This article was last updated on December 2nd, 2024. I am often asked for my opinion on the best route to take when it comes to building a deep-sky astrophotography kit for the first time. There are 3 main items you need: a camera, a telescope, and a mount. A popular option for many night…
Remote observatories are facilities that house astrophotography equipment in dark-sky locations. Users can control the telescope remotely via the Internet. This means users can capture images without needing to be on-site. Whether you’re operating your own gear that’s been shipped to the facility or booking time on high-end equipment provided by the observatory, remote…
The Celestron NexStar 8SE computerized telescope is one of the best-selling telescope packages of all time. It features a large aperture optical telescope and a computerized GoTo mount. The NexStar series of SCTs has been around for over a decade, and I was finally able to experience this beginner-friendly telescope for myself. I was impressed…
Key Takeaways The Askar SQA55 uses high-quality optics to produce astrophotography images that are sharp, flat, and well-corrected. It features an innovative design with a variable aperture, similar to a camera lens with a manual focus ring. The small aperture (55mm) and short focal length (264mm) mean it is unsuitable for planetary imaging or photographing…
Key Takeaways The ASI2600MC Air is a 3-in-1′ smart camera’ that combines a dedicated astronomy camera with a guide camera and a WiFi controller that runs on the ASIAIR mobile app. The design dramatically reduces the amount of cables and accessories needed to run a complete deep-sky astrophotography imaging session. Critiques dislike that this ‘niche…
The Sky-Watcher Wave 150i strain wave mount is the latest equatorial tracking telescope mount from a brand known for its reliable astrophotography mounts. For the first time in Sky-Watcher’s history, this mount doesn’t require a counterweight. Strain wave gear telescope mounts are designed to be compact, portable, and lightweight. In fact, the Sky-Watcher Wave 150i…
Here are the exact camera settings I use to take pictures of stars with a DSLR camera and lens. The following steps will help ensure that your photos are clear and sharp and include plenty of stars in the night sky. Mount your DSLR to a tripod to avoid camera shake Set the aperture (f-stop)…
There is nothing like taking your first deep-sky astrophotography image. You’re taking pictures of objects that lie thousands or millions of light-years away. Galaxies, nebulae, and star-forming regions are out there, and there’s an endless supply of new targets to capture. The best part is that you can see way more in an image than…
If you followed along with our adventure to Star Stuff III in Byron Bay, then you know we traveled to Uluru as part of our two-week stay in Australia. Not only did we want to see and experience the outback, but we wanted the best chances for clear, dark skies in the desert to see…
The Milky Way in the Southern Hemisphere is a sight to behold for any stargazer or casual observer. Not only does it contain constellations, nebulae, and stars not found in the northern hemisphere sky, but it also showcases the bright galactic center of the Milky Way overhead. From a dark sky location without the interference…
I recently took an incredible picture of a distant galaxy using my backyard telescope. While many of you have seen me do this often on YouTube, this time, the experience was a little different. The rules of this galaxy photography challenge were simple. I could prepare my camera and telescope equipment beforehand, but I only…
I have rounded up a list of the best stargazing apps for your mobile phone or tablet. These are the astronomy apps (along with other astronomy resources) I personally use while using my telescope for a night of observing or astrophotography. Many of the star maps are completely free (such as Stellarium) but include ‘Pro’…