Astrophotographer, film-maker and night-sky conservationist Josh Dury uses photography and film-making as a way to promote conservation and highlight the effects of light pollution.
Based in south-west England, Dury has traveled across the world taking photos of dark skies, with favorite subjects including the Milky Way, the Northern Lights, meteor showers and the Winter Circle – Orion, Taurus and Gemini.
Pro techniques for super astro shots
Josh reveals his go-to setup for astrophotography: a Sony A7S II, a Sigma 14mm F1.8 Art lens, a sturdy aluminum tripod and head by Slik, and an RGBS LCD Shutter Release.
“Firstly,” says Dury, “set up your camera on a tripod with a geared head, so you can easily adjust for right ascension [which corresponds to longitude] or declination [latitude] – with astrophotography, you don’t want to consider a particular angle only to find that your equipment limits you.
“Next, look at the camera’s rear screen and check that it reflects the image you have projected in your mind.
“Now, using an intervalometer, take an interval image every three or four seconds – the amount of images required depends on the nature of the shot: for a Milky Way, you will need at least 20-30 frames to stack during editing.
“One of the most vital things to do is to balance out the signal-to-noise ratio; that’s why a camera that works well at higher ISO values, coupled with a wide-angle lens with a large aperture to let lots of light in, is essential.
“Depending on the nature of the shot, an acceptable ISO range is 800-21,000.”
You won’t go wrong if you…
Astrophotographer Josh Dury on location with is camera kit
“Plan ahead and know what your subject is going to be. If you want to take lots of different shots on the night – of the Milky Way, star trails and the moon – then you need to plan carefully for every scenario.”
“The most important aspect of landscape astrophotography is the weather. You need a clear sky, otherwise you won’t get the detailed shots you need. There must be no cloud interference whatsoever.”
“Allow for an appropriate amount of time to capture what you need. At least a couple of hours will be fine for the Milky Way but for star trails with definition, you’re looking at up to three hours or longer.”
josh dury astro tips image 2
josh dury astro tips image 3
“Be aware of light pollution. Shooting anywhere near towns or cities is a no-go because of all the light shining up. Check light pollution maps – you need to be anywhere between five and 10 miles away.”
“Take plenty of layers of clothing. You want astrophotography to be fun, and not have to struggle when the temperatures drop at night. Pack coats, hats and plenty of pairs of socks, because your feet will feel it first.”
“Recce the routes to your location so you can plan them beforehand and know what you’ll need to put up with along the way. Be conscious of health and safety and let someone know where you’re going and when – just in case.”
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Get ready for incredible astrophotography from the James Webb Space Telescope! Look for its unique signature – diffraction spikes in the shape of James Webb’s John Hancock. With six strong spikes and two horizontal ones, you’ll recognize Webb’s distinct telescope everywhere. Get ready to gawk at celestial wonders!
Transcript:
The James Webb Space Telescope will be the source of incredible astrophotography for decades to come. Gawk, but mind your drool, please.
But how can we tell Webb’s images from other amazing telescopes? Afterall, incredible observatories around the world have snapped some beauties.
Well, Webb has a signature that you could look for.
You might say, James Webb… has a John Hancock.
So what is this signature?
Well – ever seen an image of space and notice that the stars have thin spikes coming off em? Often they look like plus signs. These are called diffraction spikes.
And they’re complete artifacts of the telescope.
See, when light from a point source enters a telescope, the edges of the mirrors diffract light, so different shaped mirrors make different diffraction spikes.
And, the arms that help hold the telescope together also diffract the light.
Based on Webb’s unique design, it has six strong spikes and two lesser, horizontal ones. It’s Webb’s very own. Once you notice it, you’ll recognize its handwriting everywhere.
Este miércoles 30 de agosto puse el despertador un poco antes de lo normal con la intención de observar el cometa Nishimura desde ciudad, algo casi de locos aunque no es la primera vez que observo un cometa desde casa a pesar de la contaminación lumínica.
Tenía ya preparado el telescopio en el salón desde la noche anterior, que estuve observando un rato Saturno, y también me llevé la Canon para hacer alguna foto. Encendí el telescopio, el Mak127 sobre la AZ-GTi, y alinee con las estrellas Castor y Betelgeuse. Recientemente actualicé el firmware de la montura para ponerla en modo altacimutal ya que apenas la uso en ecuatorial, y en esta postura el buscador del tubo quedaba siempre en una posición muy incómoda (con firmware EQ el tubo se monta a la derecha del brazo).
Con el ojo puesto en el ocular de 32 mm me puse a escudriñar el cielo por la zona donde se suponía que estaba el cometa pero no dí con él. Tras sopesarlo y teniendo en cuenta que el tiempo corría en mi contra (el amanecer astronómico estaba a pocos minutos) decidí meter las coordenadas que encontré en heavens above en el mando. Inicialmente no vi nada pero en cuanto moví un poco el telescopio reparé en una pequeña mancha gris difusa. Usando un poco de visión indirecta salí de dudas, efectivamente ahí estaba el cometa C/2023 P1 Nishimura.
Se encontraba situado entre 3 estrellas, justo en el borde derecho del triángulo, próximas a 28 Cnc. Rondaría la magnitud 7.5. Como tal era visible únicamente la coma, no había núcleo ni cola. Sin duda la contaminación lumínica me privaba de detalles pero no voy a quejarme. No todos los días uno es capaz de observar un cometa desde casa. Lo que más me fascina es que ese cuerpo lleva vagando por el espacio cientos de miles de años y solo lo podemos ver durante un breve tiempo.
Cometa Nishimura fotografiado por Rodrigo Martínez @astrocid
Recientemente he leído que nuevos cálculos han indicado que este cometa tiene un periodo de unos 519 años y que no se trataría de un cometa interestelar como se pensó en un principio. También se especula con que en realidad lo que estemos viendo sean los restos que quedan de un cometa que fue mayor años atrás y que ha ido desintegrándose con sus repetidas aproximaciones al Sol. Incluso se especula que pueda ser el causante de la lluvia de estrellas Sigma-hídridas.
