There are many books covering different facets of astrophotography, but few of them contain all the necessary steps for beginners in one accessible place. Astrophotography is Easy! fills that void, serving as a guide to anybody interested in the subject but starting totally from scratch. Assuming no prior experience, the author runs through the basics for how to take astrophotos using just a camera―including cell phones and tablets―as well as a telescope and more sophisticated equipment.
The book includes proven techniques, checklists, safety guidelines, troubleshooting tips, and more. Each chapter builds upon the last, allowing readers to master basic techniques before moving on to more challenging material. Also included is a comprehensive list of additional books and resources on a variety of topics so readers can continue expanding their skills.
Astrophotography Is Easy! doesn’t simply teach you the basic skills for becoming an astrophotographer: it provides you with the foundations you will need for a lifelong pursuit.
Author(s): Gregory I. Redfern
Series: The Patrick Moore Practical Astronomy Series
Edition: 1
Publisher: Springer
Year: 2020
Language: English
Pages: 483
Foreword
Preface
Acknowledgements
About the Author
Contents
Chapter 1: Introduction
Chapter 2: Cameras
Cleaning Your Camera
Meet SAAS
Smartphones and Tablets
Camera Tip: Protect Your Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) Panel
Pocket Cameras
Film Cameras
Digital Single Lens Reflex Cameras (DSLRs)
DSLRs Modified for Astrophotography
Mirrorless Cameras
Video Astrophotography
“Pure” Astrocameras
Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor (CMOS) Cameras and Charge Coupled Device (CCD) Cameras
First Look: The ZWO ASI 120
Matching Your Camera to Your Optics
Chapter 3: Lenses
Basic Lens Terminology
Basic Lens Types
“All Sky” Lenses
Smartphone and Tablet Lenses
DSLRs
Lens Lineup
14 mm f/2.8 Ultra-Wide Angle Lens
35-mm f/1.4 Standard Lens
50-mm f/1.4 Standard Lens
28 to 300-mm f/3.5-f/5.6 Zoom Telephoto
300-mm f/4 Prime Telephoto
200- to 500-mm f/3.5-f/5.6 Zoom Telephoto
Lens Focusing Basics
Lens Focal Length vs Exposure Time on Fixed Tripod
Bottom Line on Lenses for Camera Only and Camera and Telescope
Chapter 4: Telescopes
Choosing a Telescope
Buying Your First Telescope
Decision Factors to Consider
Rental Telescopes
Basic Telescope Terminology
Aperture
Focal Length
Focal Ratio
Magnification (Power)
Optical Performance of Telescope and Eyepieces
Atmospheric Conditions
Resolution
Collimation
Telescope Types
Cleaning Your Telescope and Its Optics
Tube Currents
Finder Telescope
Focusing
Smart Telescopes
Bottom Line on Telescopes
Chapter 5: Imaging Methods with Your Telescope
Afocal Method
Prime Focus
Barlow/Extender
Eyepiece Projection
Bottom Line
Chapter 6: Mountings
Camera Only Mountings
Tripods
Changing Lenses While Using a Tripod
Tripod Heads
Smartphone/Tablet Tripod Adapter
Locking Ball Heads
Three-Way Geared Tripod Head
Three-Way Pan Head
Gimbal Head
Tracking Mounts
Bottom Line for Camera Only Mounts
Camera and Telescope Mounts
Manual or Motorized?
