Astrophotography simply is to photograph the celestial objects and night sky. Let’s get into the basics of astrophotography by starting the explanations of the basic pieces of equipment and the process of the photographing.
First of all, the most important thing in astrophotography is to manage the light, which means the necessity of some information about the features of the camera. While taking pictures of the night sky, we need to collect lots of light to get the most detailed picture and the highest resolution. For this reason, our camera must be capable of long exposure. A DSLR camera will do the job.
SHUTTER SPEED
The whole point is to gather light, and in that regard, the first thing we can do is extend the exposure time. This method is called long exposure and is done by slowing down the shutter speed. Shutter speed is exactly what it sounds like: It’s the speed at which the shutter of the camera closes. A fast shutter speed creates a shorter exposure — the amount of light the camera takes in — and a slow shutter speed gives the photographer a longer exposure. Longer exposure means gathering more light, which we need in Astrophotography because the objects in the night sky are dim; therefore, the light that comes from the objects is less than enough. However, due to the Earth’s rotation, star trails can form as the long exposure time increases. If we don’t specifically take a star trail photo, these traces are something we avoid. Star trackers can help to extend the exposure time by following the stars in accordance with the earth’s rotation, but it is quite expensive. Therefore, it’s better to have a look at the other possibilities that may be useful to increase the light.
DIAPHRAGM
A diaphragm is a camera component within a lens comprised of overlapping metal blades (the iris) that open and close to change the size of the opening (they allow different levels of light to pass through to the sensor – thus controlling the aperture (or f-number) and depth of field of an image – and the aperture hole of the lens. Therefore, its working principle can be compared to our pupils. When our pupils are exposed to more light, they shrink and pass less light to the eyeball. In low-light environments, the pupils dilate and try to gather more light. In astrophotography, we try to gather more light by expanding the aperture.
ISO SPEED
ISO Speed refers to your camera sensor’s sensitivity to light. The higher the ISO speed, the more light-sensitive it is. What this means is that you can use a quicker shutter speed, which is useful in sports photography and low light, or a smaller aperture, for where you want a wide depth of field. However, as you progressively increase ISO speed, you also increase the incidence of ‘noise’ in the image, which in turn reduces the overall image quality. In choosing your ISO speed, you, therefore, need to set it at a level that will ensure you get the shot – high enough to get enough light, but low enough to retain maximum quality and avoid noise. In astrophotography, it’s not just about taking the photo. We need a process similar to the task performed by a long exposure. Unlike normal photography, we photograph the same area many times and overlay these frames through various software. In this way, we get more light in total. This is also useful for reducing the signal-to-noise ratio.
Astrophotography is not limited to shooting, much of the work takes place in the processing of the photograph. Raw images are processed in applications such as Photoshop, Pixlnsight or Lightroom. The processing of astrophotography images requires knowledge and experience. There can be significant differences between the images obtained by two people with exactly the same data. This is the essence of the introduction to amateur astrophotography. However, astrophotography is a much deeper field and you are advised to check this page for much more detailed and exemplary information: https://astrobackyard.com/beginner-astrophotography/
A fireball flashed through the sky above Eagle, Idaho, on Sunday, November 13, as the American Meteor Society (AMS) reported sightings across several states. Footage posted to Facebook by astrophotographer Jordan Ragsdale shows the fireball flashing brightly in the sky over the Boise suburb at 4:36 am on November 13. “We had a HUGE meteor explode W/SW of Boise,” he wrote on Facebook. “This is probably the brightest one I’ve seen in over a year. It was a very large explosion, and exploded near the center of Oregon,” Ragsdale told Storyful. Credit: Jordan Ragsdale via Storyful
The astrophotography competition returns for another year.
South Downs National Park is asking people to capture the wonders of the night sky in a photography competition.
The competition returns for its third year and this time entrants are in with a chance of winning up to £100.
The milkyway above the lights of Worthing and Brighton from Cissbury Ring (Image: Neil Jones)
As one of only 20 International Dark Sky Reserves, the National Park is one the best places to stargaze in the UK.
This year, there are two categories:
South Downs Dark Skyscapes
Nature At Night
The runner-up prize in each category will be £75 and all submitted images must be taken within the South Downs National Park.
A selection of photos submitted in the contest will be shared throughout the National Park’s Dark Skies Festival next February.
The contest will be judged by Dan Oakley, a Lead Ranger for the National Park, Steve Broadbent, Chairman of Hampshire Astronomical Group, and Vanessa Rowlands, Chair of the National Park Authority.
A walker gazing in awe at the beauty of the star-studded sky at Seven Sisters. (Image: Pablo Rodriguez)
Dan said: “We’re into the season of longer nights and it’s the perfect time to go out and stargaze in the South Downs National Park.
“The National Park is actually one of the best places to stargaze in the world and it’s quite amazing when you consider how close we are to big cities such as London, Southampton, Portsmouth and Brighton.
“The standard of the competition has been terrific in the past and we’re looking forward to seeing what this year brings, whether you’re a seasoned astrophotographer or embracing the darkness for the first time! Good luck to all participants in the contest.”
The deadline for entries to the competition is midnight on Wednesday, January 11.
QUINCY — Recently released photos from the new James Webb Space Telescope show stunning images of the universe.
