You’ll need to utilize Universe S23 astrophotography mode once you get your telephone, as it’s shockingly noteworthy for a cell phone. Because of the force of computer-based intelligence and consolidating numerous pictures, you can get lovely pictures of the night sky.
Source: YouTube
The reality is you want to download a different application loaded with settings to change is a piece threatening however stay with our aide underneath. We’ll tell you bit by bit the best way to empower the right settings and set up your Universe S23 and your shot, and by and by, you will ideally have your first astrophoto. Expecting it’s now dim outside where you are, and you have your telephone to hand, this is how you want to utilize the Universe S23’s astrophotography mode.
The most effective method to utilize World S23 astrophotography mode This astrophotography mode chips away at any World S23 handset, and the Universe S22 series, since it’s attached to an application as opposed to the telephone’s equipment. These means ought to be something very similar, regardless of which telephone or model you are utilizing.
1. If you haven’t as of now, download the ExpertRAW application, which is liberated from the World Store application. 2. Open up ExpertRAW and afterward the Settings menu (the machine gear-piece in the top/base left corner)
3. In here, ensure the Unique photograph choices slider is turned on, generally, the astrophotography mode will not be accessible to you. Likewise, empower Crude photographs so you can catch the most conceivable detail. See our how to take Crude photographs on Universe S23 guide on the off chance that you want more subtleties on this.
4. Get back to the fundamental application window, and tap the astrophotography button (the group of stars symbol) in the upper right.
5. Before snapping a picture, select whether to stow away or show the AR sky guide, which will assist you with focusing on unambiguous things overhead and the term, which can be set from four, seven, or ten minutes (ten minutes giving the most ideal chances). Assuming that you’re content with the settings, simply tap the cross in the corner to limit it.
6. In conclusion, pick your focal point of the decision and tap the shade button. Trust that the enchanted will occur, and afterward check the Display application to perceive how your photograph emerged.
I gave this component a shot on an overcast evening, so I couldn’t see a lot of the past two or three especially brilliant stars. I want to believe that you admitted better than I do.
Two or three different tips for you: A stand is essentially a need for these shots think about what amount of time it requires for the openness to emerge.
Furthermore, since it’ll be dim out, especially if you go to an area with negligible light contamination, you may likewise need to bring an electric lamp so you can see what you’re doing.
As far as celestial objects in the night sky go, the moon is by far the brightest, with Venus coming in a distant second. On Wednesday (Feb. 22), you’ll be able to spot the two making a close approach.
That approach, technically called an appulse, will be visible Wednesday from New York between 7:52 a.m. EST (1252 GMT) and 7:59 p.m. EST (0059 GMT on Feb. 23), according to skywatching site In-the-Sky.org (opens in new tab). Of course, the majority of that period is during daylight hours, which will make observing the appulse a little tricky. But since the sun sets at 5:38 p.m. EST (2238 GMT) in New York City, that gives you a few hours in the evening for solid viewing.
At the same time as the appulse, the moon and Venus will also reach conjunction, which happens when they share the same right ascension (basically, a celestial body’s “east-west” position in the sky).
Related: Night sky, February 2023: What you can see tonight
The moon will be just two days old — an extremely thin crescent moon — but it will still appear at magnitude minus 9.7 in terms of brightness. Venus, on the other hand, will be at magnitude minus 4.0. Venus is so bright thanks to its thick, cloud-filled atmosphere that reflects much of the sunlight that reaches it. (On the magnitude scale used by astronomers, lower numbers indicate brighter objects.)
Jupiter is the next brightest celestial body in the night sky, and on Wednesday, it will be at magnitude minus 2.12. The planet will also be near the moon — in fact, the moon will be sandwiched between Jupiter and Venus. (On March 1, the two planets will make their closest approach.)
If you want to get an up-close look at the moon and Venus during their conjunction and appulse — plus a view of nearby Jupiter — our guide to the best binoculars is a great place to start. And though you won’t be able to see both the moon and Venus within the field of view of a telescope, you can still get excellent views of each individually — take a peek at our guide to the best telescopes.
And if you’re looking to photograph the celestial event, gear up with our guides to the best cameras for astrophotography and the best lenses for astrophotography, then check out our guide on how to photograph the moon,
Editor’s Note: If you snap the conjunction of the moon and Venus and would like to share it with Space.com’s readers, send your photo(s), comments, and your name and location to [email protected].
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).
With less than two months to go, the full line-up of events forming the Dark Sky Festival has been unveiled as preparations for the April 20 total solar eclipse intensify.
The four-day festival will take place across the shires of Exmouth, Carnarvon and Ashburton to celebrate the rare, global spectacle which is happening right in our own backyard.
Thousands will flood to the region, which will offer the world’s best views of the eclipse, with accommodation in the main towns more or less sold out.
Live music, family-friendly activities, unique dining experiences, stargazing tours and photography lessons for budding astronomers are all part of the Dark Sky festival program.
The festival will include the inaugural Jamba Nyinayi Festival, a Baiyungu Aboriginal Corporation event hosted by traditional owner Hazel Walgar at Cardabia Station near Coral Bay on April 19. It will feature a drone show by Fremantle Biennale with storytelling from traditional owners as well as local and original Indigenous music, dance, food and fire.
Music lovers will be able to enjoy live performances from local and Perth musicians over three days at SolFest to be staged at Exmouth’s Talanjee Oval from April 19-21. SolFest is free to attend for those with existing accommodation in Exmouth.
A seaside seafood barbecue will be held in Exmouth, as well as a “Totality Brunch” at the town’s yacht club.
Fremantle Biennale’s Aboriginal-inspired drone show will also take place on Exmouth’s Town Beach in Exmouth on April 20.
The program also consists of a series of stargazing sessions with Astrotourism WA astronomy guides, an astrophotography exhibition and workshops, SciTech STEM-based activities for children and public talks, including from popular WA astronomer Greg Quike.
Carnarvon will host the April 2023 Rocks Carnarvon Festival from April 15-22, which will offer community star gazing, virtual reality experiences, Aboriginal night sky stories with bush tucker and a day-long music festival on April 20.
The eclipse will occur over a three-hour period, with totality — when the sun, moon and Earth align — expected at 11.29am in Exmouth.
Exmouth will experience 100 per cent of the eclipse, while Onslow and Coral Bay will experience 99 per cent darkness and Carnarvon about 95 per cent,
The McGowan Government has invested almost $22 million to prepare for the eclipse, including improving the region’s infrastructure.
Tourism Minister Roger Cook said the Government was committed to making the eclipse and surrounding events a memorable experience for visitors and creating a “lasting legacy” for Exmouth, Carnarvon and Ashburton shires.
“The eclipse is not only going to be an extraordinary and rare astronomical event. It will also be an experience to remember for visitors who spend time in the region,” he said.
“This festival will also act as a celebration of Aboriginal tourism and culture, and Western Australian food and wine, for the lucky visitors already heading to the Shires of Ashburton, Carnarvon or Exmouth for the solar eclipse.”
Ticketed events for Dark Sky Festival went on sale last week. For more information, visit ningalooeclipse.com.
Samsung Expert RAW APK from the Galaxy S23 Ultra is here for download with Astrophotography mode, Night photography, and multiple exposure settings.
At the recent Samsung Unpacked Event 2023, Samsung launched three new flagship smartphones – the Galaxy S23, S23+, and S23 Ultra. The firm also showcased their latest One UI 5.1 software update that came pre-installed with the S23 series. It’s still based on Android 13 but features some advanced features. The most intriguing one is the integration of the new Expert Raw app right into the Samsung camera app. Simply select Expert RAW from the More menu in the Samsung camera app.
Select Expert RAW from the More menu in the Samsung camera app
Samsung maintains the standalone version of the Expert Raw app with continued development for new features and bug fixes. Here is the latest Expert Raw APK v2.0.07.1 extracted directly from the Galaxy S23 Ultra. It supports One UI 5.1 firmware and brings the latest features.