Para poder observar algún detalle más me cubrí la cabeza con un paño negro que tengo para observación visual que siempre ayuda algo cuando estás en zonas con claridad. Tras dejar que mis ojos se acostumbraran a la oscuridad durante unos minutos ya me costaba menos encontrar el cometa y podía verlo con visión directa. Incluso me dió la sensación de poder apreciar algo de cola pero ya no se si era producto de mi imaginación.
Durante los próximos días el cometa estará más y más bajo en el horizonte y aunque cada día estará un poco más brillante será más difícil de observar por su proximidad al Sol. Además la meteorología va a empeorar durante los próximos días y la llegada de una DANA nos va a impedir observar por aquí este cometa durante los próximos 4 o 5 días.
De nuevo Júpiter ha sufrido el impacto de un objeto de grandes dimensiones, posiblemente un asteroide o un cometa. El evento fue registrado por varios telescopios a las 16:45 UT del 28 de agosto.
En las imágenes se puede apreciar un súbito aumento de brillo en una zona del planeta, un breve destello que solo se puede explicar por la colisión con otro objeto celeste. No es la primera vez que esto sucede, ya hemos visto con anterioridad eventos similares por lo que hay múltiples telescopios capturando constantemente imágenes del planeta y monitorizando si se producen destellos similares.
En esta ocasión el proyecto OASES (Organized Autotelescopes for Serendipitous Event Survey) y PONCOTS (Planetary Observation Camera for Optical Transient Surveys) publicaron una alerta sobre el evento y fueron varios los astrónomos aficionados, muchos de ellos japoneses, que confirmaron haberlo capturado.
El gran tamaño y la masa de Júpiter producen una gran atracción gravitatoria para estos cuerpos menores de nuestro sistema solar. En ocasiones sus órbitas son modificadas y en otras, como ésta, les pone en rumbo de colisión.
Por el momento se desconocen más detalles sobre el tamaño y órbita del objeto que chocó contra Júpiter.
Another awe-inspiring magical image of deep space has been captured by the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). Released on August 29, the latest high-resolution photo shows us a glimpse of a spiral galaxy that is found 27 million light years away from Earth in the Canes Venatici constellation.
Known as the Whirlpool Galaxy, or Messier 51a, it has been a central focal point for astronomers and astrophotographers for years (it was first discovered in 1773) but has never before has it been viewed in such fine detail.
The most recent image shows a red whirlpool galaxy with protruding spirals and a bright bluish-white core. While you might not be able to get such a high resolution even with the best cameras for astrophotography, this bedazzling galaxy is sometimes visible from Earth.
• Check out the best telescopes for astrophotography so you can capture stunning photos of the night sky from your back garden
Image of the M51 galaxy from James Webb Telescope
Taken using the JWST main near-infrared camera (NIRcam) and a mid-infrared instrument (MIRI), the two separate photos have been combined into a composite to create a truly out-of-this-world galactic portrait. These incredibly advanced camera systems capture the infrared light that the eye cannot see and decode the data to create images scientists can study to unlock the secrets of our universe. It’s thought that the shape of M51 is due to its close proximity to the nearby dwarf galaxy NGC 5195 and its spiraling arms are formed through its strong gravitational influence.
Up until now, the clearest image we had of the M51 galaxy was taken by the Hubble Telescope in 2011 but it was nowhere near as in-depth and detailed as the JWST offering. The actual image has been colorized so we can distinguish areas of ionized gas created by recently formed star clusters (the orange and yellow buts) while the darker areas represent empty cavities necessary for the galaxy to maintain its spiral shape.
Image of M51 galaxy by James Webb Telescope
This latest image is part of a body of research known as Feedback in Emerteging Extragalactic Star Clusters or for east, FEAST. Since the James Webb telescope is 100 times more powerful than the Hubble Telescope, it enables scientists and astronomers to discover even more about deep space. The European Space Agency commented, “Webb is opening a new window into the early stages of star formation and stellar light as well as the energy of reprocessing gas and dust”.
Not only do these images enable us to develop a deeper understanding, but they are signs that the instruments onboard the JWST are still fully functional following some concern there have been some technical issues. While the NIRcam image and the MIRI image offer two different perspectives of the same galaxy, the combined composite offers exaggerates the remarkable wonders of this “grand spiral staircase sweeping through space” – a term that NASA has used to describe it.
Image of M51 galaxy taken by James Webb telescope
Also check out the best telescopes for kids or the best telescopes for beginners
Type: Mirrorless Sensor: 45.7MP full frame Lens mount: Nikon Z ISO range: 64-25,600 (exp 32-102,400) Viewfinder: Electronic, 3.69m dots Video capability: 8K 60p / 4K 120p Weight: 2lbs 0.1oz Size: 56.7 x 46.5 x 32.7 inches Memory card: 2x CFexpress B
The Nikon Z8 is referred to by Nikon as both “a baby Z9” and “the true successor to the Nikon D850”. That’s high praise indeed, with the Z9 being the company’s cutting-edge, flagship mirrorless camera, and the D850 being widely regarded as the finest DSLR ever made.
Both labels are wholly accurate, though, as the Nikon Z8 lives up to every inch of the hype. With 45.7MP resolution, 8K 60p video and up to 120fps burst shooting, this can handle almost anything you throw at it; its continuous shooting speed and ferocious autofocus obviously make it one of the best wildlife cameras on the market, but it’s also an absolute powerhouse for anything from astrophotography to portraiture.
In fact, the Z8 is so good that it threatens to make the pricier, bulkier Z9 redundant. Unless you really need the vertical grip and beefier battery power (both of which are actually available to the Z8, if you buy an additional grip), there really isn’t much to justify the extra grand or so that the flagship will cost you.
There are asterisks next to a couple of features, such as the fact that the 120fps bursts are limited to 11MP JPEGs, but all in all the Z8 can tackle any task – and it’s probably the best all-purpose camera that Nikon has ever made.