Interested in learning how to produce images with your own equipment? The Quincy Astronomy Club is presenting a class at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 17, in Room A021 at John Wood Community College. Guest lecturer Doug Foote will instruct the club on his techniques for imaging the heavens. Foote will show examples and describe the ways to produce beautiful photos with your own cameras and telescopes.
The Astronomy Club, formed by local amateur astronomers, seeks to teach, explore and expand minds about space and the universe. Lectures are held monthly, usually on the last Thursday of the month. The club also holds monthly evening observing sessions as weather and observing conditions permit. Local amateurs with their telescopes guide the observing sessions.
To find JWCC Room A021, drive to the southeast corner of JWCC and enter at the SE doors.
For more information, contact Robert Weirather at 217-242-7366 or [email protected].
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The Popular Astronomy Club held its annual banquet Oct. 22 at the Riverside Grille in Rock Island.
About 30 PAC members and their guests attended the event, which is held annually in October to mark the club’s anniversary.
Carl H. Gamble, a manager at John Deere, led the establishment of the Popular Astronomy Club in October 1936. Five years later, PAC became one of 12 amateur astronomy clubs to form the Astronomical League and today remains one of the original members of the league.
The Saturday night banquet featured a buffet dinner, door prizes, awards and a feature presentation by Dr. Dennis Roscoe on the topic “Next Generation Telescopes.”
Roscoe holds a Ph.D. in neurophysiology from the University of Arizona and has been a professor of biomedical engineering at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland and a professor of neurology at the University of Wisconsin College of Medicine; he also founded two medical device companies.
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After developing an interest in astronomy, Roscoe changed his career path and currently teaches courses in astronomy and astrophotography at the University of Wisconsin-Waukesha. He was also recently named as a NASA Solar System Ambassador, and he built an observatory outside of Waukesha that he can operate via remote control.
Roscoe’s presentation focused on three telescopes: The James Webb Space Telescope, which was launched earlier this year; the Vera C. Rubin Observatory, which is under construction and located in Chile’s Atacama Desert; and the Giant Magellan Telescope, also under construction in the perpetually dry and cloudless Atacama.
Roscoe showed a number of the images captured by the Webb Telescope and noted that its ultimate goal is to find the first galaxies formed in the universe. He said the Webb Telescope’s field of view ws very narrow, measuring about two arc-minutes square — about the same as a small coin held at arm’s length.
Even within this limited view, the Webb Telescope has taken images containing as many as 2,000 galaxies. Data from the telescope, Roscoe said, is indicating that galaxies may have been formed earlier in the universe than previously thought.
The Vera C. Rubin Observatory is named in honor of an American female astronomer whose work on the rotation rates of galaxies helped prove the existence of dark matter. It should be ready to receive “first light” by sometime next year.
In contrast to the Webb Telescope, Roscoe said, the telescopes at the Rubin Observatory have a wide field of view and will survey the entire night sky over a period of just a few days. The large amount of data generated by these surveys will be sent to a center in Champaign, Ill., for analysis. The goals of the observatory, he said, will include studying dark matter, mapping the Milky Way and searching for asteroids and other near-Earth objects.
The Giant Magellan Telescope will be the largest ground-based telescope in the world when it is completed. Roscoe said the projected completion date was recently moved back to 2031.
Roscoe cited another Illinois connection to these advanced telescopes, as the mounts are being built at Ingersoll Machine Tools in Rockford.
The Giant Magellan Telescope will have a somewhat limited field of view, Roscoe said, adding that its goals will include capturing images of and data from exoplanets that will expand our understanding of these objects and possibly verify the existence of life outside Earth.
Following the presentation, awards were presented to two PAC members: Al Sheidler, who received both the Master Outreach Award from the Astronomical League and the PAC Member of the Year Award, and Anne Bauer, who received the Carl H. Gamble Memorial Award, named for PAC’s founder.
The Master Outreach Award is presented by the Astronomical League to recognize those who can document extensive efforts in sharing their knowledge of astronomy with the general public.
From April 2010 through August 2022, Sheidler participated in 158 events covering more than 412 hours, with 12,217 individual contacts made with the public. When the COVID pandemic hit, he adjusted by adding video screens that made it possible for visitors to see images from the telescope without using the eyepiece.
Sheidler was named as PAC Member of the Year for 2022 based on his high level of participation in club activities.
The Carl H. Gamble Memorial Award is presented to club members who make outstanding contributions to amateur astronomy and who advance its popularity. Bauer was cited for her efforts in establishing the Carl Gamble Observatory on land owned by the Nordick family outside of Milan.
Bauer was also honored for the many presentations she has made, often in costume while using humorous props, and for her warm, friendly attitude that makes new PAC members and visitors to club events feel welcome.
Membership in the Popular Astronomy Club is open to anyone with an interest in the night sky — no telescope required. The club holds regular meetings at 7 p.m. on the second Monday of the month at the Butterworth Center in Moline.
PAC’s last public observing session of the year at Niabi Zoo is scheduled for Nov. 18 beginning at sunset. The observing sessions at the zoo will resume next year on the third Saturday of the month.
To learn more about the Popular Astronomy Club, go to PAC’s website at https://www.popularastronomyclub.org; you can also search for the club’s page on Facebook.
