Category Archives: Astrophotography

As an amateur astrophotographer or astronomer, there is a good chance you first started exploring the night sky in your backyard. The backyard is where I spend the most time under the stars, and my first experiences exploring the night sky with a telescope happened there.

Your backyard may not be the ideal place for observing the night sky in terms of sky quality and obstructions, but it is the most accessible and comfortable option on most nights. After all, It’s much easier to set up your telescope a few steps from your back door than it is to load it up into the car. 

This is exactly where my love for the hobby started (and my inspiration for the name of this website). I saw the rings of the planet Saturn, the Andromeda Galaxy, and the Orion Nebula for the very first time from my backyard. These were unforgettable moments that have shaped my entire life. 

The night sky in my backyard glows with artificial light. (Bortle 7)

We know that dark skies are ideal for astrophotography. However, with the excessive use of outdoor light at night, the majority of astrophotographers are having to learn how to deal with heavy amounts of light pollution. 

For this reason, you might be interested in learning how dark your backyard is in relation to your surrounding light pollution. There are several ways to measure the sky brightness of your backyard:

• Review Image Quality and Detail
• Use a Bortle Scale/Light Pollution Map
• Participate in the Globe at Night Program 
• Use a Sky Quality Meter to Measure the Sky Brightness (SQM)

How to Measure Your Sky Quality

Let’s walk through the many ways you can measure the sky quality in your backyard, starting from the most basic.

Image Quality and Detail

It is no secret that images taken under a darker sky will show more detail and contrast. Though it’s not an official measurement, the quality and detail in your images will tell you if you are fighting against light pollution. 

If you take photos from a backyard with heavy amounts of light pollution, consider using a light pollution filter. These filters ignore specific wavelengths of light in the visible spectrum associated with artificial light sources, such as a street lamp.

When it comes to collecting great data, there is no substitute for dark skies. However, a light pollution filter may make astrophotography from the city a little more practical and rewarding. 

The best way to test if a particular filter is a good fit for your skies is to review examples taken by others from similar conditions. The following photo was taken using the same camera (and filter) from a Bortle 8 and a Bortle 4 sky.

5-minute exposures at ISO 1600 from a bright inner-city sky, and a rural suburban sky. 

Photos taken from the city (even with a light pollution filter) usually benefit from shorter exposure lengths than ones you would take from a dark sky site. The image above shows what my single exposures of the California Nebula looked like taken from two different locations. 

Bortle Scale/Light Pollution Maps

The Bortle scale is a way of measuring the quality (brightness) of the night sky for a particular location. This is one of the easiest ways to determine the sky quality in your backyard or surrounding area. The scale uses nine levels to rank your night sky brightness, from an excellent dark sky (1) to an inner-city sky (9).

Light pollution map of southern Ontario and bordering states.

A light pollution map will show areas of red, orange, and yellow radiating from the city center and green to blue in rural areas. These colors represent the amount of artificial light in that area, and how bright the night sky will look. I have lived in a Bortle 8, 7, and now 6 which is considered a ‘bright suburban sky’.

To determine your Bortle scale, simply pull up a light pollution map and click on your location. Included in the information provided for that location, will be your Bortle scale number. You can also use an astronomy app that uses your coordinates to display a Bortle class, such as ‘Clear Outside’.

Information displayed for a location on light pollution map, including Bortle scale. 

Globe at Night Program

Globe at Night is a citizen science program designed to measure sky brightness to better understand the impacts of sky glow and spread awareness about the impact of light pollution. 

The program invites people to measure their night-sky brightness using the constellation stars and the observable details. By submitting your results, you are painting a global picture of the light pollution issue and providing valuable data. 

To participate, all you need is an electronic device (i.e. tablet, laptop, smartphone) to submit your observations.

