Category Archives: Astrophotography

A brilliant green comet passing through the inner solar system has captivated astrophotographers and may even become visible to the unaided eye soon. 

The comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) is making its first trip near Earth since the Stone Age in late January and early February. It was last seen 50,000 years ago and won’t be seen again for millennia once it’s gone. The comet made its closest approach to the sun on Jan. 12 and will make its closest approach to Earth on Feb. 2.

The megapixel war among smartphones is entering a new phase in 2023. And it will be all about flexing the 200-megapixel lenses. The jury is out on whether this is going to be good or bad for the user, but one thing is for sure—it’s a trend whose time has come, especially when perhaps the most coveted Android phone, the arch nemesis of the iPhone, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, is rumoured to be getting one of these sensors.

The same trend continued when smartphones started displacing the digital camera for the average customer. It first started with the pre-iPhone period, when Nokia and Sony Ericsson often battled for the top honours. Then the iPhone came along in 2007. By 2009, Android, with its armada of original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), was redefining what a smartphone should be. But in those early days, neither the iPhone nor Android had good cameras.

Even though people desired phones with Android, iOS, or Blackberry OS, Nokia still had the camera feature as its trump card. But that started to shift when Apple launched the iPhone 4 in 2010 with a 5-megapixel camera that Steve Jobs described as the “closest kin of a vintage Leica camera.”

Even in the early 2010s, Nokia’s N8 and the 808 PureView continued to have the best cameras. The PureView 808 debuted with a 41-megapixel camera, which was even unheard of in DSLRs in 2012. Effectively, that phone only shot images at 5 megapixels using a trick called “pixel binning.”

As we enter 2023, 50-megapixel camera systems have become commonplace on smartphones. Since 2020, 108-megapixel cameras have also become quite common. The year 2022 was also the period when Apple joined the party with a 48-megapixel camera on the iPhone 14 Pro models. But the same year, we also saw a few models that launched with a 200-megapixel camera, a resolution that’s not excessive but ridiculous by any metric. My last column for ThePrint is about the Redmi Note 12 Pro+, which also has a 200-megapixel camera.

Also read: Samsung Smart TV, AMD processors—all that debuted at the Consumer Electronics Show this week

Samsung’s 200-megapixel gambit

Samsung is expected to announce Galaxy S23 Ultra on 1 February at a Galaxy Unpacked event. When a high-profile product integrates such technology, it’s a sign of validation. The industry usually follows suit. 

Samsung went from 12-megapixel cameras on its flagship Galaxy S line of phones in 2019 to 108-megapixel sensors in 2020. It took Samsung two more years to perfect its 108-megapixel camera system. According to DXOMark, the Galaxy S22 Ultra, with its score of 135, has the 13th-best camera system on a smartphone. Samsung has some catching up to do. 

Since 2021, its imaging division has come up with 200-megapixel sensors. HP1 and HP3 mobile camera sensors have already been used by Xiaomi and Motorola. As Samsung’s camera business is the 2nd largest supplier of camera sensors in the smartphone industry, its technology is bound to show up in several gadgets. 

Also read: Becoming disabled-friendly is what makes phones truly smart. Manufacturers are listening

Samsung ISOCELL HP series

HP1 was announced in 2021, though it showed up first on phones like the Motorola Edge 30 Ultra and the Xiaomi 12T Pro in 2022. In June, Samsung introduced HP3, which has now found its way onto the new Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+. As highlighted in my column, I found the camera performance to be excellent for a phone in the sub-Rs 30,000 category. I also noted that the Google Pixel 6A comes with a humble 12-megapixel snapper that provides superior still photography chops.

With these high-resolution sensors, Samsung is trying to bend the laws of physics using “pixel binning.” It’s a technique that combines adjoining sub-pixels within a camera sensor to create a superpixel. The idea here isn’t to shoot 200-megapixel photographs in most situations. 

Smartphone cameras are tiny. The higher the resolution, vis-à-vis the size of the sensor, the individual sub-pixels become smaller and hence are less light sensitive. On phones, the sensor size is more important than the overall megapixels. Even the size of the aperture is more important than the megapixel count. 

On Redmi Note 12 Pro+, the 1/1.4-inch sensor divided by 200 megapixels provides 0.56um sub-pixels that may not be effective in low light. Therefore, 200 megapixels is overkill for any scenario, apart from exaggerated cropping for lossless photos at a lower resolution.