GOTO Computer Mounts
Telescope Driving Tip
Alt-Az Mounts
Fork Mounts
Equatorial Mounts
Balancing the Mount
Mount Polar Alignment
Daytime Polar Alignment
Guiding the Telescope
Piggyback
Bottom Line on Camera and Telescope
Chapter 7: Software and Other Vital Accessories
Software for Camera Only and Camera and Telescope
Mount Control with Sky Safari Pro
Wi-Fi Mount Control
Polar Alignment and Daytime Polar Alignment
ZWO ASiair
Clear Sky Chart
Other Accessories
Eyeglasses
Camera Backpack
Quality Red/White LED Headband
Batteries and Power Supply
Optics Cleaning Kit
Camera Memory Cards
Camera LCD Protection
Cable/Shutter Release
Observer’s Chair
Folding Table
Hard Copy Sky References, Star Charts, User Manuals
Clothing, Bug Spray, Sunscreen
Light Shield for Face
Camera and Telescope
Eyepieces
Reducer
Extender/Barlow
Diagonals
Camera to Telescope Attachment Accessories
Storage/Transport Cases
Dew Shield and Reflective Protective Cover
Bottom Line
Chapter 8: Astrophotography Rules to Live By
Rule #1: Read All User’s Manuals
Rule #2: Per Rule #1: Know Your Camera, Lenses, Telescope, Mount and All of Your Equipment
Rule #3: Keep a Hand on Your Camera at All Times
Rule #4: Have a Red Headlamp for Nighttime
Rule #5: Take What the Sky Gives You
Rule #6: Focus, Focus, Focus
Rule #7: Use the Highest ISO Feasible
Rule #8: More Is Better – Shoot, Shoot, Shoot Pictures
Rule #9: Keep the Color Real
Rule #10: Learn from Each Astropic
Chapter 9: Getting Acquainted with the Sky
Twilight
Civil Twilight
Nautical Twilight
Astronomical Twilight
Star Color and Brightness
Celestial Coordinates
Celestial Sphere
Finding Your Way in the Sky
The Big Scheme of Things in the Sky
Bottom Line
Chapter 10: Location Matters
Home Observatory
Going Mobile
Star Parties
Designated Dark Sky Sites
National and State Parks
Beaches
Location Tips
Operating Mode
Private Property and Fee Access
Latitude/Longitude/Time Zone and Amenities
Light Pollution
Physical Layout of Site
Keep Notes
Special “Going Mobile” Sites
Site Selection Survey Checklist
Bottom Line
Chapter 11: It’s Astrophotography Time!
Astronomical Object(s) of Interest
The Sun
The Moon
Eclipses
Planets
All-Sky
Constellations
Stars
Meteor Showers
Aurorae
Sky Glows
Satellites
DSOs
The Milky Way
Pre-Astrophotography Session Planning Checklist
Listing Astronomical Objects of Interest
Date
Weather Forecast
Session Mode
Astrophotography Technique
Equipment
Astrophotography Session Checklist
On Site Setup
Equipment Check
Taking Astrophotographs
Bottom Line
Chapter 12: The Sun
Sun Safety
Eyes Only
Camera Only
Camera and Telescope
Binoculars or Other Optical Aids
Camera Only Mode
Photographing Solar Features
Photographing Solar Transits
Photographing Sunrise and Sunset
Earth’s Shadow
Photographing the Sun: Camera and Telescope Mode
Specific Wavelength Viewing of the Sun
Bottom Line
Chapter 13: The Moon
Earthshine
Bright Planets and Moon Astropics
Star Clusters, Milky Way and Moon Astropics
Moon Photography Tip
Lunar Occultations
Photographing the Moon
Moon Pic Tip
Moon Phases
Waxing/Waning Crescent Phase
Waxing Crescent to First Quarter Phase
Full Moon
Waning Gibbous Moon
Last Quarter Moon
Waning Crescent Moon
The Moon and Planets
Lunar Occultation of a Planet or Star
Camera and Telescope
Earthshine
Bright Planet or Star Conjunctions
Lunar Occultations
Moon Phases and Surface Detail
Tip for Close-up Lunar Imaging
Bottom Line
Chapter 14: Eclipses
Eclipse Basics
Camera Only or Camera and Telescope?