What is Expert Raw?
The Expert RAW offers a wider dynamic range, letting you capture a lot more, from dark areas to bright areas, in one photo.
Various additional features enable brighter and clearer photos even in low-light conditions, while the manual operation features (ISO, shutter speed, EV, manual focus, white balance, etc.) allow the photographer to directly control the camera however they want.
The photos are saved in both JPEG and RAW formats, and the RAW format can be viewed and edited using the latest apps or software that support DNG.
The previous update to Expert Raw app featured Night photography, Astrophotography mode, and multiple exposures option. It also brings “Special Shooting Technique” for the Expert RAW app.
Samsung community (Korea) moderator Camera 1 charge showcased new features from the latest Expert Raw update in a blogpost here. In part one, Samsung released multiple exposures. In part 2, Astrophoto features are explored.
Samsung’s Expert Raw is getting closer to the Google Camera app and as such, can be used as a GCAM alternative for Galaxy devices.
Read more on: What is Expert RAW?
Expert Raw Multiple Exposures Feature
Multiple exposures option:
A total of 2 recording methods and 4 composite methods are available, and a minimum of 2 and a maximum of 9 pictures can be recorded.
It can be turned on and off using the multiple exposure icon from the quick settings at the top. Select ‘ ∨ ‘ in the top toast to change to other options while shooting.
There are two types of shooting methods: Continuous shooting and Manual shooting.
If you select Continuous, pictures are taken continuously at regular intervals, and Manual allows you to take pictures one by one when you want.
When shooting manually, the previously synthesized results are superimposed on the preview for more convenient and perfect shooting.
Four synthesis methods include:
Increase (Add.)
Average (Avg.)
Bright
Dark
Astrophotography using Expert Raw
A lot of people want to take pictures of the stars. There are a couple of ways you can capture stars at night. One is simply using the night mode on your Samsung Galaxy camera app. The second is to use long exposures in Pro mode.
There is now a third way by using Expert Raw’s new Astrophotography mode.
Astrophotography in Expert Raw uses Image Stacking, which takes several relatively short exposure photos and synthesizes them according to the movement of the celestial body, and the technology that separates the sky and the landscape to prevent the scenery from flowing when compositing according to the movement of the celestial body.
Most importantly, Samsung will also provide a guide to check the constellations!
Samsung Expert RAW from Galaxy S23 Ultra APK Download
Samsung’s Expert Raw camera app gives photographers a way of accessing the uncompressed data of an image (called RAW), straight from the camera sensor.
Expert Raw Profile
Expert RAW Lightroom Profile
Download from Samsung Galaxy Store
The Expert Raw app is now available in more countries including the UK. So you can directly download the app w from the Samsung Galaxy Store.
Samsung Camera Expert RAW
How to Enable Astrophotography Mode in Expert Raw?
Astrophoto mode can be toggled on and off using the Astrophotography icon from quick settings at the top. An option to show an astronomical guide and an option to select shooting time can be selected.
The recording time is 4 minutes, 7 minutes, and 10 minutes. To get more options while recording, select ‘ ∨ ‘ in the top toast to change it.
Expert Raw Astrophotography mode (via Sammobile)
How to use Samsung Camera long exposures for night photography?
Fix the smartphone on a tripod.
Enter Pro mode or Expert RAW in the Camera app.
Manually set Speed and ISO.
If the sky is dark enough, you can fix the Speed as shown below.
UW 30 sec / W 20 sec / T 15 sec / ST 4 sec
ISO is variable depending on the sky brightness of the day, shooting location, etc.
First of all, try shooting with 800. If the result is dark, choose a larger number, and if it is light, choose a smaller number to find a suitable number.
You can leave the color temperature automatically, but you can also set it to your liking.
The MarketWatch News Department was not involved in the creation of this content.
Feb 20, 2023 (The Expresswire) — New “Nano Silicon Battery Market” Report 2023 by Manufacturers and Forecast to 2029:
This Report provides an in-depth analysis of the market including growth potential, segments by product type and application, as well as the overall market size, share, growth rate, and manufacturing cost structure. The report also examines the impact of COVID-19 on the industry and its key players. The Nano Silicon Battery market report offers valuable insights into market trends and growth opportunities, as well as potential risks and challenges that businesses may face. With a particular focus on helping decision-makers navigate the complexities of the global market.
Browse Detailed TOC, Tables and Figures with Charts which is spread across 102 Pages that provides exclusive data, information, vital statistics, trends, and competitive landscape details in this niche sector.
Get a sample PDF of the report at – https://www.industryresearch.co/enquiry/request-sample/22488286
The report also offers a thorough analysis of the competitive landscape, with profiles of the top key players in the market. Research reports provide valuable insights and analysis on a specific industry or market. They often include information on market size, trends, key drivers, and competitive landscape analysis of Top manufacturers.
This report profiles key players in the global Nano Silicon Battery market based on the following parameters – company overview, production, value, price, gross margin, product portfolio, geographical presence, and key developments. This report also provides key insights about market drivers, restraints, opportunities, new product launches or approvals, COVID-19 and Russia-Ukraine War Influence.
Get Sample Copy of Nano Silicon Battery Market Report
Market Segmentation:
Nano Silicon Battery market is split by Type and by Application. For the period 2018-2029, the growth among segments provides accurate calculations and forecasts for consumption value by Type, and by Application in terms of volume and value. This analysis can help you expand your business by targeting qualified niche markets.
Market Segment by Type:
● 0â3,000 mAh ● 3,000â10,000 mAh ● 10,000-60,000 mAh ● 60,000 mAh and Above
Market Segment by Application:
● Automotive ● Consumer Electronics ● Aviation ● Energy ● Medical Devices ● Others
The Primary Objectives in This Report Are:
● To determine the size of the total market opportunity of global and key countries ● To assess the growth potential for Nano Silicon Battery ● To forecast future growth in each product and end-use market ● To assess competitive factors affecting the marketplace
Inquire or Share Your Questions If Any Before the Purchasing This Report – https://www.industryresearch.co/enquiry/pre-order-enquiry/22488286
Market segment by region, regional analysis covers
● North America (United States, Canada and Mexico) ● Europe (Germany, France, United Kingdom, Russia, Italy, and Rest of Europe) ● Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India, Southeast Asia, and Australia) ● South America (Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, and Rest of South America) ● Middle East and Africa (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, South Africa, and Rest of Middle East and Africa)
Some Questions Answered in the Nano Silicon Battery Market Report:
● What will the Nano Silicon Battery market size and the growth rate be in 2029? ● What are the key factors driving the global Nano Silicon Battery industry? ● What are the key market trends impacting the growth of the Nano Silicon Battery market? ● What are the Nano Silicon Battery market challenges to market growth? ● What are the Nano Silicon Battery market opportunities and threats faced by the vendors in the global Nano Silicon Battery market? ● What are the upstream raw materials and manufacturing equipment of Nano Silicon Battery What being the manufacturing process of Nano Silicon Battery? ● What are the types and applications of Nano Silicon Battery What being the market share of each type and application?
To Understand How Covid-19 Impact Is Covered in This Report – https://industryresearch.co/enquiry/request-covid19/22488286
The content of the study subjects, includes a total of 15 chapters:
Chapter 1, to describe Nano Silicon Battery product scope, market overview, market estimation caveats and base year.
Chapter 2, to profile the top manufacturers of Nano Silicon Battery, with price, sales, revenue and global market share of Nano Silicon Battery from 2018 to 2023.
Chapter 3, the Nano Silicon Battery competitive situation, sales quantity, revenue and global market share of top manufacturers are analyzed emphatically by landscape contrast.
Chapter 4, the Nano Silicon Battery breakdown data are shown at the regional level, to show the sales quantity, consumption value and growth by regions, from 2018 to 2029.
Chapter 5 and 6, to segment the sales by Type and application, with sales market share and growth rate by type, application, from 2018 to 2029.