Usually, HP3 shoots 50-megapixel photos using “pixel binning” with 1.12um sub-pixels. Users can also shoot at 12.5 megapixels, with the sub-pixel size again doubling. The iPhone had a 12-megapixel camera until 2021, and the Galaxy S10 was similar until 2019. The 12.5-megapixel photos captured with 2.24um sub-pixels are very light-sensitive. That’s why the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ has excellent low-light performance. 

It should be noted that HP3 probably isn’t the new sensor for flagship phones. Its biggest pitch over HP1 is that it retains the 200-megapixel resolution in a sensor that’s 20 per cent smaller. It means that HP3 is adept for slim phones that are affordable and that it could show up in many other sub-Rs 30,000 phones.

HP1 has 200 megapixels with a 1/1.22-inch sensor, one that’s bigger than the iPhone 14 Pro (1/1.28-inches), but also has larger 0.64um sub-pixels than HP3. The larger sensor, when paired with more capable silicon, would capture better images. But it could have a successor.

Also read: In Nothing brand, art in sync with tech. The competitors are listening

ISOCELL HP2 for Galaxy S23 Ultra

Rumours suggest that Samsung has an ISOCELL HP2 sensor up its sleeve that could debut in the Galaxy S23 Ultra. This sensor could be larger than the 1/1.4-inch sensor on HP3, even if it is not as large as HP1. It could be as big as HM3 1/1.33-inch sensor on the current Galaxy S22 Ultra.

There is also chatter that it could implement “pixel binning” in a way that it takes 35-megapixel resolution photos, a number needed for 8K video. Of course, Samsung’s phones have had 8K videos for the last couple of years, but the footage hasn’t been very usable.

But the S23 Ultra could make that a reality. Would that mean much to the end user? Not much. 4K is plenty good. This sensor could help with better 4K video, an area in which Android phones have lagged behind the iPhone for a decade.

Samsung is already teasing some of the new capabilities of the S23 camera system. It is hinting at an astrophotography mode which will need a camera that is exceptional in the dark so that it can expose the galactic core in the night skyline. 

So this new sensor could have a superior camera system to the S22 Ultra. 

But don’t hold your breath on this type of camera showing up on an iPhone. Apple likes to use bespoke sensors made by Sony just for the iPhone. Sony doesn’t make a 200-megapixel mobile sensor.

Sahil Mohan Gupta is a Delhi-based technology journalist. He tweets @DigitallyBones. Views are personal.

(Edited by Tarannum Khan)

Recientemente he tenido el placer de leer el libro «La Cruz del Sur» de mi amigo y compañero de la Agrupación Astronómica Madrid Sur , Roberto López.

Esta novela, ambientada en los viajes de los exploradores navales españoles y portugueses del siglo XVI nos embarcará en la aventura de la búsqueda del paso del sur junto a Magallanes y Elcano de la mano de un entusiasta de la Astronomía, Diego Bernaldo de Quirós.

Durante su viaje iremos descubriendo algunas de las estrellas y constelaciones del hemisferio sur, mientras Diego intenta dar explicaciones a algunas de las preguntas que alguna vez nos hemos hecho todos: ¿Cómo demostrar la redondez de la Tierra? ¿Por qué se mueven los Planetas en el cielo? ¿Cómo se orientaban en medio del océano en la antigüedad?

La Cruz del Sur es un libro de aventuras e intriga salpicada de una agradable conversación científica marcada por el pensamiento de una época donde los límites de la imaginación parecían no tener fin y con un desenlace que no te dejará indiferente, te lo aseguro.

Puedes adquirir este libro en su página web por tan solo 15€.

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Lisa Eadicicco/CNET

Samsung’s Galaxy S22 features a fresh design and an upgraded camera that’s better at seeing in the dark. But there’s plenty of room for Samsung to further upgrade with the Galaxy S23, expected to arrive in February. 

In particular, I’d like to see longer-lasting batteries, more photographic features that take advantage of the Galaxy S family’s impressive cameras and faster charging that doesn’t require an expensive adapter. 

Samsung typically releases new Galaxy S devices in the first couple of months of the year, and it will likely maintain that schedule in 2023. The next Samsung Unpacked is set for Feb. 1, with the Galaxy S23 very likely on the agenda. 

Samsung leads the smartphone industry, with 21% of the worldwide market in the second quarter of 2022, according to Counterpoint Research. Upgrading core features like the camera and battery could help it maintain that top spot, especially as it faces increased competition from Apple and Google.

