Astrophotography Made Simple.
Find beginner tips, camera settings, and tutorials to take breathtaking photos of space tonight.
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How to Photograph the Wolf’s Cave Nebula (VdB 152)
At first glance, this looks like an empty patch of sky. There is no bright red nebula jumping off the screen and no familiar galaxy waiting in the middle of…
How to Photograph a Solar Eclipse
Originally published March 1, 2024. Last updated August 9, 2026. Photographing a solar eclipse can be a life-changing experience. You may only get a few chances in your lifetime to…
Do You Really Need Five-Minute Exposures Anymore?
In this article, I’ll discuss why modern astrophotography cameras and processing have changed what the best astrophotography exposure time should be, and when a 5-minute exposure still makes sense. My…
6 Astronomy Events You Don’t Want to Miss in August 2026
August is always one of my favorite months for astronomy. The Milky Way is still on display, the warm nights make it easy to stay outside for hours, and some…
I Tried Telescope Live: Processing Data From a $73,000 Telescope
Disclosure: This article accompanies a video produced in paid collaboration with Telescope Live. If you subscribe through one of them, I may earn a commission at no additional cost to…
Askar SQA130 Review: Is This the Ultimate Backyard Astrograph?
Last updated: June 29, 2026. If you find this helpful and buy through my links, I may receive a small commission. The Askar SQA130 is the largest telescope in Askar’s…
I Captured The Same Nebula with a DSLR, Astro Camera, & Smart Telescope
Recently, I captured the same deep-sky object using three very different camera systems. A full-frame mirrorless DSLR-style astrophotography setup. A dedicated astronomy camera rig with autoguiding. And a smart telescope…
ToupTek StellaVita Review: Better Than Ever, But Not Perfect
The ToupTek StellaVita is a control box that can run an entire astrophotography setup from your phone or tablet. It supports a wide range of cameras and accessories, so…
Dark Sky Camping: RV Lighting Etiquette and Setup
Dark sky camping has become a big part of how we travel. Whether we’re heading to a remote site or setting up at a star party, the goal is always…
Rediscover the Night Sky: 6 Things You’re Missing Because of Light Pollution
If you’ve ever stepped outside at night and looked up, it probably felt like you were seeing the night sky. A few bright stars, maybe a familiar constellation or two,…
My Astrophotography Processing Workflow in PixInsight & Photoshop
In this guide, I’m going to walk you through my current astrophotography processing workflow from start to finish. The biggest thing I want you to take away isn’t just what…
The Best Weather Apps for Astronomy
A good weather app can save you a lot of frustration when you’re planning a night under the stars. The best weather apps for astronomy go beyond a basic clear-or-cloudy…
Enhance Your Astro Images
Learn how to process your astrophotography images from start to finish.
This beginner-friendly guide will walk you through the entire process of editing the photos you worked so hard to collect.
Stop searching for answers all over the web and find everything you need in one place.
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About AstroBackyard
AstroBackyard exists to help beginner astrophotographers learn and thrive. Trevor Jones and Ashley Northcotte are the husband and wife team behind AstroBackyard.