How Many Subs

Celestron Origin Mark II: how long to image deep-sky targets

The Origin Mark II (late 2025): the same 6-inch f/2.2 RASA with an 8 MP IMX678 in place of the original 6 MP IMX178. Smaller pixels for finer detail, a quieter sensor, and still the fastest system here by a wide margin.

SpecValue
Aperture152 mm
Focal length335 mm (f/2.2)
SensorSony IMX678, 3856 × 2180, 2 µm pixels
Pixel scale1.23″ per pixel
Field of view1.32° × 0.75° (79′ × 45′)
Sub exposures10 s, 15 s, 30 s (default 10 s)
FiltersFilter drawer takes 1.25-inch or 2-inch filters, including dual-band; Celestron sells an optional Nebula Filter. What the names mean.
In the calculator“No filter” is the No filter position; “dual-band” is the drawer dual-band (Nebula Filter).
Read noise used0.6 e⁻
Where to buy the Origin Mark IICelestron store DirectAmazon UKAmazon USThe Celestron store link is a plain link; the others are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases, at no cost to you.

Weighing it against the others? The buying guide puts every scope on one table.

Popular targets

Total integration for a solid image, 10 s subs, recommended filter.
TargetBortle 4Bortle 6Bortle 8
Andromeda GalaxyGalaxy13 min80 subs32 min191 subs1 h 36 min575 subs
Orion NebulaEmission nebula5 min30 subs6 min38 subs17 min104 subs
PleiadesReflection nebula23 min141 subs59 min352 subs3 h1,079 subs
Whirlpool GalaxyGalaxy9 min57 subs21 min129 subs1 h 02 min375 subs
Bode's GalaxyGalaxy10 min60 subs23 min140 subs1 h 09 min415 subs
Pinwheel GalaxyGalaxy39 min235 subs1 h 40 min600 subs5 h 11 min1,864 subs
Hercules ClusterGlobular cluster5 min30 subs5 min30 subs7 min42 subs
Dumbbell NebulaPlanetary nebula5 min30 subs10 min60 subs27 min164 subs
Ring NebulaPlanetary nebula5 min30 subs5 min30 subs7 min42 subs
Lagoon NebulaEmission nebula5 min30 subs10 min62 subs30 min178 subs
Eagle NebulaEmission nebula14 min86 subs35 min208 subs1 h 44 min626 subs
Omega NebulaEmission nebula6 min34 subs12 min72 subs34 min203 subs
Trifid NebulaEmission nebula10 min63 subs24 min146 subs1 h 13 min436 subs
Triangulum GalaxyGalaxy23 min141 subs59 min352 subs3 h1,079 subs
North America NebulaEmission nebula20 min120 subs49 min295 subs2 h 30 min900 subs
Western Veil NebulaSupernova remnant22 min130 subs54 min322 subs2 h 44 min985 subs
Eastern Veil NebulaSupernova remnant18 min110 subs45 min270 subs2 h 17 min822 subs
Elephant's Trunk NebulaEmission nebula33 min198 subs1 h 24 min502 subs4 h 19 min1,553 subs
Iris NebulaReflection nebula17 min102 subs41 min247 subs2 h 05 min750 subs
Pacman NebulaEmission nebula23 min141 subs59 min352 subs3 h1,079 subs
Heart NebulaEmission nebula39 min235 subs1 h 40 min600 subs5 h 11 min1,864 subs
Rosette NebulaEmission nebula20 min120 subs49 min295 subs2 h 30 min900 subs
Horsehead NebulaEmission nebula28 min167 subs1 h 10 min420 subs3 h 36 min1,294 subs
Flame NebulaEmission nebula8 min46 subs17 min104 subs51 min304 subs
California NebulaEmission nebula28 min167 subs1 h 10 min420 subs3 h 36 min1,294 subs
Helix NebulaPlanetary nebula28 min167 subs1 h 10 min420 subs3 h 36 min1,294 subs
Double ClusterOpen cluster5 min30 subs5 min30 subs5 min30 subs
NGC 891Galaxy24 min144 subs59 min357 subs3 h 02 min1,093 subs
Sombrero GalaxyGalaxy8 min48 subs17 min104 subs49 min296 subs
Sunflower GalaxyGalaxy15 min91 subs36 min216 subs1 h 48 min648 subs

All 170 targets have a page for the Origin Mark II.

Every target for the Origin Mark II

Supernova remnants

Globular clusters

Open clusters

Emission nebulas

Star clouds

Planetary nebulas

Galaxies

Reflection nebulas

Getting the most from the Origin Mark II

10 s auto subs (15 s with the Nebula Filter); manual 1 to 30 s on the alt-az mount, longer only with the EQ wedge, and 60 s and up needs the StarSense Autoguider too. Celestron warns the f/2.2 optics saturate quickly without the filter. Filter drawer takes 1.25-inch or 2-inch filters, including dual-band; Celestron sells an optional Nebula Filter.

Longer subs matter most under dark skies, where read noise rather than skyglow sets the floor. From a city the difference between 10 s and 30 s subs is small; from a rural site it can halve the total time, especially with a dual-band filter in place.

Stack across nights. Every smart scope app can continue a stack or you can combine the saved frames on a computer; the figures here are totals, not single-session limits.

Compare the Origin Mark II

Useful gear

What actually fits this scope, checked against the maker's own pages: power, EQ mode, dew and carry.

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All Origin Mark II accessories, and what to take on a cold night →