[David Schneider] was reading about recent discoveries of exoplanets. Simply put these are planets orbiting stars other than the sun. The rigs used by the research scientists include massive telescopes, but the fact that they’re using CCD sensors led [David] to wonder if a version of this could be done on the cheap in the backyard. The answer is yes. By capturing and processing data from a barn door tracker he was able to verify a known exoplanet.
Barn Door trackers are devices used to move a camera to compensate for the turning of the earth. This is necessary when taking images throughout the night, as the stars will not remain “stationary” to the camera’s frame without it. The good news is that they’re simple to build, we’ve seen a few over the years.
Other than having to wait until his part of the earth was pointed in the correct direction (on a clear night) at the same time as an exoplanet transit, [David] was ready to harvest all the data he needed. This part gets interesting really quickly. The camera needed to catch the planet passing in between the earth and the star it revolves around (called a transit). The data to prove this happened is really subtle. To uncover it [David] needed to control the data set for atmospheric changes by referencing several other stars. From there he focused on the data for the transit target and compared points across the entire set of captured images. The result is a dip in brightness that matches the specifications of the original discovery.
[David] explains the entire process in the clip after the break.
Digital SLR cameras have made it easier than ever before to photograph the night sky. Whether you’re a beginner, nature photographer, or serious astronomer, this is the definitive handbook to capturing the heavens. Starting with simple projects for beginners such as cameras on tripods, it then moves onto more advanced projects including telescope photography and methods of astronomical research. With 80% revised and updated material, this new edition covers nightscapes, eclipses, using cameras with sky trackers and telescopes, and tools for identifying celestial objects and investigating them scientifically. Image processing is discussed in detail, with worked examples from three popular software packages – Nebulosity, Maxlm DL, and PixInsight. Rather than taking a recipe-book approach, Covington explains how your equipment works as well as offering advice on many practical considerations, such as choice of set-up and the testing of lenses, making this a comprehensive guide for anyone involved in astrophotography.
‘Donegal Dark Sky’ aiming to draw more young people to the breathtaking world of astrophotography, writes Conor Sharkey
The recent appearance of the Northern Lights has had more Irish people than ever looking to the heavens.
Mineral Moon by Treasa Giblin Frazer.
For some in the north west though stargazing is more than just an intermittent fad. For a small but growing society it is an all-out celestial passion.
Astrophotographer Treasa Giblin Frazer has been charting the night skies for years, capturing rarely seen images of our cosmos, constellations and comets.
Treasa Giblin Frazer from Lifford used a clear night to get this magical image, ‘The Milky Way Arch’ at Moorlough in Co Tyrone.
Last week marked Ireland’s first ever Astronomy Week and the Lifford woman said it was the perfect time to get out and explore the solar system.
“I have been very lucky in my own astro journey by having numerous images of our night sky published in the BBC’s Sky at Night magazine and even in our very own Astronomy Ireland magazine. To top that one of my images was shortlisted in 2022 for the national astrophotographer competition ‘Reach for the Stars’.
Burt full moon by Patryk Sadowski.
“For me, the feeling I get when I photograph the night sky beats all other genres in photography on a technical level.
“It took me a long time to understand how to navigate and shoot so now is the time to share that knowledge and let other photographers and star gazers do the same to help pique the interest of the younger generation.”
Buncrana’s Joseph Cullen captured this sparkling image of the Milky Way in the Sperrin Mountains near Moneyneany, Co Derry.
Treasa said astrophotography and learning about the night sky was much more than just taking pictures. It was about “appreciating and helping to preserve Donegal’s dark sky areas” while also raising awareness of light polluted areas.
“Our Donegal Dark Sky page caters to all, from kids to seasoned photographers, and we have even joined in with Ireland’s very first Irish Astronomy Week which began on March 20 and ran until March 26. It was founded by Ronan Newman, a native of Claremorris, and the motto is ‘The Stars for Everyone’.
Aurora, Ballyliffin by Brendan Diver.
“So many clubs, groups and organisations came together from all over Ireland to hold events during the week.”
Darragh McDonough snapped this incredible image of the Northern Lights flaring over Letterkenny. He took the photo from Knockybrin, a small hill to the north of the town.
