Piotr Czerski’s Astrophotography Journey

“Ever since I was a kid, I’ve been fascinated by the universe.”

“I wouldn’t say it has changed me fundamentally, but it’s definitely become an important part of my life.”

That simple childhood curiosity sparked a lifelong passion for Polish astrophotographer Piotr Czerski—#19/2025 ASIWEEK winner and a rising voice in the astrophotography community. Based in southern Poland near Kraków under Bortle 6 skies, Piotr balances his career in IT project management with long nights under the stars, capturing the hidden beauty of our universe. His award-winning photo? A breathtaking view of the Rho Ophiuchi region, taken from a Bortle 4 site in southern Poland. Given that the target never climbs more than 16 degrees above the horizon at his location, Piotr had to wait patiently for perfect weather. That patience paid off. “Fortunately, I experienced excellent skies over two nights, which allowed me to complete the project.”

Using a ZWO ASI2600MC Pro with a Samyang 135mm f/2 lens, an Antlia ALP-T Dual filter for capturing Hydrogen-alpha, and an IDAS LPS D1 to battle horizon light pollution, Piotr gathered 5 hours and 30 minutes of integration time to produce a vibrant, detailed image of one of the most colorful regions of the night sky.

A Journey Sparked by Wonder

Piotr’s story began with books and telescope images that stirred his imagination. But it wasn’t until 2018 that he decided to pick up a camera himself. “I remember seeing stunning images of deep-sky objects taken by the world’s largest telescopes—those photos captured my imagination.”

The North America and Pelican Nebulae. This is a 3-panel mosaic captured with an ASI 294MC Pro, Meade 70/350mm quadruplet, and an Optolong L-eNhance Pro filter. Total integration time: 15 hours.

Encouraged by friends and inspired by the results others were achieving with accessible gear, Piotr dove in. His first real astrophotography attempt happened during a trip to Tenerife with a portable setup—and while most images didn’t turn out well, one decent shot was all it took to light the fire. “It was a small achievement, but it felt meaningful—like taking the first step on a much longer journey.”

Piotr Czerski’s first successful attempt at astrophotography, taken in Tenerife. The image features the M8 and M20 nebulae, along with Saturn in the upper left portion. Captured using a Pentax KP camera and a 70–200mm lens.

A Terrace Observatory

Despite the challenges of light pollution, Piotr does most of his imaging from his terrace at home, making the most of every clear night. His equipment has grown into a robust and well-integrated setup, including:

Telescopes: Samyang 135mm f/2, Meade 70/350mm quadruplet

Mount: Explore Scientific iEXOS-100 PMC

Camera: ZWO ASI2600MC Pro

Guiding: ZWO ASI290MM & 30F4 MiniScope

Filters: Antlia ALP-T Dual, IDAS LPS D1, Askar Colour Magic C2

Accessories: ZWO EAF, OAG, ASIAIR Plus

“I really appreciate how ZWO gear functions as a complete ecosystem—each component is designed to work seamlessly with the others.”

While Piotr still enjoys the convenience of imaging from home, he’s been traveling more frequently to darker sites around southern Poland. These trips allow him to chase fainter, low-horizon targets that would otherwise be lost to city lights.

The Iris Nebula, captured from my terrace using an ASI 2600MC Pro, Meade 70/350mm quadruplet, and an IDAS LPS D1 filter. Total integration time: 13 hours.

Moments That Matter

What does astrophotography mean to Piotr? It’s a form of creativity that pushes both technical skill and artistic vision. “It gives me a deep sense of fulfillment and is a great way to spend my free time doing something meaningful.”

One photo that’s especially meaningful to him was taken during the COVID-19 lockdowns, when city lights in Kraków were dimmed at night. For a brief window, Piotr captured a rare view of the southern sky from his terrace—something normally impossible in his location. “I wouldn’t say it has changed me fundamentally, but it’s definitely become an important part of my life.”

He used an ASI 294MC Pro, a Meade 70/350mm quadruplet, and an Optolong L-eNhance filter.

Overcoming Obstacles, Embracing the Process

Like every astrophotographer, Piotr faces challenges: unpredictable weather, technical hiccups, limited clear skies, and a constant pursuit of improvement. But each setback has only made him more determined.“What keeps me going is the reward of seeing the data come together—when that final image reveals something beautiful hidden in the cosmos.”

The Cygnus Loop Nebula, captured from my terrace. This is a two-panel mosaic created using an ASI 2600MC Pro, Meade 70/350mm quadruplet, and an Antlia ALP-T Dual filter. Total integration time: 12 hours and 30 minutes.

He emphasizes that patience and persistence are key. “Don’t expect quick or easy results. Pay attention to detail at every stage—planning, capturing, processing. Each step matters, and taking the time to do things carefully will lead to much more satisfying results in the long run.”

This is the M45, the Pleiades, captured with an ASI 2600MC Pro, Meade 70/350mm quadruplet, and an IDAS LPS D1 filter. Total integration time: 20 hours and 30 minutes.

A Love for the Rho Ophiuchi Region

If he had to choose a favorite target, it would be the Rho Ophiuchi complex—one of the most vibrant and dynamic areas of the night sky. “It’s the quintessence of the cosmos’ beauty. I love how it looks at different focal lengths—you can interpret it in so many creative ways.” Piotr is already planning to revisit this region, next time with a 35mm lens for a wider composition. After that, he has his eye on the dusty nebulae of the Cepheus constellation.

Looking to the Horizon

Piotr’s astrophotography journey is far from over. This year, he plans to travel to the United States, hoping to capture nightscapes in Death Valley and Mono Lake. “I’ve become increasingly interested in wide-field astrophotography that includes landscape elements. When you place the Milky Way in a meaningful context, the result can be truly powerful.”

This picture shows the Milky Way over the Tatra Mountains, taken from one of my regular dark-sky locations. Captured using an ASI 2600MC Pro and a 35mm lens.

Why ZWO?

Piotr’s first ZWO product was the ASI294MC Pro, but his setup has expanded significantly since then. His most game-changing piece of gear? “Definitely the ASIAIR. It simplified the entire acquisition process and gave me full control over my sessions.”

But overall, he remains a proud member of the ZWO user community: “ZWO continues to surprise me with its innovation. I’m excited to see what they come up with next.”

These are the Flaming Star and Tadpoles Nebulae, presented in the Foraxx palette. Captured using an ASI 2600MC Pro, Meade 70/350mm quadruplet, Antlia ALP-T Dual, and Askar Colour Magic D2 filters. Total integration time: 10 hours and 20 minutes.

Final Thoughts

From humble beginnings to award-winning images, Piotr Czerski’s journey is a testament to passion, patience, and perseverance. Whether he’s working from his terrace or under the dark skies of southern Poland, he continues to push his creative limits—one star at a time. “I’m still learning, still improving—but every photo brings me one step closer to capturing the cosmos the way I see it in my mind.”