(Image credit: James Artaius)
Nikon Z8: Design
When Nikon calls this a “baby Z9”, it isn’t kidding: while it packs the exact same technology as its big brother, the Z8 eschews the integrated vertical grip to deliver a camera body that’s a similar size to the Nikon Z6 and Z7.
Taking a cue from Sony, this is the first flagship from Nikon (or Canon, for that matter) to offer a pro body without the vertical grip – in turn, making it appealing to a much broader market. Sure, if you’re going to be using it with big bulky primes or long telephoto lenses, the Z9 balances better. But for everyday and all-purpose shooting, I’m a much bigger fan of this smaller footprint. Mirrorless is supposed to be smaller and lighter than DSLRs, after all!
As you’d expect from a Nikon, the ergonomics are sublime; the Big N really knows how to make a camera that fits your hand like a glove. The controls feel premium and are positioned just where your fingers and thumbs expect them, and shooting with the Z8 is a dream. It also features a great in-body image stabilization system that delivers up to 5.5 stops of compensation (6 stops with specific lenses).
My only complaint here is that the camera doesn’t feature a fully articulating touchscreen, instead opting for a curious four-way tilting option. This certainly gives more flexibility than a standard tilt-only screen, but not being able to flip the screen all the way round is a sore point when shooting video – and extra baffling, given what a video powerhouse the Z8 is.
(Image credit: James Artaius)
The tilting screen is fantastically bright and detailed with good color reproduction even when comparing it to our 99% Adobe RGB color monitor in the studio but it’s the restrictions of its tilting function which frustrate us a little.
Tilting the screen to the right and upwards from a normal shooting position we get around 180 degrees and about 200 degrees of movement respectively which is great for composing scenes with awkward shooting angles (such as framing foreground elements when capturing astrophotographs). However, the left and down tilt give little more than 30 or 45 degrees respectively.
We’re presuming that Nikon’s thinking here is that it’s more awkward to hold a camera in those latter positions and trigger the shutter release button, but it’s a little confusing as to why they didn’t opt for a fully rotating vari-angle style screen that competitor models like the Canon EOS R5 have as default.
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(Image credit: Jase Parnell-Brookes)
(Image credit: Jase Parnell-Brookes)
Nikon Z8: Functionality
Additional kit
Kit lens: Nikkor Z 24-120mm f/4 S Best wide lens: Nikkor Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S Best zoom lens: Nikkor Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S Spare battery type: NikonEN-EL15a, b or c
In short, there is nothing the Z8 can’t do – it has been designed to conquer any and every shooting situation. The 45.7MP image sensor offers an incredible amount of resolution, and it’s back-side illuminated to offer greater light-gathering capability and cleaner performance.
However, this is also a stacked sensor – meaning that it boasts lightning-fast readout speeds, delivering incredible results for stills and video. For the former, it gives you the ability to shoot at previously impossible continuous burst speeds of up to 120fps – though this comes with a few caveats.
When shooting at 120fps, the Z8 can only capture 11MP JPEGs. However, it can still shoot full-fat 45.7MP JPEGs at 30fps, or RAW files at 20fps – all with autofocus and autoexposure. Thanks to its cutting-edge image processor, the camera can record more than 1,000 RAW images at 20fps before any buffering kicks in – which is frankly astonishing!
The quick-as-a-hiccup readout speed of the stacked sensor also means that the rolling shutter phenomenon is virtually eliminated when shooting stills and video. Indeed, it’s such a non-issue that Nikon hasn’t even bothered to include a mechanical shutter in the Z8. It’s electronic-only, boasts a blistering 1/32000 sec maximum shutter speed (which is 4 times faster than most high-end cameras!).
The camera also boasts the same flagship autofocus system found in the Z9, with subject detection algorithms for everything from humans and animals to all manner of vehicles (in fact, it even beats its big brother by incorporating a new “aircraft” mode on top of the standard “airplane” tracking).
And last but not least, the Nikon Z8 is one of the most capable cameras on the market when it comes to video, able to produce crystal clear 8K 60p as well as 4K 120p footage – all without the overheating issues and recording limits found in its rival, the Canon EOS R5.
(Image credit: James Artaius)
One exciting feature for astrophotographers is the night vision mode. Gone are the days of using a red flashlights and shutting our eyes every time a car goes past just to have the camera menu or image preview blast hot-white light into our eyes and ruining our night vision. Head into the custom shooting menu and navigate to d10 and we’re met with Warm display color. Within it are two programmable modes to keep specific color balance settings on the rear screen and electronic viewfinder which are, by default, both set to red and to keep the screen dim.
“But now we can’t see whether the color balance is true while shooting, everything is red!” we hear you say. Yes, but there are two caveats to this: one is that we should be shooting in RAW format anyway, so we can adjust this when image editing, and two, generally you’ll only be checking the rear screen when setting up a composition. This would involve checking things like aperture, shutter speed and ISO, as well as monitoring the histogram to avoid dark clipping on the graph. Plus, you can just turn it off again if you truly want to check the color or brightness of the image.
Nikon Z8: Performance
The Z8 is an absolute home run for Nikon in just about every department. The 45.7MP files it produces are stunning, dripping with detail to use straight out of camera and packed with plenty of data if you prefer doing post-production. The RAW files in particular reveal just how clean the images are, coming off the new sensor; even when you abuse the ISO, you’re still getting beautiful images.
The 120fps continuous shooting is hilarious to the point of Schwarzenegger-like overkill. I can’t fault it, but there’s no reality in which I’m ever going to use it; the 11MP JPEGs are absolutely fine, but I’m not using a 45.7MP camera to take low-res photos! I’m also not going to sit flicking through thousands more images looking for another 100 versions of the decisive moment – the 20fps RAW shooting is more than enough.
However, the slightly lower resolution, super-fast burst speeds are honed for specific photographic disciplines. This includes action photojournalism and sports journalism where the camera would be rigged up to the internet to download a constant stream of images to a team of editors. These editors are then ready to make the perfect selection to publish online or in print, where every second counts when it comes to reader traffic and print deadlines.
