Category Archives: Astrophotography

The Panasonic Lumix S5 is an affordable full-frame camera that appeals to photographers and videographers alike and it’s now $500 off. 

Although the video features outweigh the photography capabilities, this camera packs a lot of punch, especially at this reduced price. Its ergonomic design is small but suited for photographers and it has a rugged, robust and weatherproof body.

Currently, some of the direct competitors this camera has is the Nikon Z6 or the Sony Alpha III. However, this deal means you can snap up the Lumix S5, which offers similar features, for a fraction of the price. You can pick up the Lumix S5 and a LUMIX S 20-60mm f/3.5-5.6 lens for $1797.99.

The Panasonic LUMIX S5 is a full-frame camera with a 24.2 MP CMOS sensor which has been placed in a compact body. The multi-faceted lens which comes with this deal is great for a range of photography styles. The wide-angle features are good for close indoor and landscape photographs. Alternatively, it’s suitable for street photography too.

However, this camera features continuous shooting at 7.0 fps, which is the rate of pictures you can take in a second, which is a little lackluster. This limits the type of photography you are likely to use this for and won’t be the best for high-speed sport or wildlife photography. 

We’ve covered some of the photography aspects but where this camera shines is its video capabilities. This camera has a max ISO range of up to 51,200 and comes with a dual native ISO, this means that image noise is heavily reduced at high ISOs. This means that the Lumix S5 has brilliant capabilities in low-light conditions. 

This camera records 4K at 30FPS, but bear in mind that if you increase the frame rate to 60 then the crop factor does reduce to that of an APS-C sensor. The video features on the Lumix S5 are very impressive. It includes multiple cinematic modes and a slow-motion mode at 180 fps but you lose the autofocus mode. This has been designed for ease of use too, it includes three custom modes that can be configured to the mode dial and the usual P, A, S and M modes plus an iA (intelligent Auto) mode.

© Illustration by The Atlantic. Source: Universal History Archive / Getty

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Last week I quoted the late astronomer and astrophysicist Carl Sagan on humanity’s place in the cosmos, and asked readers for their thoughts on outer space.

Deb is awestruck:

If I am standing on an orb that spins 1,000 mph while hurtling through space, that is so crazily magical that anything is possible. It’s all so phenomenal and, by extension, so is our existence.  

Robert, a graduate student in philosophy, harkened back to the ancients:

Like Aristotle, when I was very young, I thought the planets and stars in the sky were something like gods. I don’t think this anymore, of course. Nevertheless, they are in some sense above and beyond us, endowed with a sort of beauty we ourselves are incapable of manufacturing. I simply do not know how someone can gaze at the images from, for instance, the James Webb Space Telescope and think otherwise. Even without technology, there is something marvelous about gazing into the sky and noticing just how much is out there. Thousands of stars, five planets, and even our own galaxy are visible from Earth with the naked eye. Light pollution has crowded out quite a bit of this. But even just a few stars, or a few planets, is enough to see the vastness of it all.

Still, despite the enormous powers of these celestial spheres, they cannot appreciate their own beauty. Humans alone are known to be capable of appreciating the universe in this way. This has always made me ascribe special status to humans, and to think that human concerns are of special importance. I don’t take this to be inconsistent with the scale of it all, but rather a result of it. If we aren’t here anymore, the all the beauty in the universe won’t mean anything to anyone. So something of enormous value would be lost.

I worry that, for all the good that scientific advancements have done for us in understanding space, we’re starting to see the universe as nothing more than a collection of big rocks and balls of gas; these days, the planets and the stars, particularly the moon and Mars, tend to be objects of escapist fantasies more than objects of wonder.

This is a mistake, even for those who think the future of humanity may be space colonization. The beauty of the universe cannot be captured by an exhaustive description of its mechanics or of its utility to us. To think this, rather than appreciating the literally otherworldly nature of outer space, is, I think, the wrong kind of anthropocentrism. The majesty of the heavens has inspired joy, wonder, and creativity in human minds for as long as we have existed, and their beauty is divine. So, I figure, why not let myself think, along with Aristotle, that, even if not literally, the first people were right in thinking that the planets “are gods, and that the divine encloses the whole of nature”?

Rob’s life has coincided with the rise and fall of the space program:

Outer space pervaded the national consciousness—especially if you were young. It seemed that everyone followed NASA takeoffs and felt nothing but pride and awe. Over time, there has been a debate over the trade-off and cost of these efforts. We are reminded that there are plenty of problems back here on Earth that deserve these same funds.

At its best and at its most essential, space exploration is a tribute to the curiosity of the human mind, a mind that keeps expanding, keeps pushing, keeps seeking answers to its existence. To look at the sky and not wonder what exists “out there” is, I submit, to not be human, and we should not lose sight of the fact that our minds are naturally beamed up.

Our consciousness is ineluctably drawn deeper and deeper toward solving the riddles of our existence. On Star Trek, Captain Kirk was tapping into this collective consciousness when he famously said: “To explore strange new worlds. To seek out new life and new civilizations. To boldly go where no man has gone before.” As humans, we can’t help ourselves. To some extent, we won’t be able to not continue to explore “up there.” If our sight and the human quest were to remain solely limited to this rock of ours, we would no longer be human. “Thrusters ahead, Mr. Sulu. Take us out.” Onward.

Joseph remarks on the fragility of life:

Having just passed my 77th year of breathing, I can truthfully say that the awesomeness of our universe’s extent continues to astound me almost daily. I am blessed to have been given a firmer understanding than many of where it actually is that we dwell. But I also look at the utterly ruthless nature of the universe’s hurricane, within the eye of which, by the merest happenstance, we happen to reside.