Chapter 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11, to break the sales data at the country level, with sales quantity, consumption value and market share for key countries in the world, from 2017 to 2022.and Nano Silicon Battery market forecast, by regions, type and application, with sales and revenue, from 2024 to 2029.
Chapter 12, market dynamics, drivers, restraints, trends, Porters Five Forces analysis, and Influence of COVID-19 and Russia-Ukraine War.
Chapter 13, the key raw materials and key suppliers, and industry chain of Nano Silicon Battery.
Chapter 14 and 15, to describe Nano Silicon Battery sales channel, distributors, customers, research findings and conclusion.
Purchase this Report (Price 3480 USD for a Single-User License) –https://industryresearch.co/purchase/22488286
Main Points from Table of Contents:
1 Market Overview
1.1 Product Overview and Scope of Nano Silicon Battery
1.2 Market Estimation Caveats and Base Year
1.3 Market Analysis by Type
1.4 Market Analysis by Application
1.5 Global Nano Silicon Battery Market Size and Forecast
2 Manufacturers Profiles
3 Competitive Environment: Nano Silicon Battery by Manufacturer
3.1 Global Nano Silicon Battery Sales Quantity by Manufacturer (2018-2023)
3.2 Global Nano Silicon Battery Revenue by Manufacturer (2018-2023)
3.3 Global Nano Silicon Battery Average Price by Manufacturer (2018-2023)
3.4 Market Share Analysis (2022)
3.5 Nano Silicon Battery Market: Overall Company Footprint Analysis
3.6 New Market Entrants and Barriers to Market Entry
3.7 Mergers, Acquisition, Agreements, and Collaborations
4 Consumption Analysis by Region
4.1 Global Nano Silicon Battery Market Size by Region
4.2 North America Nano Silicon Battery Consumption Value (2018-2029)
4.3 Europe Nano Silicon Battery Consumption Value (2018-2029)
4.4 Asia-Pacific Nano Silicon Battery Consumption Value (2018-2029)
4.5 South America Nano Silicon Battery Consumption Value (2018-2029)
4.6 Middle East and Africa Nano Silicon Battery Consumption Value (2018-2029)
5 Market Segment by Type
5.1 Global Nano Silicon Battery Sales Quantity by Type (2018-2029)
5.2 Global Nano Silicon Battery Consumption Value by Type (2018-2029)
5.3 Global Nano Silicon Battery Average Price by Type (2018-2029)
6 Market Segment by Application
6.1 Global Nano Silicon Battery Sales Quantity by Application (2018-2029)
6.2 Global Nano Silicon Battery Consumption Value by Application (2018-2029)
6.3 Global Nano Silicon Battery Average Price by Application (2018-2029)
7 North America
8 Europe
9 Asia-Pacific
10 South America
11 Middle East and Africa
12 Market Dynamics
12.1 Nano Silicon Battery Market Drivers
12.2 Nano Silicon Battery Market Restraints
12.3 Nano Silicon Battery Trends Analysis
12.4 Porters Five Forces Analysis
12.5 Influence of COVID-19 and Russia-Ukraine War
13 Raw Material and Industry Chain
13.1 Raw Material of Nano Silicon Battery and Key Manufacturers
13.2 Manufacturing Costs Percentage of Nano Silicon Battery
13.3 Nano Silicon Battery Production Process
13.4 Nano Silicon Battery Industrial Chain
And More…
For Detailed TOC – https://industryresearch.co/TOC/22488286
To view the original version on The Express Wire visit Astrophotography Cameras Market 2023: Strategies for Expanding into New Markets across Regions 2029
COMTEX_424867725/2598/2023-02-20T04:26:03
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The MarketWatch News Department was not involved in the creation of this content.
Tuesday, 21 February 2023, 12:53 pm Press Release: Sony Alpha Awards
SYDNEY, 21 February 2023 – The 2023 Sony
Alpha Awards marks the eighth year of the photo competition
showcasing incredible photography captured on Sony cameras
and lenses. The Alpha Awards aim to reinvigorate and
reconnect photographers across the region, reward
professionals and enthusiasts alike, and provide a platform
for the greatest photography work captured on Sony Alpha
cameras and lenses, across Australia and New
Zealand.
Grand
Prize Winner of the 2022 Sony Alpha Awards, Caitlin Eafie,
Rainfall in Limbo
Categories
continue to represent the diverse range and passions of all
Sony photographers, allowing entrants to submit their work
across ten categories, including Astrophotography,
City/Street, Creative, Editorial, Landscape, Nature,
Portrait, Seascape, Sports and Wedding.
$50,000
worth of Sony camera gear will be available to win at the
2023 Alpha Awards – including $4,000 of Sony digital
imaging gear per category and each of the category finalists
will be in with the chance to win the overall Grand Prize of
Sony digital imaging gear to the value of $10,000.
All
applicants for the Open categories can submit up to five
entries through the submissions
page. Eligible images must be taken with Sony Digital
Imaging cameras (body and lens or integrated camera).
Submissions will close on25th June
2023.
All entries to the Sony Alpha Awards are free
via the submissions
page.
Key dates:
20 February 2023,
12:00pm – entries for the Alpha Awards open
25
June 2023, 11:59pm – entries for the Alpha Awards
close
2023 Sony Alpha Awards – Prize and Category
Summary
Prizes:
Grand Prize: Sony digital
imaging gear to the value of $10,000
Category
Prize Winners: Sony digital imaging gear to the value of
$4,000 for each category
winner
Categories:
Astrophotography
A
photograph that prominently features the night sky. Judges
in this category are looking for images that demonstrate
exceptional mastery of this field’s significant technical
constraints, alongside the aesthetic considerations of the
Landscape category. Composite images that do not alter the
explicit content of the image are allowed (i.e., exposure
blending, colour compositing, dark frame subtraction). Pure
starfield images may be submitted, but judging will be based
on aesthetic and pictorial criteria; astronomy work that
lacks aesthetic impact may not be highly awarded, in spite
of technical excellence.
City /
Street
This category covers any image that
documents life in an urban centre. Both people and places
will be considered. Judges in this category are looking for
images that give insight into urban life or reveal
unexpected or extraordinary
aesthetics.
Creative
A category which
rewards originality, experimentation and imagination, Creative is for photo composite images. Any number of
photos can be used and edited together to form an image of a
subject, object, environment, idea, or concept. All elements
used in the composite must be captured by the submitting
photographer, and should the submission reach the final
round of judging, entrants will be required to submit the
original layered file and/or contributing images. Judges in
this category are looking for a clear concept, executed with
sensitivity to the subject matter and a high level of
technical competence.
Editorial
Submitted
images should be drawn from a body of work, commissioned or
otherwise. Subject matter can range from commercial work to
photo reportage documenting current affairs, newsworthy
events, etc. For an image which reaches the final stage of
judging, the photographer will be required to submit the
full body of work for context. Judges in this category are
looking for clear storytelling, executed both within the
individual image and, for finalists, sustained throughout
the series.
Landscape
A photo of a place
and/or thing, typically the natural world. Judges in this
category are looking for unique and powerful framings, or
new takes on familiar scenes. Technical photographic
excellence is needed, but final decisions in this category
are made on the basis of a photographer’s use of colour,
composition and sensitive post-production to complement the
scene presented. Photo compositing in this category for
technical purposes will not be penalised, but composites
from significantly different times/places are grounds for
disqualification. Photographs that qualify for consideration
in Astrophotography or Seascape are unlikely
to receive an award in this
category.
Nature
A photo of the natural
living world. Animals, plants, fungi – if it’s alive, it
counts. Judges in this category are looking for images that
reveal something new or unexpected from the natural world
around us. As a hotly contested category, technical
considerations are often a factor in deciding the top
contenders for Nature.
Domesticated animals and
animals in clearly artificial settings or captivity are
unlikely to be awarded.
Portrait
A photo
of a person who is aware of the photographer and
participating in the creation of the photo. Judging in this
category will reward photos that reveal more than just the
surface of the subject. Candid photography is not considered
in this category.
