This instructional guide has one aim: to teach inexperienced astrophotographers how to take high quality images. Often, basic information about astrophotography is lacking, or is dealt with too briefly in books on the subject. This book is a distillation of the author’s own experiences, bringing together everything you will need to make the fastest possible progress in deep-sky imaging.
The book will teach you how to set up and use your astrophotography equipment in a systematic, easy-to-follow manner, helping you get started while avoiding common mistakes. With a step-by-step walk-through course and a unique observational guide to each object, the book contains a plethora of valuable, beginner-friendly information. Particularly useful is the chapter on troubleshooting, which will help newcomers avoid further frustration when things just don’t seem to go right! The book also contains a number of easy to advanced DIY projects for imagers working on a budget.
Author(s): Michael O'Brien
Series: The Patrick Moore Practical Astronomy Series
Edition: 1
Publisher: Springer
Year: 2023
Language: English
Commentary: UDC and LBC are set to a broader type of classification.
Pages: 358
City: Cham
Tags: Deep-Sky Imaging; Astrophotography Tips; Observational Astronomy; Astroimaging; Telescope Equipment; Astronomers Smartphone Apps; Astro CCD Camera; Astronomy DSLR Camera; Astronomy Image Processing; Astrophotography
Acknowledgements
Contents
List of Figures
List of Tables
Chapter 1: Introduction
The Impact of Computers
Aims of This Book
How to Achieve Successful Imaging
A Basic Overview of the Steps Required to Setup and Use an Astronomical Imaging System
Advanced Operation
Chapter 2: A Brief Overview of Deep-Sky Imaging Equipment
Deep-Sky Imaging Setups
Wide-Field Imaging Setup
Minimal Deep-Sky Imaging Setup
Basic Deep-Sky Imaging Setup
Advanced Deep-Sky Imaging Setup
Chapter 3: Light Pollution and the Night Sky
Measuring Light Pollution
The Costs of Light Pollution
Setting Up External Lights
Effects of Light Pollution
What Else Can I Do?
Star Parties and Light Pollution Etiquette
Dark Sky Sites
USA
Canada
United Kingdom
France
Spain
Germany
Iceland
Denmark
Netherlands
Hungary
Croatia
Namibia
New Zealand
Israel
Chapter 4: Astrophotography Equipment
Telescopes
Aperture
Focal Length
Barlow Lens
Focal Reducer
Focal Ratio
Telescopes for Deep-Sky Astrophotography
The Refracting Telescope
Chromatic Aberration
The Newtonian Reflecting Telescope
Cassegrain Reflecting Telescope
Schmidt Cassegrain Reflecting Telescope
The Ritchey–Chrétien Telescope
The Maksutov Telescope
Concluding Thoughts About Telescopes
Cameras for Deep-Sky Astrophotography
Digital Single-Lens Reflex (DSLR) Cameras
DSLR Camera Mirror Shake
CCD and CMOS Cameras
CCD Imaging Cameras
CMOS Imaging Camera
Camera Cooling
Cooling Considerations
Summer
Winter
A Couple of Final Points on Cooling
Monochrome Cameras
One-Shot Color (OSC) Cameras
Under- and Oversampling
Gain, Offset and Binning
Common Binning Levels
Field of View
Exposure Times
Factors to Consider
Focusing Your Camera with a Bahtinov Mask
Stacking
Histogram
Stretching
Telescope Mounts
Types of Mount
AltAz Mount
The Dobsonian Mount
Equatorial Mount
Types of Equatorial Mount
German Equatorial Mount GEM
Equatorial Fork Mount
Star Trackers for Portable Astrophotography
Sky-Watcher Star Adventurer Mount
Vixen Polarie Star Tracker
IOptron SkyGuider Pro EQ Camera Mount
Explore Scientific iEXOS-100 PMC-Eight Equatorial Mount
Go-to Handset Control
Using a Smartphone or Tablet to Control a Full Size Telescope Mount
Controlling Older Mounts by a Smartphone or Tablet Computer
Portable Tracking Mounts Controlled by the Use of an App
Chapter 5: Computer Control of a Telescope
Basic Computer Control
Advanced Computer Control
Advantages
Disadvantages
P.C. Software Used to Control Your Telescope System
Planetariums
The Sky X
Cartes du Ciel
Stellarium
HNSKY, Hallo Northern Sky Planetarium
C2A
Database Programs
Astroplanner
Deep-Sky Planner 8
Imaging Software
Astro Photography Tools (APT)
Nighttime Imaging ‘N’ Astrophotography (NINA)
Sharpcap
Auxiliary Software
PHD2 Push Here Dummy 2
Astrotortilla
All in One Packages
Astroart by MSB Software
Raspberry Pi Based Telescope and Imaging Control Devices
What Is a Raspberry Pi Computer?