A pilot has captured the jaw-dropping spectacle of St. Elmo’s Fire from his cockpit.
Airbus captain Luis Andress was flying from Miami to Denver last month when he encountered the scene.
It was part of the overall effects of Hurricane Ian when it hit the gulf coast of Florida this year.
St. Elmo’s Fire occurs when the atmosphere becomes charged and an electrical discharge of plasma is created between an object and the air around it.
This can happen to aircraft flying through heavily charged skies.
Luis Andress / SWNS
“I live in Florida, and was doing the MIA-DEN on the same day the Hurricane Ian was passing by,” said Andress.
“It was a spectacle to see the phenomenon of St. Elmo’s Fire. It was such a show.”
“I was impressed because it was my first time that I saw them with that intensity.”
St. Elmo’s fire is named after St. Erasmus of Formia, also known as St. Elmo, the patron saint of sailors.
This 1866 illustration was the best astonished sailors could come up with – note the streamers off the mast and jibs.
The phenomenon, which can warn of an imminent lightning strike, was regarded by sailors with awe and sometimes considered to be a good omen.
WATCH: Watch An Astrophotographer Capture ‘Giant Red Jellyfish Sprites’ on Colorado Mountain
Another reason it’s associated with sailors is that the mast of their ships were easy ground zero for the corona discharge that creates the amazing violet light. In the case of Andress, it was probably created off the leading edge of his Airbus, another place it’s been commonly recorded.
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Around here we love technology for its own sake. But we have to admit, most people are interested in applications–what can the technology do? Those people often have the best projects. After all, there’s only so many blinking LED projects you can look at before you want something more.
[Landingfield] is interested in astrophotography. He was dismayed at the cost of commercial camera sensors suitable for work like this, so he decided he would create his own. Although he started thinking about it a few years ago, he started earnestly in early 2016.
The project uses a Nikon sensor and a Xilinx Zynq CPU/FPGA. The idea is the set up and control the CMOS sensor with the CPU side of the Zynq chip, then receive and process the data from the sensor using the FPGA side before dumping it into memory and letting the CPU take over again. The project stalled for a bit due to a bug in the vendor’s tools. The posts describe the problem which might be handy if you are doing something similar. There’s still work to go, but the device has taken images that should appear on the same blog soon.
Along the way, the project shows you a lot about the interfaces between both the sensor and the FPGA, and the FPGA and the onboard ARM CPU. The writeups are way beyond a blink the light tutorial, but that’s a good thing if you have the will to dig through them. One interesting hack is that the build uses a 754 CPU socket to hold the image sensor.
We’ve looked at hacking film cameras to digital lately. If you prefer your telescopes in the cloud, there’s always the unfortunately named Skynet.
From the Milky Way to stars, to solar and lunar eclipses, the night sky is full of wonders. However, photographing them is no easy task. Usually this has also been an expensive task, one you could only carry out with a chunky DSLR and an even chunkier lens. Phones are starting to catch up, and while the outcome doesn’t quite compare to what a DSLR or mirrorless camera can achieve just yet, there are ways of getting good smartphone photos of the night sky if you follow our guide.
Preparing to photograph the night sky
Whether you’re shooting with a DSLR, mirrorless, or a smartphone, this guide will outline what you need to consider when photographing the night sky.
What camera equipment do I need to photograph the night sky?
Cameras vs Smartphones: Yes, smartphones like the Xiaomi 12T Pro and the Google Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro have made enormous strides when it comes to camera technology. However, a DSLR or a mirrorless camera is more capable when it comes to night photography thanks to having a larger sensor, and a bigger range of lens choices. Read more on the best cameras for astrophotography. If you don’t own a camera or one of the latest smartphones, however, don’t be discouraged. Smartphones can still photograph the night sky, but the results won’t be as clear.
Lenses: Photography literally means to draw with light. So, what do you do when you have so little of it? You let it all in. This means using the fastest, widest lens you can. You’ll find our recommendations for the best lenses for astrophotography.
Tripods: Whether you’re shooting with a camera or a phone, keeping your camera stable is key. In addition, a tripod coupled with a remote shutter-release cable is a helpful addition when shooting long exposures. This will decrease any camera shake or vibration. Find the best tripods available.
Photo credit: Sergio Capuzzimati via Unsplash.
A Flashlight: Unless you’re a photography ninja who can comfortably set up their camera in the dark, a torch, or red-light headtorch, will come in handy.
Spare batteries: It’s always good practice to take a few spare batteries with you, particularly if you’re using a camera and shooting long exposures (as you probably will if you’re shooting the night sky), as this will drain your battery life. If it is cold out, remember to keep them in your pocket as exposure to the cold will drain them quicker. If you’re using a smartphone make sure you bring a spare charger.
Spare memory cards: Shooting the night sky takes planning, but like any other type of photography it also takes some flexibility. Shooting in raw allows for this flexibility. The downside is raw files take up more space that JPEGs and if you’re looking to shoot both raw and JPEG, extra space is going to be a welcome addition.
Fingerless gloves: You’ll probably be outdoors a lot and if you live somewhere cold, a pair of gloves is a must to avoid your fingers from freezing off.
