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Contributed by Phil Hart
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Astrophotography SectionSection Director : Phil Hart
The ASV astrophotography section aims to promote not only a hands-on approach, but to educate beginners and help develop an understanding of the equipment and techniques involved. The technological age has seen a rapid advance in digital imaging capabilities that are being utilised by astrophotographers in a variety of ways. The advent of the CCD chip has evolved into digital cameras, webcams and astrocameras that are now available to the amateur astronomer at reasonable prices when compared to a few years ago.
The section will thus concentrate on digital imaging, although there is still a place for film based astrophotography. The old toxic fume-filled darkroom can now be dismantled and converted into a computing room.
General AimsThe general aims of the section are as follows: - - To educate beginners in the basics of astrophotography
- Help beginners understand what their equipment is capable of producing
- Teach the basics of image processing techniques to beginners
- To provide a forum to allow both beginners and those more advanced to exchange ideas, provide support to one another and to develop relationships
- The platform for this forum will be held through regular meetings, hands-on demonstrations, guidance during Dark-Sky Section meetings at the LMDSS and through email communications between section members
What is Astrophotography
Astrophotography encompasses many aspects of science including:
- Optical and telescope understanding
- Mathematical interpretation
- A background in computers and using various software
- Knowing your equipment limitations, and
- Knowing your way around the night sky
Methods involved can be relatively simple, including the use of a camera on a tripod to take wide-field images of the night sky or to capture a fleeting meteorite. Tracking the movement of the stars due to the earth’s rotation is not required for this imaging process. Longer exposures can be taken this way resulting in specific imaging such as the capturing of ‘star trials’.
Cameras themselves are many and varied in their capabilities and complexity. There are standard cameras that may not be suitable for astrophotography while others are specifically designed for astroimaging. The cameras required depend on what the object is that you wish to image. Existing astrophotography members use most types of cameras. Help can be given to help you decide what camera you may need depending on what you want to image or what the limitations of your camera are.
More advanced astroimaging involves higher magnification or longer exposures in which earth’s rotation does influence the photographic technique. This is the point where telescopes and mounts come into play. The degree of difficulty increases dramatically at this point and digital processing is required.
Processing techniques are an art amongst themselves. There are many applications that can be used to process your digital data. Available software is continually being created or updated to allow you to get the most out of your data. Make sure your are prepared to spend as much time, or more, sitting in front of a computer as you spend out in the field obtaining the images themselves.
The ASV has some exceptional astrophotographers whom are more than willing in helping you out in photographic techniques, choosing the correct equipment and teaching the necessary processing skills required to get the most out of your time spent imaging.
Where to now?
Astrophotography requires research, a willingness to learn, patience and much dedication to obtain quality images. While the learning curve can be daunting at times the results can be very rewarding. Now you have a very brief understanding of what is required for astroimaging, I encourage you to participate in the Astrophotography Section by contacting myself or attending one of the section gatherings. Meetings will be held at the ASV Clubrooms in Burwood and at the LMDSS. Please check the events calendar for meeting details.
The ASV would like to increase the number of astrophotographers over the next few years so if you are interested in talking further, no matter what your experience level, please contact me.
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