Raspberry Pi Based Imaging Control Systems
Astroberry
Astroberry Features
Stellarmate by Ikarus Technologies
Package Contents
Stellarmate Features
Ekos
Installation of Software
Connection Options
Next Steps
Using Stellarmate
ASIAIR Pro
ZWO ASIAIR Pro features
AstroPiBox
Chapter 6: Setting Up and Using Your Telescope
Practice Setting Up and Aligning the Telescope
Setting Up the Mount
Choosing Where to Site the Telescope
Familiarize Yourself with the Telescope Controls
Practice and Practice Again
Tools and Accessories Needed
Setting Up a Telescope in Easy Steps
Polar Alignment
Star Alignment
Fitting the Camera
Balancing the Telescope
Declination Balance
Right Ascension (RA) Balance
Focusing the Camera
Moving or Slewing to the Object to Be Imaged
Packing the Telescope System Away After Use
Your First Clear Night
Before You Start
Cooling Time Required
Setting Up
Dark Adaption
Polar Alignment
Finding Starter Objects by Star Hopping with Binoculars
Things You Will Need
Slewing the Telescope to Find Objects
How to Find Messier 57 the Ring Nebula
Eyepiece Selection
Recommended Star Charts
Skysafari Pro 6
Printable Charts
Deep Sky Hunter Star Atlas
Triatlas
First Objects to Image
General Advice When Using a OSC Camera or DSLR
Using a Mono Camera
Exposure Times
Open Clusters and Globular Clusters
Using an OSC Camera or DSLR
Using a Mono Camera
Planetary Nebulae
Using a OSC Camera or DSLR
Using a Mono Camera
Galaxies
Using a OSC Camera or DSLR
Using a Mono Camera
Emission Nebulae
Using a OSC Camera or DSLR
Using a Mono Camera
Reflection Nebulae
Finder Charts
M42. The Orion Nebula
Imaging Advice
Filters
Exposure Times
M27. The Dumbbell Nebula
Filters
Exposure Times
M57 the Ring Nebula
Filters
Exposure Times
M51
Filters
Exposure Times
M3 Globular Cluster
Filters
Exposure Times
M101 Also Known as the Pinwheel Galaxy
Filters
Exposure Times
M81 Galaxy
Filters
Exposure Times
M82 Starburst Galaxy
Filters
Exposure Times
M97 The Owl Nebula
Filters
Exposure Times
M13 the Great Hercules Globular Cluster
Filters
Exposure Times
M92 Hercules Globular Cluster
Filters
Exposure Times
M31 the Andromeda Galaxy
Filters
Exposure Times
M63 the Sunflower Galaxy
Filters
Exposure Times
M64 The Black Eye Galaxy
Filters
Exposure Times
Deepskywatch Website
Deep Sky Hunter Star Atlas
Companion to the Atlas
Allans-stuff.com
Triatlas Project Star Chart
Night Sky Planner
First Night with a Goto Telescope and Handset
Mount Setup Home Position Polar Alignment 3 Star Alignment
Key to Fig. 6.27
Setting an Accurate Home Position
Right Ascension Axis
Declination Axis
The Mount Is Now Set in an Accurate Home Position
Polar Alignment
Star alignment Procedure
Object Selection
Center and Sync
Time to Explore
Chapter 7: Your First Imaging Session
Preparation
Fitting Your Camera Using Adapters and Extension Tubes
Filters
Operating the Camera
DSLRs
CCD or CMOS Astronomy Cameras
Fitting Your Camera
Dealing with Cables
Achieving An Initial Focus
Planning Your Imaging Session
Have all Your Equipment Ready in Advance
Capturing Images with a DSLR and Cable Release
Capturing Images with Nebulosity
Selecting Your Camera
Fine Focusing Your Camera
Taking Your First Image
First Full Imaging Session
Setting Up the Telescope
Cooling Time Required
Setting Up
Balancing the Telescope
Declination Balance
Right Ascension Axis
Dark Adaption
Turn Your Telescope Mount On
Polar Alignment
Star Alignment
Fit the Camera
What Did You Learn from Your First Imaging Session?
