![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 Long Exposure Astrophotography [Get A Drive Motor]](https://i0.wp.com/kevinrfrancis.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/M42_Orion_1600_2_26_19_ST_v4.jpg?fit=1280%2C792&ssl=1)
Long exposure astrophotography without a GoTo Mount has been a fun challenge for me. Over the past few months, I've posted a few of my results on Reddit to some…
![Read more about the article Wide Field Astrophotography and First Light with My Orion ST-80 [Andromeda Galaxy]](https://i0.wp.com/kevinrfrancis.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/M31_Andromeda-Galaxy_9_20_19_web.jpg?fit=1080%2C831&ssl=1)
Because it's small and great for wide field astrophotography picked up an Orion ST-80 telescope. The ST stands for Short Tube. In case you're wondering, first light, simply means the…
![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…
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