Seascape
A landscape
photograph that prominently features the sea. Judges in this
category are looking for unique and powerful framings, or
new takes on familiar scenes. Technical photographic
excellence is needed, but final decisions in this category
are made on the basis of a photographer’s use of colour,
composition and sensitive post-production to complement the
scene presented.
Sports
A photo of a
sport being played or related to the culture of a sport.
Judges in this category are looking for images that reveal a
deep understanding of the sport being documented, and which
capture either peak action, or something quintessential to
the sport.
Wedding
Photography
documenting a wedding. Judges in this category are looking
for intelligent and intuitive photography that demonstrates
the photographer’s ability to read the environment of a
wedding and zero in on powerful moments, while upholding
aesthetic considerations. Alternatively, pre-wedding work
that goes beneath the surface and speaks to the couple being
photographed. Documentary work related to a wedding will
also be considered.
Please visit the website
for rules and conditions of entry.
About Sony
mirrorless range: Sony is the leader in mirrorless
technology with 9 full-frame bodies; 4 APSC bodies; 40
full-frame lenses; and 20 APSC lenses in market in
Australia. The Alpha mirrorless system gives you an
unmatched range of creative options.
Picture
credits
Grand Prize Winner of the 2022 Sony Alpha
Awards, Caitlin Eafie, Rainfall in
Limbo
Scoop has been a champion of independent journalism and open publishing for over 20 years. It stands for informing New Zealanders through straight-talking independent journalism, and publishing news from a huge range of sectors. Now, more than ever, sustainable financial support will help to keep these vital and participatory media services running.
You’ll definitely want to use Galaxy S23 astrophotography mode once you get your phone, as it’s surprisingly impressive for a smartphone. Thanks to the power of AI and combining multiple images, you can get beautiful images of the night sky.
The fact you need to download a separate app full of settings to adjust is a bit intimidating but just stick with our guide below. We’ll show you step-by-step how to enable the correct settings and prepare your Galaxy S23 and your shot, and by the end, you will hopefully have your first astrophoto.
Assuming it’s already dark outside where you are, and you’ve got your phone to hand, here’s what you need to do to use the Galaxy S23’s astrophotography mode.
How to use Galaxy S23 astrophotography mode
This astrophotography mode works on any Galaxy S23 handset, and also the Galaxy S22 series, since it’s tied to an app rather than the phone’s hardware. These steps should be the same, no matter which phone or model you are using.
1. If you haven’t already, download the ExpertRAW app, which is free from the Galaxy Store app.
2. Open up ExpertRAW and then the Settings menu (the cog in the top/bottom left corner)
3. In here, make sure the Special photo options slider is turned on, otherwise the astrophotography mode won’t be available to you. Also, enable RAW photos so you can capture the most possible detail. See our how to take RAW photos on Galaxy S23 guide if you need more details on this.
4. Return to the main app window, and tap the astrophotography button (the constellation icon) in the top right.
5. Before taking a photo, select whether to hide or show the AR sky guide, which will help you target specific things in the sky, and the duration, which can be set from four, seven or ten minutes (ten minutes providing the best shots). If you’re happy with the settings, just tap the cross in the corner to minimize it.
6. Lastly, pick your lens of choice and tap the shutter button. Wait for the magic to happen, and then check the Gallery app to see how your photo came out.
I tried this feature out on a cloudy night, so I wasn’t able to see much beyond a couple of particularly bright stars. I hope you fare better than I did.
A couple of other tips for you: A tripod is basically a necessity for these shots considering how long it takes for the exposure to come out.
And since it’ll be dark out, particularly if you go to an area with minimal light pollution, you may also want to bring a flashlight so you can see what you’re doing.
Take a look at some more Samsung Galaxy tips before you go. We have guides on how to use the hidden magic eraser tool on Samsung phones to quickly edit your photos, how to use finger sensor gestures on Samsung phones to add extra shortcuts to your most-used features, and how to set up Easy Mode on Samsung smartphones if you or the person you’re setting the phone up for would prefer a much simpler interface.
If you’d prefer more general Android how-to tips, we’ve got plenty of those too. Take a look at how to check screen time on Android to see how long you’re spending using different apps, how to split screen on Android to open up app multi-tasking on your phone, or how to show battery percentage on Android phones so you know just how much power you’ve got left.
The best photo editing apps can transform average snaps into works of photographic art. All kinds of photography benefits from good image editing, especially astrophotographs. When we look up into the night sky with our naked eyes, we can make out faint sources of light, the bright light from the moon, and perhaps a sighting of a nearby planet on a clear night if we’re lucky. But with the help of the best cameras for astrophotography, we can see the much fainter glows of nebulae and galaxies. Even the best telescopes and best binoculars can’t reveal all the subtle colors and patterns that post-shoot editing using photo editing apps can.
Photo editing apps can transform your average-looking astro images into spectacular masterpieces by bringing out hidden elements. While some consider using the best photo apps to edit images to be cheating, that just isn’t the case. As 99% of astrophotographers will be shooting in RAW, the raw data captured will be just that, and often looks dull and lifeless before any editing is done to enhance what’s already there. It’s just an extra means of polishing the finished product beyond the in-camera shot.
Even if the photographer only employed the in-camera filters, cropping, or stacking, that is still a form of editing. Photo editing apps can be an astrophotographer’s best friend, and editing software has shot up in popularity in the digital photography community.
Many different photo editing apps are available, with varying abilities and tools which need consideration, especially regarding astrophotography’s specific requirements. In this guide, we’ve included off-the-shelf software that can be modified to meet the needs of astrophotographers. Some do this better than others, here are the best photo editing apps for astrophotography that we’d recommend you try.
Best photo editing apps for astrophotography 2023
Why you can trust Space Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.
(Image credit: Lauren Scott)
Best editing app overall: Lightroom has a brilliant and non-destructive workflow that will suit busy photographers
Specifications
Payment type: Subscription
Compatibility: Windows, Mac
Mobile app: Yes
Cloud storage: Up to 1TB
Reasons to buy
+
Unrivalled image organization and cataloguing
+
Fast color corrections using Presets
+
Available for desktop, tablet and mobile
Reasons to avoid
–
Monthly subscription only
–
RAW image conversion could be more advanced
Aiming at professionals, Lightroom is primarily a raw image organizing, cataloging, and developing tool. Users can dump their memory cards into it at the end of the day to quickly get a database of the shots taken that day with geotags and facial recognition. They can search and rate files to select the best ones and return to them later. This is what makes Lightroom different from many other editing apps.
When it comes to editing in Lightroom, the user has creative control over contrast, brightness, color saturation, and the option to smooth out lens idiosyncrasies. You can also create presets, edit with masks and heal any unwanted dust spots in your images. Lightroom is a very powerful app and has many features that can speed up your workflow and make post-processing easier. Once you’re finished editing, a high-quality JPEG image can be watermarked, exported and shared. To read more about the things Lightroom can do, check out our Adobe Lightroom review.
However, it’s perfectly possible to use Lightroom differently. Its workflow is entirely non-destructive, so you’re always left with your original file as a kind of digital negative rather than overwriting the original. Your changes only become permanent when you export an edited image; even then, your original image is safe.
You don’t have to work with raw files, although astrophotographers should because of the increased color depth that’s captured. Lightroom also excels at batch processing images, you can load in all 300 of your star trail images at once, batch edit (kind of like copying and pasting the same settings onto each image), then export them to another app for stacking.
(Image credit: Future)
Best for large projects: This powerful image editor works seamlessly across desktop, iPad and mobile
Specifications
Payment type: Subscription
Compatibility: Windows, Mac
Mobile app: Yes
Cloud storage: Up to 1TB
Reasons to buy
+
Sky replacement tools work effectively
+
Strong mobile and web design tool
Reasons to avoid
–
Neural filters are a bit weird
–
Only available with a subscription
–
Complex interface to learn
Much like Lightroom, Photoshop CC is the app that other image-editing software makers use to model their interfaces. It’s a great tool for astrophotographers and is the industry-standard photo editing app, used extensively worldwide — although there is a learning curve. We looked at all the pros and cons in our Adobe Photoshop review.