Timer: A shutter release cable will help minimise any potential camera shake and enable you to shoot exposures longer than 30 seconds. For those shooting on your smartphone, in place of a shutter release cable you can set up a self-timer. For those who use a camera with Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, see if you can use your smartphone as a remote release.
Photographing the night sky
Clouds don’t always need to spell the end for your night shoot. They can be used for dramatic effect. Photo credit: Ganapathy Kumar via Unsplash.
Main things to consider
Finding a good location: Clear skies are critical to clearer shots and checking the weather forecast is a must. Light pollution is to be avoided, particularly from artificial light sources like street lights. National Parks are good spots for night-sky photography as they are often away from cities and towns. It is also a good idea to avoid a full moon, that is, unless you’re photographing the moon, of course. As it is a light source, and it will compete with the other light sources in the night sky like the stars or the Milky Way.
Pencil in a date for shooting: The moon, stars and the rest stop for no one. This is why to get your optimal shot of say, the full moon, it is a good idea to keep up with the moon cycle in advance to pencil in a date for your shoot.
Composition: The sky is not the limit. Playing around with letting in other interesting objects into your frame is a good way to add some more detail into your image, particularly if you’re shooting on a smartphone that doesn’t quite pick up all the fine details. You might even want to arrive at your location earlier to think of ways to compose your shots.
Be creative when taking your night photos. Photo credit: Yash Raut via Unsplash.
What camera settings should I use for night sky photography?
The holy trinity of settings: Namely ISO, aperture, and shutter speed settings.
Set your camera to Manual mode, turn off autofocus and set it to infinity. Use the rear screen to check focus using a magnified view (and live view mode when using a DSLR). If you have a modern Olympus/OM System camera, then you can use the Starry Sky AF setting.
To reduce noise, you’ll want to use the lowest ISO speed possible on your camera, so that any stars don’t get confused with noise. Make sure you check what the best “Base ISO” speed is on your camera, as some of the “LOW” or “L” ISO speeds have lower dynamic range.
If you want as much as possible in focus set your aperture to f/10 – f/16 on a full-frame camera, f/8 – f/14 on an APS-C camera, and f/5.6 – f/8 on a Micro Four Thirds camera. However, be aware that this will result in very slow shutter speeds. For those that have a bright, and high-quality lens, you can use it at brighter apertures, such as f/1.4, f/1.8, to f/2.8.
You will need to experiment with the shutter speed to find out what exposure works best for the scene. The longer the exposure, the more likely you’ll get star trails (as shown above), but if you want to avoid these then you’ll need a shorter shutter speed (and may need a higher ISO speed).
For smartphones, tap your screen to lock your focus and set the exposure manually if your phone has manual control. Alternatively look for a dedicated night mode. Google Pixel owners will be able to use the Astrophotography mode when the phone is used on a tripod or stable surface. For more tips on how to use manual focus, click here.
This Milky Way is already breath-taking, but you can add a dash of uniqueness to your image by having elements like buildings, mountains, people, or reflective lakes in your frame. Photo credit: John Fowler via Unsplash.
Can you take pictures of the night sky with a smartphone?
Thanks to smartphones getting better and better, you can also take photographs of the night sky with a smartphone. Make sure you read through our tips above, as the also apply when using a smartphone.
You’ll normally need to use a tripod (with smartphone adapter), or steady surface, in order to keep your camera still and as steady as you can. But a word of warning to smartphone photographers: Do not give in to the temptation to zoom excessively. Just because you can zoom in doesn’t mean you should. Your photos will most likely not be as clear, as often smartphones will simply use digital zoom in low-light conditions.
Check to see if your smartphone has a manual mode, or a dedicated Night mode. If you’re using a Google Pixel phone, then using it on a tripod or stable surface will enable the Astrophotography mode.
Many of the latest smartphones have very good night photography capabilities and many of the principles for shooting the night sky with a camera apply. Photo credit: Joey Huang via Unsplash.
Tips on how to photograph…
If you’re looking for something more specific, say, you really want to photograph the moon or star trails, have a look at our guides below.
The Milky Way and other stars
Like with the moon, it’s all about timing with the Milky Way. It’s a good idea to do some research on the Milky Way’s pattern and the app Sky Guide is superb resource for this. It will allow you to check out where the Milky Way is to frame your shot. Given as the Milky Way’s vibrant colours tend to be what catches the eye, shooting in raw is essential. This way you can go back and make adjustments to your image, taking control of how much noise reduction is applied to get your image just right.
For the Miky Way and stars, have a look at this article on how to photograph the Milky Way and stars.
The Moon and stars
Are you a beginner Astro photographer? Consider starting with the moon. It is considered an excellent starting point because of its brightness.
When photographing the moon, the main thing you want to account for is the Earth’s rotation. The moon moves across the sky, and if your shutter speed is too slow, then it will blur as the earth rotates. To learn more, read our guide on how to photograph the moon.
Star Trails
There are a number of ways to photography star trails. One way is to take a number of photos quickly one after the other and stack them (you’ll need a tripod and a stacking software or video editing software for this one). Another way is to create a timelapse – using your camera’s timelapse settings.
