18 replies to this topic

[LPHawaii]

I have been trying to educate myself on what is needed and how to take images of the Stars and other heavenly bodies.  With that said, some of the videos that I have viewed looks like the person is actually taking shots of a specific object during daylight hours.  I am a newbie so to me I don't see how this is possible unless the amount of time exposing an imaging, at a specific location, with a correct light pollution filter makes it possible OR am I completely thinking outside the box?

[idclimber]

I have been trying to educate myself on what is needed and how to take images of the Stars and other heavenly bodies.  With that said, some of the videos that I have viewed looks like the person is actually taking shots of a specific object during daylight hours.  I am a newbie so to me I don't see how this is possible unless the amount of time exposing an imaging, at a specific location, with a correct light pollution filter makes it possible OR am I completely thinking outside the box?

On the most basic level you need a camera and a lens and at least a tripod. A tracking mount is used by almost every one here and is needed to track the rotation of the sky. If you already have a DSLR and a moderate lens you can get started for the cost of a tracker mount which is about 500 bucks. Less if you find one used. 

 

The budget can go up to many thousands. A common entry level imaging setup is probably around 3k. Some will spend double that.  There is a pinned thread up at the top showcasing peoples first images and what gear they used to capture it. 

 

With modern cameras we typically expose from about 30 seconds to as long as 10 minutes. Most of the time, shorter works fine. We take hundreds of those and "integrate" or stack them into a master that is further processed. This turns a grainy image into a clear one. 

 

If you have the budget and interest start with this book. 

 

https://www.amazon.c...,aps,618&sr=8-1

[dswtan]

And just to reinforce, we do this in the dark. Any video implying you take images of those types of objects in the daylight is misleading you in some way. Avoid those videos!

[bobzeq25]

I have been trying to educate myself on what is needed and how to take images of the Stars and other heavenly bodies.  With that said, some of the videos that I have viewed looks like the person is actually taking shots of a specific object during daylight hours.  I am a newbie so to me I don't see how this is possible unless the amount of time exposing an imaging, at a specific location, with a correct light pollution filter makes it possible OR am I completely thinking outside the box?

I think probably the daylight videos you've seen are just someone trying to visibly show what they do at night.

Realize that what you want to do can be very costly, and that you don't want to spend too much until you know you really want to do this. It also requires serious study.

Here's an inexpensive basic setup. I used something like it to take the image shown at the bottom of this. It costs something like $500-1000, depending on how much of it you already own.



Here's a great book to start your education with.

https://www.amazon.c...d/dp/0999470949

And now, that image. CN requires that I only post a small thumbnail, click on it for a much better version, and many details.

Edited by bobzeq25, 07 December 2024 - 12:17 AM.

[archiebald]

The only daytime astro-photography that is possible is either the sun using very specialized filters - DO NOT IMAGE or OBSERVE without very careful understanding of filters required, or occasionally the major planets - if you know exactly where to aim.

[zveck]

Trevor has a lot of information on his site.

 

https://astrobackyard.com

[imtl]

Trevor has a lot of information on his site.

 

https://astrobackyard.com

[Andros246]

at least he has that 

 

we have nothing like that here, no FAQ, no guides, no step by steps. We have a ton of threads which are not easily found if you dont know what to look for.

 

+1 for trevor

 

-1 for CN beginning deep sky imaging forum

Edited by Andros246, 07 December 2024 - 03:40 AM.

[idclimber]

at least he has that 

 

we have nothing like that here, no FAQ, no guides, no step by steps. We have a ton of threads which are not easily found if you dont know what to look for.

 

+1 for trevor

 

-1 for CN beginning deep sky imaging forum

Cloudy Nights Beginning Deep Sky Imaging FAQ

 

Step 1. Purchase Deep Sky Imaging Primer by Bracken

Step 2. Establish Budget

Step 3. Compile list of Stuff, post it here

Step 4. Double Budget

 

Repeat steps 3 and 4 until you give up. 

[Phil Sherman]

Another old but good book explaining all facets of astrophography is Ron Wodowski's "The New CCD Asstronomy". The Kindle version is still available from Amazon for $5.