Longer battery life for the regular Galaxy S23

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The Galaxy S22 Lisa Eadicicco/CNET

Battery life can never be long enough, but the standard-issue Galaxy S device is in particular need of a boost. The 6.1-inch Galaxy S22 generally lived up to Samsung’s claims of all-day battery life, but sometimes just barely. After using it for a month straight, I noticed the battery level dipped roughly to 30% or 40% by 9 p.m., even with the always-on display turned off and the screen’s refresh rate set to standard. That’s enough to get through a work day, but you’ll likely want to pack a charger if you have after-work plans or a long commute home. 

The Galaxy S22 has the smallest battery (3,700-mAh capacity) of the three phones in the Galaxy S22 lineup, and it shows. For example, I was pleasantly surprised when the 6.6-inch Galaxy S22 Plus, which has a larger 4,500-mAh capacity, lasted for about a day and a half when I reviewed it in February. I also had the refresh rate set to high, which typically drains battery more quickly. The Galaxy S22 Ultra, which has a 6.8-inch screen and a 5,000-mAh battery, had similar battery life. 

It makes sense that the Galaxy S22 line’s smallest phone would also have the smallest battery. But I hope Samsung finds a way to improve battery life on next year’s 6.1-inch Galaxy phone, whether it’s through better power efficiency or a larger physical battery. After all, Apple made upgrades to the iPhone 13 Mini that gave it an extra two to three hours of battery life compared to the iPhone 12 Mini. Battery life is the main complaint I had about the Galaxy S22, and addressing that would make the Galaxy S23 an even more compelling choice for Android fans who prefer smaller phones. 

Korean news outlet The Elec indicates that could indeed be the case, as it reports that Samsung aims to increase the Galaxy S23’s battery capacity by about 5%. 

More clever camera features

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From left, cameras on the Galaxy S22 Ultra, Galaxy S22 Plus and Galaxy S22. Lisa Eadicicco/CNET

The Galaxy S22’s 50-megapixel camera and the Galaxy S22 Ultra’s 108-megapixel camera capture impressively colorful and detailed photos. I only wish there was more you could do with those cameras when it comes to editing and software features.

The Galaxy S22 lineup has shooting options like panorama, night mode, portrait mode, slow motion, super slow motion and Director’s View, which lets you record video using two different lenses simultaneously. Then there’s Single Take, which creates multiple stylized shots with a single press of the shutter button. You can also download the Expert Raw app to get more granular control over photo settings. 

But not much has changed between the Galaxy S21 and Galaxy S22 when it comes to camera features and shooting modes. I’d love to see Samsung take a page from Google, which regularly adds nifty camera tricks that feel practical rather than gimmicky. For example, Google introduced a new feature on the Pixel 7 and 7 Pro called Photo Unblur, which sharpens low-quality photos, even ones taken with an older camera. Photo Unblur builds on Face Unblur, a previous Pixel 6 and 6 Pro camera feature I also appreciate. As the name implies, Face Unblur freezes moving subjects that may otherwise look blurry.

Features like these show that Google is not just thinking about camera quality, but also ways to eliminate everyday annoyances with mobile photography. Many of Samsung’s updates, on the other hand, feel aimed at giving content creators more tools for capturing different types of shots and video clips. 

While the Galaxy S23 likely won’t launch for several more weeks, Samsung is already making enhancements to the cameras on its current Galaxy phones. It added a new feature to the Expert Raw app that helps stargazers take better photos of constellations, similar to Google’s Astrophotography feature for Pixel phones. There’s also a new Camera Assistant app that lets you enable or disable certain features, like a faster shutter or automatic lens switching. 

Faster charging that doesn’t cost so much

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The Galaxy S22 Plus (left) and Ultra both support 45-watt fast charging. But you have to purchase an adapter separately. Lisa Eadicicco/CNET

The Galaxy S22 lineup supports fast charging of up to 25 watts for the Galaxy S22 and 45 watts for the Galaxy S22 Plus and Ultra. But you have to purchase a separate charger to do so. Samsung charges $50 for the 45-watt charger and $35 for the 25-watt charger, although you can often find them for less through retailers like Amazon and Walmart. In some scenarios, I also didn’t notice much of a difference between the pricier 45-watt charger and Samsung’s less expensive 25-watt charger when powering up the Galaxy S22 Plus, which you can read more about here.

With the Galaxy S23, I’d like to see a more noticeable improvement in charging speeds, as well as more affordable charger options. The OnePlus 10 Pro, for example, offers either 65- or 80-watt fast charging depending on your region, both of which are speedier than what Samsung has to offer on paper. OnePlus also includes a compatible power adapter in the box. 

