Guidance for an Amazing Hobby
Choosing astrophotography equipment can be confusing due to the many choices available. When matching a telescope with a camera for astrophotography, there are several things to consider to make sure you have the best match. It is much more than just thinking about budget and what looks nice. Image circle Many beginner astrophotographers fail to … Read more
If you are purchasing a telescope, you may ask yourself “what is the best type of telescope?”. There is no single answer to this question. Let’s start out by giving the characteristics of each type. There are three main types of telescopes The three primary types of telescopes are refractor telescopes (also called refracting telescopes), … Read more
Spring is a great time for astrophotography as there are many interesting targets visible in the night sky. Spring is also known as “galaxy season” to astrophotographers, since so many of the best objects during this time of year are galaxies. Here are a few suggestions for what’s happening in the sky tonight in the … Read more
What is a Messier Object? Let’s start with what Messier objects are. The Messier Catalog, also known as the “Catalog of Nebulae and Star Clusters”, is a list of 110 astronomical objects that was first compiled by the French astronomer Charles Messier in the 18th century. What is the Messier Catalog? The catalog contains a … Read more
Astrophotography is a rewarding, but challenging hobby. The equipment and software learning curve tends to be high. But learning equipment and software is not the only challenge. Light pollution also can severely impact image quality. One hundred years ago, almost everyone on earth could go outside at night and see the Milky Way Galaxy in … Read more
What is Image Calibration? Image calibration is the process of correcting light frame images for extraneous information captured in the image that is caused by sensor noise, thermal noise, variations in pixel sensitivity and irregularities in the optical path, such as dust shadows. Calibration is typically done by correcting the light frame image with:1) Bias … Read more
There are several considerations when deciding to pursue the hobby of astrophotography. Budget should be the first thing you think about. This hobby can be quite expensive if you want the most sophisticated equipment available. But you really don’t need to break the bank when making important choices. The learning curve is steep, although automation … Read more