The Donegal Dark Sky page ran a virtual event ‘From Garden to Stars’ where families and photographers could have their own star parties at home by pointing out some constellations to their children.
Andromeda, Co Donegal by Treasa Giblin Frazer.
They were also encouraged to do some arts and crafts based around the planets or take some images or notes of what they were able to see from their location and share to the page.
Skies-Orion’s Belt Co.Donegal by Treasa Giblin Frazer
In preparation for Irish Astronomy Week Donegal Dark Sky members uploaded possible targets to the Facebook page to show what may be in view along with locations, times and information.
“It is a very exciting time in Donegal along with the rest of Ireland and plans for more events to be held next year are already afoot,” Treasa added.
Milky Way, Poisoned Glen, Dunlewy by Patryk Sadowski.
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The Game Boy Camera was the first digital camera that many of us ever interacted with. At the time it was fairly groundbreaking to take pictures without film, even though the resolution was extremely low by modern standards, and it could only shoot two-bit color. It’s been long enough since its release that it’s starting to become a popular classic with all kinds of hacks and modifications, like this one which adds modern SLR camera lenses which lets it take pictures of the Moon.
The limitations of the camera make for a fairly challenging build. Settings like exposure are automatic on the Game Boy Camera and can’t be changed, and the system only allows the user to change contrast and brightness. But the small sensor size means that astrophotography can be done with a lens that is also much smaller than a photographer would need with a modern DSLR. Once a mount was 3D printed to allow the lenses to be changed and a tripod mount was built, it was time to take some pictures of the moon.
Thanks to the interchangeability of the lenses with this build, the camera can also capture macro images as well. The build went into great detail on how to set all of this up, even going as far as giving tips for how to better 3D print interlocking threads, so it’s well worth a view. And, for other Game Boy Camera builds, take a look at this one which allows the platform to send its pictures over WiFi.
As astronomy enthusiasts from across WA, Australia and the world come to the Gascoyne to witness the upcoming solar eclipse, they will also be able to take a look at works from some of the State’s most talented astrophotographers at the Carnarvon Library & Art Gallery.
Visions of the Cosmos: Visionary Astrophotography is an exhibit which will feature a collection of West Australian astrophotography nighttime landscapes, constellations, deep space, planets, time-lapse images and of course, solar eclipse photography.
Organiser Dr John Goldsmith said astrophotography was all about finding new ways to look at our night sky, and he looked forward to sharing these examples with guests.
“As photographers, we love to document these amazing events, they often happen in fairly remote areas, and then through the exhibition we get to share them with the broader community,” he said.
Dr Goldsmith said his favourite piece was a photo featuring the Milky Way over Lake Ballard, near Kalgoorlie, featuring one of its well-known statues.
“It’s just a remarkable image,” he said.
For astrophotographers, moments like the upcoming eclipse are experiences to be treasured, and bring together likeminded stargazers from many corners of the globe.
“Total solar eclipses attract visitors from around the world . . . there’s going to be many international visitors, people from WA and around Australia as well.
“It’s definitely a highlight, astronomical events can be extraordinarily beautiful and memorable.”
The images will also be featuring in a book of the same name as the exhibition, which will launched at the same time.
The exhibition will launch the Carnarvon Library & Art Gallery on April 14 and run until May 20.
The new moon will be joined by a guest in the sky tonight.
Following the new moon on March 21 — which marked the start of Ramadan — the first quarter moon is rising in the sky tonight (March 28). In New York City, the moon will reach the first quarter phase at 10:22 p.m. EDT (232 GMT on March 29, according to skywatching site In-the-Sky.org.
And since the moon won’t set until the early morning hours of March 29, that means the first quarter moon will be visible in the night sky, appearing half-lit. And as a bonus, you’ll be able to spot Mars just to the right of the moon, as the two celestial bodies will be making a close approach known as an appulse. (They’ll also be in conjunction, which is when they share the same right ascension, the celestial equivalent of longitude.)
Related: Night sky, March 2023: What you can see tonight [maps]
Both Mars and the moon will be in the Gemini constellation on Tuesday evening. From New York City, the pair should be visible high to the south as soon as the skies darken enough for Mars to be visible. The Red Planet and the moon will be separated by just 2 degrees (the width of your fist at arm’s length equals roughly ten degrees) and both will set to the west just after 2 a.m. EDT (0600 GMT) on March 29.