Where things get a little bit tricky is with the autofocus. Now, compared to just about any other camera, the Z8’s AF is phenomenal. It finds, follows and focuses on subjects with spooky degrees of accuracy… 98% of the time. When I took this out to shoot wildlife, there were occasions where it faltered – and any other camera would have faltered on those same occasions. Except for the Canon EOS R5.
(Image credit: James Artaius)
I have yet to point the R5 at a single animal, whether the AF has an algorithm for it or not, that it hasn’t been able to focus on. That was not the case with the Z8, which struggled to find focus on some wild animals – and also completely failed to find a couple who were slightly obscured by foliage (in a way that the Canon doesn’t struggle).
It was also less than true for me when photographing sports, as the AF is slightly twitchy and apt to jump from player to player rather than sticking on the subject you want it to. Still, we really are comparing Lebron James to Michael Jordan here – coming second is more a reflection of how good the GOAT is, rather than a failing on the part of the Z8.
The tables are turned when it comes to video, an area where the R5 has a few caveats. That’s not the case with the Nikon Z8; capable of 8- or 10-bit H.265, 10-bit Apple ProRes 4:2:2 HQ and 12-bit in-camera ProRes RAW HQ, video here is of the finest quality at all resolutions (unlike the uninspiring standard 4K of the Canon). You can also capture 120 minutes of 4K 60p footage, or 90 minutes of 8K 30p – again, a far cry from the limitations of the R5.
The same AF limitations apply to video shooting, and again the lack of an articulating screen is a big misfire, but otherwise this is as much a monster when it comes to videography as it is to stills.
(Image credit: James Artaius)
In low light photography we are all aware of just how much camera autofocusing systems struggle. As soon as twilight comes around, or when shooting in a dimly lit church or other low light venue, we boost up the ISO, slow the shutter speed and whack open the aperture just to have the autofocus hunt, whirring back and forth before giving up.
While mirrorless cameras on the whole are improving their low light AF, with some cameras dropping down to -6.5EV, the Z8 walks away with the prize offering a -9EV autofocus detection lower limit. To utilize this though, we have to turn on Starlight view (photo Lv) in d9 of the custom shooting menu. Once engaged it works both on the rear LCD screen and in the electronic viewfinder and it appears to ramp up the brightness of the screen to aid with composition in dark scenes as well.
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(Image credit: Jase Parnell-Brookes)
(Image credit: Jase Parnell-Brookes)
(Image credit: Jase Parnell-Brookes)
Should you buy the Nikon Z8?
Do you want flagship level performance without flagship price or bulk? Do you want Nikon’s finest ever camera technology? Do you need high-res 45MP stills or 8K video? Then the Nikon Z8 is an absolutely fantastic option.
Is it the best option, though? For my money, I would actually recommend the Canon EOS R5 unless you genuinely need 120fps stills, 8K 60p video or the ability to shoot more than 20 minutes of 8K in one go.
The Z8 is a technological marvel and an unprecedented powerhouse. Were it not for a couple of gripes – namely the twitchy autofocus and the non-articulating screen – it might be the best camera I’ve ever used. It’s cheaper than rival flagships and outpunches them in almost every category; you won’t find this much power at this price anywhere else.
However, beginners and even most intermediates probably won’t be able to take full advantage of this camera. Sure, if they have deep pockets this camera will last them for years to come and is a worthy purchase. But there will be so many features and settings paid for and not used by beginners or intermediate photographers that a cheaper alternative will yield results that are just as good.
(Image credit: James Artaius)
If this isn’t for you
The direct rival to the Z8 is the Canon EOS R5, which offers very similar specs – 45MP resolution, 20fps RAW + JPEG burst shooting, 8K 30p video – and combines them with the best autofocus system in the business.
While the Z8 is its successor, there’s still plenty to love about the Nikon D850. It’s a DSLR rather than mirrorless, but boasts the same full-frame 45.7MP resolution along with fantastic ISO performance at a lower price.
If you’re interested in the affordability and advantages of APS-C, the Canon EOS 90D is a great option. Its 32.5MP sensor is still packed with pixels, it’s pretty speedy at 10fps, and its 1.6x crop factor increases the effective focal length of your lenses – perfect for gaining extra reach when shooting things like wildlife!
People would agree that cameras are what separates the good phones from the best phones. That’s what makes an iPhone 15 Pro Max vs. Galaxy S24 Ultra camera face-off intriguing on so many levels, thanks in part to how they could be in line for the best camera phones around when they’re officially released.
Apple’s Wonderlust event is full steam ahead now that the September 12 date is official, and it’s where we’ll most likely be introduced to its iPhone 15 lineup — including the highest-end model of the bunch in the iPhone 15 Pro Max. Whether Apple decides to call it that, or perhaps switch the name to the iPhone 15 Ultra moniker, there’s no denying that this high-end phone is going to be accompanied by new cameras that could help it dethrone the Galaxy S23 Ultra, the current camera phone king.
We know that we’re still a good while away from the launch of the Galaxy S24 Ultra, which is typically held in February each year. Nevertheless, Samsung doesn’t intend on letting the competition come anywhere close to what its flagship phones have to offer with their cameras. The Galaxy S24 Ultra is no exception, and with plenty of leaks ahead of next year’s launch, there’s enough detail for a proper comparison.
