Astrophoto thread (your own photos please) - Orbiter-Forum

YL3GDY · 04-17-2008, 01:25 PM

Hi all.

Some of recent discussions encouraged me to create a thread, where astrophotographs (real, of course!) can be posted.

So, you are welcome to post here your shots of the sky!

agentgonzo · 04-17-2008, 01:29 PM

I've just started astrophotography. Here's my first image of the moon (bit blurry, am trying to sort it out as I'm still learning)

Celestron Ultima 2000 (8", f/10)
Canon 350D at prime focus.

**Artlav** · 04-17-2008, 01:41 PM

Some shots of the recent lunar eclipse, thru telescope, and simple camera:
http://orbides.1gb.ru/ecl-080221-gal.php

YL3GDY · 04-17-2008, 03:08 PM

Artlav, which equipment were you using?

YL3GDY · 04-17-2008, 03:20 PM

And here is my shot. I have used Nikon D40 camera with Nikkor 55-200mm lens. Exposure: 1/200 sec., f/5.6, ISO-200. The photo was taken in Riga, in 1st December 2007.

I have a bit photoshopped this image a bit...

silent_protagonist · 04-17-2008, 03:52 PM

Well, they're not nearly as good as what's already been posted, but here are two of mine:

This is the only half-way decent image I've been able to get just holding my camera to the eyepiece of my scope. (I ought to try this again, now that I have some eyepieces with eye-cups; should make things a bit easier.)

17P/Holmes taken with just my camera.

Oh yea, I'm using a Meade model 4500 (Newtonian, 4.5' f/8) and a Fujifilm FinePix S7000

:whistle:

**Artlav** · 04-17-2008, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YL3GDY

Artlav, which equipment were you using?

Canon PowerShot A700 for 6Mpix camera and the telescope is labeled "TeleScience", made in China.
Labelled as having 450x zoom, but in practice it's about half that - you can only see a quarter of the Moon at medium zoom, and maximum won't focus due to shakiness of the structure.

**spcefrk** · 06-07-2008, 04:25 AM

Hey guys,

I've got a Nikon D40 and I want to get a telescope (and preferably a motor mount to track the sky) that will fit it. I haven't owned a telescope in a good 10 years, so I'm woefully out of practice.

What is a good reasonably priced telescope that I can get a Nikon body adapter for and will track the sky?

Or is there a website I've overlooked that explains this already?

Moreover, I don't even know what type of telescope is best for astrophotography...

YL3GDY · 06-07-2008, 04:46 PM

Hello spcefrk,

It's nice to see that here are people interested in astrophotography

Basically, there's no question of connecting Nikon camera to a telescope. Universal solution is an adapter. Preciously, two adapters: T-mount and 1.25". I've bought them on eBay for $32.

The main thing - the telescope. First and main is optical scheme. Basically, you can use any, but in Newtonian you'll have fewer problems with centre of mass. But, as far as I know, people use very different machines.

Extra useful feature is a drive that rotates the tube around polar axis. For taking more that 2 astroshots it is obligatory. Also a good and heavy tripod.

Personally I am using Meade RS-2114 Newtonian reflector, equipped with computer-controlled tripod. This works great, but I haven't interested for other models. This device I received as a prize on an astronomical contest.

If you have any questions, you could PM me, and I'll try to help.

McWgogs · 06-07-2008, 06:15 PM

Here's some of my best shots, the specific scope and camera details are in the links.

22 may 2007 Occultation of Saturn 1 2 3

Noctilucent clouds

Venus-Jupiter Conjunction

Sunspots

Sun

Planets

Me and mah 'scope

**tblaxland** · 06-08-2008, 04:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by McWgogs

Me and mah 'scope

Who said astronomy can't be cool? Nice photos, btw.

n0mad23 · 06-08-2008, 04:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by McWgogs

Me and mah 'scope

Say, I thought this was a G-Rated site

. I used to have a statue from Bali that made your 'telescope' look modest.

SPASE_1976 · 06-08-2008, 04:53 AM

see the situation first

http://www.orbitersim.com/Forum/Defa...=posts&t=19199

then see the pic

http://img229.imageshack.us/my.php?image=mypic1gp8.jpg

McWgogs you look like the terminator with a bazooka

(no ofense,just kidding !)
i like the '22 may 2007 Occultation of Saturn 1 2 3' also the sunspots are very impressive

**Artlav** · 06-08-2008, 07:53 PM

Tried to get my setup back together tonight...
The Moon was the only visible target, and the pictures are far from perfect quality, but that's about the best i can get on my rig.