Photoshop’s editing method utilizes selections and layers, meaning you can, for example, select only the sky in an image and edit this separately from the land — though Lightroom has recently also adopted this feature. Selections can be automatically identified using Adobe Sensei, a cloud AI tech that allows the subject of a photo to be accurately selected just by choosing a menu option — phenomenal. Of course, it can also be painstakingly manually created like in the good old days if you’d rather!
Layers give you the option to build complex effects in your images. The layers can be moved around, merged, painted, hidden, or have holes cut in them. Layers are essential for creating a star trail image where hundreds of photos are combined or revealing the soft light of a nebula from many stacked frames.
Adobe plans are relatively inexpensive for the range of tools you can access, for $19.99 a month you can get a subscription to Photoshop and Lightroom together, which is a great deal if you regularly use both programs. If you don’t want the full-fat version of Photoshop, you may find Photoshop Elements a bit easier to get on with — keep reading to see if it’s better suited to you.
(Image credit: Chiat Goli/Ian Evenden)
Best option for astro enthusiasts: There are some useful preset astro features available on this editing app, which is cheaper than some of its rivals
Specifications
Payment type: One-off
Compatibility: Windows, Mac
Mobile app: Yes
Cloud storage: None
Reasons to buy
+
Cheaper Photoshop rival
+
Some dedicated astro features
+
Excellent tutorials
Reasons to avoid
–
Can be tricky if you’re already used to Photoshop
–
Cloud storage isn’t
Serif Software’s rival to Photoshop takes Adobe’s selection and layer method of photo editing and applies it directly to night-sky images through its Astrophotography Stack persona. The ‘personas’ are Affinity Photo’s way of reconfiguring its user interface for specific tasks, it has one for exporting images, another for decoding raw files, and so on. You can read more about these to get a better understanding in our Affinity Photo review.
This essentially means that you can import calibration and light frames into Affinity Photo, which will then stack them automatically at the press of a button, ready to be transferred to the app’s primary Photo persona for color correction and image sharpening. Advanced users can delve much deeper into the settings, to the extent of manually choosing the Bayer pattern used during raw decode or using frame analysis to reject those with star trails or other unwanted flaws.
A dedicated ‘Remove Background’ filter is a nice astro-specific feature. This feature will help in returning the sky between the stars to its original black tone if a background color cast has crept into your photographs.
(Image credit: Jason Parnell-Brookes)
Best for speedy editing: This reasonably priced software allows you to make super fast edits
Specifications
Payment type: One-off
Compatibility: Windows, Mac
Mobile app: No
Cloud storage: No
Reasons to buy
+
Super fast edits with powerful AI tools
+
Templates make it easy to enhance images with no prior knowledge
Reasons to avoid
–
Batch processing could be simpler
–
No dedicated astro tools
Skylum, the developer of Luminar, has taken a slightly different approach to image editing than Adobe and many other software houses in the sector. It prefers to provide a series of pre-set ‘looks’ (much like Instagram filters) and background images that you can apply to your image, scale to achieve the level of intensity you want, and even selectively apply these looks. The ‘looks’ are simple to add to the entire image or just a specific area, like the sky. AI programs have the creative ability to change your photos in ways you might not have thought of.
Traditional image-editing tools are available, but they aren’t the application’s core function. For that, you will want to consider Luminar Neo.
Luminar AI is a user-friendly, fast app built around the company’s AI tools but Neo now takes center stage as the company’s flagship product, bringing a new editing engine and the ability to create more refined images.
Neo has introduced the ability to add layers to your edits, much like photoshop. It also has a developer module, similar to Lightroom. Which version you get depends on whether you want to make quick edits using preset adjustments or more complex changes like adjusting the sharpness and vibrance. To help you decide, check out our Luminar AI review. There is a difference of approximately $40, but for a lifetime license, that cost is negligible.
(Image credit: Andy Hartup)
CyberLink PhotoDirector 14
Best for beginners: The user friendly software packs in lots of social media friendly features
Specifications
Payment type: Subscription and one-off
Compatibility: Windows, Mac
Mobile app: Yes
Cloud storage: No
Reasons to buy
+
So easy to use
+
Brilliant static and animated effects for social media
+
Great for both editing and enhancing
Reasons to avoid
–
Lacks some lens profiles
–
Feels very iterative
–
Not the best for astro work
Calling PhotoDirector 14 feature-packed would be a huge understatement, and we must be approaching the limit in the number of ways an image file can be poked, prodded, shrunk, stretched, and generally manipulated. It begs the question of how many additional features can be crammed into one program and how many of them are actually used. This most recent version is even more feature-packed than the previous PhotoDirector 13, though sadly they still don’t offer much for astrophotography editing. Think of it as a jack of all trades, master of none.
Though, for an astrophotographer, this isn’t necessarily a good thing. PhotoDirector 14 is a beginner-friendly application that can turn its hand to editing almost any image, astro included. Still, its attempts to appeal to as many people as possible make it tricky to whittle down to the useful tools you want for editing your night-sky shots.
You can purchase PhotoDirector 14 for a one-off fee, much like its rivals, but you can also purchase a subscription version (PhotoDirector 365) which is more expensive. You get a generous 50GB of cloud storage for the duration of your subscription.
(Image credit: Lauren Scott)
Best for amateurs: A solid, entry-level piece of software for hobbyists
Specifications
Payment type: One-off
Compatibility: Windows, Mac
Mobile app: No
Cloud storage: 2GB
Reasons to buy
+
Technique guides are helpful
+
Quick switch between Editor and Organizer
Reasons to avoid
–
No profiles for lens correction
–
Software will ultimately be replaced by a newer version which you will have to pay for again
Photoshop Elements is the scaled-back, beginner-friendly version of Photoshop aimed at beginners and enthusiastic amateurs rather than professionals. The differences are stark, especially in the way you pay for it. Adobe’s Creative Cloud apps — Photoshop and Lightroom on this list — are subscription software. That means you pay a fixed amount each month (currently $19.99 per month, which is pretty reasonable for what you get), and if you unsubscribe, the software stops working. The advantage of this is that you always have access to the most recent version of the application, which is updated often to include bug fixes and new features.
With Photoshop Elements you pay a one-off fee, which also has a video-editing brother called Premiere Elements. The downside of paying a one-off fee is that it’s only a matter of time before there will be a new version of the app available that you’ll need to buy again if you want to make use of any new features. Lightroom and Photoshop are available in the good-value Photographer’s Bundle, so you’d need a good reason to purchase Elements instead. That may be the app’s ability to teach you image editing through its Guided mode, or maybe you strongly believe in being able to keep your software without having to pay a subscription — if you think Elements may be more suited to you, check out our Photoshop Elements review.
Even though Photoshop’s layer and selection approach is replicated almost perfectly here in Elements, along with some neat new Sensei AI features, there’s not much on offer to attract astrophotographers specifically.
(Image credit: Ian Evenden)
Best for organization: Good value software with a really useful in-built organization system
Specifications
Payment type: Subscription or one-off
Compatibility: Windows, Mac
Mobile app: Yes
Cloud storage: At additional cost
Reasons to buy
+
Great for batch conversion
+
Decent value
+
Good organizer
Reasons to avoid
–
Professional version doesn’t have layers
–
Confusing pricing
ACDSee is a very versatile app, making it a great choice for a general-purpose image editor — see how it fared in our ACDSee review. It has a catalog management interface broadly similar to Lightroom and is split into a series of modules in the same way Affinity Photo has personas. There are several tools available to help you enhance your night sky photographs between the Develop module, which decodes your raw images, and the main edit module, which operates more like Photoshop.
