Northern Hemisphere Winter Astrophotography

Horsehead Nebula IC 434 and Flame Nebula

The winter solstice marks the longest night of the year, a perfect time for astrophotographers to capture the beauty of the night sky. It happens on or around December 21st in the northern hemisphere. This event means more hours of darkness, giving you prolonged opportunities to shoot stunning celestial bodies. Cold winter nights offer clearer … Read more

Monochrome Vs One-Shot-Color Cameras

ZWO ASI6200MM Professional Color Camera

Astrophotography is all about capturing the beauty and wonder of the night sky. The right camera can make a huge difference in the quality of your images. Two popular types of cameras for astrophotography are monochrome cameras and one-shot-color (OSC) cameras. Monochrome cameras capture images in grayscale, but they can be paired with various filters … Read more

Capture Star Trails With A DSLR Camera

Star Trails Over Trees

Star trails are stunning visual paths created by stars as they move across the sky due to the Earth’s rotation. Capturing these trails is all about patience and an understanding of night sky movements. The science behind star trails is fairly straightforward. Stars appear to move in circular patterns around a central point in the … Read more

Remote Astrophotography Locations To Explore

Australian Outback

  One thing is constant about astrophotography: the more remote, the better. First and foremost is the minimal amount of light pollution. Light pollution from urban places takes away the luster of the night sky, washing out the stars and dulling celestial objects. When you’re out far from any artificial lighting, the night sky takes … Read more

Astrophotography Apps For Stargazing

Stellarium

Stargazing makes a wonderful mixture of art with science through astrophotography and imaging. The moment those breathtaking celestial events are snapped and the timeless starry skies are photographed, then this includes having the perfect equipment and, at the same time, the perfect tools to maximize it. That’s where specialized apps come into the picture: changing … Read more

Sidereal, Solar, Lunar & King Tracking Speeds

iOptron HEM44EC Telescope Mount

Telescope tracking speeds are crucial for anyone serious about astronomical observation. They dictate how well your telescope can follow celestial objects across the sky, ensuring they remain within your field of view for extended periods. Accurate tracking is what separates a fleeting glimpse from a detailed study, making it key for stargazers and astronomers alike. … Read more

Astrophotography Mistakes: How To Avoid Them

Common Beginner Mistakes

When I started in the hobby of astrophotography, I made many mistakes that were excellent learning experiences. Technology has advanced quite a bit in the last 20 years or so, and this has reduced the chances of making some of these mistakes, but there are some basic considerations that don’t change. The following sections detail … Read more

Top Astrophotography Brands

Hubble NGC 3521

Have you ever gazed up at the night sky and yearned to capture its awe-inspiring beauty? Astrophotography is the art of photographing celestial events and bodies, from the shimmer of distant galaxies to the intricate surface of the moon. It’s a pursuit that combines the timeless wonder of astronomy with the cutting-edge precision of modern … Read more

Astrophotography With A Smartphone

man holding cell phone imaging the milky way

Have you ever looked up at the night sky and felt drawn to the dance of distant stars, wishing you could capture that moment forever? Well, guess what? You can. And you don’t need a telescope or a fancy DSLR camera to do it. The allure of astrophotography is now more accessible than ever, thanks … Read more

Histograms In Astrophotography

An Example of a Histogram Showing a Properly Exposed Image

What is a histogram?  In photography, a histogram is a visual representation of pixel “brightness” in the x-axis and the number of pixels with that brightness in the y-axis. The left side of the x-axis represents the dimmest or darkest brightness values, also called shadows, the middle represents the mid-tones, and the right side represents … Read more