A close of the Moon, the unfocusing gives a weird effect as if Luna had an atmosphere.

An attempt at close-up. The least blurry one...

**spcefrk** · 06-12-2008, 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YL3GDY

The main thing - the telescope. First and main is optical scheme. Basically, you can use any, but in Newtonian you'll have fewer problems with centre of mass. But, as far as I know, people use very different machines.
...
Personally I am using Meade RS-2114 Newtonian reflector, equipped with computer-controlled tripod. ...
If you have any questions, you could PM me, and I'll try to help.

Do you know of any good books I can pick up or websites that give a sort of "so you want to get into astrophotography" that I might read through? I'm really starting from square one here.

I knew I would have to get a T-adapter -- I'd figured that much out from stumbling around the web, but I made the mistake of looking around websites selling them before I knew what I was doing and promptly confused myself. I've got a well established track record now of finding good entry-level models for all my hobbies (the D40, my basic Fender Strat, Spyder MR1, Saitek Yoke and Throttle, RC Trainer, etc...) I'm effectively looking for the good but entry-level automated telescope that doesn't necessarily assume I've been an astronomy buff for the last 10 years. Something nice enough that I don't have to jury rig anything but cheap enough that I don't need to take out a loan for it.

Effectively what I know about astrophotography is this: Telescopes are used like very powerful camera lenses. You remove the lens from an SLR and attach it to the telescope with an adapter. To take long exposure shots, you need to track the movement of the sky or get streaked stars (which can be nice too). If possible a telescope that can track specific objects (planets, stars, etc...) would be nice, but not necessary.

04-17-2008, 01:25 PM	#1
YL3GDY Orbinaut	Astrophoto thread (your own photos please) Hi all. Some of recent discussions encouraged me to create a thread, where astrophotographs (real, of course!) can be posted. So, you are welcome to post here your shots of the sky!

04-17-2008, 03:20 PM	#5
YL3GDY Orbinaut	And here is my shot. I have used Nikon D40 camera with Nikkor 55-200mm lens. Exposure: 1/200 sec., f/5.6, ISO-200. The photo was taken in Riga, in 1st December 2007. I have a bit photoshopped this image a bit... Attached Thumbnails

Quick Links	Need Help?
About Us Register to Participate Orbiter Website Orbiter Download Projects Recommended Addons Orbit Hangar Mods Photo Gallery Social Groups External Links	Did you forget your password? Rules & Guidelines Frequently Asked Questions Orbiter F.A.Q. Orbiter Tutorials Orbiter IRC Chat Search Forum Site Map Contact Us Mark Forums Read

04-17-2008, 01:29 PM	#2
agentgonzo Grounded since '09	I've just started astrophotography. Here's my first image of the moon (bit blurry, am trying to sort it out as I'm still learning) Celestron Ultima 2000 (8", f/10) Canon 350D at prime focus.

04-17-2008, 01:41 PM	#3
Artlav Aperiodic traveller	Some shots of the recent lunar eclipse, thru telescope, and simple camera: http://orbides.1gb.ru/ecl-080221-gal.php

04-17-2008, 03:08 PM	#4
YL3GDY Orbinaut	Artlav, which equipment were you using?

04-17-2008, 03:52 PM	#6
silent_protagonist Orbinaut	Well, they're not nearly as good as what's already been posted, but here are two of mine: This is the only half-way decent image I've been able to get just holding my camera to the eyepiece of my scope. (I ought to try this again, now that I have some eyepieces with eye-cups; should make things a bit easier.) 17P/Holmes taken with just my camera. Oh yea, I'm using a Meade model 4500 (Newtonian, 4.5' f/8) and a Fujifilm FinePix S7000 :whistle:

04-17-2008, 04:50 PM	#7
Artlav Aperiodic traveller	Quote: Originally Posted by YL3GDY Artlav, which equipment were you using? Canon PowerShot A700 for 6Mpix camera and the telescope is labeled "TeleScience", made in China. Labelled as having 450x zoom, but in practice it's about half that - you can only see a quarter of the Moon at medium zoom, and maximum won't focus due to shakiness of the structure.