Setting Up the Telescope
Operating the Telescope and Camera
Finding Objects
Your First Images
Chapter 8: Computer Controlled Imaging Using EQMOD and ASCOM
Adding Features – A Recommended Order
First Steps
Installing the Software for Computer Control
The Main EQMOD Interface Window
EQMOD Pop Out Panel
EQMOD Adapter
DIY EQMOD Adapter
Installing ASCOM and EQMOD
ASCOM
Installing ASCOM
Installing EQMOD
EQTour
EQMosaic
ASCOMPAD
EQDIMMER
Sounds
Setting Up EQMOD
EQMOD ASCOM Setup Dialogue box
Mount Options
Site Information
Using EQMOD with Cartes do Ciel Cartes du Ciel
Polar Aligning the Mount Using EQMOD
Setting an Accurate Home Position
Procedure for Setting an Accurate Home Position
Right Ascension Axis
Declination Axis
Star Alignment
Other Planetarium Programs
Image Capture Software
APT Astrophotography Tools
NINA
Nebulosity
Astroart
Using Astro Photography Tools
Installing APT
Setting Your Location in APT
Connecting Your Camera to APT
Cooling the Camera
Connecting the Telescope Mount to APT
Linking Phd2 Auto Guiding Software to APT
Setting Up Your Planetarium Software in APT
Focusing the Imaging Camera
Choosing Objects to Image
Taking a Single Image of a Chosen Object
Creating and Using an Imaging Plan with APT
More Advanced Imaging
Autoguiding
Standalone Auto Guiders
Examples of Standalone Auto Guiders
Sky Watcher Synguider
Celestron NexGuide
Lacerta MGEN-II- Superguider
StarAid Revolution
Software Based Autoguiding
Available Autoguiding Software
PHD2
Using PHD2 for the First Time
Loop Mode
Focusing the Guide Scope
Set the Camera Rotation
Calibrating PHD2
Recalibration
Guiding Assistant
Connecting PHD2 to APT
Plate Solving
Plate Solve 2
Plate Solve 2 Download and Installation
Field Size
Using Plate Solve 2
Loading the Image Manually in Plate Solve 2
Using PlateSolve2 with APT
Doing Your First Plate Solve with PlateSolve2 Running Through APT
Auto
Under Plate Solving Results Box
Sync
Store
Show
Under Center FOV at Position Box
Objects +
>>Solved
Goto++
Aim
ASPS All Sky Plate Solver
Installing All Sky Plate Solver
Setting the Field orientation of the Finder (CCD) Rectangle in Cartes du Ciel
Using All Sky Plate Solver
Astrotortilla
Sync Scope
Reslew to Target
Repeat Until Within “X” Arcmins
Star Alignment and Plate Solving
Using Your Computerized Imaging Setup
Typical Computer Controlled Imaging Session
Fast Setup of an Imaging System
Overview of Steps to Be Taken to Ensure a Fast Setup
Chapter 9: Introduction to Image Processing and Stacking
Choice of Software
Image Processing
Different Types of Images
Light Frames
Calibration Frames
Dark Frames
Flat Frames or Flats
Producing Flat Frames
Sky Flats
Light Box Flats
Hints for Taking Good Flat Frames
Producing Flat Frames with a DSLR
Producing Flat Frames with a CCD or CMOS Astronomy Camera
CCD and CMOS Camera Automatic Flat Frame Production
Producing Manual Flats
Bias Frames
Applying Calibration Frames to Your Images
Aligning and Stacking
Aligning Images
Automatic Image Alignment
Stacking
Common Methods of Stacking and Alignment
No Alignment
Translation
Translation Rotation and Scaling
Drizzle
Stacking Functions
Average
Standard Deviation
The Advantages of Stacking
The Disadvantages of Stacking
Deepsky Stacker
ASTAP
Stretching an Image
Levels Control
Curves Control
Combination of Controls
Mono Images
Color Images
RGB Color Image from a Mono Camera
Narrowband Images from a Mono Camera
Hubble Palette
Bi Color Images
Luminance Channel
Stacking Software
Stacking with Deep Sky Stacker
Basic Technique for Stretching an Image Using Nebulosity
Other Tools that Nebulosity Has that Are Worthy of a Mention Are
Pixel Stats
Saving Your Images
Saving Old Calibration Frames
Chapter 10: Troubleshooting
What to Do When Things Go Wrong?