It unnerves me how few have any idea just how frail a construct all of life’s continued existence is, let alone life that possesses the ability to think, comprehend, and respond to the vast wonder of reality. Thus, counterbalancing the awe is the abject sense of dread that we stand so very close to losing all of the ground we’ve gained, not just as rational beings but as the life force itself. I find myself praying to the merest myth of a Supreme Being that somehow, in spite of the odds, we successfully make it off of our beautiful blue dot, spreading in a diaspora far, far out into the nearly unfathomable depths that surround us.

Kara found the physics of space to be beyond her grasp, but not its significance:

I’ve always been fascinated by space, but was discouraged by my efforts to study it as a secondary-school science student, unable to grasp the complex physics involved in astronomy. But as a history and research teacher, I can see through Galileo’s telescope, sit in Albert Einstein’s clerk office, be as a pebble upon the shore with Isaac Newton, and marvel at the night sky with hunter-gatherers, forming entire cosmologies based around the sky. From that perspective, I have learned to be constantly awed by what we know of the universe, how we know it, and to follow closely our potential connections with it.  

Carl Sagan has helped immensely in shaping my appreciation, and has taken me on planetary journeys through time and space that I never imagined when I was younger.  

The most recent space-related joy of my life was taking my 3-year-old son to the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C., for the first time, in January, and seeing his wonder and curiosity as he looked at the models of the planets and “flew on a spaceship” in the planetarium. Jupiter is his current favorite, and we will continue talking about the planets and space for as long as he can put up with my enthusiasm. I can’t wait to introduce him to Star Trek.

Ben, a man of faith and science, reflects on the biggest and smallest questions:

To explain how I feel about outer space and how it shapes my worldview, I have to start with one of my favorite Bible verses: “When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him? For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour” (Psalm 8:3-5, KJV).

Although I’m a graduate student in theoretical particle physics, not astronomy, both give me a similar feeling: that we human beings are set among a seemingly unfathomable universe, one that I believe is divinely created for us, and despite our tiny size among the cosmos, we can begin to comprehend it. With our God-given reason (one of the things that I believe makes us “in the image of God”), we can model and measure things like black-hole collisions and the afterglow of the Big Bang despite our tiny position among it all.

Understanding physics and astronomy is the closest I believe any human can come to doing magic, and taking something that seems impossible to know, like measuring the speed of distant stars and galaxies, yet making sense of it, is an incredible feeling. When I consider this in the context of my faith, I believe that understanding the laws and behavior of the universe is one of the few times we can directly observe God’s handiwork. Indeed, looking up at the night sky, I see that humanity is “crowned with glory and honour.”

Despite sharing Carl Sagan’s sense of awe, I strongly disagree with significant parts of his prescription for how we should be humbled by our tiny place in the universe. No one claimed humanity is special because of its size. We human beings are tiny, but the things that make us uniquely human—our curiosity, reason, and understanding—stretch across the limits of the physically observable universe. Because I believe the universe was intentionally created for us, I also believe its physical laws were made by God for us to discover. So, as a theoretical physicist in training, I intend to take God up on his offer.

But there are still things in science that make me humbled about humanity’s place in the universe; they’re just in quantum mechanics, not astronomy. For all that astronomy gives me pride in when it comes to what humans have been able to understand, quantum mechanics throws “understanding” back in my face and, like God speaking to Job out of the storm in Job 38, tells me that there was never any promise that the universe was made so a human mind would be able to comprehend all of it.

What I value in humanity is not our size, but our minds (among other things), so when physics tells me that our understanding has seemingly insurmountable limits, that is when I’m humbled by our place in the universe. Outer space gives me pride in humanity’s scientific power and understanding; it gives me something visible that I can begin to wrap my head around and beautiful images that let me soak in the glory of creation. The realm of the very tiny is what inspires in me fear and trembling at God’s work and at human limits.

Elena recalls a month-long trip to Crete when she was young:

We had a nightly ritual: We unrolled orange paisley sleeping bags at the edge of a sandy beach. Impatiently, we waited for dusk to snuff out the deep blue of the sea into a charcoal gray and to cover the sky in a drop cloth of dappled disarray. My mother read chapters out of Gerald Durrell’s My Family and Other Animals to my siblings and me under a canopy of brilliant stars that reached far into the dusty nebulas and galaxies that shot across the hot August skies. I listened to sentences and phrases and let them mingle with Cassiopeia, weave their way through the dippers of the Great and Little Bears, and imprint with Sirius, steadfast and comfortable as a night-light. The backdrop of a billion stars cleared and prepped the imagination for story listening, and then soon, when the lure of an astronomy lesson proved too irresistible, the science lecture. Eventually, my eyes closed against my will, fatigued from the trip across the universe, but the comfort of that wide open yet protective dome covered me like a blanket.

Omar is a city dweller who yearns for a better view of the heavens:

Turn your gaze in any direction and you’ll find yourself surrounded by mammoth buildings and skyscrapers. At night, the light that emanates from these towering steel structures creates a kind of muted haze, a veil separating us from any clear vantage of our solar system. The city can be suffocating and claustrophobic even without our realizing that this unnatural buffer exists between us and the cosmos. It’s only when I realize that the stars lay hidden from our view that I begin to ponder the effect of this profound absence. A city, with its shining beacons and glowing aura, is nothing more than our desperate attempt to preserve human egotism at the cost of our relationship to nature and the universe.

Can you imagine if we had access to the stars? The cosmos in its incalculable vastness is indeed a source of wonder and inspiration, but it is also a humbling endeavor to witness. It’s a reminder that our individual concerns and fears, hopes and aspirations, biases and egotism are nothing compared with the grand scale of the universe. A city, despite its dense population and variability, can be an isolating place. But the night sky would be there to remind us that there is something bigger connecting us all together.  

Having grown up in New York City, it’s difficult to imagine having any kind of relationship with the cosmos. But if we could, I believe that we would all benefit.  

