Search Results for: light pollution

9 Must-See Observatories in the U.S.

If you are interested in the hobby of astronomy, you know the key role many U.S. observatories play in advancing the space sciences and understanding our universe. From ground-breaking discoveries to monitoring near-Earth asteroids, the research being done by astronomical observatories is essential.  In addition to their scientific importance, observatories make great tourist destinations, offering…

How to Use a Telescope

How to Use a Telescope

You have completed the research and purchased your first telescope and now you’re wondering how to use this new piece of astronomy equipment. You’re ready to look at the moon and planets up close for the first time, and can’t wait to show your friends and family the Rings of Saturn. As a beginner, you…

Astrophotography Image Processing Tutorial
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Astrophotography Image Processing Tutorial

In this beginner-friendly image processing tutorial, we will use Adobe Photoshop to take an astrophotography image from its raw state to a finished master file for sharing. The post-processing stage of astrophotography is an exciting experience because it is when you finally get to enjoy the deep-sky object you have captured, up-close. This is a…

Blue Horsehead Nebula

Blue Horsehead Nebula

The Blue Horsehead Nebula (IC 4592) is a photogenic reflection nebula in the constellation Scorpius. In the northern hemisphere, it is a summer astrophotography target that lies close to the Rho Ophiuchi cloud complex. After many years of admiring gorgeous images of this deep-sky target, I finally photographed the Blue Horsehead Nebula myself in the…

Lyrids Meteor Shower

Lyrids Meteor Shower

The Lyrids meteor shower, which peaks in late April, is one of the oldest known meteor showers. According to NASA, the Lyrids have been observed for 2,700 years, with the first recorded sighting as far back as 687 BC. What is a Meteor Shower? Meteor showers, such as the Lyrids, are leftover particles (debris and…

Brightest Galaxies in the Night Sky

Brightest Galaxies in the Night Sky

A galaxy is a collection of stars, gas, dust, and dark matter held together by gravity. There are several different types of galaxies, including spiral galaxies, elliptical galaxies, irregular galaxies, and lenticular galaxies, which are often classified based on their appearance, The largest galaxies (i.e. supergiants) are thought to contain up to one hundred trillion…

Astrophotography | 14 Must-Know Starting Tips
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Astrophotography | 14 Must-Know Starting Tips

If you’re getting started in astrophotography, I am here to save you some time and frustration by learning from the mistakes of myself and others. Whether you’re looking into a full-blown deep-sky camera and telescope setup, or just getting started with a DSLR and tripod, I think this article will come in handy. The following…