Depending on what camera settings your camera has, and how long an exposure you can capture will influence what’s the best way to capture star trails – check what your slowest shutter speed is by having a look at a review of your camera. If you have a camera with Live Composite (such as an Olympus / OM System or Panasonic), then you can use this to watch the exposure on-screen as it happens.
How to shoot star trails
Fireworks
With New Year’s Eve right around the corner, there will be many celebratory fireworks shows around the world. To capture such special occasions, check out our essential tips for photographing fireworks for more.
Featured image credit: Kobu Agency via Unsplash.
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We’ve seen some great images from the total lunar eclipse this week. But this one might top them all.
Astrophotographer Andrew McCarthy created this incredible composite image, showing the Moon in various stages of the eclipse throughout the night.
“The size and shape of Earth’s shadow is clearly visible here,” McCarthy said on Twitter. “These events are absolutely magical to witness and quite surreal.”
McCarthy witnessed and photographed the entirety of the eclipse from his backyard in Arizona. Besides the noticeable ‘band-aid’ shape of the image, if you look closely, you can see exactly how the Moon moved through Earth’s shadow throughout the eclipse.
The other striking feature of this composite is just how crisp, clear and detailed each image of the Moon is. How did McCarthy do it?
My finished shot from this morning’s total lunar eclipse. This image was captured by using two telescopes, one to capture intricate detail on the lunar surface, and one to capture the rich tones cast by Earth’s shadow across the disc. Go ahead, zoom in on it! pic.twitter.com/XpXcqihiId
“Overall, I shot around 150,000 images,” McCarthy told Universe Today. “My strategy was to first take photos using my c11 at the native 2800mm with the asi174mm’s fast but tiny sensor. I imaged the Moon in small segments capturing thousands of frames per segment, which were then sorted, stacked and sharpened, so when the panorama of the Moon was stitched together it had incredible detail.”
McCarthy said he did this three times throughout the night. Then, he used his Sony a7ii camera mounted to a 8-inch Celestron EdgeHD800 telescope at 2000 mm to capture the entire Moon with great resolution at each capture, which took around 500 photos throughout the night.
Then, these images were combined with a previously captured high-resolution photo of the Moon to provide incredible detail to create the final composite, which was assembled in Photoshop from these images.
The geometry that creates a total lunar eclipse. (NASA)
McCarthy calls the photo “Shadows and Sunsets,” as during a total lunar eclipse, the Moon shines in the colors from all the sunrises and sunsets occurring on Earth.
The Moon looks reddish because Earth’s atmosphere absorbs the other colors while it bends some sunlight toward the Moon. Sunlight bending through the atmosphere and absorbing other colors is also why sunsets we see here on Earth are often orange and red.
Prints of this image are available in limited quantities on McCarthy’s website.
“The full-size image is nearly 190 megapixels, so it is insanely detailed and can print up really huge without losing detail!” McCarthy said on Twitter.
Support McCarthy on Patreon to download high-resolution versions of his photography. He said he knows this hobby is expensive, and requires gear to improve my images.
A composite image from this morning’s eclipse showing the moon in various stages throughout the night. The size and shape of Earth’s shadow is clearly visible here. These events are absolutely magical to witness and quite surreal. pic.twitter.com/mbakrEyCYl
“However as I got deeper into this hobby it became apparent this is my calling, so I am leaning on my patrons to help support me as I begin doing this full-time,” he says on his website.
McCarthy said he bought his first telescope in 2017 and became hooked on observing and astrophotography, saying that now his mission is to “connect people with the universe and to inspire a new generation of celestial explorers.”
He even moved to a new state to have a better view of the night sky.
“Making sure I can shoot events like this uninterrupted is part of the reason I recently moved to Arizona,” McCarthy explained.
“I constructed a simple observatory in my backyard which has two permanent piers inside it, allowing me to safely run equipment the entire night and easily close up at dawn (or during bad weather). While these were captured from home, I was prepared to travel across the country if weather didn’t look favorable.”
McCarthy has put together a great thread on Twitter, answering his most often-asked questions and suggesting what type of gear is needed to do the type of astrophotography he does.
This article was originally published by Universe Today. Read the original article.
The best power banks can power our devices in any location. We expect more and more from our electronic devices when we’re out in the field. An astronomer or astrophotographer’s kit bag will feature an array of electronic devices like headlamps, lens heaters, GoTo Mounts and star trackers. Even smartphones are used for star-tracking apps and remote shutters. None of these things hold their charge forever, and no one wants to cut their observation session short because they’ve run out of power.
This is where power banks come into their own. We’ve scouted the market for the power banks that we think are most appropriate for astronomers and astrophotographers.
Given that such activities occur at night, it’s dark, we don’t want to damage our night vision and we’ll often need multiple devices charging at once. It’s good to know how much power is left using an accurate power indicator and that the power bank should to continue to operate reliably in cooler, possibly damp conditions.
We also need something that charges up quickly and is a good size and weight for carrying to and from dark skies. Of course, we need enough capacity in the power bank to see us through our night(s) skywatching. Additional in-built functionality such as a LED torch or a handwarmer is a bonus.
Here’s our round-up of all the best power banks for astronomers and astrophotographers. Be sure to also check out our other guides to the best headlamps for astrophotography, best star trackers for astrophotography and discover what equipment do you need for stargazing in a city?