Pegasus Magnitude Chart

How to Participate in Globe at Night:

• Select Campaign Date: Globe at Night holds campaigns with pre-selected constellations for you to observe. For example, the January campaign constellations are Canis Major and Orion. Select the constellation that works best for your location given the selected campaign dates. The higher in the sky your constellation appears, the better. 
• Observe During New Moon: during the new moon phase, go outside an hour (or more) after sunset and let your eyes adjust to the dark for at least 10 minutes before making your first observation. 
• Find the Constellation: either with a planetarium app on your phone or your know-how, locate your constellation in the night sky. 
• Fill out Form: using your electronic device, go to the Globe at Night report page. Be sure to utilize the nighttime mode to preserve your night vision. 
• Choose Your Star Chart: select the star chart that looks most like what you see in your night sky. Pay close attention to the faintest star you can see in the night sky and look for that particular star in the chart provided. 
• Submit your Data: click on the ‘submit data’ button to complete your observation and submit your information.

Sample Screen for Globe at Night data reporting on iPhone

In order to determine trends and provide an overall representation of the light pollution issue, you are encouraged to submit observations each year. Involve your family and kids in this activity, and use it as an opportunity to educate them about astronomy and the issue of light pollution. 

Sky Quality Meter Reader

The most scientific way to measure your backyard darkness is by using a Sky Quality Meter (SQM). These types of devices will produce a reading of the luminance of the night sky in magnitudes per square arcsecond units, squared (MPSAS).

There is a scale used for SQM’s between the numbers of 16.00-22.00. A reading of 16.00 would represent the brightest sky (high amount of luminance) while a reading of 22.00 would represent a dark sky (least amount of luminance). Therefore, the higher the number for the MPSAS reading, the darker the sky.

There are many SQM’s out there, with Unihedron Sky Quality Meter-Lens (SQM-L) being one of the most popular. I used the Pegasus Uranus Meteo Sensor to determine the readings for my backyard, which was 19.10 MPSAS.

This pocket-sized unit is able to measure the brightness of the night sky within seconds, displaying three different scales on the screen (magnitudes per arc second², visual mags, lux). Not only can it measure the quality of your sky, but it can also report the ambient temperature, humidity, pressure, cloud height, cloud coverage, moon phase, astronomical twilight time, and more. 

Pegasus Astro Uranus Meteo Sensor can measure sky luminance, humidity, cloud height, and more.

Steps for Measuring Your Sky Quality using the Uranus Meteo Sensor:

• Set to Measure: press [>>] (Measure) button for 2 seconds to trigger a Sky Quality measurement.
• Point Device: Point the device toward the area of the sky you would like to acquire a light measurement.
• Store Reading: Press [<<] (Store) button for 2 seconds to store all retrieved sensor data into the device’s
  available memory bank.
• Turn Off: Keep pressing [>>] (Measure) button for 5 seconds to turn off the display. The device will enter 
  sleep mode. Press any button to turn it on again

Please note: if you have not used the GPS device within 3+ days, the GPS receiver might take longer (up to 30 seconds) to locate and track available satellites.

Impacts of Light Pollution on Sky Quality

The quality of your backyard night sky is largely dependent on the amount of immediate light pollution (i.e excessive artificial light at night) and the overall sky glow in your area. 

Things like residential and commercial outdoor lighting, streetlights, billboards, and advertisements contribute to light pollution and increase the apparent brightness of the night sky, known as sky glow.

Sky Glow Impacting the Night Sky | Kerry-Ann Lecky Hepburn

This increase in sky glow alters our view of the sky:

• Impacts astronomical research and the hobby of astrophotography
• Makes it difficult to see small or faint objects
• Reduces the overall contrast between objects and the darkness of the sky
• Washes out stars, constellations, galaxies, and nebulae

The Milky Way is no longer visible in the presence of sky glow | Kerry-Ann Lecky Hepburn

Finding Dark Sky Locations

If you find your backyard is not dark enough for astrophotography, you may want to travel to dark sky locations. 

Dark sky locations are often found in rural/remote areas. Some of these areas are even being protected through dark sky preservation efforts. Organizations like the International Dark-Sky Association see the value in protecting these areas for their scientific, natural, educational, and cultural heritage significance, in addition to public enjoyment.

