Binning In Astrophotography [To Bin or Not To Bin?]

Post author:Kevin Francis
Post published:December 5, 2020
Post category:Astronomy Astrophotography Binning Dedicated Astronomy Camera Deep Sky Long Exposure Astrophotography Narrowband Imaging Noise Reduction

Comparatively, anyone starting out can find binning in astrophotography mysterious. What does it mean to combine pixels? Why would I want to combine pixels? All in all great questions and…

Dedicated Astronomy Camera vs. DSLR

Post author:Kevin Francis
Post published:October 4, 2020
Post category:Astronomy Astrophotography Beginner Astrophotography Dedicated Astronomy Camera DSLR Camera Long Exposure Astrophotography

https://youtu.be/GNxO2EX8m5s Save your money for the optics and the camera. After all a dedicated astronomy camera is the next logical step. Given that I'm dad of the century, my family…

Picture saved with settings embedded.

Eagle Nebula, A Stellar Nursery [M16]

Post author:Kevin Francis
Post published:September 19, 2020
Post category:Astronomy Astrophotography Beginner Astrophotography Deep Sky Long Exposure Astrophotography Nebula Night Sky Star Clusters Stars Universe

Eagle Nebula, M16 The Eagle Nebula is the 16th object cataloged by Charles Messier and discovered by Jean-Philippe de Cheseaux in 1745. Also it spans 70 by 55 light years…

Planetary Nebula M27

Planetary Nebula Are Spectacular [M27 Dumbbell Nebula]

Post author:Kevin Francis
Post published:September 2, 2020
Post category:Astronomy Astrophotography Beginner Astrophotography Galaxies Long Exposure Astrophotography Nebula Planetary Nebula

Planetary Nebula take on beautiful shapes and colors. There's one called the God's Eye Nebula because it looks like an eye. Similarly, M27 the Dumbbell Nebula, is classified as a…

Dual Axis Motor Drive [Mount Upgrade]

Post author:Kevin Francis
Post published:August 20, 2020
Post category:Astrophotography Beginner Astrophotography Deep Sky Long Exposure Astrophotography Telescope Mount

https://youtu.be/-t-pmW4_pdI A Dual Axis Motor Drive is a logical next upgrade to my mount. Why? Although I already have a motor on the RA axis, why add one to the…

Coma Corrector

Coma Corrector Equals Round Stars Everywhere [Newtonian Telescope]

Post author:Kevin Francis
Post published:June 17, 2020
Post category:Astronomy Astrophotography Coma Corrector Deep Sky DSLR Camera Galaxies Long Exposure Astrophotography Newtonian Telescope Night Sky

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…

Polar Alignment Camera Install [Polar Scope]

Post author:Kevin Francis
Post published:May 21, 2020
Post category:Astronomy Astrophotography Long Exposure Astrophotography Polar Alignment

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.…

13 Photo Stack on Left 31 Photo Stack on Right

Image Stacking in Astrophotography [Reduce Noise]

Post author:Kevin Francis
Post published:November 10, 2019
Post category:Astrophotography DSLR Camera Image Stacking Long Exposure Astrophotography Noise Reduction Post Processing

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?…

Telescope & Mount: ModifiedOrion Astroview 6 Reflector with Astroview Mount Camera: Canon EOS XTi Guiding: None Location: Carrollton, VA Sky: Bortle Class 5 Acquisition & Calibration: - Filter: None and I'm looking into narrowband filters - ISO 1600 - 49 Light Frames @ 30 s - 35 Dark Frames @ 30 s - 20 Flat Frames - 30 Bias Frames - Total Integration Time: 24.5 minutes

Long Exposure Astrophotography [Get A Drive Motor]

Post author:Kevin Francis
Post published:October 20, 2019
Post category:Astronomy DSLR Camera Google PIxel Long Exposure Astrophotography Telescope Telescope Mount Wide Field Astrophotography

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…

Google Pixel Really Blue using the NOAA Magnetic Field Calculator to determine true north

My Polar Alignment Methods [Telescope Setup]

Post author:Kevin Francis
Post published:June 2, 2019
Post category:Astrophotography Deep Sky Long Exposure Astrophotography Telescope Telescope Mount Wide Field Astrophotography

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…