Gather All the Information on the Problem That You Can
The Following Are some of the Questions That You Should Consider When You Have Problems
The Basic Steps in Solving Any Problem Are
Understanding What the Problem Is, and How It Presents Itself
What Problems Can Produce the Symptoms You Are Seeing?
Power Problems
Power Supplies
Voltage Drop
Testing Power
USB or Com Port Problems
Configuration of Com Ports and USB Ports
COM Port Changes
Mechanical Problems
Clutches Too Tight
Level the Mount
Bad Tracking
Trailing Stars
Optical Problems
Telescope Cooling Time
Collimation
Coma Corrector
Pinched Optics
Software
Correct Detail Entry
Collimating a Newtonian Reflecting Telescope
How to Collimate a Newtonian Reflecting Telescope
Center “Spot”
Checking the Secondary Mirror for Rotational Error
Aligning the Secondary Mirror with the Primary Mirror
Collimating the Primary Mirror
Camera Sensor Tilt
Atmospherics
Pinched Optics Caused by Over Tightening of the Main Mirror Clips
Star Trails Caused by Loose Mirror Clips
Adjusting the Primary Mirror Clips
Chapter 11: Where Do You Go from Here?
Short Term Projects
Long Term Projects
Supernova Searches
Monitoring Variable Stars
Collaborative Projects
Osiris Rex – Target Asteroids
Zooniverse
The PACA Project
American Association of Variable Star Observers
Center for Backyard Astrophysics
Chapter 12: DIY Projects
Project 1 Heater Controller
Putting It All Together
First Use
Project 2 Power Distribution and USB Box (Fig. 12.4)
Description
Requirements
Parts Needed
Assembly
Mounting the Distribution Box
Project 3 Primary Mirror Fan (Fig. 12.9)
Description
Requirements
Parts Needed
Construction Details
Wiring the Unit Up
Using the Fan
Note
Heater
Warning
Project 4 DSLR Cooler (Fig. 12.12)
How Is a Dedicated Astronomy Imaging Camera Cooled?
Cooling a DSLR
Cold Box
Re Case
Cold Finger
Indirectly Cooled the Method Used in This Project
DSLR Cooler Parts Needed
Construction of the DSLR Cooler
Mounting the Cooler on the Camera
Project 5 DIY All Sky Camera Housing (Fig. 12.20)
Choice of Camera
Choice of Lens
Component Parts
Description of Parts Needed
Main Body (Fig. 12.21)
Support Post Coupling (Fig. 12.22)
Support Post
Acrylic Dome 4″ (Fig. 12.23)
Rubber Seal for Dome (Fig. 12.24)
Screws
Heater (Optional But Advised)
Alternative Heater Module
Wall Brackets (Fig. 12.25)
Long USB Cable
12 Volt Power Cable
Power Supply
Construction
Choosing a Suitable Location for the Camera
Software for Use with the Camera
AllSkEye
Index