Milky Way under Bortle 1 skies at the Okie-Tex Star Party

To find dark sky locations:

• Use a Light Pollution Map: use the light pollution map to look for areas furthest away from city light pollution. Areas within a Bortle scale of 1-5 are best. If you want an overnight stay, you can look at Airbnb locations within these areas to enjoy a few nights under the stars. 
• Attend a Star Party: these are astronomy events held in dark sky locations (usually Bortle 1-2). They bring astronomy lovers together under the same sky with strict rules about white light at night. Star parties are great opportunities to image the dim, broadband targets that you might not be able to image from home. 
• Visit a Dark Sky Place: the IDA’s conservation program certifies communities, parks, and protected areas in five different categories. They are listed in order of darkness with Dark Sky Sanctuaries being the darkest. Also listed are several dark sky publicly owned parks, reserves, places, and communities. 

Camping at the Cherry Springs State Park (an IDA Dark Sky site)

What does the sky look like without light pollution?

A natural night sky without light pollution is breathtaking. You have the ability to see deep-sky objects, like nebulae and galaxies, with the unaided eye. The core of the Milky Way shows great depth and you stare in awe at the true beauty of space.

Milky Way from a Bortle 1 class at the Okie-Tex Star Party

Experiencing the natural night sky provides perspective and inspiration. It leads us to reflect on our place in the universe. Without it, we could not have explored the globe, walked on the moon, or learned about our solar system and beyond.

According to the IDA, less than 100 years ago, everyone could look up and see a starry night sky. Now, millions of people across the globe will never experience the Milky Way where they live.

Related Content: 

ZWO acaba de presentar una nueva gama de telescopios que complementan su ya importante porfolio de material astronómico. Durante este pasado NEAF 2023 ZWO ha presentado 4 modelos de refractores el FF65-APO, el FF80-APO, el FF107-APO y el FF130-APO pensados especialmente para el astrofotógrafo aunque también pueden ser usados en visual.

Su diseño óptico corregido ofrece campos planos sin necesidad de añadir aplanador si bien tenemos la opción de incorporar reductores de focal.

Todo esto suena bastante novedoso si no tenemos en cuenta un detalle importante, básicamente son telescopios Askar bajo licencia. El FF65 es un gemelo del 65PHQ , el FF80 es el equivalente al 80PHQ, el FF107 al 107PHQ y el FF130 ¿Adivináis? Si, es un gemelo del 130PHQ. Pero como no hemos hablado todavía de los telescopios Askar en esta web (telescopios muy buenos, todo sea dicho), aprovechamos y damos un repaso a esta gama ahora ofrecida también por ZWO.

ZWO FF65 APO

Este telescopio cuenta con 65mm de apertura y 416mm de distancia focal (f/6.4). Estamos ante un quintuplete APO espaciado con aire (2 de las lentes son ED que corrigen la aberración cromática) con capacidad para soportar sensores full frame gracias a su campo totalmente corregido que no requiere aplanador por lo que nos evitamos la molestia de tener que calcular backfocus.

Incorpora un enfocador de piñón de 2,5″ y reductora 1:10 así como rotador de campo. Podemos ajustar adaptadores incluidos de M68/M54 y M48.

Todo el equipo es muy compacto y pesa solo 2kg (2.8kg con anillas y accesorios). Sin duda una opción a tener en cuenta para grandes campos. Su precio rondará los 1200€.

ZWO FF80 APO

Aquí tenemos un cuadruplete APO espaciado por aire ( 2 de las lentes son ED) con 80mm de apertura y 600mm de distancia focal (f/7.5) que soporta sensores full frame sin necesidad de aplanador ya que cuenta con un campo totalmente corregido. Su peso es de 3,9kg (4,7kg con accesorios)

El enfocador de 3″ y de tipo piñón y cuenta con reductora 1:10 permite acoplar adaptadores M76/M68/M54 y M48. Incluye rotador de 360º. Su precio rondará los 2000€.