Every 29.5 days, the moon goes through four main phases as it orbits the Earth: new moon, first quarter moon, full moon, and last quarter moon. During this cycle, the moon goes from being completely dark to being half-lit to then full, before returning back to half-lit and completely dark. Though the moon might appear to be only partially lit from the perspective of Earth for the majority of its cycle, about half of the moon is always lit by the sun — we just can’t see all of the illuminated surface from Earth.
Next up in the lunar cycle is the full moon on April 6. This month’s full moon is known as the Pink Moon, but don’t expect the moon to actually turn pink; it has the moniker because it typically coincides with the bloom of the pink wildflower Phlox subulata.
If you want to get a closer look at the first-quarter moon tonight, as well as its night sky neighbor Mars, check out our guides to the best telescopes and best binoculars for stargazing. And if you want to try your hand at a little astrophotography, we’ve got tips about how to photograph the moon.
Need some equipment to get the perfect shot? Read through our guides to the best cameras for astrophotography and best lenses for astrophotography.
Editor’s Note:If you get a great photo of Mars near the first quarter moon and would like to share your photo(s) with Space.com’s readers, send your photo(s), comments, and your name and location to spacephotos@space.com.
This week, a parade of five planets makes its way across the skies.
Skywatchers in dark areas with a clear and unobstructed view of the skies will be able to take in Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, Mars and Uranus this week, as long as they have a good set of binoculars at hand. If you can’t make it outside tonight or if conditions aren’t right in your area, you still have an opportunity to watch this spectacle thanks to a free telescope livestream today.
Astronomer Gianluca Masi of the Virtual Telescope Project will be streaming “Five Planets at a glance” today, offering a view of this planetary parade from Rome, Italy. The livestream begins at 1:45 p.m. EDT (1745 GMT) on Tuesday (March 28) and can be viewed on the Virtual Telescope Project’s YouTube page or website.
Related: 5 planets will align tonight and you won’t want to miss it. Here’s where to look.
Planetary alignment on Mar. 27, 2023.
TOP TELESCOPE PICK:
A Celestron telescope on a white background
Looking for a telescope to observe the planets or anything else in the sky? We recommend the Celestron Astro Fi 102as the top pick in our best beginner’s telescope guide. Don’t forget a moon filter!
Space.com columnist Joe Rao gave a comprehensive breakdown on how to view each of the five planets if you are up for attempting this skywatching feat on your own. Two planets, Mercury and Jupiter, could prove difficult as they will be very close to the western horizon at sunset this week. “And that’s where your binoculars come in,” Rao writes. “If you sight them, congratulate yourself. It is no mean feat to catch two planets positioned so close to the setting sun.”
Jupiter, in particular, is moving closer to the setting sun each evening and will soon disappear from view for several weeks. Mercury, meanwhile, will begin to become more visible each evening.
The other three planets in this parade, Venus, Mars and Uranus, are somewhat easier to find. Venus is currently fabulously bright in the evening skies. Look toward the western or northwestern skies each night after sunset to locate this “Evening Star.” Uranus will be just a few degrees away from Venus, making this pale green dot stand out through binoculars. And Mars will be very close to the first quarter moon on Tuesday (March 28), making the Red Planet an easy target.
If you’re hoping to catch a look at the planetary parade, our guides to the best telescopes and best binoculars are a great place to start. If you’re looking to snap photos of the night sky in general, check out our guide on how to photograph the moon, as well as our best cameras for astrophotography and best lenses for astrophotography.
The new moon will be joined by a guest in the sky tonight.
Following the new moon on March 21 — which marked the start of Ramadan — the first quarter moon is rising in the sky tonight (March 28). In New York City, the moon will reach the first quarter phase at 10:22 p.m. EDT (232 GMT on March 29, according to skywatching site In-the-Sky.org (opens in new tab).
And since the moon won’t set until the early morning hours of March 29, that means the first quarter moon will be visible in the night sky, appearing half-lit. And as a bonus, you’ll be able to spot Mars just to the right of the moon, as the two celestial bodies will be making a close approach known as an appulse. (They’ll also be in conjunction, which is when they share the same right ascension, the celestial equivalent of longitude.)