ACDSee offers raw image processing so you won’t need a separate app if you’re shooting raw files, and its Ultimate incarnation has some Photoshop-like layers for you to stack images. There’s also an Advanced Lighting EQ tool that can be applied selectively. This helps to bring out the best in soft, dim glows from the night sky or to darken night skies back to black.
(Image credit: Ian Evenden)
Best for learning techniques: The list of features and tools available in Corel PaintShop just keeps growing.
Specifications
Payment type: One-off
Compatibility: Windows
Mobile app: No
Cloud storage: No
Reasons to buy
+
Broad range of tools
+
Easy to learn and grow with
Reasons to avoid
–
Only works with Windows
–
Not as advanced as Adobe
Paintshop Pro, a long-time member of the image-editing club, takes a similar layer-based editing approach to Photoshop. There’s RAW image support, and it’s starting to get the kind of AI and content-aware tools that can make impressive differences to astrophotos — check out our Corel Paintshop Pro review for more information.
Even though it isn’t designed specifically for this kind of photography, this general-purpose picture editing app has many tools that can be utilized to enhance your astrophotos. While the app has a specialist workspace with custom tools for editing underwater photos and drones, night-sky shots sadly don’t get the same attention. This is particularly true of its noise reduction tools. As we all know, taking photos of the night sky often requires raising the ISO to uncomfortable levels, so we need this function to get rid of unwanted noise while preserving the sharpness of the stars. They have added focus stacking into their most recent update, though, which would be good for stacking astro shots with different exposures for the sky and foreground.
(Image credit: DxO PhotoLab)
DxO Photolab 6
Best for noise reduction: Powerful AI tools can keep images clean and precise by removing excess noise
Specifications
Payment type: One-off
Compatibility: Windows, Mac
Mobile app: No
Cloud storage: No
Reasons to buy
+
Excellent noise reduction
+
Lightroom plugin
Reasons to avoid
–
Not a general-purpose tool
–
Only for RAW files
Photolab can be considered more of a digital darkroom rather than a full-fledged image editing app and has one particular feature that will be music to an astrophotographer’s ears. Its updated AI-powered DeepPRIME XD noise reduction can retrieve previously unseen detail like “nothing you’ve seen before”, they claim, and the haze-reducing Clearview tool can effectively improve your deep-sky images’ contrast and color saturation. Comprehensive lens correction also smooths out the distortion that camera lenses, especially those with ultrawide angles, add to photographs.
You will need to shoot in raw, though. The additional color depth provided by these unprocessed files is always welcome when it comes to astrophotos. Still, some find the extra strain on their computer’s processor, and the requirement for more storage space makes shooting in JPEG more convenient.
Advanced users can install Photolab as a plugin for Lightroom, so they can spend most of their time there but transfer over to Photolab to utilize its impressive AI tools.
(Image credit: Capture One Pro)
Capture One Pro 23
Best for powerful editing tools: This package has extensive editing tools and works reliably for tethered shooting – but it comes with a steep price
Specifications
Payment type: Subscription and one-off
Compatibility: Windows, Mac
Mobile app: Yes
Cloud storage: No
Reasons to buy
+
Extremely professional quality
+
Compatible with many file formats
Reasons to avoid
–
Expensive
–
It isn’t beginner friendly
Another app that follows the Lightroom template rather than the Photoshop one, tethering and studio photography is Capture One Pro’s specialty. It is remarked for the high quality of its raw image decoding, and it’s also compatible with many other image formats, including the HEIC files produced by recent iPhones.
This software is aimed at professionals, however, once you’ve got to grips with it, it’s uniquely powerful, bringing together the best of Lightroom and Photoshop (with its adjustment layer-based editing system). It does have a ‘learn’ feature that, by offering a series of in-camera tutorials, helps make it less intimidating for beginners. Though Capture One Pro does seem to be a great tool for improving workflow, many of its latest updates seem to be catered more toward organization rather than editing, making it better for photographers who photograph people or events and need to cull images quickly.
The downside? Capture One is expensive. You could get two or more of the other apps for the same price so it’s probably not worth it unless you are a studio pro.
If you’re looking for the best tripods on the market, you’ve come to the right place for all the information you need. Tripods can be a vital part of any photographer’s inventory and are crucial for long-exposure photography, including astro.
Partner one of these tripods with the best cameras for astrophotography, and there will be no stopping you. Get the angle you want, keep the camera perfectly still to shoot the cosmos, and get those awe-inspiring images you’ve dreamed of taking.
Best tripods in 2023
Why you can trust Space Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.
(Image credit: Benro)
Benro Mach3 TMA37C
Best overall — this is a serious bit of kit for serious astro photographers
Specifications
Material: Carbon fiber with magnesium castings
Leg sections: 3
Weight: 4.1lbs
Max load: 35lbs
Folded height: 24.6 inches
Ball head or pan/tilt head: Can purchase either separately
Reasons to buy
+
Kit includes spiked feet and short centre column attachment
+
Intuitive, no fiddling
+
Sturdy leg locks make it easy to use
Reasons to avoid
–
Have to buy the head separately
–
Only one leg has a foam grip
–
Doesn’t fit into the carry bag with the geared head attached
Despite its chunky look and feel, the Benro Mach3 9X CF TMA37C is a surprisingly light tripod. It has been built for durability, reliability and to cope well in all weathers. While this is no travel tripod, it has certainly been designed with the portability and flexibility needs of serious landscape photographers, making it an ideal choice for dedicated astrophotographers too.
The Mach3 series of tripods feature a range of configuration options and come in both carbon fiber and aluminum. At this size it makes the difference in weight between the carbon fiber and the aluminum quite significant though it also makes quite a significantly deeper dent in your wallet if you opt for the carbon fiber model.
Unfortunately, you will need to purchase the head separately which will add to the already sizable cost, but you can then tailor the tripod to your own specific preferences and needs. There are a few added extras that you get for your money however, a set of spiked feet and a shorter center column are included which come in handy when you need to get low to the ground.
$384.95 means there’s no hiding that this tripod is an investment, but you do get quality for your money. Its durable build and attention to detail mean it’s designed to last, so you’ll get years and years of use out of it.
(Image credit: Jamie Carter)
Our top portable pick — a narrow, novel, and night-friendly support for full-frame DSLRs and even smartphones
The Peak Design Travel Tripod is as compact a travel tripod as you’re likely to find and it’s ideal for anyone considering all types of landscape photography, not least wide-field astrophotography. It has been cleverly designed into a super-sleek, neat and compact package with no wasted space. Its three legs and ball-head collapse to meet with no gaps, making it ideal for fitting into your daypack or your luggage.
Despite clearly being designed for travel, it isn’t the lightest travel tripod on the market. The construction comes in both aluminum and carbon fiber versions but the reduction in weight with the carbon fiber one is accompanied by a higher price. We think the aluminum option at 3.4lbs is a better option when it comes to value for money as the carbon fiber model is only a tiny bit lighter a 2.8lbs and not really worth the extra cash.
As we discussed in the functionality section of our Peak Design Travel Tripod review, the height of this tripod might be a bit of an issue for taller users as, despite having five leg sections, it’s about ten inches shorter than similar models on the market.
The Arca-Swiss quick-release tripod plate is incredibly stable and can carry loads of up to 20lbs but it does require a hex key to affix the camera in place which isn’t so easy to do in the dark. Another neat travel feature the model incorporates is a swivel lever to rotate the ball head and it means there’s nothing protruding and getting in the way.
The Peak Design Travel Tripod will prove a smash hit for astrophotographers, especially those wanting something easy to transport and quick to set up. It’s compact when packed up and proves great for outdoor performance.
