The ‘popular posts’ category includes how-to astrophotography articles, image processing tutorials, and in-depth camera and telescope reviews.
This is where you will find the information people look for most when visiting the AstroBackyard website. Some of the most popular articles on this website involve building a deep-sky astrophotography setup.
For the most up-to-date look at the equipment I use for astrophotography, be sure to visit the ‘my equipment‘ section. I have done my best to include a variety of resources in this section.
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…
Last Updated September 28, 2025 I recently assembled a budget astrophotography rig to capture deep-sky objects in my backyard. While I knew this system would be very capable, I was astonished by the quality of the pictures I took with it. Astrophotography (and photography in general) can be an expensive hobby, with high-end equipment often…
Last updated: December 1, 2025. If you find this helpful and buy through my links, I may receive a small commission. I am often asked for my opinion on the best route to take when building a deep-sky astrophotography kit for the first time. You need three main items: a camera, a telescope, and a…
Last updated: Mar 12, 2026. I’ve put together my trusted list of the best astronomy apps for stargazing on your phone or tablet. These are the same stargazing and planning apps (plus a few other key astronomy resources) that I personally rely on at the telescope for a night of observing or deep-sky astrophotography. Many…
This guide covers some of the best deep-sky astrophotography targets by season in the northern hemisphere. From bright nebulae and galaxies to beautiful star clusters, you’ll find targets that are perfect for beginners and seasoned imagers alike. Knowing what targets are available to you throughout the year makes planning your nights under the stars way…
Last updated: March 12, 2026. If you find this helpful and buy through my links, I may receive a small commission. In the astrophotography realm, ‘Galaxy Season‘ refers to the period in Spring when the night sky offers up a buffet of incredible galaxies to observe and photograph. From early March until mid-May, the window…
Last updated: March 5, 2026. If you find this helpful and buy through my links, I may receive a small commission. If you’re looking to buy your first telescope (or your first good telescope), this guide is for you. I’ll cover the most important aspects of a telescope, how much you should expect to spend,…
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…
The Sky-Watcher Star Adventurer GTi is a highly portable star tracker that was designed for astrophotography. It allows you to take long-exposure images of space by tracking the apparent movement of the night sky. Unlike the original Star Adventurer, the GTi model also has the ability to find deep-sky objects in the night sky using…
Last updated: March 3, 2026. If you find this helpful and buy through my links, I may receive a small commission. What Is the ZWO ASIAIR? The ZWO ASIAIR is a compact WiFi-enabled astrophotography controller that lets you run your entire telescope setup from a smartphone or tablet. It connects to compatible ZWO cameras, mounts,…
Taking impressive deep-sky astrophotography images is not reserved for those using an astronomical telescope. A budget camera lens can be used to take images of some of the best deep-sky objects in the night sky. A telephoto zoom lens can provide enough magnification to pull distant objects in space in for a closer look, but…
Nightscape photography involves capturing a landscape-style image at night. It can include the beautiful Milky Way, a starry sky, or your favorite constellation. This is a type of astrophotography where long exposure images are taken to reveal the beautiful light of a seemingly ‘dark’ sky. Star photography requires quality optics, and some camera lenses are better…