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 that handled almost everything on its own. The target was the Elephant’s Trunk Nebula, a beautiful emission nebula in the constellation Cepheus. Each setup collected…
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 you’re not locked into a single ecosystem, and that alone makes it one of the more interesting alternatives to systems like the ASIAIR. After…
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 the same: get away from artificial light and experience the night sky the way it’s meant to be seen. What we’ve learned, though, is that…
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, and that’s it. For most people, that is the night sky they know, but it’s only a small fraction of what’s actually there. Over time,…
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 tools to use, but when to use them. If you’re looking for a PixInsight processing tutorial that is actually easy to follow, this guide will…
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 forecast, helping you check things like cloud cover, seeing, transparency, wind, humidity, and even smoke before you drag all your gear outside. If you spend…
If you’ve been researching telescopes lately, you’ve probably noticed something: a lot of people are skipping the classic eyepiece route and jumping straight into smart telescopes. Smart telescopes can find targets for you, track them, and build a bright, detailed image on your phone or tablet using live stacking (a technique that steadily improves the…
Last updated: March 4, 2026. If you find this helpful and buy through my links, I may receive a small commission. A total lunar eclipse is a celestial event that anyone can appreciate. Amateur photographers and astrophotographers alike are preparing to photograph a lunar eclipse using a wide range of camera equipment. The best part?…
There’s a lot to look forward to in the night sky, and this astronomy calendar 2026 highlights the best astronomical events you won’t want to miss. From dramatic eclipses to rare planetary alignments, vibrant meteor showers, and potential comet appearances, 2026 is packed with opportunities for visual observers and astrophotographers alike. This guide walks you…
The ZWO AM7 is the largest and most capable harmonic drive mount in the AM lineup. It’s designed for astrophotographers running heavier telescopes who still want the convenience and portability these compact red mounts are known for. If you’ve been pushing the limits of the AM5, or simply want more room to grow without jumping…
Last updated: February 25, 2026. If you find this helpful and buy through my links, I may receive a small commission. After using the Seestar S30 Pro extensively in my backyard for more than a month, I’ve developed a solid feel for what it can and can’t do. Galaxies, Nebulae, the Sun, EQ mode, Timelapses…
I recently took on a fun backyard challenge: photographing the Fox Face Nebula (NGC 1788) using the William Optics UltraCat 76. It’s not a target you hear about very often, and that’s exactly what drew me to it. While Orion is packed with famous, high-contrast objects, this one tends to fly under the radar, especially…