Astrotourism
Solar Eclipses
Solar Eclipse Tip – Pinhole Projection
Solar Eclipse Safety
Solar Eclipse Phases (*See Baily’s Beads and Diamond Ring Sections)
Solar Eclipse Maps
Totality (and All Solar Eclipses) Tip For Both Modes
Total Solar Eclipse Photography Sequence – Camera Only and Camera and Telescope
Diamond Ring
First Diamond Ring Solar Eclipse Safety
Baily’s Beads
Baily’s Beads Solar Eclipse Safety
C2 Totality
C3 Second Baily’s Beads and Diamond Ring*
Solar Eclipse Safety
C4
Annular Solar Eclipses
Annular Solar Eclipse Safety
Baily’s Beads Annular Solar Eclipse Safety
Hybrid Eclipses
Hybrid Solar Eclipse Safety
Partial Solar Eclipses
Partial Solar Eclipse Safety
Camera Types for Solar Eclipses
Camera Only
Camera and Telescope
Lunar Eclipses
Total Lunar Eclipse
Partial Lunar Eclipses
Penumbral Lunar Eclipses
Lunar Eclipse Maps
Lunar Eclipse Photography
Total Lunar Eclipse
Partial Lunar Eclipses
Penumbral Lunar Eclipse
Camera Only
Camera and Telescope
Have an Eclipse Plan
Eclipse Type
Date
Timing of Eclipse Events
Altitude/Azimuth of the Sun or Moon During Eclipse Event
Planned Astropic Setup and Settings
Other Pre-Eclipse Considerations
Eclipse Day
Bottom Line on Eclipses
Chapter 15: The Stars and Planets
Camera Only
Stars with Camera Only
Camera and Telescope
Photography of Planets
Camera Only Mode
Camera and Telescope
Advanced Techniques for Planetary Photography
Mercury
Venus
Mars
Jupiter
Saturn
Uranus
Neptune
Pluto
Bottom Line
Chapter 16: International Space Station and Satellites
Camera Only
Camera and Telescope
Bottom Line
Chapter 17: Asteroids, Comets, Meteors, Fireballs, Bolides, and Meteor Showers
Meteors
Asteroids
Camera Only
Camera and Telescope
Spooky: The 2015 Halloween Asteroid
Comets
Camera Only
Camera and Telescope
Photographing Meteors, Fireballs, Bolides, and Meteor Showers
Bottom Line
Comet NEOWISE 2020
Chapter 18: Aurorae and Glows in the Sky
Aurorae
STEVE
Airglow
NLCs
The Zodiacal Light
Zodiacal Band and Gegenschein
Bottom Line
Chapter 19: The Milky Way
Bottom Line
Chapter 20: Deep Sky Objects
Camera Only
Bottom Line
Camera and Telescope
Manual Guiding
Auto Guiding
DSOs Imaged With Camera Attached Piggyback To Mount or Telescope Tube
Remote Imaging
Bottom Line
Chapter 21: Process, Print, and Post Your Astropics
Keeping Track and Backup
Processing Astropics
First Look
What to Look For
Brightness
Quality of Image Composition
Focus
Image “Jitters”
White Balance
Processing
Case Study: Image Processing End States
Printing Astropics
Post Online with Social Media or Traditional Media
Astrophotography Ethics
Bottom Line
2020 Mosaic Capable Software Update
2020 Mac OS Stacking Software Update
Chapter 22: The Astrophotography Bug
Astrotourism
The Masters
Mia Stålnacke
Damian Peach
Sean Walker, Associate Editor, Sky & Telescope
Johnny Horne, Contributing Editor, Sky & Telescope
Final Thoughts
Chapter 23: Suggested Reading and Internet Links
Chapter 1: Introduction
Suggested Reading
Internet Links
Astrophotography
History of Astrophotography
Digital vs. Analogue
Chapter 2: Cameras
Suggested Reading
Internet Links
International Organization for Standardization (ISO)
Smartphones and Tablets
Film Cameras
Memory Cards
DSLRs
Mirrorless Cameras
Canon EOS Ra Astrophotography Dedicated Mirrorless Camera
Astrophotography Basics
Video Astronomy
Mirrorless vs. DSLR
CCD/CMOS Manufacturers
CCD vs. CMOS
Color vs. Monochrome
Matching Camera to Optics
FOV
Pixels
Modified DSLRs for Astrophotography
CCD vs. DSLR
Chapter 3: Lenses
Internet Links
Lens Basics and Astrophotography
Cleaning Lenses
Focal Length
Field of View (FOV)
f Number
Lens Aperture and f/Stops
Telephoto Lenses
Infinity Focus
