Guidance for an Amazing Hobby
In a perfect astrophotography world, we would live in the modern world, but with one exception: nighttime lighting would be minimal or nonexistent. Although that scenario is not realistic, we can achieve something similar. There are a variety of optical filters that do a fine job of filtering out the wavelengths of common lighting fixtures … Read more
Manufacturer: UniStellar Price: $5199 Unistellar has released an upgraded version of its popular all-in-one astronomy/astrophotography smart telescopes. Like its little brothers the eQuinox and the eQuinox 2, the eVScope 2 is a self-contained telescope and camera combination that offers a live view of celestial objects that gets enhanced over time using image stacking. The result … Read more
Have you ever looked up at the night sky and been captivated by the moon’s serene beauty? You’re not alone. The moon has been a source of wonder for eons, and capturing its essence with a camera is a fascinating challenge for many photographers. The nice thing is that the moon is up nearly every … Read more
Manufacturer: Vaonis Price: $1599 The Vaonis Vespera II Smart Telescope is another offering in a fast-developing market for all-in-one astrophotography equipment designed to simplify observing and capturing remarkable real-time images of celestial objects. The Vespera II is a more advanced version of the Original Vespera. The 50mm aperture remains the same, but the sensor is … Read more
When I first thought about how to write this article, I wanted to try to come up with price brackets for different budgets. However, I could not come up with any decent combination that was under $1000. In all the years I have been enjoying this hobby, there is one constant principle that I have … Read more
Coronado PST Price: $899.99 Southern California has a reputation for mild sunny days. But for those of us who live in coastal California, those beautiful sunny days are often followed by cloudy nights when the low clouds roll in from off the coast. This is particularly the case during the late spring and early summer. … Read more
Price: $459 (Classic Version) $595 (Recommended Deluxe Version) The competition for an easy-to-use (suitable for beginners) smart telescope-camera combination heats up with the introduction of the DWARF II smart telescope from DwarfLab. The Dwarf II is a portable and ultra-light smart telescope with a built-in AI and can be controlled through a mobile app, making … Read more
Price: $549.95 The Apertura All Night Imaging Power Supply is a 518Wh astronomy-dedicated power supply that can keep your gear running all night long. It’s a great option for astrophotographers who need to power their equipment for extended periods. Compared to other common portable power supplies, the Apertura has a capacity of more than triple … Read more
Notable Dark Sky Sites If you’re eager to witness the splendor of the night sky in its purest form, you’ll want to pinpoint locations known for their pristine stargazing conditions. Dark Sky Reserves are such coveted destinations because they offer unparalleled views of the cosmos, thanks to the concerted efforts to minimize artificial light pollution. … Read more
Manufacturer: Sharpstar Price: $4195 The SCA260 is a new large aperture astrograph made by Sharpstar. It has a very large 260mm (10.2 inch) aperture and a focal length of 1300mm. This combination results in a relatively fast focal ratio of f/5. This fast focal ratio is very desirable for astrophotography given the long exposures necessary … Read more