Capturing the Milky Way using the Dwarf 3 Smart telescope

Ah, the Milky Way. That quiet band of light stretching across the summer sky has been there longer than anyone can remember, yet every year it pulls our eyes upward like it is brand new. It is the one thing in the warm night sky that can make a person stop in their tracks, hold up a phone, and try to catch its faint dusting of stars in a photograph. Out here, away from the hum of streetlights, it feels like an old friend drifting back into town for a visit, just passing through the same path it has taken for ages.

In a recent video, Ioan Nemes, known online as @GalaxyArtMedia, shared a method for capturing a clear image of the Milky Way using the Dwarf 3 smart telescope. The process included planning the shoot, setting up equipment, dialing in camera settings, and working through challenges at the location. The video also showed how the Dwarf 3 operates in different modes, how to adjust for changing conditions, and which accessories can improve results.

Capturing the Milky Way with the Dwarf 3 Smart Telescope

Preparation was a key part of the workflow. An astronomy weather app was used to determine the best time and place to shoot, offering a dark sky map, sky quality graphs, and AI-based recommendations for observation windows. By comparing multiple sites, it was possible to choose a location with minimal cloud cover and favorable seeing conditions.

Checking the weather and wind forecast was also part of the plan. Strong winds can reduce image sharpness, so shorter exposures were lined up as a backup in case conditions were less than ideal.

For this outing, the Dwarf 3 was paired with a few essential accessories:

• The standard Dwarf 2 tripod for portability and quick setup
• An optional hydraulic head tripod for equatorial mode
• A portable power bank with built-in cables to charge both telescope and phone
• A flashlight and two headlamps with red light modes to protect night vision
• A clip-on waist light to illuminate gear without shining into eyes
• ND filters for dark frame calibration
• A 3D printed adapter for light pollution and narrowband filters
   

Narrowband filters, such as the Optolong L-eNhance, can highlight hydrogen-alpha and oxygen regions in Milky Way shots, adding more defined structure to the final image.

On arrival, wind was stronger than expected. To minimize shake, the short kit tripod was used, placing the telescope low to the ground. This reduced movement from gusts and kept the center of gravity stable. The setup was positioned away from car headlights and other artificial lights. At one point, nearby lights were turned off at request, improving the sky’s visibility.

The main goal was to frame the Milky Way with the Rho Ophiuchi cloud complex and the Antares region. After calibration, focus checks, and selecting Messier 19 as the central target, the Milky Way was positioned slightly left in the frame to ensure those nebula regions would be included.

Avoiding trees or buildings in the shot was recommended unless planning to process the foreground separately. For those wanting landscape elements, software like Sequator can stack the sky while freezing the ground for a blended image.

The original plan called for 90-second exposures at gain 0 for maximum dynamic range and detail. Due to the wind, settings were adjusted to 30-second exposures at gain 60 for sharper results. The Dwarf 3’s latest update allows 90-second wide-field exposures, but shorter shots can be more reliable in unstable conditions.

The Altazimuth mode also performed well without equatorial tracking, though EQ mode still offers advantages for longer exposures.

Once settings were in place, the capture sequence began. In about 50 minutes, enough usable data was collected to cover the target areas. ND filters were used beforehand to take matching dark frames, ensuring proper calibration and reduced noise in the final stacked image. Taking darks at the same temperature as the light frames proved important, since default dark frames may not match the night’s conditions.

Post-processing was done with the Stella Studio feature for quick alignment, stacking, and basic adjustments to bring out Milky Way detail and color. While in-app results were strong, more detail could be extracted using specialized astrophotography software.

Key takeaways from the session included:

• Plan with accurate weather tools to pick the best time and location
• Keep power sources ready for both telescope and phone
• Use lower tripod setups to limit wind impact
• Stay away from artificial lights and use red lighting when needed
• Frame targets to include wide-field context and points of interest
• Match exposure times to the stability of conditions
• Capture dark frames at matching temperatures for clean stacking
   

This Milky Way capture with the Dwarf 3 showed how thoughtful preparation, environmental awareness, and the right accessories can combine for a smooth session. The approach is repeatable for anyone wanting to photograph the Milky Way with a compact smart telescope while maintaining a balance between technical setup and field practicality.

Dwarf 3 smart telescope specifications

• Aperture Diameter: 1.38 in (Tele), 0.13 in (Wide)
• Focal Length: 5.91 in (Tele), 0.26 in (Wide)
• Equivalent Focal Length: 29 in (Tele), 1.77 in (Wide)
• Sensor: Sony IMX678 STARVIS 2
• Built-in Filters:
• Tele: VIS / Astro / Dual-band
• Wide: Astro (for day and night use)
• Battery: 10,000 mAh internal, supports external USB charging
• Storage: 128 GB eMMC internal
• Shooting Modes: Photo, Video, Astro, Panorama, Burst, Timelapse (Tele & Wide)
• NPU: 5 TOPS
• Telephoto Video Max Resolution / Frame Rate: 4K at 30 fps, 1080p at 60 fps
• Telephoto Picture Max Resolution: 3840 × 2160
• Wide-Angle Video Max Resolution / Frame Rate: 1080p at 30 fps
• Wide-Angle Picture Max Resolution: 1920 × 1080
• Max Exposure Time in Astro Mode: 60 seconds (Tele), 90 seconds (Wide) - both in EQ mode
• More Functions: NFC one-touch connection, astro mosaic, wide-angle astrophotography
• Size: 8.74 × 5.59 × 2.56 in
• Weight: 2.87 lbs
• Price: $549 USD
   

Ioan's image of the Milky Way