Astrophotography is more than just a telescope and a camera—it requires the right accessories to capture stunning, detailed images of celestial objects. Here are 10 essential accessories that every astrophotographer should consider:
1. Equatorial Mount (with Tracking Capability)
- Why You Need It:
Astrophotography demands long exposures to capture faint celestial objects. An equatorial mount aligns with Earth’s rotation, ensuring your target stays centered. - Top Picks for Remote Imaging or Lightweight Gear: Sky-Watcher Star Adventurer GTi $740), iOptron SkyGuider Pro ($448).
- Top Picks for Larger Gear Setups: ZWO AM5N Strain Wave Equatorial Mount ($1999), iOptron HAZ31 Alt-Azimuth Strain Wave Mount ($2098)
- Pro Tip: Go-To mounts are ideal for beginners to find and track objects automatically.
2. Intervalometer (Remote Shutter Release)
- Why You Need It:
An intervalometer automates long-exposure sequences without touching the camera—essential for reducing vibrations. - Key Feature: Programmable delay intervals for star trails and time-lapse sequences.
· Budget-Friendly Option: Pixel TW-283 ($39.99 available for most camera makers), AODELAN Wireless Remote Control ($59.99)
- or a camera’s built-in interval timer.
3. Bahtinov Mask (for Precise Focusing)
- Why You Need It:
Achieving perfect focus on distant stars can be tricky. A Bahtinov mask creates diffraction spikes that make focusing quick and accurate. - How It Works: Place it over your telescope’s aperture, focus until the central spike is perfectly aligned.
4. Light Pollution Filter (for Better Contrast)
- Why You Need It:
Light pollution can wash out faint nebulae and galaxies. A broadband or narrowband filter enhances contrast by blocking unwanted wavelengths. - Recommended Filters: Optolong L-eXtreme ($309 or IDAS NBZ-II (($318)
- Tip: Choose filters based on your targets and sky conditions.
5. Field Flattener/Reducer (for Refractor Telescopes)
- Why You Need It:
Refractor telescopes often suffer from field curvature, which causes stars near the edges to look distorted. - Function: A field flattener corrects this issue, while a focal reducer shortens the focal length for a wider field of view.
- Recommendation: Varies depending on telescope.
- Good Option: Askar FRA series flatteners for Askar telescopes.
6. Dew Heater (with Controller)
- Why You Need It:
Condensation is a common enemy during long astrophotography sessions. A dew heater wraps around your telescope’s optics to prevent moisture buildup. - Must-Have: Look for models with adjustable heat settings for varying humidity levels.
- Recommendation: Thousand Oaks Four Channel Digital Dew Heater ($109)
7. Guide Scope & Auto-Guider (for Long Exposures)
- Why You Need It:
Even premium mounts drift over time. A guide scope with an auto-guider tracks a star and sends corrections to your mount. - Popular Picks: ZWO ASI174MM-MINI ($399), PrimaLuceLab 60mm f/4 Compact Guide Scope ($185)
- Software Integration: PHD2 Guiding is free and user-friendly.
8. Portable Power Supply (for Off-Grid Imaging)
- Why You Need It:
Dark-sky sites often lack power outlets. A portable power station keeps your mount, camera, and dew heaters running through the night. - Recommended Units: Jackery Explorer 500 ($399) or Celestron PowerTank Lithium Pro ($250).
- Tip: Calculate power needs beforehand to avoid mid-session shutdowns.
9. Flat, Dark, and Bias Frames Aids
- Why You Need It:
Calibration frames help reduce sensor noise, vignetting, and other artifacts for cleaner images. - Tools:
- Flat Frames: Light panel or dawn-lit white surface.
- Dark Frames: Lens cap on with same exposure settings.
- Bias Frames: Fastest shutter speed with lens cap.
10. Astrophotography Software (for Planning and Post-Processing)
- Why You Need It:
From planning your imaging sessions to stacking and processing images, software tools are indispensable. - Top Planning Apps: Stellarium, SkySafari Pro ($19.99 on app store).
- Top Processing Software: PixInsight, AstroPixelProcessor, and Photoshop.
- Pro Tip: Learning PixInsight’s tools can dramatically improve image quality.
($19.99 on app store)
