Behind the Camera: All About Astrophotography

Astrophotography is the art of taking photographs of objects in space with a camera. This practice offers astronomers and enthusiasts a glimpse beyond the limitations of the naked eye, and the subject matter can be anything from a planet to an entire galaxy. Since astrophotography began nearly two centuries ago, the study of space has progressed, and the equipment used to take detailed images of objects in space has improved rapidly. Today, astrophotography is a testament to human ingenuity and stands out as a pursuit that ignites both scientific curiosity and artistic expression. Professionals use powerful telescopes, specialized cameras, and advanced software to push the boundaries of what they can capture and analyze, but you don’t have to be a professional to take pictures of the night sky. All you need to become a good astrophotographer is a camera, a few accessories, and proper technique.

Astrophotography History

• A Short History of Astrophotography
• The First Moon Photograph, Taken in 1840
• The First Photos of the Solar System’s Planets
• How Astrophotography Has Changed Over the Past 50 Years
• The Rise and Fall of Astrophotography
• The First Photo of the Sun

Equipment

• Deep Sky Astrophotography Equipment
• Astrophotography for Beginners: Using the Right Equipment
• Selecting the Right Telescope for the Right Results
• Webcam Imaging With Small Telescopes
• Astrophotography for the Impatient: Using Stellina
• The Equipment You Need to Create Beautiful Milky Way Photos
• Astrophotography Equipment and How to Use It

Methods and Techniques

• Everything You Need to Know to Shoot the Night Sky Like a Pro
• BBC Beginner’s Guide to Astrophotography
• Beginners’ Guide to Night Sky Photography
• Ten Astrophotography Ideas to Implement in Your Backyard
• The Lowbrow Method of Deep-Sky Photography
• How to Use Your Smartphone to Photograph the Moon
• How to Use Photoshop in Astrophotography
• Understanding the Piggyback Method

Sources of Inspiration

• NASA’s Astronomy Picture of the Day
• Gallery of Galaxies Captured by Euclid
• Amateur Astrophotographer Captures Entire Night Sky in 37,440 Exposures
• The Ten Most Jaw-Dropping Space Images
• 31 Award-Winning Astronomy Photos
• Six of the Most Amazing Space Pictures
• Breathtaking Images of Idaho’s Night Sky
• AstroPix’s Images for Beginners

Resources for Stargazing and Amateur Astronomy

• Astronomy for Beginners: This simple guide teaches beginners the basics of backyard astronomy, including how to understand the night sky with an unaided eye and getting started with simple equipment.
• 12 Stargazing Tips for Amateur Astronomers: From setting up your telescope to how to focus on objects in the night sky, this stargazing guide from Space Center Houston has important tips that any amateur beginner needs for backyard stargazing any time of the year.
• The Ultimate Guide to Telescopes and Amateur Astronomy: Follow along with this guide containing different videos showcasing some of the most important aspects of getting up to speed on amateur astronomy, including how to align an equatorial mount, the top types of telescopes to use, and how to align finderscopes.
• Getting Into Stargazing: In this article, a professional astronomer explains how a beginner can get started, including useful apps, finding and working with constellations, and facts about virtual observing.
• Lifehacker’s Guide to Backyard Astronomy: This comprehensive guide covers everything a beginner needs to become an amateur astronomer, including the books you need to read, the apps you need to download, and how to find a good spot for stargazing with your camera.
• Getting Started in Astronomy: The Royal Astronomical Society explains how anyone can take up astronomy as a hobby, how to understand the night sky, how to purchase a telescope, and many other important details that are essential to a beginner.
• Understanding and Using Planispheres: This page contains details about the star wheel or planisphere, and it’s aimed at helping amateur astronomers find stars from different locations on Earth at different times and dates.
• Polar Alignment: Learn how to align your telescope’s equatorial mount with the poles so that you can follow an object across the sky easily.
• Use Orion’s Belt to Find Other Stars: This article explains how you can find the most noticeable constellation and use it to identify other bright stars (Rigel and Betelgeuse in Orion, Sirius in Canis Major, and Aldebaran in Taurus) regardless of your location on Earth.
• The Night Sky: Tips for First-Time Telescope Owners: This video details what an average person should do to get the most out of their new telescope when watching the night sky.