Related: Night sky, March 2023: What you can see tonight [maps]
Both Mars and the moon will be in the Gemini constellation on Tuesday evening. From New York City, the pair should be visible high to the south as soon as the skies darken enough for Mars to be visible. The Red Planet and the moon will be separated by just 2 degrees (the width of your fist at arm’s length equals roughly ten degrees) and both will set to the west just after 2 a.m. EDT (0600 GMT) on March 29.
Every 29.5 days, the moon goes through four main phases as it orbits the Earth: new moon, first quarter moon, full moon, and last quarter moon. During this cycle, the moon goes from being completely dark to being half-lit to then full, before returning back to half-lit and completely dark. Though the moon might appear to be only partially lit from the perspective of Earth for the majority of its cycle, about half of the moon is always lit by the sun — we just can’t see all of the illuminated surface from Earth.
Next up in the lunar cycle is the full moon on April 6. This month’s full moon is known as the Pink Moon, but don’t expect the moon to actually turn pink; it has the moniker because it typically coincides with the bloom of the pink wildflower Phlox subulata.
If you want to get a closer look at the first-quarter moon tonight, as well as its night sky neighbor Mars, check out our guides to the best telescopes and best binoculars for stargazing. And if you want to try your hand at a little astrophotography, we’ve got tips about how to photograph the moon.
Need some equipment to get the perfect shot? Read through our guides to the best cameras for astrophotography and best lenses for astrophotography.
Editor’s Note:If you get a great photo of Mars near the first quarter moon and would like to share your photo(s) with Space.com’s readers, send your photo(s), comments, and your name and location to spacephotos@space.com.
Follow Stefanie Waldek on Twitter @StefanieWaldek (opens in new tab).Follow uson Twitter @Spacedotcom (opens in new tab) and on Facebook (opens in new tab).
WICKLOW’S budding astro-photographers are being called upon to enter the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies (DIAS) astrophotography competition ‘Reach for the Stars’ which returns for a third year.
he competition is seeking the best astro-photographs taken in Ireland over the period from May 1 2022 to Aril 28 2023. It is calling for submissions under two distinct categories. The Out of this World: category is for Images depicting scenes / features or elements of astronomical interest, such as deep space images or images of the solar system.
The Back on Earth category focuses on Astro-landscape images that depict a feature or element of astronomical interest and capture elements such as nature, cityscapes, buildings or monuments, land, or water.
Three Wicklow astro-photographers were chosen for the next stage of last year’s competition. Alex Labunskij, from Greystones was shortlisted in the ‘Out of this World’ category. Laurynas Zubrickas, from Delgany and Enda O’Loughlin, from Wicklow Town were shortlisted in the ‘Back on Earth’ category. Alex and Enda were also both selected in 2021 to feature in an exhibition of the judges’ 20 top-rated images.
Dr. Eucharia Meehan, CEO and Registrar of DIAS, said: “Over the last two years we have been treated to a vast array of stunning images from photographers in Wicklow and across the island of Ireland and we’re looking forward to seeing what this year’s entrants have to offer.
“DIAS has a rich legacy and expertise in astronomy and it’s important for us to be able to make that accessible to the public. The ‘Reach for the Stars’ competition shows that photographing and capturing the night sky can be a hobby but is also educational. Often, viewing constellations, nebulae and deep space phenomena is left to scientists but the astro-photography competition is giving the public the opportunity to appreciate the wonders of our star filled skies.”
Entrants may submit up to two images per category to the competition. The deadline for entries is 5p.m.on Friday, April 28. All entries to the competition will be screened by a shortlisting panel to ensure they meet the eligibility criteria. The shortlisted images in each category will then go forward for consideration by the judging panel and for an online public vote.
Entry forms are available at www.reachforthestars.ie.
Astrophotography with a film camera is as fascinating and rewarding as photographing the night sky with a mirrorless or DSLR camera. But you must carefully choose your camera equipment to get sharp and colorful results. The best cameras for astrophotography offer the latest digital imaging technology, enabling you to push the ISO to extremes and shoot in low light without getting unusable levels of noise in your images. They’re also versatile enough for daytime shooting, so you get more value from your camera purchase.