[LPHawaii]

To all of you who have replied, Mahalo.  I am trying to piece meal my equipment together based on my current budget.  I think my Bogen 3011 tripod will be sufficient enough to support a GoTo mount.   I am purchasing a Star Adventurer GTI Mount Head.  I already have a SV503 80ED OTA as well as a Sony mirrorless camera.  I am not sure if my Sony A6500 will be an issue (Star Eater problem).  If my Sony doesn't work out I will try to find a CHEAP Canon Rebel 3ti or better and modify the sensor's filter.  My PC is a MACBook Pro, M1 with 16GB of memory with a 512GB SDD.  I would prefer not to use any Windows bases software unless I have to so any suggestions for automating my workflow would be greatly appreciated,  I have a 50mm and 60mm Astromania guide scope but I will need to purchase a camera for the quide scope.  I live in the city so my plan is to drive to the North Shore and take pictures there.  The 12V power source will be supplied by my truck's power outlet which is located in the bed.  I am getting there but I still have a lot to learn when it comes to processing the images as well as guiding the GTI mount.

Aloha,

 

Lee

[EPinNC]

To all of you who have replied, Mahalo.  I am trying to piece meal my equipment together based on my current budget.  I think my Bogen 3011 tripod will be sufficient enough to support a GoTo mount.   I am purchasing a Star Adventurer GTI Mount Head.  I already have a SV503 80ED OTA as well as a Sony mirrorless camera.  I am not sure if my Sony A6500 will be an issue (Star Eater problem).  If my Sony doesn't work out I will try to find a CHEAP Canon Rebel 3ti or better and modify the sensor's filter.  My PC is a MACBook Pro, M1 with 16GB of memory with a 512GB SDD.  I would prefer not to use any Windows bases software unless I have to so any suggestions for automating my workflow would be greatly appreciated,  I have a 50mm and 60mm Astromania guide scope but I will need to purchase a camera for the quide scope.  I live in the city so my plan is to drive to the North Shore and take pictures there.  The 12V power source will be supplied by my truck's power outlet which is located in the bed.  I am getting there but I still have a lot to learn when it comes to processing the images as well as guiding the GTI mount.

Aloha,

 

Lee

I would suggest starting with a regular lens on the camera.  Preferably a fixed focal length of 50-135mm.  You'll get much better results to begin with.

 

That telescope might be really nice, but it's too big to start with for a couple of reasons.  First, it's almost 4kg (8.7lb) by itself.  Add the camera, adapter, and field flattener and you're over 10lbs.  Second, it's a 560mm scope, and tracking will likely not be very precise and your stars will be little eggs or streaks unless you only open the shutter for a few seconds for each exposure.  (Then you'll need to take 1000 exposures...)

 

For starters, stick with something more like Bob's setup above.  You'll get much nicer results at first and you'll be a lot more inspired to continue!

Edited by EPinNC, 07 December 2024 - 11:44 AM.

[idclimber]

To all of you who have replied, Mahalo.  I am trying to piece meal my equipment together based on my current budget.  I think my Bogen 3011 tripod will be sufficient enough to support a GoTo mount.   I am purchasing a Star Adventurer GTI Mount Head.  I already have a SV503 80ED OTA as well as a Sony mirrorless camera.  I am not sure if my Sony A6500 will be an issue (Star Eater problem).  If my Sony doesn't work out I will try to find a CHEAP Canon Rebel 3ti or better and modify the sensor's filter.  My PC is a MACBook Pro, M1 with 16GB of memory with a 512GB SDD.  I would prefer not to use any Windows bases software unless I have to so any suggestions for automating my workflow would be greatly appreciated,  I have a 50mm and 60mm Astromania guide scope but I will need to purchase a camera for the quide scope.  I live in the city so my plan is to drive to the North Shore and take pictures there.  The 12V power source will be supplied by my truck's power outlet which is located in the bed.  I am getting there but I still have a lot to learn when it comes to processing the images as well as guiding the GTI mount.

Aloha,

 

Lee

The Star Adventure GTI will work well with a small scope or a DSLR and lens. An 80mm refractor will put that mount at its limit (my humble opinion).

 

The  80ED refractor is most likely a doublet based on price. You will need the reducer for this to perform at its best. 

 

The Sony appears to be a APS sized sensor. You are better off not using a full frame camera. It should be fine other than it is blocking the Ha.. Any astro modified camera is superior in that regard. In general don't spend a lot of money on a DSLR or mirrorless and having it modified. An ASI533mc is better and about 800 bucks. 

 

There is software for capture on the Mac, although this is very limited. 

 

The major pieces of software for post processing are Mac compatible. PixInsight, Siril and APP. 

 

An astro setup can drain a truck battery and not allow you to start the vehicle if used all night.

Edited by idclimber, 07 December 2024 - 11:52 AM.

[imtl]

at least he has that 

 

we have nothing like that here, no FAQ, no guides, no step by steps. We have a ton of threads which are not easily found if you dont know what to look for.

 

+1 for trevor

 

-1 for CN beginning deep sky imaging forum

[EPinNC]

Just a bit of optimism here, if I may....