Chadd recommends buying a telescope:

Nine years ago I got a small $75 telescope as a gift for a young family friend. Getting it set up and looking at the moon for the first time, I was awestruck. I just couldn’t believe how beautiful, how crisp, how very real and solid it looked through a lens. At first I thought, Light pollution here is bad; probably won’t be able to see much, but I was dead wrong. Once I learned how to find Jupiter, I saw its moons and the Great Red Spot, then Saturn and the rings. I was totally hooked.

When the friend lost interest, I ventured on. What started as a $75 cheapie telescope turned into a couple-thousand-dollar hobby that my girlfriend at the time called my “other girlfriend.” I was out there every night for months, then sporadically, during times of cool celestial sightings, back out there until 4 a.m.

I slowly amassed a six-inch reflector telescope on a computerized mount that tracks the Earth’s rotation and can find objects through a GPS unit. By that point, I’d learned to easily find and photograph the planets. One of the last and best cosmic events I got to witness was the Jupiter-Saturn conjunction a few years ago. A once-in-nearly-800- years event, it was biblical in a sense, and I got a picture of it! Tiny Jupiter and tiny Saturn with its rings. Breathtaking. Truly! My entire family lined up to see it—my own little star party—and I was quite proud to show everyone.

Mind you, I eventually maxed out what I was able to see, so I slowed my roll. At this point, the maybe $6,000 it will cost me to upgrade to better gear is too high, so the telescope rarely comes out. But I was going through some tough stuff during my amateur astrophotography hobby, and it was a beautiful distraction. I didn’t truly comprehend the size of the universe until I was staring at it through a tube. It’s amazing what you can see right from your backyard, and the feeling you get seeing it, through your own eyes, is indescribable.

Glenn was a pastor in Houston near NASA’s Johnson Space Center:

About 75 percent of our church worked in the aerospace industry. It was an interesting experience leading triple-redundancy NASA engineers to “live and walk by faith.” This truth was made clear early on, when I showed up with a group of our church members for a service project one Saturday morning. We were going to reroof an elderly lady’s home. Before I climbed on the roof, I was met with a long, complex spreadsheet explaining in great detail what every person would be doing in 15-minute increments throughout the day. So this is how NASA nails on shingles!

A group of the engineers’ spouses good-naturedly cornered me the next day at church. “Have you ever watched The Big Bang Theory?” they asked with a bemused grin. No, I had not. “Well, you should,” was their advice, “because that’s who we married and who you are now, pastor.” That was not exactly correct, but most comedy is an exaggeration of stereotypes.

We have been told that science and faith are incompatible. In fact, there is a vibrant faith community in and around NASA doing the hard work of science. I was having lunch with an astronaut a few weeks after his return from the International Space Station. “You know, I looked out into the void of space,” he said, “and it was black, white, cold, and lonely. And then I looked down at Earth and it was bright green and blue with swirls of white—warm, inviting, and interesting. I decided if I could choose to be any place in the universe, it would be right there on Earth.”  

Barbara hopes for alien contact:

The one thing that would bring all people on our planet together relatively quickly would be to begin communicating with sentient life from other galaxies. I feel grateful to be of a sentient race and would welcome meeting other sentients from across the universe. My hope is that we develop the strength of character and mind, and bigness of heart, to connect with other life forms before we destroy ourselves and our planet. To stop outer-space exploration would be a travesty to our species and the species we have not met yet.

Some stargazers are happy to look, while others want to save far-off galaxies for the future with the best telescopes for astrophotography. Your choice of telescope comes, in part, down to what kind of astrophotography you want to do. A telescope that details the moon’s every last crevice is different from a model that lets you make the Andromeda Galaxy your next piece of wall art. Interplanetary photos are a different ball game, too. 

It’s also important to start with a budget in mind. You can easily spend well over $1,000 and will probably spend at least that much for a model that results in high-quality images. However, there are a few budget-friendly models worth considering as well. Take a look at our list of the best telescopes for astrophotography for the models that fit different gazing and astrophotography goals, budgets, and portability needs. 

— Best Overall: Sky-Watcher Skymax Maksutov-Cassegrain Reflector Telescope
— Best for Deep Space: Explore Scientific ED127 Triplet Refractor Telescope
— Best Portable: Sky-Watcher EvoStar 80 APO Doublet Refractor
— Best for Beginners: Celestron 114LCM Computerized Newtonian Telescope
— Best Budget: Celestron AstroMaster 130EQ-MD Newtonian Telescope

How We Picked the Best Telescopes for Astrophotography

Methodology

We picked telescopes based on the quality of their build, their optics, field of view, and focal ratio. 

Build Quality: We avoided models with plastic pieces and cheap housing, except when looking at budget models. Build quality can affect the ability of the telescope to stay aligned and with viewing quality. 

Optics: Everything from the aperture to the included eye pieces were factored into the optics. Telescopes have many parts and finding the right mix is key to achieving your viewing and astrophotography goals. 

Field of View: Field of view affects the kind of objects you can photograph. We included those with a narrow field of view for closer objects and wider fields of view for deep-sky objects. 

Focal Ratio: The focal ratio affects the speed of the telescope and determines what kind of objects you’ll be able to photograph. We included models on both ends of the spectrum, including middle of the road options for those who want an all purpose telescope for astrophotography. To capture more stunning views, explore our guide to the best 360 cameras. 

The Best Telescopes for Astrophotography: Reviews and Recommendations

Best Telescope for Astrophotography Overall: Sky-Watcher Skymax Maksutov-Cassegrain Reflector Telescope

Why It Made The Cut: This Maksutov-Cassegrain telescope may have an f/15 optical ratio, but it can capture images of objects near and far, making it the best telescope for astrophotography. 