Digital cameras have the latest features, but that doesn’t mean they’re the only option. Film cameras and analog photography have had a real resurgence in popularity in the last few years, beloved for their retro style and vintage appeal. Can you take astrophotography with a film camera? Yes. But you’ll have to put more thought, planning, effort, and care into your shoot.
We’ll help you choose the best camera, lens, and film for analog astrophotography, as well as the practical skills and techniques needed for the shoot. You might also want to read our astrophotography for beginners guide, which has lots more helpful tips on planning and composition than we’ve covered here.
Which film camera to use for astrophotography:
35mm film cameras are readily available secondhand and offer the biggest range of film and development options. (Image credit: Lauren Scott)
Bulb or manual exposure modes
Removable and interchangeable lenses
A format that’s easy to find film for
Generally, the best film camera for astrophotography will be a 35mm SLR camera, which you might even have in an attic at home (or a relative’s). These cameras are easy to find secondhand on sites like eBay (opens in new tab) and have interchangeable lenses, so you can choose and change the focal length. Look for one capable of opening its shutter for extended periods with ‘Bulb’ mode and a cable release, as well as ‘mirror lockup,’ which reduces vibration-induced motion blur caused by the camera’s mirror.
On most 35mm cameras you can set leave the shutter open for longer durations with Bulb Mode, or choose “auto” and have the camera calculate the exposure for you (Image credit: Lauren Scott)
Many of the most popular camera manufacturers made their name by making 35mm SLR cameras, including the Olympus OM1 (opens in new tab), Canon AE-1 (opens in new tab) and Nikon FE (opens in new tab), which we’ll use here. When buying a secondhand camera, consider the item’s condition rating and seller ratings (if the marketplace has them), as well as any testing that’s been done to ensure its working order.
Once you’ve mastered the basics of film astrophotography, you could advance your skills by using a medium format camera — which will have a larger sensor and result in much higher-resolution images.
Which film to use for astrophotography?
If your budget allows, we suggest trying out a wide range of films to see which works best for you — there’s a level of trial and error involved, but that’s part of the creative process. (Image credit: Lauren Scott)
35mm film is the most readily available
Choose a 400-speed film or above (ISO400)
Experiment with sensitive black-and-white films
Any film labeled as 35mm should be compatible with a 35mm SLR camera, but which is best suited to astrophotography? The light sensitivity of a film is measured in ISO (in much the same way as on a digital camera). For beginner analog astrophotographers, a film speed of 800 ISO is a good place to start; Kodak Portra 800 (opens in new tab) offers high sharpness and fine grain for low-light work.
However, some film astrophotographers choose films specifically for their blue and red light sensitivity. Provia 100f (opens in new tab) is one of the best films for color reproduction — albeit with a very low ISO that requires a much longer exposure time.
The beauty of astrophotography is arguably in the color detail, but with black-and-white films; you can sometimes push the ISO higher. If you like the idea of going monochrome, Kodak Professional T-MAX P3200 (opens in new tab) or Ilford Delta 3200 (opens in new tab) are worth trying. Ilford also makes films with extended red sensitivity (SFX 200 (opens in new tab)), which can yield interesting results for night-sky shots.
Picking out the best lens for film astrophotography
The best lens to choose is one with a wide focal length and a wide maximum aperture (Image credit: Lauren Scott)
A wide-angle focal length is best
An aperture of f/2.8 or wider
Checking your camera’s lens mount
You need to know what lens mount your camera takes (our Nikon FE camera (opens in new tab) was the Nikon F-mount), and then look online or in secondhand camera shops for compatible optics. The principles of what makes the best lens for astrophotography in digital cameras are similar to film cameras.
You want a lens with an aperture such as f/2.8 (or lower), as this will let more light reach the camera’s sensor. Many 35mm cameras come bundled with a 50mm f/2.8 kit lens, and while this might be adequate for practicing your astro techniques, it’s better to get a wider lens if you can, for more expansive views of the night sky. We’ve used a Nikon 28mm f/2.8 lens (opens in new tab).
