![Read more about the article Coma Corrector Equals Round Stars Everywhere [Newtonian Telescope]](https://i0.wp.com/kevinrfrancis.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/failuresetup_comacorrector-1.jpg?fit=973%2C666&ssl=1)
A Coma Corrector has never been part of my continuous improvement plan. I have been happy with the progress of my astrophotography. And literally thought nothing of it. At least…
![Read more about the article Polar Alignment Camera Install [Polar Scope]](https://i0.wp.com/kevinrfrancis.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/IMG_20200520_134505-scaled.jpg?fit=2560%2C1440&ssl=1)
It's time to buy a polar alignment camera. The QHY PoleMaster or Orion Starshoot are each a nice $299 opportunity. iPolar, by iOptron is a cool $249. And that's it.…
![Read more about the article How to Star Hop [Beginner Astrophotography]](https://i0.wp.com/kevinrfrancis.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/qtq80-S9PstL.jpeg?fit=2375%2C1440&ssl=1)
Navigating the night sky can be challenging for beginners. The Star Hop technique is the best way to find night sky objects for the beginner. And there are a few…
![Read more about the article Smartphone Astrophotography [Google Pixel 3]](https://i0.wp.com/kevinrfrancis.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/IMG_20191124_191515-scaled.jpg?fit=2560%2C1440&ssl=1)
Smartphone astrophotography is a fast growing part of astronomy. Smartphones are common, portable, and have great cameras. I've owned a Google Pixel 3 for almost a year now and get…
![Read more about the article Image Stacking in Astrophotography [Reduce Noise]](https://i0.wp.com/kevinrfrancis.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/M31_Andromeda-Galaxy_noisecomparison_web.jpg?fit=2159%2C723&ssl=1)
Image stacking is how you reduce noise from your precious photo. Yes, noise...those seemingly random specks that dot the landscape of your photo. What is it? How it get there?…
![Read more about the article Dark Sky: Where Are You? [Astrophotography]](https://i0.wp.com/kevinrfrancis.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/darkskymap.jpg?fit=1366%2C675&ssl=1)
Milky Way (I didn't take this photo) The hunt for a dark sky was once imaginary. Before Lewis Howard Latimer and Thomas Alva Edison dropped the mic on the light…
![Read more about the article Comparing M13 Photos [Messier 13]](https://i0.wp.com/kevinrfrancis.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/M13_Great_Globular_Cluster_RRRT_5_16_19.jpg?fit=1679%2C1979&ssl=1)
M13 or the Great Globular Cluster in Hercules is an astronomy favorite. It is 145 light years in diameter and contains approximately 300,000 stars. I've recently focused two telescopes on…
![Read more about the article How To Find Night Sky Objects Without A GoTo Mount [Plate Solving]](https://i0.wp.com/kevinrfrancis.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/M3_5_28_19_.jpg?fit=2457%2C1714&ssl=1)
I want to find night sky objects with a GoTo mount. If you know me, I love technology. Yet for this hobby, I want to learn the night sky with…
![Read more about the article My Polar Alignment Methods [Telescope Setup]](https://i0.wp.com/kevinrfrancis.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/IMG_20190602_164653.jpg?fit=4032%2C3024&ssl=1)
Messier 51 or M51 or Whirlpool Galaxy. Telescope: RRRT (Fan Mountain) Camera: SBIG STX-16803 Exposure: Red: 14 @ 2 min Blue: 14 @ 2 min Visible: 14 @ 2 min…
![Read more about the article Messier 51 On The RRRT [Whirlpool Galaxy]](https://i0.wp.com/kevinrfrancis.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/M51-Whirlpool-Galaxy_RRRT_05072019.jpg?fit=962%2C940&ssl=1)
Remember my last article? You know the one about my experience at the Fan Mountain Observatory in April 2019. The outcome was to target Messier 51 or the Whirlpool Galaxy…
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