Introduction to

Basics of Astrophotography

Slides Compiled & Presented by Parimal Dave (JVP Life member)

What is astrophotography?What is astrophotography?

• Taking images of the sky (celestial objects or phenomena)

• Can be done any time of the day or night

A typical session…A typical session…

• Choose your subject• Choose your technique• Take the image(s)• Process the image(s)• Display your results

• Techniques vary from very basic to highly technical

Can your eyes store Light ?Can your eyes store Light ?

• No they cannot – then how to I store captured light ?

• Use a Camera ? Either Film camera or• Digital Camera (SLR) –

Single Lens Reflex

FilmFilm• Take a snapshot of the projected sun• Use an SLR • Film is chosen based on the subject• Can get very technical & time consuming• Is diminishing in popularity with the advent of digital

techniques – instant output

Digital cameras – integral lensDigital cameras – integral lens• Dual purpose – astrophotography

and holiday snaps• Popular• Coming down in price• Sensors – Contains Pixels

Digital cameras – DSLR’sDigital cameras – DSLR’s• Dual purpose• Very sensitive• Expensive• Can purchase variety of lenses for

different applications

Astronomical CCD imagersAstronomical CCD imagers

• Purpose designed • Very sensitive• $300 to $40,000• Can be used for science• Superb deep sky images

Digital cameras - WebcamsDigital cameras - Webcams• Cheap, easy to use, lots of free software for capturing and

processing images• Stunning planetary images• Very popular

Basic Techniques Basic Techniques

• Point and click• Camera & tripod• Camera with telescope• Eyepiece projection (afocal method)• Prime focus• CCD – for advanced level • Guiding – for advanced level

Point and clickPoint and click

• Hold your camera and click!• Works with digital/film cameras• Doesn’t work with CCD’s (no lens)• Can piggy-back your camera on your OTA

Orion Constellation – 10 seconds exposure – Canon powershot digital

Milky Way exposure by DSLR camera with Piggyback by Dr. Sagar Gokhale

Milky way using still camera on tripod with 13 sec. exposure by Mayuresh Wagh

Polar region – Leonid meteor (2001) – 4 minute exposure – Film SLR camera

Milky Way Galaxy – (March 2011) – approx 5 mts exposure DSLR camera on tripod – photo by Kapil Pandav (JVP member)

Total Lunar Eclipse Dec 2012

Using a simple tripod, Nikon DSLR & a cable release

Photographer: Dr. Sagar GokhaleLocation: New English School, Tilak Road, Pune, India

Date: 10 December 2011; 6.14 to 9.40 pm

Camera: Nicon D3000; Lens: AF-S Nikkor 18-55 mm 1:3.5-5.6G ISO - 200; Focal length: 24 mm; F 4.5 Exposure for each image range from 1/100 to 1 sec

Description:Total Lunar Eclipse observed from Pune, India Stacked 44 images, clicked with the duration of 5 minutes

Lunar Eclipse – approx 3 hours exposure – Film SLR camera on tripod photo by Devdatta Mulay & Parimal Dave (JVP members)

Eyepiece projectionEyepiece projection• Hold your camera to the eyepiece and take an image• Can purchase t-adapters and rings to get the camera lens as

close to the eyepiece as possible

Moon photography

This is how planets look captured through a 4 inch with afocal method of photography

Jupiter Saturn Crescent Venus

*All photos by parimal dave

Sunspots photography & observations

DANGER - Never look at the SUN through a telescope - Need to be done under special guidance

*All photos by parimal dave

Lunar Eclipse 10th Dec 2011 – series using Canon Powershot attached to a 3” refractor - photo by Ketaki Dave (JVP members)

Prime focusPrime focus

• Your Telescope becomes the lens• Webcams, DSLR’s, CCD’s

Moon – a very good object for prime focus photography

Orion Nebula using Canon 550 D attached to Celestron 4” - stack of 10 X 3 minute exposures at ISO 800

Lunar Eclipse 10th Dec 2011

Photo processing or Stacking

Original Photo Stacked photo Processed photo

Omega Centauri through 8”

M 57 – Ring Nebula

Through 8 “ telescope Through 4 “ telescope

M 16 – Eagle Nebula

Using Canon DSLR at Prime focus of JVP 10 “ telescope

M 27 – Dumbbell Nebula

Using Canon DSLR at Prime focus of JVP 10 “ telescope

M 20 – Trifid Nebula

Using Canon DSLR at Prime focus of JVP 10 “ telescope

M 83

Using Canon DSLR at Prime focus of JVP 10 “ telescope

M 51 – Whirlpool Galaxy

Using Canon DSLR at Prime focus of JVP 10 “ telescope

JVP members during the Saturn observing session at Kesariwada

JVP members during the Messier

Marathon session

Thank You Hope this is a new beginning

to Star Gazing see you at the Star Party