In this iPhone 15 Pro Max vs Galaxy S24 Ultra camera face-off, we’ll dial into more of those details to give you a better idea of how their cameras stack up.
iPhone 15 Pro Max vs Galaxy S24 Ultra: Rumored camera specs
Swipe to scroll horizontally
iPhone 15 Pro Max
Galaxy S24 Ultra
Main camera
48-megapixel main
200-megapixel main
Ultrawide camera
12-megapixel ultrawide
12-megapixel ultrawide
Telephoto camera
12-megapixel telephoto
50-megapixel telephoto
Selfie camera
12-megapixel
12-megapixel
Chipset
A17 Bionic
Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
Without diving into all of the nitty gritty details, it’s worth pointing out that the Galaxy S24 Ultra could change up its arrangement so that it’s a triple camera system versus the quadruple setup in the current S23 Ultra. That’s because the new tipped to feature a totally new variable telephoto lens, which would do away with separate telephoto cameras.
iPhone 15 Pro Max vs Galaxy S24 Ultra: Main camera
(Image credit: Tom’s Guide)
The most widely used camera in a smartphone is its main camera, due how it typically delivers the sharpest results and can make even the darkest setting turn out bright and full of detail. Even though the iPhone 15 Pro Max is expected to keep its main camera at 48MP, the more intriguing rumor centers around an upgraded sensor in Apple’s phone.
Most notably, the iPhone 15 Pro Max could be packing a new “state-of-the-art” camera sensor that’s nearly an inch across — a Sony IMX903. The sensor is believed to measure in at 1/1.4-inch (about 0.87-inches), which is roughly 11% larger than the current iPhone 14 Pro Max’s 1/1.28-inch (0.78 inches) IMX803 sensor.
So what does this mean? Well, the new “three-stacked” sensor would result in sharper images, brighter colors, and inherently improved low-light performance. We’ve seen how the iPhone 14 Pro Max trailed the other cameras we tested in our astrophotography comparison, so having a larger sensor with increased light sensitivity could help boost the iPhone 15 Pro Max’s performance in a bigger way.
Conversely, there are fewer details around what Samsung could have in store for the Galaxy S24 Ultra’s main camera. The current Galaxy S23 Ultra is already packing an astounding 200MP camera, which we should expect at the very least with the S24 Ultra.
However, one rumor suggests that the Galaxy S24 Ultra will be accompanied by an actual 1-inch sensor. We’re not talking about nearly an inch, but an actual 1-inch sensor much like the one found in the Xiaomi 13 Ultra. This would undoubtedly be a substantial upgrade to boost the Samsung phone’s low-light sensitivity, seeing that larger sensors draw in more light — and subsequently produce sharper details without being softened by noise.
iPhone 15 Pro Max vs Galaxy S24 Ultra: Wide angle camera
(Image credit: Future)
A lot of the attention paid to camera phones usually focuses on the main cameras, but we suspect that the secondary wide angle cameras should benefit from the new camera sensors. Beyond how they would inherently gain the same improvements as their respective main cameras, such as increased clarity and higher dynamic range, the only unknown is if Apple or Samsung will change up their field of views.
Both the iPhone 14 Pro Max and Galaxy S23 Ultra offer 12MPl ultrawide cameras with 120-degree field of views. There hasn’t been any sort of indication whether Samsung and Apple will be changing them up on future phones, but it would only benefit them to at least increase their field of view for wider coverage.
iPhone 15 Pro Max vs Galaxy S24 Ultra: Telephoto camera
(Image credit: Future)
Flagship phones are defined by their telephoto lenses, and it’s the area we’re certain to find the toughest fight. Apple has long trailed its rivals in this area, but a new 12-megapixel periscope telephoto camera is reportedly in store for the iPhone 15 Pro Max / iPhone 15 Ultra, and that improvement could really change things.
That’s because the zoom capabilities are rumored to jump to a 6x optical zoom, which is double the current iPhone 14 Pro Max’s 3x telephoto range. Even though there are smartphones with better telephoto cameras, another rumor paints that the iPhone 15 Pro Max could offer as much as a 10x zoom.
Then again, this is an area that Samsung has specialized in for a long time — but the phone maker actually might lean on a different implementation for the Galaxy S24 Ultra’s telephoto camera. Specifically, the Galaxy S24 Ultra could lean on a variable folded telephoto lens that would effectively combine the 3x and 10x zoom lenses on the S23 Ultra. This would eliminate the separation and could give users even more fluidity while zooming.
iPhone 15 Pro Max vs Galaxy S24 Ultra: Video capture
(Image credit: Future)
While both phones are expected to capture outstanding photos, we anticipate that they won’t disappoint with video either — more so when you think about the utility of how they cover all the range.
Video enthusiasts would probably gravitate toward the Galaxy S24 Ultra for a number of reasons. First and foremost, we suspect that video recording resolution will top out at 8K resolution at 30fps. Whether or not the Galaxy S24 Ultra uses the the upcoming Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 silicon or not, it could increase the phone’s slow motion speed at the very least.
Unfortunately, Apple has never been about having the highest video capture resolution or fastest frame rates in its iPhones. The iPhone 14 Pro Max tops out at 4K 60fps, which is the standard among flagships — but still a far cry from the Galaxy S23 Ultra’s 8K resolution. The Bionic A17 chip could potentially achieve 8K capture with Apple ProRes, seeing how leaked benchmark tests allege it’s a processing powerhouse.
iPhone 15 Pro Max vs Galaxy S24 Ultra: Camera software
(Image credit: Future)
Apple has slowly made the iPhone appealing for enthusiasts that want greater control for their compositions. We’ve seen that within how Apple added a few parameters that could be adjusted in the iPhone’s camera app, like exposure compensation, RAW files, and aperture adjustment in portrait mode.
Despite these small rollouts, the iPhone is still missing proper manual controls — something we can only hope to change with the iPhone 15 Pro Max. Considering how it’s tapped to feature some of the biggest camera upgrades in years, it would be great if the iPhone 15 Pro Max could be accompanied by a revamped camera interface complete with manual controls for photos and video.
This is exactly why the Galaxy S23 Ultra is so popular among videographers and enthusiasts. We anticipate the Galaxy S24 Ultra to follow suit with its robust set of shooting modes and controls, so the company doesn’t need to do a whole lot new because it’s already established itself for having one of the best camera software around.
iPhone 15 Pro Max vs Galaxy S24 Ultra cameras: Outlook
(Image credit: Future)
There’s already a lot of interest in an iPhone 15 Pro Max vs Galaxy S24 Ultra camera face-off. It would appear as though Apple’s trying to bridge the gap in the telephoto range to match its rivals, but it’ll be interesting to see if the new camera hardware accompanying the iPhone 15 Pro Max / iPhone 15 Ultra are enough to overthrow Samsung off the top spot in our best camera phones list.