Best power banks in 2022 for skywatchers and astrophotographers
Why you can trust Space Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.
(Image credit: B&H Photo)
Explore Scientific 8300mAh Power Bank with Red LED Flashlight
Made with the astronomer in mind, power your off grid all night skywatching sessions
Specifications
Capacity: 99.6Wh/ 8300 mAh
Output ports: USB Port 5 VDC, 2A 12 VDC, 6A
Charging time: 6 hours max
IP rating: None
Weight: 635g
Reasons to buy
+
Operates in extreme temperatures
+
Designed with astronomers in mind
+
Red LED Flashlight built-in
Reasons to avoid
–
Charge one device at a time
–
Brick-like
–
No cables supplied
Designed with the astronomer in mind, the Explore Scientific USB Power Bank with Red LED Flashlight will ensure you have enough power to see your electronic devices through the night. The integrated LED with red cover will ensure you can see through the night too. It won’t light up vast areas like some of the best headlamps for stargazing but it will allow you to read star charts or locate knobs and buttons to tweak your astro setup while keeping your valuable night vision intact.
This device is by no means as ‘sleek’ as some of our other picks. It wears a substantial rubber armor that protects the electronics from minor impacts and seals the power switches from dirt and moisture ingress. It can operate in temperatures from -4 to 140F (-20 to 60C), so there is no need to worry about protecting it from extreme temperatures.
The flashlight is turned on and off with a tactile toggle switch and there is a two-point attachment point so you can hang the device from somewhere convenient, say your tripod frame. The five LED indicators show the amount of power that’s left so you don’t get caught out.
(Image credit: Tantse Walter)
A 3-in-1 power bank, hand warmer and flashlight to help you cope in any situation while stargazing
Specifications
Capacity: 6000 mAh
Output ports: 1 x USB Type A
Charging time: 6-12 hours
IP rating: IP65
Weight: 6.2 oz (177 g)
Reasons to buy
+
Multi-functional
+
Extremely rugged
+
Cheaper than catalyst hand warmers
Reasons to avoid
–
Micro-USB charging (USB-C preferred)
–
Smaller capacity than comparably priced models
Not only is the Celestron Elements FireCel Mega 6 a 6000mAh power bank, capable of approx 2.5x smartphone charges or 4.5x sport camera charges, but it is also an ergonomic and practical hand warmer and four-mode flashlight.
It is IP65-rated water resistant, dustproof and drop tested, making it a fine outdoor companion ready for any astro adventure. Should you encounter any problems, you’re covered by Celestron’s two-year warranty.
The red LED function is ideal for adjusting your stargazing setup or reading maps while preserving your night vision. It also has white LEDs for when night vision preservation isn’t essential.
In our Celestron Elements FireCel Mega 6 power bank review we found that the hand warmer was extremely effective and it is capable of giving your hands up to eight hours of continuous heat. The ergonomic aluminum body helps enhance heat transfer across your whole hand. Unlike catalyst hand warmers, there is no smell (from burning fuel).
The FireCel Mega 6 ships with a paracord strap and a carabiner to attach to your keys, belt, tripod etc. It also comes with a soft carry bag and a USB charging cable. The blue LED battery indicator helps you track how much power you have left.
If you need more capacity, Celestron also has the Elements ThermoCharge 10 (opens in new tab), which, for a few dollars more, gives you 4000mAh more, and an additional 1A USB-A port but doesn’t feature the flashlight function.
(Image credit: Amazon)
Celestron PowerTank Glow 5000 Red Torch Powerbank
A handy 2-in-1 red LED flashlight meets 5000 mAh 5V DC power bank
Specifications
Capacity: 25 Wh/ 5000 mAh
Output ports: 1 x USB Type-A
Charging time: 0-3.5 hours
IP rating: IP65
Weight: 179g
Reasons to buy
+
Three levels of LED brightness
+
Multi-purpose device
Reasons to avoid
–
Not for seeing anything other than close-up
–
Quite expensive for what it is
As we discussed in our best headlamps buying guide, using a red light rather than a white one is crucial for preserving your night vision, and while in that guide we give various hand-free lighting options, the fact that this small red LED torch, with three levels of brightness, doubles as a 5000mAh power bank, it would make a fantastic gift for a newcomer to astronomy or astrophotography and it is a handy bit of kit to keep in your bag.
It ships with silicone mount straps to attach the device to somewhere useful, like your tripod leg. It also comes with a wrist strap.
It comes with a minimum of 500x charge cycles and has overcharge protection for maximum longevity.
This is a product for a beginner or someone who doesn’t need the best of the best kit, it does what it’s supposed to but might have a limited lifespan the more you develop your skywatching prowess.
(Image credit: Amazon)
BioLite Charge PD 20/40/80
A compact, no frills and FAA carry-on-compliant, reliable power bank
Specifications
Capacity: 74Wh/ 20,000 mAh
Output ports: 1 x USB C-PD, 2 x USB A
Charging time: 5 hours by 18W USB C-PD
IP rating: None
Weight: 465g
Reasons to buy
+
Quick Charge 3.0 Protocol (fast charging)
+
Portable and durable
+
Reliable
Reasons to avoid
–
No % charge indicator
–
Multiple cables needed (USB-C to USB-C and USB-A to everything else)
–
No water resistance
BioLite has three versions of ‘Charge’ power banks. Here we’ll look at the Charge 80 as it is the most powerful with the biggest charge capacity.