(Image credit: Vanguard)
A solid, sturdy and versatile option for mirrorless and DSLR cameras
Specifications
Material: Aluminum
Leg sections: 3
Weight: 5.38 lbs
Max load: 15.4 lbs
Folded height: 28.15 inches
Ball head or pan/tilt head: Ball head
Reasons to buy
+
Multiple positions, including low to the ground
+
Solid and stable
+
Easy to put up and take down in the dark
Reasons to avoid
–
Required hex key
–
Heavier than other similar models on the market
The star attraction of the Vanguard Alta Pro 263AB is its sheer flexibility and the various multiple positions it can be put into. Besides the standard tripod configuration, you can splay the legs from upright at 25º all the way to almost 90º to the center column. Additionally, the center column comes out and can be angled at 90º from the now-splayed legs and means the camera can be as low as ten inches from the ground. This gives it much greater stability when capturing star trails with very long exposures.
With only three leg sections on each leg, there are only two clips to fix when setting up the tripod, which we found sturdy enough to keep the camera still in light to moderate breeze during long exposures. It was easy enough to put up and take down in the dark. The same can’t be said for the connector plate which requires a hex key, though given that two plates are provided with the tripod, the idea is likely that you simply leave it on your camera full time rather than remove it at the end of a shoot.
As we concluded in our Vanguard Alta Pro 263AB tripod review, this tripod is a brilliant all-rounder. If you enjoy different styles of photography, this could be the option for you. However, it may not be best suited for astrophotography as it’s size and weight may make you think twice about lugging it around at night. Despite this, it’s a great, versatile tripod for the price you pay.
(Image credit: 3 Legged Thing)
A joy to handle and an ideal choice for astro and landscape photographers
Specifications
Material: Carbon fiber
Leg sections: 5
Weight: 3.1lbs
Max load: 30lbs
Folded height: 16.14 inches
Ball head or pan/tilt head: Ball head
Reasons to buy
+
Great build quality
+
Tactile bubble grip knobs
+
Light and portable
Reasons to avoid
–
Slight ‘falling into place’ with longer lenses
–
Hex key plate attachment
–
Higher end of the price spectrum for this type of tripod
The Brian tripod by 3 Legged Thing is a highly portable travel tripod that incorporates some pretty solid engineering design. As we established in our 3 Legged Thing PUNKS Brian Tripod review, it’s simultaneously one of the tallest tripods when fully erect yet also one of the most compact once folded down.
While it’s not the lightest of the travel tripods available, at 3.1lbs, it’s certainly something that isn’t too cumbersome to carry around for a day or night. It has a premium feel to it but it also has a more premium price tag than its nearest competitors though, overall, we think it’s worth it.
This tripod is easy to put up and take down in low-light conditions thanks to the tactile bubble grips on the knobs and leg extenders. However, the camera connects with a hex key as opposed to a D-ring which can be a little annoying, but a tool is provided for it and it attaches to the body of the tripod with a carabiner.
The Brian tripod by 3 Legged Thing can carry weights of up to 30lbs and although we discovered instances of the camera ‘falling into place’ once affixed in its compositions with a very long lens we think it’s more about weight distribution than the weight itself, it seemed to happily take the weight of a DSLR with a shorter zoom lens attached. But this is really the only small criticism for a piece kit that otherwise meets the needs of an enthusiastic astrophotographer.
(Image credit: Amazon)
As light and as solid aluminum travel tripod as you’re likely to find,
Specifications
Material: Aluminum
Leg sections: 4
Weight: 3.28 lbs
Max load: 19.48 lbs
Folded height: 15.7 inches
Ball head or pan/tilt head: Ballhead
Reasons to buy
+
Lightweight aluminum build
+
Excellent build quality
+
It doesn’t droop with full-frame DSLR
Reasons to avoid
–
Not space-efficient
–
Relatively large when collapsed
–
Not full height
Small carbon fiber tripods may be the lightest around, but being mid-size and made from aluminum, the Manfrotto BeFree Advanced Travel Tripod keeps to a reasonable height and price tag. Photographers after the perfect tripod to take out at night require three things: a lightweight tripod that is easy to carry, fixings that make it quick to set up and take down, and solidity and rigidity that can be relied upon to keep your camera steady even in windy conditions. The Manfrotto Befree Advanced Travel Tripod has all of that, being one of the lightest aluminum travel tripods we’ve tried, though perhaps it is not the most efficiently designed for transit as it takes up a lot of space in luggage. But its exceptional build quality and reliability in the field make it a sound choice.
As we found in our Manfrotto Befree Advanced Travel Tripod review, it has an unusual fold-down configuration whereby the three legs fold through 180º to meet the ball head. Though we found it fiddly to begin with, it’s easy to do in the dark once you’ve got the knack.
The four section legs are fixed with soft twists and can be erected to a full height of 59 inches. The camera connects to the plate with a D-ring and is compatible with the RC2 and Arca-Swiss plate attachment.
The same model is available in carbon fiber and weighs a little bit less at 2.75lbs.
(Image credit: Amazon)
The Manfrotto 190 Go! tripod is a popular and versatile support for outdoor and landscape photographers
Specifications
Material: Carbon fiber (also available in aluminum)
Leg sections: 4
Weight: 4.1lbs
Max load: 14.33 lbs
Folded height: 22.5 inches
Ball head or pan/tilt head: XPro ball head
Reasons to buy
+
Fast operating M-lock mechanism
+
90° column for horizontal positioning
Reasons to avoid
–
No hook for adding stability
–
Not all models have a carry bag
–
Doesn’t come with a strap
The Manfrotto 190 Go! tripod series was launched almost five years ago, but it is ever popular with hobbyists and advanced photographers who need a lightweight, sturdy base for their camera. The price has only dropped slightly since our hands on Manfrotto 190 Go! review which shows it is still a desirable product.
The range includes several models: you can choose from either carbon fiber or magnesium construction, several different heads and leg sections but every 190 Go! tripod is defined by how quick it is to operate. The highest-end model is probably too expensive for amateurs or casual photographers but the aluminum version is cheaper.
The easy assembly is thanks to an ‘M-lock’ mechanism, a super speedy twist lock that allows you to unlock the leg and set the right height up in just a few seconds. Other key features include a versatile 90° central column that can swing out into a horizontal position, plus a Link attachment for adding extra accessories. The leg positions can be held at 25°,46°,66°, or 88°.
The whole combo weighs 4.1 lbs and supports a maximum load of 14.3 lbs.
As well as making for a speedy setup, these unobtrusive M-locks mean that the legs themselves are streamlined, with no protruding parts that might catch on a bag when you want to pack the tripod away. The rubber grips on the locks themselves are easy to get hold of even in the dark.
(Image credit: Manfrotto)
Manfrotto MK055XPRO3 BHQ-2
Manfrotto is one of the most well-known, popular and, crucially, reliable brands in tripod technology.
Specifications
Material: Aluminum
Leg sections: 3
Weight: 6lbs
Max load: 22lbs
Folded height: 28 inches
Ball head or pan/tilt head: Ball
Reasons to buy
+
Affordable price
+
Comes with the new XPRO ball head
+
90-degree adjustable center column
+
Easy Link connector
Reasons to avoid
–
Feet not interchangeable
–
Doesn’t come with a carrying bag
–
No weight hook
The Manfrotto MK055XPRO3 BHQ-2 is designed for studio photographers who often go out on shoots. Made from aluminum, it has the weight and sturdiness of a studio tripod but is portable enough to pack away neatly and carry for short periods. Although it’s primarily designed for mirrorless camera systems, tests suggest it can also happily carry a medium format rig.
The legs are extended and secured with a new power lock system that uses flip locks rather than leg twists. One of the key innovative features of this model is the Easy Link connector which is designed to attach arms, holders, lamps and reflectors. Again, things that are much more useful to a studio photographer working outdoors than an astrophotographer but if you’re planning on using lights creatively with the backdrop of the night sky, this could well be the tripod for you.