Specs:
— Focal Ratio: f/15
— Weight: 17.1 pounds
— Optical Design: Maksutov-Cassegrain

Pros:
— Bright clear views for in-solar system objects
— Capable of deep-sky viewing and images
— Relatively compact for the viewing power
— Includes 1.25-inch adapter

Cons:
— Doesn’t come with a mount

The Sky-Watcher Skymax Reflector Telescope is a compound telescope that offers a long focal length in a relatively compact design. It weighs 17 pounds, and you get excellent, clear views of the moon, planets, and bright deep-sky objects. 

A 1.25-inch adapter comes with the telescope, so you can directly attach a DSLR camera and get snapping once you’ve located the desired object. The f/15 focal ratio does mean it’s considered a slow telescope so taking deep-sky shots is a little harder. However, as long as those objects are bright, this telescope can capture the images. 

Keep in mind that this model doesn’t come with a mount. You’ll have to purchase one separately. Depending on the type you choose, they can be pricey.

Best Telescope for Deep Space Astrophotography: Explore Scientific ED127 Triplet Refractor Telescope

Why It Made The Cut: This model’s five-inch APO refractor can target faint deep-sky objects, making it the best telescope for deep-space astrophotography. 

Specs:
— Focal Ratio: f/7.5
— Weight: 18 pounds (21 pounds with finder)
— Optical Design: Triplet Refractor

Pros:
— Excellent build quality
— Works with a wide range of accessories
— Can mount a DSLR camera to the cradle handle with additional accessory
— Light enough to be portable with handle on the tube rings

Cons:
— Does not include mount
— Cannot be used with a focal reducer

The Explore Scientific ED127 Triplet Refractor Telescope is a versatile telescope that can take (with the right accessories) photos of galaxies and other deep-sky objects. Even in poor light conditions, the ED127 can capture impressive images. 

It comes with a 1.25-inch eyepiece adapter that fits some astrophotography cameras, but you may need a T-adapter for certain DSLR cameras. This model also gets points for portability thanks to the handle on the tube rings. The handle makes it easy to mount despite its power and weight. 

However, this model doesn’t come with a mount, so you’ll have to purchase one separately, adding several hundred dollars to the cost. Additionally, this model cannot be used with a focal reducer, limiting its use in certain types of astrophotography.

Best Portable: Sky-Watcher EvoStar 80 APO Doublet Refractor

Why It Made The Cut: This model’s small size hides the power and clarity that it offers more serious astrophotographers, making it the best portable telescope for astrophotography.  

Specs:
— Focal Ratio: f/7.5
— Weight: 7.3 pounds
— Optical Design: Refractor

Pros:
— Impressive optical image quality
— Lets you delve into professional-quality astrophotography
— CA stays controlled with the doublet and moderate focal ratio

Cons:
— Not a good choice for beginners
— Expensive
— Includes only the tube with a few accessories

The Sky-Watcher EvoStar 80 APO Doublet Refractor offers an impressive array of optics that create vivid detail and image quality. However, attaining that quality may require the purchase of a few extra accessories. Consequently, this isn’t a model for beginners. 

However, for advanced beginners, intermediate, and even some advanced astrophotographers, the EvoStar 80 provides the quality and ability to travel with the telescope. At only 7.3 pounds, you can take it to the local mountaintop for a broader range of spectacular views as you escape light pollution. The optical specs, including a 1.45 Dawes limit, 1.75 Rayleigh limit, and 12 limiting magnitude, squeeze every last ounce of optical quality, especially in a tube this size. 

If you know what you’re doing and you’re serious enough in astrophotography to know the difference between good and great optical quality, this is a portable telescope that will not disappoint.

Best Beginner Astrophotography Telescope: Celestron 114LCM Computerized Newtonian Telescope

Why It Made The Cut: The 114LCM gets beginners started on the right foot with easy setup and identification, making it the best beginner astrophotography telescope. 

Specs:
— Focal Ratio: f/9
— Weight: 13.2 pounds
— Optical Design: Newtonian Reflector

Pros:
— Quick, straightforward assembly
— Computerized mount makes it easier to identify and target objects
— Includes Sky Tour button to get familiar with the night sky

Cons:
— Cannot take deep-sky images

The Celestron 114LCM Computerized Newtonian Telescope not only lets beginners start taking photographs right away but also introduces them to the night sky. The included mount even has a Sky Tour button that takes users on a guided journey through the heavens. While it doesn’t have the optics to do deep-sky astrophotography, you can connect a webcam, astrophotography camera, or mobile phone to start taking photos. 

You don’t have to be an expert to assemble the telescope and get started right away, which is key for beginners. This model is also relatively lightweight and portable.

Best Budget: Celestron AstroMaster 130EQ-MD Newtonian Telescope

Why It Made The Cut: The 130 EQ stays under $500 and provides sharp, clear views of in-solar system objects for astrophotography, making it the best affordable telescope for astrophotography. 

Specs:
— Focal Ratio: f/5
— Weight: 28 pounds
— Optical Design: Newtonian Reflector

Pros:
— Good views of solar system and moon for the price
— Red dot finder makes it easier to target
— Affordable price for a telescope that can be used for basic planetary and moon photography

Cons:
— Mount can be difficult to adjust
— Parts feel cheap

The Celestron AstroMaster 130EQ-MD Newtonian Telescope is one of the best telescopes for astrophotography under $500. While the quality of the build and accessories can sometimes reflect the low price, users get excellent views of the moon and planets. That’s also where this telescope shines when it comes to astrophotography: closer objects. A red dot finder, which shines a red dot on the lens, helps users hone in on their target, too. 

You can use this telescope for viewing deep-sky objects, but your chances of getting a good photo at those longer distances aren’t great with this model.

Things to Consider Before Buying a Telescope for Astrophotography

Mount Type

Before you invest in a telescope, consider what type of mount you already have or the mount that comes with the telescope. The mount is especially important if you want to take long exposure (slow) images. 