ZWO FF107 APO

El FF107 tiene las mismas características que el FF80 pero cuenta con 107mm de apertura y 749mm de distancia focal (f/7). Su peso es de 5,7kg (6,9kg con accesorios)

El enfocador es de 3,4″ y soporta adaptadores M48/M54/M68 y M86. Su precio rondará los 3000€

ZWO FF130 APO

El hermano mayor de la gama tiene 130mm de apertura y 1000mm de distancia focal (f7/7). También es un cuadruplete de características similares a los dos anteriores aunque su peso se va a los 10,5kg (12,5kg con accesorios).

Mientras los dos equipos anteriores ofrecían un círculo de imagen aplanado de 44mm este tubo ofrece 60mm.

Este último equipo estaría más indicado para observatorios fijos por su tamaño y peso. Su precio rondará los 4500€

Amateur astrophotography is becoming increasingly popular among the astronomy community, as advancements in telescope and camera technologies allow individuals from all walks of life to observe the heavens in mind-blowing detail, including our own Sun, albeit with the proper protective equipment.

This was recently demonstrated by Andrew McCarthy (Twitter @AJamesMcCarthy), who owns and operates Cosmic Background Studios, and is originally from Northern California but currently resides in Florence, Arizona.

On 18 March 2023, McCarthy tweeted a video of what appeared to be a tornado on the Sun’s surface.

I spent 3 hours yesterday with my solar telescope pointed at a tall tornado-y looking thing on the sun. This 14-Earths-tall swirling column of plasma was raining moon-sized gobs of incandescent material on the sun. I can’t imagine a more hellish place. pic.twitter.com/dewzNEAEJA

— Andrew McCarthy (@AJamesMcCarthy) March 18, 2023

While this feature doesn’t look that big, McCarthy provides a stack of 14 Earths for scale within the video to show the gargantuan size of this tornado-like monstrosity. But while tornadoes are commonplace on Earth, what’s happening on the Sun’s surface to create such a unique phenomenon?

“This is a solar prominence in the sun’s chromosphere,” McCarthy recently told Universe Today. “A mass of plasma caught in a magnetic loop, drawing it away from the photosphere and over a hundred thousand miles into space. Solar material ‘rains’ down from the prominence back into the Sun.”

McCarthy tells Universe Today that this sequence was imaged using a modified telescope that can observe the Sun’s atmosphere in what’s known as hydrogen-alpha band using hundreds of thousands of images over a few hours, and he says this was not a random encounter as he monitors the Sun’s behavior on a daily basis.

“Each frame of the video was a stack of about 500 individual images,” McCarthy tells Universe Today. “The feature was relatively faint against the much brighter solar disc, so it was difficult to resolve the contrast against the glare otherwise.”

Along with the video, McCarthy collaborated with colleague Jason Guenzel (Twitter @TheVastReaches) to produce a breathtaking 140-megapixel still image of the Sun with the tornado visible in the upper portion of the image, with McCarthy telling Universe Today that this image “boasts a dramatic look at the chromosphere and solar corona.”

McCarthy mentions a few layers of the Sun, including the solar prominence, chromosphere, photosphere, and corona. This is because while the Sun appears to be a uniform structure on the surface, it contains layers just like the Earth and other celestial objects.

The photosphere is the visible surface of the Sun which we see daily and in astronomical observations. It is approximately 100 kilometers thick, which is minuscule compared to the Sun’s diameter, which is approximately 1,400,000 kilometers, and has a temperature range of 3700 to 6200 degrees Celsius.

The chromosphere is known as an irregular layer that sits above the photosphere and is approximately 2500 kilometers thick with a temperature range of 6000 to 20,000 degrees Celsius. Solar prominences are the large, bright features that emanate from the Sun, such as the tornado-like feature imaged by McCarthy, and have temperature ranges of 4,700 to 50,000 degrees Celsius.