Samsung and Apple stopped including power adapters in their product packaging to cut down on waste, which is an admirable cause. But I at least wish Samsung would let you choose to include a fast-charging compatible adapter as an option for a discounted price when ordering a new phone, similar to the way it lets you select a storage option or add Samsung Care Plus. 

If rumors turn out to be accurate, the base Galaxy S23 model might have the same 25-watt charging speed as the Galaxy S22. That’s according to Ice Universe, a Twitter account with a history of publishing details about unreleased Samsung products. 

Samsung is already doing a lot right with the Galaxy S22, particularly when it comes to software support and display quality. But as year-over-year smartphone upgrades have become more incremental than revolutionary, focusing on core elements like the camera and battery are as important as ever.

Those wanting to observe the comet from their homes can do so with special equipment

Image used for illustrative purposes only

A once-in-a-lifetime comet from the outer solar system will be passing close to Earth for the first time in 50,000 years. In the next few weeks, UAE residents will get an opportunity to see it.

Comet 2022 E3 (ZTF) will pass closest to Earth on February 1, 2023, at a distance of around 26 million miles. It will be equally visible till February 5, 2023.

According to Dubai Astronomy Group CEO Hasan Al Hariri the comet brightness can be difficult to predict. “Even if it does not brighten enough to be seen with the naked eye, it will still be viewable with binoculars and small telescopes around January and early February,” he said.

Viewing

Dubai Astronomy Group will host a special ticketed event on February 4, 2023, at the Al Qudra desert in Dubai from 6.30pm to 9.30pm. It will include comet, Moon, Mars, Jupiter, and deep sky objects telescope observations, astrophotography sessions, sky mapping and more.

Those wanting to observe the celestial body from their homes can do so with special equipment. “The best tools to observe the comet are binoculars,” said Hasan Al Hariri. “It has a wide-angle field of view of the sky so hunting down the comet becomes much easier than using a telescope because that has a narrow-angle field of view which makes it harder to locate the comet.”

The diagram below indicates the position of the comet during this time.

The Comet

Comets are icy bodies of frozen gases, rocks, and dust left over from the formation of the solar system about 4.6 billion years ago. But when they approach the sun and heat up, they become powerful cosmic objects, spewing gases and dust in a way that forms their iconic shape: a glowing core and flame-like tail that can stretch on for millions of miles.

Comets are named according to how and when they were originally observed. This particular comet’s name encodes such information:

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Samsung‘s upcoming Galaxy S23 Ultra has appeared in a fresh set of seemingly accurate renders. They are reportedly obtained from the company’s official press materials. The images show the phone from various angles in all of its rumored colorways.

The Galaxy S23 Ultra shows up in new renders

Shared by the Dutch publication NieuweMobiel, the newly-leaked renders show the Galaxy S23 Ultra in four different colors. Earlier leaks have suggested that Samsung will brand these colorways as Botanic Green, Cotton Flower, Misty Lilac, and Phantom Black. As expected, the company will color-match the S Pen that comes built-in with this phone. The stylus accessory, which slots in at the bottom of the phone when not needed, gets the same color as the handset.

As for the design, there’s not much mystery left now. The Galaxy S23 Ultra continues to carry the boxy design language of Samsung’s now-discontinued Note phones. We have already seen the phone in leaked renders multiple times in the past. But the latest set appears to be more accurate than the one we saw last week. As revealed by leakers, the new phone will have slightly bigger camera circles compared to the Galaxy S22 Ultra. The power and volume keys also sit a little low on the upcoming model.

The latest Galaxy S23 Ultra leak also shows the front of the phone. Many fans may be disappointed to see that the new Samsung flagship still doesn’t get symmetric bezels. The chin is marginally thicker than the rest of the display borders. The punch-hole selfie camera appears to have shrunk a little, though. Or maybe the wallpaper is making it look smaller. Everything else is standard Samsung stuff. There isn’t any notable design overhaul of the Ultra model this year.

Speaking of the wallpaper, it appears to be depicting a heavenly body. Maybe Samsung is hinting at the improved low-light and astrophotography here. As usual, each color variant of the phone gets the same default wallpaper, but in four colors. These are all part of the marketing game, you know. Companies try to make the renders as appealing as possible.

The Galaxy S23 series will debut in less than three weeks

Samsung has already confirmed that it will unveil the Galaxy S23 series on February 1, 2023. The Ultra model will be accompanied by a vanilla Galaxy S23 and a Galaxy S23+. The Korean firm will also debut its Galaxy Book 3 series Windows laptops during the same event. You can already reserve these Galaxy devices if you’re planning to buy them. Stay tuned for the official launch in about three weeks.