Mount importance comes down to the fact that the Earth is rotating, which alters the location of the object as you’re taking a photo. Without the right mount, you can end up with blurred images or images with a visible trail. 

One of the best options for astrophotography is the equatorial mount. These mounts require only one axis adjustment to follow the object. In comparison, an alt-azimuth mount requires adjusting two axis while you’re trying to track the object. Mounts can be manual or automatic. Automatic equatorial mounts are more expensive, but they leave you free to change eyepieces or take photos. 

Keep in mind that although a telescope may come with one kind of mount, you can buy a different mount separately. 

Focal Ratio

The focal ratio is the telescope’s focal length divided by the aperture. The resulting number is the f/number, such as f/4 or f/11. A smaller focal ratio, those below f/5, indicates a faster telescope in that it gathers light at a faster rate than a model with a slower focal rate. These models are fast and have a wider field of view, making them more suited to deep-sky photography. They have shorter focal lengths (the distance between the eyepiece and the lens), which also makes them lighter and easier to carry. 

Slow telescopes have a focal ratio of f/8 or higher. Their longer focal lengths require slower shutter speeds to gather the same amount of light as a slow telescope. They have a narrower field of view but capture greater detail, making them a better choice for images within our solar system, like the moon or planets. 

Optical Design

There are many types of telescopes, but those most pertinent to astrophotography include:

— Refractor telescopes
— Reflecting telescopes
— Schmidt-Cassegrain
— Maksutov-Cassegrain

Refractor telescopes: Refractor telescopes are one of the most popular astrophotography telescope types. They give you more ability to correct chromatic aberration. Chromatic aberration is when light rays focus at different points, creating different colors around the object’s borders. Refractor telescopes provide more adjustments to fix this problem. They come in APO (apochromatic) and semi-APO design, with APO offering the best chromatic aberration correction. 

Reflecting telescopes: Newtonian and Gregorian telescopes fall into this category. They have mirrors instead of lenses. The Newtonian Dobsonian telescopes are among the most affordable and easiest telescopes to use, making them a good choice for beginners. However, depending on the targeted object, they don’t typically offer the best optical quality as some of the other types of telescopes. 

Schmidt-Cassegrain and Maksutov-Cassegrain: Schmidt-Cassegrain and Maksutov-Cassegrain telescopes are both catadioptric (also called compound telescopes) models. They’re a hybrid between refractor and reflector telescopes, having both lenses and mirrors. These models offer great optical correction features like refractor telescopes and provide long focal lengths in a relatively short tube for greater detail (and photographs) with a smaller telescope. 

FAQs

Q: What is the best telescope for astrophotography?
The Sky-Watcher Skymax provides a balance between size and weight, focal length and ratio, and price. This model’s f/15 focal ratio provides better views of the planets and the moon than deep-space objects. However, the design gives it a wider field of view than similar telescopes, allowing for impressive deep-space images for those with the skill to acquire their target. This telescope is a great option for someone who wants to dabble in both deep space and in-solar system astrophotography.

Q: Do you need a special telescope for astrophotography?
You don’t necessarily need a special telescope for astrophotography. Many telescopes that aren’t designed specifically for astrophotography have connectors or accessories that connect the telescope to a DSLR camera or mobile phone for photography purposes. Several of the telescopes on our list fall into this category. However, other models are designed specifically for astrophotography. These models range from those that are basically a camera lens that acts like a telescope to telescopes that connect directly to a DSLR camera. You can go either route. Beginners typically begin with a general telescope that can be used for astrophotography, while astrophotography veterans opt for specialty equipment.

Q: Which telescope is best to see galaxies?
The Explore Scientific ED127 Triplet Refractor Telescope is the best telescope for seeing and photographing galaxies. The f/7.5 focal ratio, however, also makes it a great option if you want to take shots of closer objects too. It’s a large telescope that offers incredible views both near and far, but it’s hard to beat its deep-sky abilities.

Q: What size telescope do I need to photograph galaxies?
The size of the telescope’s field of view, which you’ll find on model’s with small focal ratios, makes a bigger difference for photographing galaxies than the telescope’s overall size. A wide field of view makes it easier to track and find deep-sky objects like galaxies and nebulas. Having said that, a telescope with an eight-inch or higher aperture will help you see and photograph galaxies better, too.

Q: Can you use a Dobsonian telescope for astrophotography?
You can use a Dobsonian telescope for astrophotography as long as the object is bright and clear. Dim, faint objects won’t produce very good photos with these telescopes. They’re better suited for photographing the moon on a bright night or bright planets.

Q: What is a good starter telescope for astrophotography?
Both the Celestron 114LCM Computerized Newtonian Telescope and the Celestron AstroMaster 130EQ-MD Newtonian Telescope are great starter telescopes. Celestron is also well known for its customer service, which can be helpful for beginners. These models will still take some getting used to, but the computerized 114LCM can help newbies find and track objects much faster than a manual mount. The AstroMaster offers good optics for the price, giving beginners a chance to decide if they want to invest in a more expensive telescope later on. Budding astronomers may also be interested in exploring the cosmos virtually with the best space games.

Final Thoughts

The Sky-Watcher Skymax Reflector Telescope offers the best blend of quality with image quality. Its price makes it more feasible for experienced astrophotographers, but you’ll get images with quality that are well above the price. If you’re on a budget, the Celestron 114LCM Computerized Newtonian Telescope or Celestron AstroMaster 130EQ-MD Newtonian Telescope are great options. The 114LCM’s SkyTour and automatic mount make it a great choice for beginners. 

This post was created by a non-news editorial team at Recurrent Media, Futurism’s owner. Futurism may receive a portion of sales on products linked within this post.