Even if it turns out that Apple succeeds in achieving this, its reign would probably be short because the Galaxy S24 Ultra is expected to be announced near the start of 2024. As we near that time frame, you can almost guarantee we’ll have a more concrete idea about its new cameras.
Amateur astronomers and idiom lovers will both have reason to rejoice this week: It’s the once in a blue moon when an actual blue moon will rise in the sky.
And it’s not just any blue moon. It’s a rare blue supermoon. The Earth’s lunar sidekick will seem extra big and bright as it reaches its fullest stage on Wednesday.
We won’t see this particular lunar twofer again until 2037, so here’s what you need to know to make the most of it.
First things first: What is a supermoon?
A perigean full moon, better known as a supermoon, happens when the moon is full during the closest point in its orbit around Earth.
According to NASA, the moon’s typical orbit ranges between 226,000 and 251,000 miles from Earth, but variances can bring it a bit closer or farther away. Only the closest three or four approaches each year qualify as supermoons.
The last supermoon fell earlier this month, on Aug. 2, inspiring photographers from all over the world to document the big and bright spectacle, from New York’s moody skyline to light-filled late night soccer matches in South Africa.
Yet the supermoon coming up this week will be even bigger and brighter — the biggest and brightest of 2023 — because the moon will be “exceptionally close” to Earth at 222,043 miles, according to The Old Farmer’s Almanac— nearly 17,000 miles closer than average.
This means it’ll appear “about 8% larger than a normal full moon and 15% brighter than a normal full moon,” according to Dave Teske, the lunar topographic studies coordinator for the Association of Lunar and Planetary Observers.
And while that might not make a hugely discernible difference to the naked eye, it’ll still be a sight to behold.
As Teske put it, “It’ll be big and bright and beautiful.”
But it’s not just a supermoon. It’s a blue supermoon
While the term “supermoon” references the moon’s orbit in relation to Earth, a blue moon has to do with frequency. Confusingly, it doesn’t have anything to do with color, either (though there was one time when a blue moon actually turned blue).
The moon takes 27.3 days to orbit the Earth, but because of how the sun’s light hits the celestial body, it takes 29.5 days to complete its lunar cycle from one new moon to the next. So it’s rare for us on Earth to see two full moons in the span of a single month. When we do, we call it a “blue moon.”
The term “blue moon” is also used in some circles to describe the third of four full moons in an astrological season.
And the idiom “once in a blue moon” is used to describe a rare but nonetheless recurring event. But according to NASA, blue moons aren’t actually all that rare, recurring every 2.5 years or so.
A blue supermoon, however, happens far less frequently. The last blue supermoon was in December 2009, and the next one won’t be until January 2037, NASA reports.
When and where can I see it?
This year’s blue supermoon will officially turn full at 9:36 p.m. ET on Aug. 30, according to Space.com, but to the naked eye, it’ll look just as full from Tuesday night to Friday morning, with the shaded strip appearing so narrow as to be virtually imperceptible.
And, if it’s an especially big moon you’re after, consider catching the moonrise in the east or moonset in the west. Experts say this is when foreground objects combine with a low-hanging moon to create the “moon illusion” — the time when the moon tends to look the largest.
(You can check the local rising and setting times for your area using the U.S. Navy’s Moonrise calendar).
Anyone looking to take in more detail of the lunar surface could use binoculars, a telescope, or an astrophotography lens. But astronomers like Teske say those tools aren’t necessary for a moving experience.
“Get out there and observe it. Just enjoy the beautiful view of the moon,” he said. “Really think about what you’re seeing out there.”
After all, this isn’t just a hunk of rock orbiting the Earth about a quarter of a million miles away. It could be the next frontier.
Just in the last week, the Indian Space Agency successfully landed a spacecraft on the moon’s south pole, where frozen water craters could fuel future missions. Japan’s space agency, JAXA, nearly launched a moon lander (but postponed the moonshot due to strong winds).
And the private company SpaceX paired with NASA to dock a crew of astronauts at the International Space Station, in order to perform experiments that might one day make it easier to travel to the moon and back.
“We’re doing things with the moon now that are building this slow and steady public interest,” said Noah Petro, a research scientist with NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center.
Petro said that the value of supermoons like these is that they “allow us to take a moment and revel, and enjoy that nearest neighbor and space.”
“It’s not so far away that we can’t see it. It’s effectively right there in our backyard,” he added.
One note of caution: This moon could bring an elevated risk for flooding
But those looking to observe the moon from a beach should consider checking conditions first.
The close proximity of the moon means that for several days this week, the range of tides will be greater than normal.
The moon will exert 48% more tidal force during the spring tides of Aug. 30 compared with two weeks earlier, according to Space.com. Higher tides could get more high, which could cause some coastal flooding.
That risk will be especially heightened along the gulf coast of Florida, where Hurricane Idalia is expected to make landfall early Wednesday.
NPR’s Dustin Jones contributed reporting.
Copyright 2023 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.
Amateur astronomers and idiom lovers will both have reason to rejoice this week: It’s the once in a blue moon when an actual blue moon will rise in the sky.
And it’s not just any blue moon. It’s a rare blue supermoon. The Earth’s lunar sidekick will seem extra big and bright as it reaches its fullest stage on Wednesday.
We won’t see this particular lunar twofer again until 2037, so here’s what you need to know to make the most of it.
First things first: What is a supermoon?
A perigean full moon, better known as a supermoon, happens when the moon is full during the closest point in its orbit around Earth.
According to NASA, the moon’s typical orbit ranges between 226,000 and 251,000 miles from Earth, but variances can bring it a bit closer or farther away. Only the closest three or four approaches each year qualify as supermoons.
