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Ankitstarskiby Ankit Verma

Tools of the Trade

The gear, software, and creative instruments behind the images and music.

Astrophotography Gear

Telescopes & Lenses

  • William Optics RedCat 51: My go-to for wide-field vistas of large nebulae and galaxies.
  • Celestron EdgeHD 8: For when I need to get up close and personal with distant galaxies and planets.
  • Samyang 135mm f/2.0: An incredibly sharp lens for capturing vast mosaics of the Milky Way.

Cameras & Imaging

  • ZWO ASI2600MC Pro: A one-shot-color powerhouse that captures stunning, low-noise images with ease.
  • QHY268M Monochrome: My choice for serious deep-sky imaging with narrowband filters to reveal hidden structures.
  • Mounts: Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro and ZWO AM5 are the robotic workhorses that track the stars with precision.
Processing & Software

Image Processing Suite

  • PixInsight: The heart of my processing workflow. It's a complex but incredibly powerful tool for stacking, calibrating, and enhancing deep-sky images.
  • Adobe Photoshop: Used for final touches, color adjustments, and creative enhancements to bring the image to life.
  • AutoStakkert! & Registax: The standard for planetary imaging, used to analyze video frames and stack only the sharpest ones.
Music Production

Sound & Composition

  • Bansuri Flute: A traditional bamboo flute from India, its breathy and soulful tone is the centerpiece of my compositions.
  • Ableton Live: My digital audio workstation (DAW) of choice. I use it to record, arrange, and mix all the soundscapes and melodies.
  • Spitfire Audio Labs: An incredible source of free, high-quality virtual instruments that add depth and texture to my tracks.