The best star trackers for astrophotography have changed the scene forever by being able to counteract the rotation of our planet. It was only until a few years ago that a long exposure of more than about ten seconds caused stars to look like little streaks or blurs in your photos. That made it very difficult to extract much data from deep-sky objects such as nebulae but also from the Milky Way. Cue the invention of the star-tracker — in simple terms, it is a shrunken equatorial mount but designed for cameras instead of telescopes.

Like an equatorial mount, a star tracker needs to be aligned (often with the help of a smartphone app) with the north celestial pole (the star Polaris) in the northern hemisphere or the south celestial pole in the southern hemisphere. It then moves at a pace to keep your camera in sync with Earth’s rotation. That way it counteracts the rotation of the Earth and keeps the target object still in a composition, thus allowing blur-free long exposures. 

Supported devices

How to shoot in astrophotography mode

Ways to improve your astrophotography photos

Consider getting a tripod!

Grab a power bank

Finding the right conditions

Edit the photo or video a bit, maybe?

FAQs

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U.S. passports Victor J. Blue/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Make sure to get your documents in order before heading out this summer

Welcome to The Check-In, our weekend feature focusing on all things travel.

U.S. passport processing times are taking longer than usual

Check your passport — if it’s expiring within the next six months and you’d like to travel overseas this summer, send it in for renewal now.

The State Department said there is “unprecedented demand” for new passports and renewals, with requests up 30 to 40 percent compared to this time last year. As of March 24, wait times are 10 to 13 weeks for standard processing and 7 to 9 weeks for expedited. This does not include the time it takes to mail your application to a passport acceptance facility.

Most countries will only grant entrance if a passport has six months of validity left, and some airlines heading to these destinations have blocked passengers who don’t meet these requirements from boarding.

Flight attendants want to ban babies from sitting on laps

When it comes to the safety of their smallest passengers, flight attendants aren’t messing around.

Right now, children under 2 are allowed to sit on a parent’s lap on a plane at no charge. This is dangerous, Sara Nelson, international president of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, told The Washington Post. “We’ve seen airplanes go through turbulence recently and drop 4,000 feet in a split second,” she said. “The G-forces are not something even the most loving mother or father can guard against and hold their child. It’s just physically impossible.”

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The fasten seatbelt sign on an airplane

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The Federal Aviation Administration reauthorization bill expires in September, and the union is recommending a rule change so that every single passenger, regardless of age, has to have their own seat with a restraint. Nelson said the union has been fighting for this since 1989, when United Flight 232 crash-landed in Sioux City, Iowa. Parents holding babies on the flight were told to wrap the children in blankets and put them on the floor; three infants were injured and one died. “We must have children safe on the plane and in their own seats with a proper restraint device to make sure it never happens again,” Nelson said.

Ben Hoffman, president-elect of the American Academy of Pediatrics, told the Post that the safest thing parents can do is purchase their child their own seat, then secure the youngin in an FAA-approved car seat. To help offset the cost of having to pay for this, Hoffman suggests that airlines offer discount tickets for small children.

Considering ‘cancel for any reason’ insurance? Here are some things to keep in mind

When booking a trip, in addition to basic travel insurance, travelers can opt to add “cancel for any reason” insurance, also known as CFAR. But is it worth it? Stan Sandberg, co-founder of TravelInsurance.com, told USA Today Blueprint that the decision to purchase CFAR “comes down to the level of concern a traveler has for things that can disrupt a trip that aren’t covered under a standard plan.”

CFAR can only be purchased at the same time as a travel insurance plan, and while it allows you to cancel the trip for any reason, it still has to happen at least 48 hours prior to your departure date. How much you’re reimbursed for the canceled trip depends on your base travel insurance plan — if your reason for canceling is covered by that policy, you’ll get back 100 percent of your investment. If it’s not covered by that plan, you’ll cancel under CFAR, and get back 50 to 75 percent. Megan Walch, product manager at InsureMyTrip, told Blueprint that adding CFAR to a travel insurance policy can add another 40 to 60 percent of the base policy cost.

Experts say CFAR is a good option for people with health issues that might prevent them from taking a trip, those concerned about the spread of COVID-19, and anyone planning an expensive, nonrefundable vacation. It’s definitely pricier than regular travel insurance, “but if your trip is going to cost thousands of dollars, then getting comprehensive insurance is a no-brainer,” Matthew Kepnes, founder of the blog Nomadic Matt, told Blueprint.

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Travel insurance paperwork

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Plan accordingly: Upcoming events to add to your calendar

The Santa Fe International Literary Festival is drawing some big names, with this year’s featured authors including Gillian Flynn (Gone Girl), John Irving (The World According to Garp), David Grann (The Lost City of Z), and Jennifer Egan (A Visit From the Goon Squad). The event will take place May 19-21 at the Santa Fe Community Convention Center, and the schedule includes author readings and discussions, book signings, and meditation sessions.

Take in the beauty of the night sky during the Lake City Star Fest, running from June 7-11. Lake City, Colorado, is in Hinsdale County, which is known for its “extraordinary darkness,” event organizers said. The festival’s schedule includes the Dark-Sky Summit for astronomy professionals, as well as events for amateur stargazers, like the Celestial Celebration — a night of art, astrophotography, and film — and plenty of opportunities to (safely!) view the sun through a solar telescope. Tickets are limited.

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The night sky in Colorado

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The start of galaxy season, a rare hybrid solar eclipse, and a meteor shower all feature this month.

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Adventure_Photo / Getty Images The Lyrid meteor shower will reach its peak on the evening of April 22/23

Whereas March gently ushers in the spring season, it’s April that enthusiastically flings open the doors to warmer days and balmy nights. The transformation is most noticeable during the evening hours, when the hushed silence of winter gives way to a lively symphony of insect chatter, celebrating a world awakening from its frosty slumber. Amidst this jubilant nocturnal resurgence, the relatively early darkness of the evening still offers a perfect opportunity to gaze at the starry skies! Here are some celestial highlights that await curious eyes. Wishing you clear skies! 