The last supermoon fell earlier this month, on Aug. 2, inspiring photographers from all over the world to document the big and bright spectacle, from New York’s moody skyline to light-filled late night soccer matches in South Africa.
Yet the supermoon coming up this week will be even bigger and brighter — the biggest and brightest of 2023 — because the moon will be “exceptionally close” to Earth at 222,043 miles, according to The Old Farmer’s Almanac— nearly 17,000 miles closer than average.
This means it’ll appear “about 8% larger than a normal full moon and 15% brighter than a normal full moon,” according to Dave Teske, the lunar topographic studies coordinator for the Association of Lunar and Planetary Observers.
And while that might not make a hugely discernible difference to the naked eye, it’ll still be a sight to behold.
As Teske put it, “It’ll be big and bright and beautiful.”
But it’s not just a supermoon. It’s a blue supermoon
While the term “supermoon” references the moon’s orbit in relation to Earth, a blue moon has to do with frequency. Confusingly, it doesn’t have anything to do with color, either (though there was one time when a blue moon actually turned blue).
The moon takes 27.3 days to orbit the Earth, but because of how the sun’s light hits the celestial body, it takes 29.5 days to complete its lunar cycle from one new moon to the next. So it’s rare for us on Earth to see two full moons in the span of a single month. When we do, we call it a “blue moon.”
The term “blue moon” is also used in some circles to describe the third of four full moons in an astrological season.
And the idiom “once in a blue moon” is used to describe a rare but nonetheless recurring event. But according to NASA, blue moons aren’t actually all that rare, recurring every 2.5 years or so.
A blue supermoon, however, happens far less frequently. The last blue supermoon was in December 2009, and the next one won’t be until January 2037, NASA reports.
When and where can I see it?
This year’s blue supermoon will officially turn full at 9:36 p.m. ET on Aug. 30, according to Space.com, but to the naked eye, it’ll look just as full from Tuesday night to Friday morning, with the shaded strip appearing so narrow as to be virtually imperceptible.
And, if it’s an especially big moon you’re after, consider catching the moonrise in the east or moonset in the west. Experts say this is when foreground objects combine with a low-hanging moon to create the “moon illusion” — the time when the moon tends to look the largest.
(You can check the local rising and setting times for your area using the U.S. Navy’s Moonrise calendar).
Anyone looking to take in more detail of the lunar surface could use binoculars, a telescope, or an astrophotography lens. But astronomers like Teske say those tools aren’t necessary for a moving experience.
“Get out there and observe it. Just enjoy the beautiful view of the moon,” he said. “Really think about what you’re seeing out there.”
After all, this isn’t just a hunk of rock orbiting the Earth about a quarter of a million miles away. It could be the next frontier.
Just in the last week, the Indian Space Agency successfully landed a spacecraft on the moon’s south pole, where frozen water craters could fuel future missions. Japan’s space agency, JAXA, nearly launched a moon lander (but postponed the moonshot due to strong winds).
And the private company SpaceX paired with NASA to dock a crew of astronauts at the International Space Station, in order to perform experiments that might one day make it easier to travel to the moon and back.
“We’re doing things with the moon now that are building this slow and steady public interest,” said Noah Petro, a research scientist with NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center.
Petro said that the value of supermoons like these is that they “allow us to take a moment and revel, and enjoy that nearest neighbor and space.”
“It’s not so far away that we can’t see it. It’s effectively right there in our backyard,” he added.
One note of caution: This moon could bring an elevated risk for flooding
But those looking to observe the moon from a beach should consider checking conditions first.
The close proximity of the moon means that for several days this week, the range of tides will be greater than normal.
The moon will exert 48% more tidal force during the spring tides of Aug. 30 compared with two weeks earlier, according to Space.com. Higher tides could get more high, which could cause some coastal flooding.
That risk will be especially heightened along the gulf coast of Florida, where Hurricane Idalia is expected to make landfall early Wednesday.
NPR’s Dustin Jones contributed reporting.
Copyright 2023 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.
On Wednesday, Aug. 30, you’ll no doubt hear the mainstream media proclaiming that on that night we will have an opportunity to witness a “supermoon.” It’s a term, or more specifically, a branding, of relatively recent origin. It originated not from astronomy, but astrology; first coined by an astrologer, who arbitrarily defined it as “a full moon which occurs with the moon at or near (within 90-percent of) its closest approach to Earth in a given orbit (perigee).”
Indeed, at 12 noon ET on that fifth Wednesday of August, the moon will arrive at perigee, its closest point in its orbit relative to Earth at 221,942 miles (357,181 km) away. And 9 hours and 36 minutes later, the moon will officially turn full. Although a full moon theoretically lasts just a moment, that moment is imperceptible to ordinary observation, and for a day or so before and after, most will speak of seeing the nearly full moon as “full”: The shaded strip is so narrow, and changing in apparent width so slowly, that it is hard for the naked eye to tell whether it’s present or which side it is.
And in addition to its “supermoon” status, this particular full moon will be the second to occur in the month of August, the first having occurred on Aug. 1. As a result, the second full moon of August on the 30th, will be also branded as a “Blue” moon. So, for what it’s worth, what we’ll have will be a “Super Blue Moon.”
However, unless there is some unusual atmospheric condition present such as airborne dust, ash or smoke, the moon will not appear blue but its normal yellow-white self. Nonetheless, thanks to mainstream media hyperbole, many will likely look forward to getting a view of this big late summer moon.
Related: Full moon calendar 2023: When to see the next full moon
If you are hoping to catch a look at the full moon, our guide to the best binoculars could help you find some nice wide-angle optics for taking in larger areas of the lunar surface. Or, if you want to take a closer look at the features of the moon, our guide to the best telescopes can help you find the gear you need.
And if you’re looking to take photos of our natural satellite or the night sky in general, check out our guide on how to photograph the moon, as well as our best cameras for astrophotography and best lenses for astrophotography.