 

Before we all keep piling on explaining why this-that-and-the-other will not work, let's summarize what we think will work for you in getting started toward "Stars, Nebulas, Galaxies".

 

The DSLR that you already have.  Used well, it can capture many wondrous things in the night sky.  Use the camera just as it is.  No need to get fancy at the beginning stages.  And depending on how far you want to get into this hobby, there may never be a need to get any fancier than that.

 

A camera lens.  To start with, something in the range of a "normal" lens (50-60mm) to a short telephoto lens (70-150mm).  Preferably a fixed focal length, although a good-quality zoom lens can give decent results too.

 

The tracker.  Many people take beautiful deep-sky images with only a DSLR+lens+tracker, as seen above.  (And many people here can produce other examples.)  One thing you should try to work out with the tracker is "dithering".  Use software to do that, or do it manually if you have to.  But do it.

 

Calibration frames.  They are not the most interesting things to do.  But they will make your images much, much better.  So learn to make them and use them.

 

The book linked above by two different people.

 

Processing software.  No problem here for Macs.  As idclimber says:  "PixInsight, Siril and APP."  ("APP" = Astro Pixel Processor)  Many use Siril (including myself), but the important thing is to pick a good software package and learn to use it effectively.  Lots of books and tutorials out there, and great people around here who are very willing to help you figure it all out.

 

Incidentally, your M1 Macbook Pro will work just fine.  The only potential issue is disk space.  You can never have too much.  Get a multi-terabyte external drive.  You won't regret that.

 

You can take beautiful night-sky images with relatively simple gear.  The other main ingredient is your skill, and that comes with practice.  Keep things simple, have patience, and master those things.  Then, if you want, you can step up the game with fancier gear.

 

Meanwhile, hold on to that telescope, and start saving money for a more substantial equatorial mount.  And maybe one of those fancy cooled astro cameras that idclimber mentioned.  Once you get bitten by the astro-imaging bug, you're going to need that money

 

Best of luck!

[fewayne]

Gotta say, the planetary forum has got us beat to heck on the FAQ front.

 

I remember suggesting that we put together such a thing. The postings on this thread have been so courteous and helpful I almost forget why that effort stumbled. Perhaps it's time to try again.

 

LPHawaii, you're getting great advice here. I am all about the idea that some imaging will be totally doable with what you have.

 

BTW I do all my processing on a six-year-old MacBook Pro. I don't use it for imaging because I have a Pi for that, but a terrestrial camera and tracker/GOTO mount really obviates the need for a scope-side computer at short focal lengths.

 

I'm a big booster of Astro Pixel Processor but started with Siril, and that program has only gotten loads better since those days. APP is a terrific value IMO for a beginner, but if you're just dipping a toe, less investment is probably better, no?

[imtl]

Gotta say, the planetary forum has got us beat to heck on the FAQ front.

 

I remember suggesting that we put together such a thing. The postings on this thread have been so courteous and helpful I almost forget why that effort stumbled. Perhaps it's time to try again.

 

LPHawaii, you're getting great advice here. I am all about the idea that some imaging will be totally doable with what you have.

 

BTW I do all my processing on a six-year-old MacBook Pro. I don't use it for imaging because I have a Pi for that, but a terrestrial camera and tracker/GOTO mount really obviates the need for a scope-side computer at short focal lengths.

 

I'm a big booster of Astro Pixel Processor but started with Siril, and that program has only gotten loads better since those days. APP is a terrific value IMO for a beginner, but if you're just dipping a toe, less investment is probably better, no?

I think it might be because planetary imaging is a much narrower (does not mean less interesting and beautiful) imaging hobby than DSO imaging. Just from the variety of DSOs out there you can imagine how many options are  needed to image different DSOs. So creating a FAQ is kind of a complex issue for this purpose.

[EPinNC]

I think it might be because planetary imaging is a much narrower (does not mean less interesting and beautiful) imaging hobby than DSO imaging. Just from the variety of DSOs out there you can imagine how many options are  needed to image different DSOs. So creating a FAQ is kind of a complex issue for this purpose.

One was started about 10 years ago.

[Silent_Light]

[quote name="LPHawaii" post="13837994" timestamp="1733544901 With that said, some of the videos that I have viewed looks like the person is actually taking shots of a specific object during daylight hours. I am a newbie so to me I don't see how this is possible unless the amount of time exposing an imaging, at a specific location, with a correct light pollution filter makes it possible OR am I completely thinking outside the box?[/quote]

To a point, you can...read the product description

https://www.bhphotov...3_0_cooled.html

Edited by Silent_Light, 10 December 2024 - 04:31 PM.