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
The Saros cycle, a fascinating phenomenon in astronomy, plays a crucial role in predicting eclipses. Because the orbit of the moon is not exactly parallel to the orbit of the Earth around the Sun, eclipses (both lunar and solar) do not occur every time the moon is between the Earth and the Sun. They only … Read more
Astrophotography can be a very rewarding pursuit. It’s a unique blend of art and science. The science is in the capturing of the image, while the art is in how the images are processed. The allure of photographing the night sky draws both professional photographers and amateurs. How many of us have been wowed by … Read more
Astrophotography captures the night sky in a way that often escapes the naked eye, unveiling the wonders of our universe. But unlike everyday photography, it presents unique challenges that enthusiasts like me encounter, from low light conditions to the movement of celestial bodies. It’s not simply about snapping a picture; it’s an art that combines … Read more
Astrophotography captures the allure of the night sky, from the blazing trails of distant comets to the sprawling tapestry of interstellar nebulae. It’s an art that calls for precision, patience, and of course, the right gear. In this world where every photon counts, the choice of camera is paramount. Among the options available, cooled CMOS … Read more
If this is your first total solar eclipse, make sure you soak in the whole thing. Many people who are witnessing their first eclipse focus too much on trying to capture the event with a camera. Getting really good photos of eclipses is really a highly specialized field of photography. Because of the changing lighting … Read more
If this is your first time viewing a total solar eclipse, you are in for a treat. Imagine the astronomical coincidence that places the sun about 400 times more distant from the Earth than the moon, and at the same time, the sun is about 400 times the moon’s diameter. This set of circumstances makes … Read more
There are several types of telescope mounts in use today. They are variations of the two main types: equatorial mounts and altazimuth mounts. Either type can be computerized to point to and track an object, but they do it differently. Equatorial Mounts For astrophotography, the only real choice is the equatorial mount. This is because … Read more
The star names have evolved historically. Several early civilizations were very aware and interested in celestial objects, phenomena, and events. The Greeks, Romans, and early Arabs were prolific “namers” of stars. For example, Betelgeuse (pronounced like “beetle juice”), a bright star in the constellation Orion, gets its name from the Arabic word for “shoulder of … Read more
Astrophotography is a very rewarding hobby. Many really good images are being taken all around the world from less-than-ideal night skies, in or near major cities by taking advantage of today’s technology. But there really is no substitute for a pristine, dark night sky for getting the absolute best photos or for just taking in … Read more