BioLite is best known for creating affordable and ruable products for life outside and off-grid. So it’s no surprise the BioLite Charge 80 PD fits this bill. Moreover, we’re fully on board with BioLite’s mission to provide 20 million people with clean energy and avoid 3 million tons of CO2 emissions by 2025. By purchasing a BioLite mission, you are, in part, helping with this mission.
It is rugged, and simple to use, and the capacity-to-size ratio is spot on. It has enough capacity to charge multiple devices, multiple times, over a couple of days. It can charge the BioLite HeadLamp 425 (which features on our best headlamps for astrophotography list) approximately 16 times. It is produced with a rubberized finish, with a hard orange plastic casing where the ports sit.
One of the standout features is the Quick Charge 3.0 Protocol which is needed to activate fast charging modes in compatible devices.
We don’t think an LCD screen showing exact numbers is necessary. It has an LED indicator which does what it needs to. Four bars let us know how full it is (25%, 50%, 75% or 100%).
The Charge PD ships with a USB-A to USB-C cable, but you’ll have to supply your own USB-C to USB-C cable or something with multiple ends to be more of a universal fit.
The operating temperatures are -20C to 40C, so unless you’re going to the most extreme environments, you won’t have any problems with it not working, though you’ll need to keep it somewhere dry.
(Image credit: Amazon)
Anker PowerCore+ 26800 with Quick Charge 3.0
A premium, colossal capacity power bank
Specifications
Capacity: 26,000 mAh
Output ports: 3 x USB Type A
Charging time: 4 hours
IP rating: None
Weight: 591g
Reasons to buy
+
Huge capacity
+
A good choice for large devices
Reasons to avoid
–
Large
–
Expensive
–
No IP rating
The Anker PowerCore+ 2600 is one of the more cumbersome power banks in this guide (7 inches long and 3 inches wide). That said, Anker is one of America’s Leading USB Charging Brands, and we are big fans of Anker. We can happily vouch for the reliability and performance of their products, so if you’re not too concerned about having the smallest or lightest power bank, don’t let the larger size stop you.
It doesn’t offer much in the way of features — there is no flashlight or handwarmer, but this is an extremely high-capacity power bank that can charge three devices at once. It charges from empty to full in just over four hours with the included Qualcomm Quick Charge wall charger.
It has intelligent PowerIQ technology, which identifies the connected devices and delivers the optimum high-speed charge to all devices.
It has ten tiny LEDs that indicate its level of charge. Before March 2022 the device shipped without a wall charger or cables, so we are pleased to see that post-March 2022, a USB-C to USB-C cable and a wall charger are included as standard, as is a no-fuss 18-month warranty.
(Image credit: Amazon)
Zendure SuperTank Pro 100W
Massive capacity power bank encased in an aluminium shell with an informative OLED screen to boot
Zendure is one of the fastest-growing EnergyTech start-ups with a mission to make energy available and accessible.
The vast capacity Zendure SuperTank Pro 100W power bank is about as big as you can legally carry in your hand luggage on a flight. It is encased in anodized aluminum with ABS plastic, which gives it a rugged, but premium feel.
The Zendure SuperTank Pro 100W charges in a phenomenal 105 minutes (in lab conditions), so perfect if you’re planning a last-minute night of stargazing. You can power four devices at the same time with a total 138W output. Have your lens warmer, headtorch, star tracker and smartphone all plugged in simultaneously. Amazing.
The OLED screen gives you real-time information about your power usage and remaining charge, meaning you can plan and adapt your setup accordingly.
The downside of this power bank is that there is no USB-A port. While USB-C is becoming the standard, many devices still require USB-A charging. Adaptors are an option, but this adds to what you must remember to put in your kit bag.
While the initial financial outlay is relatively sizeable, the promised firmware updates should keep the power bank relevant.
The SuperTank Pro 100W has a two-year limited warranty for added peace of mind.
(Image credit: Amazon)
Otterbox Fast Charge Power Pack (15,000mAh)
Take this fast charging, rugged power bank with you in any weather
Specifications
Capacity: 55.5Wh/ 15,000mAh
Output ports: USB-C, USB-A, Qi Wireless 10W
Charging time: 4 hours approx
IP rating: IP54
Weight: 0.99lbs / 450g
Reasons to buy
+
Durable with drop protection
+
Limited lifetime warranty
+
Supports wireless charging
Reasons to avoid
–
Heavy for it’s size
–
Basic LED power indicator
The Otterbox 15,000mAh (also available as 10,000mAh) is a reliable outdoor companion. At 450g, it’s pretty heavy for its pocketable size, but that is largely down to the dense, protective rubber shell. It is waterproof and drop-proof, giving the most clumsy or careless skywatchers peace of mind.
A basic LED indicator shows when the power bank is charging, and when it is fully charged. It ships with a 150mm long USB-A to USB-C cable. The device delivers up to 18W Fast Charge. There is also an easy alignment QI wireless indicator pad for wireless charge-compatible devices.
The IP54 rating means it is totally protected from dust ingress and allows for some water ingress. No need to worry about the elements.