Get That Telescope Ready: It’s Galaxy Season (all month)

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Chris Mihos (Case Western Reserve University)/ESO An image of the Virgo Cluster using the Burrell Schmidt telescope

As the northern hemisphere welcomes the onset of spring, it simultaneously heralds the arrival of galaxy season for those equipped with a reliable telescope. What makes this season so special? During winter and summer, the plane of the Milky Way galaxy comes into direct view, casting a veil of “local” galactic stars that obscure the distant galaxies. However, in spring, we gaze “above” this plane, while in autumn, we peer “below” it.

Until the close of May, the night sky brims with exquisite galaxy “clusters,” such as the renowned Virgo Cluster, captivating the hearts of astrophotography aficionados. Eager to embark on a celestial expedition? Astrobackyard provides valuable guidance on how to spot 8 magnificent galaxies during this period. To achieve truly “out-of-this-world” results, it is suggested that you acquire a telescope with a focal length of at least 600mm or greater.

Blush at the Full ‘Pink’ Moon (April 6) 

April’s full moon, nicknamed the ‘Pink Moon’ after the rush of color from springtime blooms of creeping phlox (Phlox subulata), reaches its peak in the early morning hours of April 6 at 12:35 a.m. EDT. 

According to the Farmer’s Almanac, some additional nicknames given to April’s Full Moon include “Breaking Ice Moon” (Algonquin) and the “Moon When the Ducks Come Back” (Dakota). Down in the southern hemisphere, where the transition to winter is underway, the Māori of New Zealand refer to April’s Moon as Haratua, which means ” Crops are now stored in pits. The tasks of man are finished.”

Mercury at its Highest After Sunset for the Year (April 11)

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Stellarium Mercury low on the western horizon on April 11th. This simulated image shows the night sky at approximately 8:30 p.m. EST

On April 11th, Mercury will reach its Greatest Eastern Elongation, presenting the most favorable evening of the year to observe the small planet. During this period, Mercury will be at its highest point above the horizon, although still low in the western sky, and will shine at magnitude 0. If you’re in a spot with some light pollution, the dazzling glow of Venus positioned above Mercury can help point the way. 

Mercury’s elevation will be at its peak for the year in the days leading up to and following its maximum eastern elongation on the 11th. As the month of April comes to an end, Mercury’s elevation will gradually decrease, with its apparent position approaching the Sun, which in turn makes observation more difficult. This celestial event offers a unique opportunity for skywatchers to witness the beauty of both Mercury and Venus in the same frame.

 A New Moon Ushers in Dark Skies (April 20)

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NASA/ESA and The Hubble Heritage Team (STScI/AURA) The Cigar Galaxy is best viewed in April using binoculars or a backyard telescope

Just like last month, we’re headed into the later part of April with a New Moon and exceptionally dark skies. For a few days leading up to and after April 20, you can train your eyes, binoculars, or telescope and be treated to pristine views of galaxies, shooting stars, and other wonders otherwise dimmed by moonlight. 

Need a target? This month, we’re recommending The Cigar Galaxy (M82). Located about 12 million light-years away, this cosmic beauty is labeled a “starburst galaxy” due to its exceptionally high rate of star formation. It is overall roughly five times as luminous as our Milky Way (with its center portion nearly 100 times brighter) and can be found in the constellation Ursa Major.

An Extremely Rare Hybrid Solar Eclipse Unfolds Down Under (April 20)

On April 20, a rare event called a hybrid solar eclipse will occur for a select viewers in the Southern Hemisphere. This type of solar eclipse takes place when the moon comes between the Earth and the Sun, blocking the Sun’s light either completely or partially. In a total solar eclipse, the Moon looks bigger than the Sun and creates total darkness by blocking all direct sunlight.

A hybrid solar eclipse is distinctive because its appearance changes as the Moon’s shadow travels over Earth’s surface. In this case, complete darkness only occurs in a slim path on the Earth, while a wider area, covering thousands of kilometers, witnesses a partial eclipse. Hybrid solar eclipses are quite rare, accounting for only 3.1% (7 out of 224) of all solar eclipses in the 21st century. The next one will give the southern U.S. a partial eclipse on November 14, 2031. 

For the upcoming hybrid solar eclipse, the regions that will experience complete darkness include the North West Cape peninsula and Barrow Island in Western Australia, some eastern areas of East Timor, Damar Island, and parts of Papua province in Indonesia. To learn more, jump over to Time and Date here. 

Catch a Lyrid Star and Put It In Your Pocket (April 22/23)

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Owen Humphreys/PA Images via Getty Lyrid meteor and Milky Way in the Anza-Borrego Desert in California

The Lyrid Meteor Shower will reach its peak on the evening of April 22/23, with a New Moon keeping skies dark for even the faintest shooting stars to shine. 

 Lyrids aren’t known for being a particularly prolific shower, averaging around 20 meteors per hour at peak. That said, EarthSky reports that about a quarter leave behind glowing trails – a nice bonus for those otherwise ‘blink and you’ll miss it’ shooting stars. If you’re willing to wait until 2042, you can witness a Lyrid outburst with an expected output of dozens of shooting stars per hour. This event takes place every 60 years as Earth passes through a dense debris stream left behind by Comet Thatcher, the origin of the Lyrids. In 1982, the last outburst showcased nearly 100 meteors per hour at its peak.

To spot them, find a nice patch of the night sky free of light pollution. The Lyrids will appear to radiate from the constellation Lyra (which is easy to spot thanks to its inclusion of Vega, one of the brightest stars). 

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Whether you’re a new photographer or a seasoned pro, you may have heard some of the rules and formulas photographers must follow to get perfect pictures. Most of these rules are time-tested; some have been used since the basic camera days. So, knowing them can be handy in a variety of situations.

