galaxies

APS‑C FOV ≈ 0.6° × 0.4°

🎯 Best October Target: Stephan’s Quintet

Why this target fits 2000 mm The compact galaxy group needs long focal length to resolve tidal tails and interactions.

Filters

• RGB for galaxies

• Optional Hα for shock regions

Exposure strategy

• 300–600 s RGB

• 10–15 h total integration

Expected result A high‑detail view of the interacting galaxies with visible tidal structures.

Secondary October target: NGC 891 close‑up

⭐ Your October Master Plan (Summary)