It comes in three colors; Twilight Black, New Blossom Pink and White Sands. The latter two make them easier to see when amongst predominantly black photography gear.
(Image credit: Amazon)
Celestron ThermoTorch 3 Astro
A handy 3-in-1 power bank, hand warmer and red flashlight for night time adventures
Specifications
Capacity: 3550 mAh
Output ports: 1 x USB Type A
Charging time: 2 hours
IP rating: IPX4
Weight: 10.58 oz (300 g)
Reasons to buy
+
Multi-functional
+
Rechargeable (no external batteries)
+
Two year warranty
Reasons to avoid
–
Micro-USB Charging (USB-C preferred)
–
Low capacity power bank
Another model from Celestron, first and foremost, it’s a night vision-preserving red flashlight. However, as with the FireCel MEGA 6, it also operates as a hand warmer and low-capacity power bank.
Although it has a fairly small capacity compared to other models in this guide, it has enough juice to keep your phone and other small devices charged for a night of stargazing. The hand warmer function provides up to 4 hours of continuous heat, and can be used with the torch simultaneously. The internal battery charges within two hours, so it’s ideal for last-minute adventures.
There is also a white LED version of this model, so make sure you choose the Astro version for the red light capability.
(Image credit: Zendure)
Zendure SuperBase Pro 2000
A serious multi-output power station to keep all of your devices charged for days
Specifications
Capacity: 2096Wh
Output ports: 6 AC ports, 2 USB-C ports, 1 car charger port, 3 DC output ports
Charging time: To 80% (recommended in 1 hour)
IP rating: None
Weight: 46.5lbs/21.2kg
Reasons to buy
+
Perfect for multi-day trips
+
Can be used as an emergency power source
Reasons to avoid
–
Very expensive
–
Heavy
–
No USB-A port
With a luggage-inspired design with a telescopic and fixed handle mounted on industrial-grade wheels, this 47lb power station is a serious bit of kit. It has 2096Wh Capacity with 2,000W Output (that can be boosted to power up devices that typically need 3000W using the AmpUp feature).
While it’s obviously not something you can pop in your backpack and trek to a dark sky area with, it is an ideal companion for multi-day/night off-grid bouts of sky-watching and camping.
You will have absolutely no problem charging your devices for several days — laptops, camera gadgets, drones, plugging in a mini-fridge or heater, this thing can even give an electric car enough power to drive five miles.
The body is reinforced with a shock-resistant outer shell and it has a reinforced interior. Its optimum operating temperature is between 59°F to 95 °F (15°C to 35°C) but it will still work — but drain quicker — from -4°F to 14°F (-20°C to 40°C). It won’t accept a charge below freezing and, unsurprisingly, you can’t get it wet.
When not used in astronomy and astrophotography, this can be an emergency backup power source in your home.
Like the rucksack-friendly SuperTank Pro 100W, this product comes with a Zendure two-year limited warranty.
Best power banks in 2022: What to look for
From key-ring-friendly portable devices to see you through the night and give your devices a few charges, to huge capacity power stations capable of charging an electric car, hopefully, something on this list will make it to your kit bag.
Not all power banks are created equal, however. If it’s a pure power bank you need to charge devices then by all means find the best value, highest capacity power bank available so that you have the juice when you need it. But for astronomers that spend a lot of time setting up in the dark an in-built flashlight might be handy indeed. Especially if you can find one with a red light so as not to disturb night vision while stargazing.
Additional comforts come in the form of hand-warming capabilities for skywatchers that will be observing in colder climes. This can be more cost-effective than catalytic hand warmers so during the cost of living crisis it may make more economical sense and save you money. But be conscious that this will also use power that would otherwise go into charging devices.
The capacity of batteries is indicated as XXXX mAh (milliampere/hour). The higher the number, the bigger the capacity — the more power you can draw from it. A higher mAh usually means a bigger and bulkier device. So it’s important to find a good balance dependent on your needs.
If you’re going to be traveling on a plane with your power bank and plan to have it in your hand luggage, it must not exceed the 100Wh (27, 000mAh) limit set by the Federal Aviation Administration, something else to bear in mind.
All of the power banks listed here have been selected as being good value-for-money with features that are especially helpful to astronomers and astrophotographers above anything else. We will review and update this guide often and keep an eye out for discounts and deals to help you save money.
How we test the best powerbanks for skywatchers and astrophotographers
In order to guarantee you’re getting honest, up-to-date recommendations on the best power banks to buy here at Space.com we make sure to put every power bank through a rigorous review to fully test each device. Each power bank is reviewed based on a multitude of aspects, from its construction and design, to how well it functions as a power bank and its performance in the field.
Each power bank is carefully tested by either our expert staff or knowledgeable freelance contributors who know their subject areas in depth. This ensures fair reviewing is backed by personal, hands-on experience with each power bank and is judged based on its price point, class and destined use.
We look at how much capacity each power bank has, whether it includes a built-in flashlight and if there’s a red light option for night vision protection and even whether they have in-built hand warming capabilities.
With complete editorial independence, Space.com are here to ensure you get the best buying advice on power banks, whether you should purchase a device or not, making our buying guides and reviews reliable and transparent.
