![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…
![Messier 51 On The RRRT [Whirlpool Galaxy]](https://i2.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…
![UVA, Norfolk State & Me [Fan Mountain Observatory]](https://i1.wp.com/kevinrfrancis.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/IMG_20190426_192727-EFFECTS.jpg?fit=4032%2C3024&ssl=1)
Fresh off seeing my UVA Cavaliers win the NCAA Mens Basketball Championship, I couldn't wait to visit grounds. In fact I packed all my UVA gear
![Orion Astroview 6: Equipment Spotlight [Moving Prime Focus]](https://i0.wp.com/kevinrfrancis.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Mirror-Extension.jpg?fit=628%2C479&ssl=1)
I moved prime focus without cutting the OTA (Optical Tube Assembly) on my Orion Astroview 6 telescope. Huh? How? No way? The first thing I did when the Canon EOS…
![Bahtinov Mask: Equipment Spotlight [Focus]](https://i1.wp.com/kevinrfrancis.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/IMG_20190127_194051.jpg?fit=3619%2C1973&ssl=1)
I 3D printed a Bahtinov Mask, so I can clearly see the sky. There are numerous objects in the night sky. Using a telescope brings them into view but how…
![Canon EOS XTi: Equipment Spotlight [DSLR Camera]](https://i1.wp.com/kevinrfrancis.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/image-20181226_160328.jpg?fit=4032%2C3024&ssl=1)
The Canon EOs XTi joins my astrophotography family. I started using my Google Pixel Really Blue to photograph night sky objects. I've captured the Orion Nebula, Sun, stars, planets, star…
Progression from start to totality Total Lunar Eclipse The total lunar eclipse was beautiful! I took more than 500 pictures of this event to create this photo. The 2019 total…
What Smartphone Astrophotography Obstacles? I've been "Missing In Action" with my smartphone astrophgraphy for many months now. Let me tell you why. First was the Android P or Android Pie…
![Dark Sky Astrophotography [Smokey Mountain Getaway]](https://i1.wp.com/kevinrfrancis.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Planets-8-11-2018.jpg?fit=1076%2C1116&ssl=1)
August is a busy month for my family, and we took a weekend to visit the Smokey Mountains in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Wow what a great opportunity to do dark sky…
Telescope Buying Guide Buying a telescope is much like buying a car. Asking a car owner "What car should I buy?" will lead to a multitude of answers. This can…