Setting Exposure: Rule of 500
Chapter 4: Telescopes
Suggested Reading
Internet Links
Choosing a Telescope
Optical Terms & Characteristics of a ‘Scope
Seeing and Transparency
Clear Sky Chart
Limiting Magnitude
Telescope Types
Refractors
Other Reflector Designs
Remote Telescopes
Smart Telescopes
Star Testing a Telescope
Collimation
Tube Currents and Mirror Cool Down
Chapter 5: Imaging Methods with Your Telescope
Internet Links
Imaging Methods at the Telescope
Eyepiece Projection Calculator
Afocal
Chapter 6: Mountings
Suggested Reading
Internet Links
Tripods
Camera Star Tracking Mounts
Types of Telescope Mounts
Polar Alignment
Drift Method
Daytime Polar Alignment
Polemaster
Field Rotation
Periodic Error
Guiding
Chapter 7: Software and Other Needed Accessories
Suggested Reading
Internet Links
Astronomy Software
Eyepiece Selection
Dew Shields
ZWO ASIAIR
Chapter 8: Astrophotography Rules to Live By
Chapter 9: Getting Acquainted With the Sky
Suggested Reading
Internet Links
Night Sky Network
Twilight Definitions
Stellar Magnitude
Star Colors
Zodiac
Ecliptic
Star Charts
Constellations
Southern Sky
The Milky Way
Double Quasar 0957+561
Celestial Sphere: Seasons
Daytime Planet Viewing
Chapter 10: Location Matters
Internet Links
Telescope Mobile Platforms
Astro-tents
USGS Topographic Maps
Dark Skies Finder
National Park Service
National Park Service Night Sky Events
Chapter 11: It’s Astrophotography Time!
Internet Links
Chapter 12: The Sun and More
Suggested Reading
Internet Links
Solar Viewing
Certified Solar Glasses And Solar Filters
How to Photograph The Sun
How to Shoot Solar Eclipse Images & Videos
Solar Features in White Light
Solar Features in Hydrogen Alpha Light
Daystar
Lunt Solar Systems
Coronado Personal Solar Telescope (P.S.T.)
Mercury Transits
The Sun
Sunrise & Sunsets
Chapter 13: The Moon
Suggested Reading
Internet Links
General Guides on the Moon
Earthshine
Lunar Occultations
Conjunctions
Chapter 14: Eclipses
Suggested Reading
Internet Links
Solar Eclipse Safety and Solar Eclipse Photography
Pinhole Projection
Certified Solar Glasses and Solar Filters
How to Shoot Solar Eclipse Images & Videos
Smartphone
Solar Eclipses
Diamond Ring and Baily’s Beads
Lunar Eclipses
Chapter 15: Stars and Planets
Suggested Reading
Internet Links
Turning Older iPhones into an Astrocamera
Constellations
Asterisms
Stars
Nightscape Astrophotography
Star Trails
RGB Filter Planetary Imaging
Color Camera Planetary Imaging
Venus
Daytime Observing
Pluto
Chapter 16: International Space Station and Satellites
Internet Links
ISS
Satellites
Chapter 17: Asteroids, Comets, Meteors, Fireballs, Bolides, Meteor Showers
Suggested Reading
Internet Links
Chapter 18: Aurorae and Glows in the Sky
Suggested Reading
Internet Links
Photographing Aurorae
STEVE
Airglow
Noctilucent Clouds
Zodiacal Light
Zodiacal Band
Gegenschein
Chapter 19: The Milky Way
Suggested Reading
Internet Links
Night Skyscapes
Chapter 20: DSOs – Deep Sky Objects
Suggested Reading
Internet Links
DSO Catalogs
Trailed Star Images
Guiding
Remote Telecopes
DSOs with A DSLR
DSO Stacking
Chapter 21: Process, Post and Print Your Astropics
Suggested Reading
Internet Links
Free Image Processing Software
Mac Image Processing Software
High Resolution Planetary Astrophotography
Linear vs. Stretched Images
Histogram
Signal Noise
White Balance
Astrophotography Ethics
Chapter 22: The Astrophotography Bug
Suggested Reading
Internet Links
Learn more about the Masters
Appendix A
Camera Only Recommendations
Camera and Telescope
Camera Only and Camera and Telescope Mode Table
All-Sky (Comprised of the following)
Planetary/Lunar
DSOs/MW (Deep Sky Objects/Milky Way)
Eclipses
Index