Optional accessories
A headlamp with a red light will help keep your hands free and your night vision intact (Image credit: Future)
A cable release that’s compatible with your camera
A sturdy tripod to mount your camera on
A head lamp for seeing in the dark
You’ll need a tripod, but as film cameras and lenses are often lighter than their modern counterparts, it doesn’t have to be a heavyweight model like those in our best tripods guide.
A wired manual cable release helps fire the shutter without moving the camera during the exposure — unless your camera has a self-timer and auto mode.
Given that you’ll be shooting in the dark, having a small torch with a red light mode is a good idea, which will help preserve your night vision. Unlike digital cameras, film models don’t have light-up LCD screens of viewfinders, and you’ll need it to see your settings, lens focus and composition.
A head torch is useful for keeping your hands free — we were lucky enough to have one built-in to our Irix Expedition LED Winter Hat, but take a look at our best headlamps for astrophotography for some of our favorite models. Just remember to turn all lights off before you start your exposures.
You’ll get star trails instead of sharp points of light after about 15 seconds. As film photography requires much longer exposures, you might want to invest in a star tracker camera mount (Image credit: Lauren Scott)
As with all astrophotography, the Earth’s rotation can mean that you end up with star trails rather than sharp points of light. Getting around this means using one of the best star trackers (a mount that rotates your camera at the same rate as the Earth to allow blur-free long exposures). That said, this is quite an advanced setup, so we wouldn’t suggest you get one immediately.
Set-up and prep for film astrophotography:
Ensure you set the camera’s ISO to match the film. (Image credit: Lauren Scott)
Load your 35mm film
Change the battery if your camera has one
Set the film speed
To prepare your camera, load your chosen film and ensure the roll has been taken onto the spool. Note what film is inside the camera, so you don’t forget, and set the camera’s ISO dial to match the film inside.
If you haven’t used your film camera recently or bought a secondhand one, test any batteries and change them if you need to. Each camera has a different battery indicator — usually, there’s a light or noise — but you should be able to find a manual online if you’re unsure.
When prepping for a shoot, check the weather beforehand and look for clear night skies. Consider your location as light pollution is a significant problem if shooting in an urban area. Sites like Light Pollution Map can guide you on where it is best to shoot, but we’d still recommend trying it near your home if you can’t travel miles away.
Perfecting the technique:
We mounted our film camera onto the Manfrotto BeFree Advanced aluminum tripod to keep it stable during long exposures, and set the focus to infinity (Image credit: Lauren Scott)
Cover the viewfinder with dark tape
Set the lens to focus to infinity
Keep a note of your exposure times and settings
At your chosen location, mount your camera on a tripod and make sure it’s steady. Set the focus to infinity, and the lens aperture as wide as it can go. It’s a good idea to cover the viewfinder with dark gaffer tape to avoid any light leaks during the exposure, and as you shoot, we’d recommend keeping a log of the exposure used for each frame so that you can see what worked when they get developed. Avoid winding the film on until you’re ready to take the next shot, so you don’t press it accidentally.
Challenges we faced (and how to get over them):
By scanning the 35mm negatives into JPGs, we could edit the original images and improve their contrast and colors (Image credit: Lauren Scott)
Exposure times
Reciprocity failure
Hard to compose images
The main challenge of shooting film astrophotography is knowing how long the exposure time should be, as the required exposure will go beyond what’s shown on your camera meter (if you have one). Don’t be afraid to extend your shutter time beyond typical recommendations for pin-sharp milky way photography, and bracket a variety of shutter times, for example, 15, 30 and 45 seconds.
Astrophotography with a film camera isn’t easy, but that means when you do get some shots of the night sky, they’re even more valuable. (Image credit: Lauren Scott)
Composing images through an analog viewfinder in the dark can be difficult. You might want to set up a digital camera (with a similar focal length) in the same spot first to see how the composition looks.
We encountered a lot of light pollution as we were shooting on the edge of a city. That meant that the edges of some of our shots were too bright, so once we’d scanned our negatives into high-quality JPG files, we pulled back the highlights and increased their contrast in Adobe Photoshop CC (opens in new tab). The dehaze slider is great for cutting through excess light and impurities in the air, but it also tends to introduce unwanted noise.