(Image credit: Benro)
This is everything a beginner landscape or astrophotographer needs to get started in long exposure photography
Specifications
Material: Carbon fiber or aluminum
Leg sections: 4
Weight: 2.2lbs
Max load: 8.8lb
Folded height: 20 inches
Ball head or pan/tilt head: Ball head
Reasons to buy
+
Lightweight and compact
+
Good value for money
+
Durable construction
Reasons to avoid
–
Some features are cheaply finished
–
Slightly sticky ball head
–
Some longer lenses have to ‘fall into place’ when composing shots
You can’t beat the Benro Slim travel tripod for those nights of trudging between vantage points or those days when you might need a tripod but don’t quite know what the day holds in store. This lightweight and well-crafted tripod has been designed with travel and movement in mind and has everything a beginner landscape or astro photographer needs to get started in long-exposure photography.
Although the Benro Slim was developed for the increasingly popular mirrorless systems, it can also handle the weight of a DSLR and zoom lens remarkably well too. Not only that, it offers the impeccable build quality from a trusted brand but at a price point that won’t break the bank. It’s stable, reliable, compact and, crucially, lightweight enough to just always have it with you in your camera pack.
It’s available in both carbon fiber and aluminum versions which differ only in weight and price point; the aluminum one is slightly weightier but slightly cheaper. It’s very easy to put up and take down and features anodized aluminum leg twists that secure into place with half a twist. It uses a standard Arca-Swiss connector plate that slides in easily and is secure enough for a range of mirrorless and DSLR lenses.
(Image credit: Future)
This tripod can be used when the environment allows but it’s not a replacement for a full-sized tripod
Specifications
Material: Aluminum, ABS plastic, stainless steel and TPE
Leg sections: 1
Weight: 1.6lbs
Max load: 11 lbs
Folded height: 13 inches
Ball head or pan/tilt head: Ball
Reasons to buy
+
Small, lightweight
+
Wobble-free when wrapped around something stable
+
Can hold surprisingly heavy kit
Reasons to avoid
–
Limited positioning options
–
Not a full-sized tripod
The Joby GorrillaPod 5K Tripod is quite a different beast from most tripods because it’s made of articulated ball joints and doesn’t have extendable legs or the complicated knobs and levers of a bigger product. It’s small and compact at 20 inches in length and a total weight of 1.6lbs which makes it very portable and versatile
It’s designed to be fixed in place by twisting into shape around railings, trees, and just about anything in the urban landscape as well as rocks and craggy natural landscape features. It can also be free-standing but isn’t quite as stable in this configuration.
It is made from aluminum, plastic and stainless steel, making it strong enough to carry the weight of a DSLR plus zoom lens as well as lighter equipment and smartphones. The main drawback, however, is that you’re dependent on what you can affix it to in order to create your composition so it doesn’t have quite the same level of versatility as a standard-designed tripod.
It’s a great option if you’re just starting out with long exposure photography but for those who are more into it, it’s more of a bonus addition to your kit for those ‘just in case’ moments rather than a replacement for a full-sized tripod.
How we test the best tripods for astrophotography
In order to guarantee you’re getting honest, up-to-date recommendations on the best tripods to buy here at Space.com we make sure to put every tripod through a rigorous review to fully test each product. Each tripod is reviewed based on a multitude of aspects, from its construction and design, to how well it functions and its performance in the field.
Each tripod is carefully tested by either our expert staff or knowledgeable freelance contributors who know their subject areas in depth. This ensures fair reviewing is backed by personal, hands-on experience with each tripod and is judged based on its price point, class and destined use.
We look at how easy each tripod is to operate, whether it contains the latest up-to-date stabilizing technology and look at its weight and portability. We’ll also make suggestions if a particular tripod would benefit from any additional kit to give you the best photographing experience possible.
With complete editorial independence, Space.com are here to ensure you get the best buying advice on tripods, whether you should purchase one or not, making our buying guides and reviews reliable and transparent.
Best tripods 2023: What to look for
There are a few things to consider before you grab one of the best tripods to ensure it meets your requirements. These are namely stability, portability, weight and price. Most ‘travel tripods’ are made of one of two materials: aluminum or carbon fiber. The latter is much lighter and therefore easier to carry around, but typically more expensive. Aluminum, however, can get colder, affecting handling and functioning on colder nights.
Something else to consider is that tripods are usually made from between three and five leg sections. Generally, the fewer leg sections a tripod has, the more stable it is. However, a tripod with fewer leg sections doesn’t pack down as small as something with a higher number of leg sections. You’ll have to weigh what you want to prioritize, especially if you’re using one of the large and heavy best zoom lenses for your night sky images.
Removable feet, in-built spirit levels, and tripod head compatibility are all things to consider when picking your tripod legs and is something you can look at in more detail down below once you’ve settled on your favorites. In the meantime, you can also check out our guides for the best lenses for astrophotography, and the best camera backpacks. However, for the best tripods on the market, all you have to do is read our round-up below.
As you can see from our selection, there’s a lot to consider when investing in a tripod. But they’re essential if you’re combining them with any of the best cameras.
Some people argue that travel tripods don’t always offer enough height for easy camera operation but that depends entirely on how tall you are and it’s not quite so important for star trail photography. Most of the models we’ve reviewed here have splayed legs that allow the camera to be set up quite close to the ground which is a far more stable spot for long-exposure night sky photos.
Tripod feet are generally made from a thick rubber that has good traction on an array of surfaces and many — but not all — are designed with the option to unscrew them and attach either spiked or clawed feet for better purchase on rougher ground.
Tripod legs are extended and secured with either flip or twist locks. The twist lock design tends to be more secure but some manufacturers, notably Manfrotto, have devised some particularly secure flip locks.
Along with this, you should keep in mind the weight, stability, portability and price of your tripod. If you’re prioritizing one of the features, you might have to sacrifice some of the others.
Durante estos últimos días de febrero y hasta principios de abril podremos contemplar a simple vista una hermosa danza cósmica en los cielos crepusculares. Tal vez has reparado en dos brillantes puntos que resaltan tras la puesta de Sol cerca del horizonte por el que se ha ocultado nuestra estrella. Se trata de los planetas Venus y Júpiter, los astros más brillantes tras el Sol y la Luna.
De los dos puntos brillantes Venus es el más brillante. Si lo observas a través de telescopio verás que tiene estos días fase gibosa (un término medio entre media luna y luna llena). Por su Parte, Júpiter a vista de telescopio presenta unas bandas oscuras y 4 lunas visibles, éstas incluso apreciables con prismáticos.
Movimiento de los planetas durante los días previos y posteriores a la conjunción.
A medida que vayan pasando los días notarás que estos dos puntos se van aproximando entre sí. Venus se va encontrando más alto cada tarde y seguirá ascendiendo hasta que alcance su máxima elongación oriental el 4 de junio. Júpiter por su parte va descendiendo más y más cada tarde a medida que se encamina a su conjunción con el Sol el 11 de abril.
Este movimiento de los planetas dará como resultado que los próximos 1 y 2 de marzo podremos observar Júpiter y Venus aparentemente muy cerca en el cielo (tan solo 0,5º de separación), tanto que si observamos a través de un telescopio podríamos llegar a observar los dos astros dentro del campo del ocular. Algo similar a lo que pudimos observar en mayo de 2022:
No obstante este fenómeno de conjunción entre Venus y Júpiter es un efecto óptico ya que los planetas se encontrarán a unos 661.000 Km de distancia entre ellos (Júpiter está mucho más lejos de nosotros que Venus).
Puede ser un bonito ejercicio de comprensión de la mecánica celeste observar cada tarde durante estos días cómo se van desplazando estos planetas y apreciando sus movimientos aparentes sobre el cielo. Además, está el atractivo de poder observar y fotografiar esta bonita conjunción durante los dos primeros días de Marzo en los que estos planetas parece que se van a tocar.
Esta conjunción puede verse desde los dos hemisferios del planeta en diferentes momentos justo después del atardecer y hasta que los planetas se oculten por el horizonte. Puedes ayudarte de una app como Stellarium o SkySafari para localizar estos planetas si encuentras dificultades.
Espero que disfrutes de este hermoso espectáculo celeste ¡Cielos despejados!
