Comprehensive Mini-Database of the Northern Hemisphere's Winter Sky: 100 Raw Images from Ensenada, Mexico

We carried out several test sessions for data collection to adjust the settings of our optical system. From October 2022 to June 2023, we executed numerous sessions to assemble our primary catalog, capturing an extensive array of sky views. A total of 100 sky observations were recorded from various directions without restrictions. These sessions were held at the peak of a hill where CICESE, our research institute, is situated at coordinates 31°52′21.5′′ N 116°40′11.8′′ W in Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico. This location was chosen because it is relatively free from urban light pollution and noise, despite its proximity to the city outskirts. This position minimizes city light interference on one side, slightly reducing light pollution, although image quality was occasionally compromised by the light pollution and facility lighting.

Using the ASI Studio software, we captured high-resolution images of 5496 × 3672 pixels without employing pixel binning to achieve the highest possible resolution. The camera's settings were adjusted to an exposure time of 0.5 seconds and standard gain, with the lens focused at infinity and an aperture set at f/4. This setup enabled us to detect significant background noise and numerous areas that could potentially contain stars.

More information about the article is in the:

https://doi.org/10.3390/aerospace10090748