06-07-2008, 04:25 AM	#8
spcefrk Ph.D Student	Hey guys, I've got a Nikon D40 and I want to get a telescope (and preferably a motor mount to track the sky) that will fit it. I haven't owned a telescope in a good 10 years, so I'm woefully out of practice. What is a good reasonably priced telescope that I can get a Nikon body adapter for and will track the sky? Or is there a website I've overlooked that explains this already? Moreover, I don't even know what type of telescope is best for astrophotography...

06-07-2008, 04:46 PM	#9
YL3GDY Orbinaut	Hello spcefrk, It's nice to see that here are people interested in astrophotography Basically, there's no question of connecting Nikon camera to a telescope. Universal solution is an adapter. Preciously, two adapters: T-mount and 1.25". I've bought them on eBay for $32. The main thing - the telescope. First and main is optical scheme. Basically, you can use any, but in Newtonian you'll have fewer problems with centre of mass. But, as far as I know, people use very different machines. Extra useful feature is a drive that rotates the tube around polar axis. For taking more that 2 astroshots it is obligatory. Also a good and heavy tripod. Personally I am using Meade RS-2114 Newtonian reflector, equipped with computer-controlled tripod. This works great, but I haven't interested for other models. This device I received as a prize on an astronomical contest. If you have any questions, you could PM me, and I'll try to help.

06-07-2008, 06:15 PM	#10
McWgogs Addon Developer	Here's some of my best shots, the specific scope and camera details are in the links. 22 may 2007 Occultation of Saturn 1 2 3 Noctilucent clouds Venus-Jupiter Conjunction Sunspots Sun Planets Me and mah 'scope

06-08-2008, 04:24 AM	#11
tblaxland Webmaster	Quote: Originally Posted by McWgogs Me and mah 'scope Who said astronomy can't be cool? Nice photos, btw.

06-08-2008, 04:40 AM	#12
n0mad23 Addon Developer	Quote: Originally Posted by McWgogs Me and mah 'scope Say, I thought this was a G-Rated site . I used to have a statue from Bali that made your 'telescope' look modest.

06-08-2008, 04:53 AM	#13
SPASE_1976 Addon Developer	see the situation first http://www.orbitersim.com/Forum/Defa...=posts&t=19199 then see the pic http://img229.imageshack.us/my.php?image=mypic1gp8.jpg McWgogs you look like the terminator with a bazooka (no ofense,just kidding !) i like the '22 may 2007 Occultation of Saturn 1 2 3' also the sunspots are very impressive

06-08-2008, 07:53 PM	#14
Artlav Aperiodic traveller	Tried to get my setup back together tonight... The Moon was the only visible target, and the pictures are far from perfect quality, but that's about the best i can get on my rig. A close of the Moon, the unfocusing gives a weird effect as if Luna had an atmosphere. An attempt at close-up. The least blurry one...

06-12-2008, 06:32 PM	#15
spcefrk Ph.D Student	Quote: Originally Posted by YL3GDY The main thing - the telescope. First and main is optical scheme. Basically, you can use any, but in Newtonian you'll have fewer problems with centre of mass. But, as far as I know, people use very different machines. ... Personally I am using Meade RS-2114 Newtonian reflector, equipped with computer-controlled tripod. ... If you have any questions, you could PM me, and I'll try to help. Do you know of any good books I can pick up or websites that give a sort of "so you want to get into astrophotography" that I might read through? I'm really starting from square one here. I knew I would have to get a T-adapter -- I'd figured that much out from stumbling around the web, but I made the mistake of looking around websites selling them before I knew what I was doing and promptly confused myself. I've got a well established track record now of finding good entry-level models for all my hobbies (the D40, my basic Fender Strat, Spyder MR1, Saitek Yoke and Throttle, RC Trainer, etc...) I'm effectively looking for the good but entry-level automated telescope that doesn't necessarily assume I've been an astronomy buff for the last 10 years. Something nice enough that I don't have to jury rig anything but cheap enough that I don't need to take out a loan for it. Effectively what I know about astrophotography is this: Telescopes are used like very powerful camera lenses. You remove the lens from an SLR and attach it to the telescope with an adapter. To take long exposure shots, you need to track the movement of the sky or get streaked stars (which can be nice too). If possible a telescope that can track specific objects (planets, stars, etc...) would be nice, but not necessary.