Following this set of rules can help you confidently use your camera and improve your composition. From the famous rule of thirds to the lesser-known rule of vanishing point, let’s explore some of them to elevate your photography.

1. The Rule of Thirds

If there is one simple rule that can instantly make your photos look more elegant, it is the rule of thirds. You may have heard it many times before, and it is popular because it works for any type of photography. Portraits, wildlife, or landscapes—this rule will never let you down.

The rule tells you to separate your frame into three sections and place the subject away from the center. Switching on the grid lines in your camera will help you see where to position the subject.

2. The Reciprocal Rule

Want to take sharp photos? Then, remember the reciprocal rule, which states you should use the focal length of your lens as the denominator of the shutter speed to avoid camera shake. For example, if you’re using a 50mm lens, you should use a shutter speed of 1/50 or higher to get sharp photos.

This is a general guideline more than a rule, but it is easy to remember and use. Instead of following a trial-and-error method, you have a reference point for your shutter speed.

3. Sunny 16

According to the Sunny 16 rule, on sunny days, you can set the shutter speed as the reciprocal of your ISO when using the aperture f/16. For instance, when shooting at an aperture of f/16 and ISO 200 under sunlight, you can set the shutter speed to 1/200 for correct exposure.

Shooting in manual mode can be daunting for beginner photographers. So, this is an excellent rule to follow until you get the hang of controlling all three parameters of the exposure triangle.

4. Looney 11

If you’re an intermediate photographer trying your hands at astrophotography, Looney 11 is the rule for you. It is similar to the Sunny 16 rule but is for nighttime moon photography. On dark, clear nights, when you photograph the moon at an aperture of f/11, the shutter speed can be the inverse of the ISO.

Let’s say you’re photographing the moon at f/11 and ISO 100. Your shutter speed can be 1/100th of a second. Of course, this is not a hard-and-fast rule. Taking amazing astrophotos requires specific gear, complex editing, and, most of all, a nice place with dark skies away from any light pollution.

5. The 500 and 600 Rules

The 500 and 600 rules are specifically for astrophotographers to avoid star trails. Astrophotographers use a shutter speed in seconds to let more light into the camera. But, when the exposure is long, you get a new phenomenon in your night photos—star trails.

The earth is constantly rotating, and though we may not feel it, it makes the stars look like dashes instead of pinpoint dots. The 500 rule gives you the maximum shutter speed for your camera and lens combo to keep the stars sharp.

Shutter speed = 500 / (focal length of your lens x camera’s crop factor)

The equation looks like this with a Nikon APS-C sensor camera and 50mm f/1.8 lens:

Shutter speed = 500 / (50 x 1.5)

You can use the resulting shutter speed of 6.6 seconds to avoid blurry stars. Remember, Canon cameras have a crop factor of 1.6.

The 600 rule is similar to the 500 one—just use 600 instead of 500. Use the 500 rule for beginner cameras and the 600 rule for high-resolution cameras.

6. The NPF Rule

The problem with using the 500 and 600 rules is that they are entirely accurate. So, astrophotographers have another complex rule to get sharp stars. Called the NPF rule, it is more accurate for calculating the shutter speed for night skies. The N stands for aperture, P for pixel density, and F for the focal length of your lens. Pixel pitch or density is the distance between the pixels in your camera’s sensor.

Shutter speed = ((35 x aperture) + (30 x pixel pitch)) / focal length

Pixel pitch = (width of the sensor / long side image dimension) x 1000

So, let’s calculate the pixel pitch for the Nikon D810, which has a 35.9 x 24mm sensor size with an image size of 7360 x 4912:

Pixel pitch = (35.9 / 7360) x 1000

We can assume we are using the same lens as above, the 50mm f/1.8:

Shutter speed = ((35 x 1.8) + (30 x 4.9)) / 50

According to the NPF rule, the maximum shutter speed we can use is 4.2 seconds.

7. The Golden Ratio Rule

This is truly a golden rule that is not easy to master. It can be hard to compose images using the Golden Ratio, so practicing often is crucial to getting comfortable with it. The easiest way is to look for naturally spiral and curved elements and compose your pictures based on that.

See our detailed explanation of the golden ratio in photography to understand the math behind it.

8. The 60-30-10 Color Rule

A rule meant initially for artists and interior designers, photographers too can use this rule to get incredible pictures. The idea is to have 60% main color, 30% secondary color, and 10% accent color in your photos.

Using colors this way will help your photos look pleasing to the eyes instead of cluttered. Try this lesser-known compositional rule to see the difference in your photos.

9. The Rule of Vanishing Point

A vanishing point is where two parallel lines converge and vanish. For example, imagine the parallel lines of a train track or a wooden bridge. Artists use this technique to create depth and add a sense of scale to paintings. Similarly, you can use vanishing points to create powerful compositions.

Placing your subject bang on the vanishing point can make for an exciting photo.

Feel Free to Bend These Rules and Experiment

We recommend incorporating these nine rules and formulas into your photography projects to get professional-looking photos. But remember to use them as guides, and don’t shy from tweaking them to suit your needs.

Digital SLR cameras have made it easier than ever before to photograph the night sky. Whether you’re a beginner, nature photographer, or serious astronomer, this is the definitive handbook to capturing the heavens. Starting with simple projects for beginners such as cameras on tripods, it then moves onto more advanced projects including telescope photography and methods of astronomical research. With 80% revised and updated material, this new edition covers nightscapes, eclipses, using cameras with sky trackers and telescopes, and tools for identifying celestial objects and investigating them scientifically. Image processing is discussed in detail, with worked examples from three popular software packages – Nebulosity, Maxlm DL, and PixInsight. Rather than taking a recipe-book approach, Covington explains how your equipment works as well as offering advice on many practical considerations, such as choice of set-up and the testing of lenses, making this a comprehensive guide for anyone involved in astrophotography.