The solar corona comprises the Sun’s outer atmosphere and exhibits the largest temperature at 2 million degrees Celsius. The corona is only visible during solar eclipses, and McCarthy tells Universe Today that data from the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory and an image from Guenzel of the 2017 total solar eclipse were combined to form these images.

Be sure to check out the fantastic astrophotography from both Andrew McCarthy and Jason Guenzel at their respective Twitter pages and websites (listed below), and please avoid looking directly at the Sun, either during an eclipse or not, without proper eye protection or telescope solar filters.

This article was originally published by Universe Today. Read the original article.

After a while, I started taking pictures of the planets through the telescope’s eyepiece with my cellphone. I can remember how satisfying it was to find Mars for the first time, which appeared as just a tiny red dot in the evening sky. I snapped a picture of it, and though it was not much of a photo, it was a real milestone for me, being able to find and photograph something using my telescope. That led to more and more photos of heavenly bodies, including the moon, Saturn and Jupiter.

Then one day everything changed; it was like a light switch had been turned on. I came across Pat Prokop’s Heavenly Backyard Astronomy YouTube channel, and he was giving a tutorial on how to photograph Saturn. During the tutorial, he started with Saturn’s small, bright disc on his computer screen, taken with his telescope and camera, and began processing it using specialized software to bring out the details. As he scrolled through the program’s menus and clicked on the different settings, the planet’s details truly began to emerge. He finished by producing a full-color image of Saturn with its expansive, sharply defined rings circling the planet and multi-colored, banded atmosphere. The transformation was fascinating, and it was amazing that he was able to produce a spectacular image with only amateur equipment. I was inspired, and my astrophotography adventure began.

Learning astrophotography wasn’t easy for me, since I had very little experience with either astronomy or photography. I looked for websites and YouTube channels for tutorials to learn enough to get the basics. Before long I was totally immersed in the hobby, and upgraded my equipment to take more detailed digital photos. Though it was challenging to learn, it also provided satisfaction when I achieved good results, so I continued on with it. It was well worth it.

Astronomy is a blend of the hard sciences of math, physics and chemistry, and astrophotography adds an element of art to it. When you are able to capture the glowing colors of a nebula or the expansive spiral arms of a distant galaxy, it can also have an element of spirituality. Recently, after someone had seen one of my photos of the Whirlpool Galaxy, he commented “Wow, you’re an artist.” After thinking about that for a minute, I replied, “God is the artist. I’m just the messenger.”

It is easy to see the allure of this hobby. Astrophotography takes astronomy to another level, allowing you to see things you can’t normally see just by looking through a telescope. Astro cameras have specialized sensors that amplify dim light, making it possible to capture a lot more detail. Taking photos of deep-sky objects such as galaxies, nebulae and star clusters is fascinating, and it is amazing these objects are visible to us at all with their great distance from Earth. Just within our own solar system there is enough to keep any astrophotographer busy for a lifetime, capturing details of the sun, moon and planets. I never get tired of taking photos of Saturn’s rings, Jupiter’s great red spot and moons, and the red deserts of Mars. And the details of the moon, with its vast lava fields, bright mountain peaks and harsh cratered landscape come to life when captured by a camera. 

When I set up my telescope, a new world opens up. When it is dark, you can look up at the night sky and see the wonders of the heavens. While we are consumed with our daily routines and worries, up above, the universe awaits. You can see galaxies that are light-years away, with their massive spiral arms extending from their center, and clouds of stars and cosmic dust interwoven within the spiral mass. And here we are on our tiny planet Earth, within our Milky Way Galaxy, just one of billions of galaxies in the universe. It gives you a sense of smallness, but at the same time a sense of order and belonging in the grand scheme of things. It somehow makes our daily troubles seem insignificant, and reminds you of our place in the universe. Being able to capture the night sky in greater detail through astrophotography makes the experience all the more meaningful. 

John Natale lives in East Haddam. Aspiring astronomers and astrophotographers who would like more information can email him at [email protected].