![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…
![Mars: The Red Planet on Display in Summer 2018 [Dust Storm]](https://i2.wp.com/kevinrfrancis.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Mars-7_14_2018.jpg?fit=448%2C448&ssl=1)
During the last star party at The Virginia Living Museum, I laid eyes on Mars for the first time this year. It rose above the horizon to become the fitting…
![Saturn: Photographing the Cassini Division 2018 Update [Rings]](https://i1.wp.com/kevinrfrancis.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Saturn-7_10_2018.jpg?fit=496%2C496&ssl=1)
Light travels about 2 hours from the Sun to Saturn to your telescope. We can spend about that much time searching for the perfect picture of planet and rings. Because…
This summer night was meant to be a warm evening capturing Jupiter, Venus & Saturn. Mercury just happened to appear near the horizon and I thought I should give it…