This flood’s for you
But there is also a drawback: A full moon nearly coinciding with perigee means that for several days around Aug. 30, the range of tides will be much larger than normal; low tides will be unusually low while high tides will run unusually high, perhaps even resulting in minor coastal flooding.
Such an extreme tide is known as a perigean spring tide, the word spring being derived from the German springen — to “spring up,” and is not — as is often mistaken — a reference to the spring season. Every month, spring tides occur when the moon is full and new. At these times the moon and the sun form a line with the Earth, so their tidal effects add together. (The sun exerts a little less than half the tidal force of the moon.) “Neap tides,” on the other hand, occur when the moon is at first and last quarter and works at cross-purposes with the sun. At these times tides are weak.
Tidal force varies as the inverse cube of an object’s distance. On Wednesday the moon is 14 percent closer at perigee than at apogee. Therefore, it exerts 48 percent more tidal force during the spring tides of Aug. 30 than the spring tides near apogee two weeks earlier on Aug. 16.
And if a significant storm or a hurricane is offshore, working in concert with the already high-water levels, the consequences could lead to rough seas, beach erosion and major flooding.
We can only hope that such meteorological conditions do not materialize this year, though it should be pointed out that the traditional peak of the Atlantic hurricane season comes less than two weeks later, on Sept. 10.
Supermoon branding “watered down”
For years, astronomers classified a full moon that coincided with perigee as a “perigean full moon.” A term that received little or no fanfare.
Now, it seems that every time a full moon coincides with perigee, it is referred to as a “supermoon.” Some newscasters — in an apparent effort to hold your attention — refer to this occurrence as “rare,” even though, in actuality, the moon turning full within hours of it arriving at perigee is not really such a rare occurrence.
In fact, on average, it occurs at an interval of once about every 413 days.
After next Wednesday, the next time this will happen will be on Oct. 17, 2024.
And yet the full moon of Aug. 1, which occurred about 11 and a half hours before perigee, as well as next month’s full moon on Sept. 29 which comes nearly 33 hours after perigee, are also being branded as supermoons, seemingly because they fall within 90-percent of moon’s closest approach to Earth. Or in other words, within the top 10-percent of the closest full moons for a given year.
So now in most years we have not just one but four “supermoons.” In some years, there might be as few as two while in other years there could be as many as five!
But just how “rare” or “super” is that?
An illustration of the full moon as it will appear on Aug. 30, 2023. (Image credit: Chris Vaughan/Starry Night)
Unrealistic expectations: Bigger?
And while Wednesday’s moon will be — as the Observer’s Handbook of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada suggests — the “largest full moon of 2023,” (14% larger in apparent size compared to a full moon at apogee — its farthest from Earth) the variation of the moon’s distance is not readily apparent to observers viewing the moon directly.
So, if you step outside and look at the moon on Wednesday night and expect to see something special, you’ll likely be disappointed. There are always many images published on the internet in advance of a “Supermoon,” displaying exceedingly large full moons, all taken with telephoto lenses, all implying that the moon is going to look amazingly large in the sky.
In fact, with no advance knowledge of the closeness of the full moon, it’s likely most people would not notice any difference between Wednesday’s full moon and any other full moon. However, once the “supermoon” concept is suggested, these same people will step outside, look up and declare that the moon does look much larger than normal; similar to the way the phrase “emperor’s new clothes” has become an idiom about logical fallacies.
Brighter?
Then there is the issue regarding the moon’s brightness. Websites speak of the “supermoon” appearing “30 percent brighter than other full moons.” But that actually corresponds to a minuscule increase of less than three tenths of a magnitude; so, the moonlight on Wednesday night will not be exceptionally bright.
Yet, there are likely those who think that they will be seeing an exceptionally dazzling full moon that night. In June 2013, a friend of mine told me that she was expecting that year’s version of the “supermoon” to look ‘radically brighter,’ “Like with those 3-way light bulbs; I thought it was going to be like turning the moonlight up a notch.”
Instead, the moon’s brightness looked no different compared to previous nights.
The full moon looks massive as it sets behind the Very Large Telescope in Chile’s Atacama Desert, in this photo release on Jun 7, 2010. Why do observers report that the moon looks larger near the horizon than it does high in the sky? It may be nothing more than a trick of perspective. (Image credit: Gordon Gillet/ESO)
The moon illusion
Wednesday’s moon might still appear enormous, but for a different reason.
When the perigee moon lies close to the horizon it can appear absolutely enormous. That is when the famous “moon illusion” combines with reality to produce a truly stunning view. For reasons not fully understood by astronomers or psychologists, a low-hanging moon looks incredibly large when hovering near to trees, buildings and other foreground objects.
The fact that the moon will be much closer than usual on Wednesday will only serve to amplify this strange effect.
So, a perigee moon, either rising in the east at sunset or dropping down in the west at sunrise might seem to make the moon appear so close that it almost appears that you could touch it. You can check out this out for yourself by first noting the times for moonrise and moonset for your area by going to this U.S. Naval Observatory website.
Don’t overlook Saturn!
A full moon is positioned opposite to the sun in the sky. As it turns out, three days before the moon reaches this point in the sky, the planet Saturn will arrive at opposition to the sun, when it too is opposite to the sun in the sky. So, on Wednesday night, Saturn will “photobomb” the moon, being situated about 5 and a half degrees to its upper right.
Saturn of course is much farther than our nearest neighbor; it will be situated 814.6 million miles (1.31 billion km) or 73 light minutes from Earth. The ringed wonder will shine like a sedate yellow-white “star.” The famous rings will be tilted 9-degrees toward Earth and are visible in high powered binoculars or small spotting scopes magnifying at least 25-power.
And so, regardless of exactly how you perceive Wednesday’s full moon, we here at Space.com wish all of you clear, moonlit skies.
Joe Rao serves as an instructor and guest lecturer at New York’s Hayden Planetarium. He writes about astronomy for Natural History magazine, the Farmers’ Almanac and other publications.
