Randall Light, M.D., Brazos Valley Astronomy Club member and advanced astrophotographer, shares his knowledge of astrophotography with others who are interested in capturing images of near and deep sky objects. Dr. Light writes detailed instructions for capturing beautiful images with a DSLR camera or telescope and provides sample images for each lesson.
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Wide Field Astrophotography
This all-enclusive article outlines and gives examples of the steps required to take wide field astrophotography images, including camera selection, taking the images, and processing them. Beautiful examples are included with every step. Some of the topics include:
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DSLR Astrophotography
This comprehensive article describes how to make astrophotography images with a digital single lens reflex (DSLR) camera. Topics include:
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Challenging Conditions
Rainy days, cloudy nights, dew formation, and both high and low temperatures can make astrophotography conditions difficult. Adjustment of attitude, approach, equipment, and procedure can best utilize the prevailing conditions to produce very acceptable images. Topics include:
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Meteors and Meteor Showers
A DSLR camera can provide dramatic images of meteors and meteor showers. By obtaining immediate feedback from the camera, adjustments can be made to improve the images until the settings are appropriate. Topics include:
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Star Trails
Intentionally creating star trails can produce an attractive, interesting image. Topics include:
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Lunar Eclipse
This is the first article Dr. Light write about photographing a lunar eclipse. On January 31, 2018, Dr. Light photographed a rare Super Blue Blood Moon that turned a beautiful red color. Topics include:
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Lunar Eclipse
On January 20, 2019, the night was clear and cold and Dr. Light used 3 cameras to photograph an eclipse of a Super Blood Wolf Moon. Topics include:
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Sunspots
Initially, photographing sunspots can be done with a DSLR camera, a telephoto lens or telescope, a tripod or telescope mount, and dedicated solar blocking filters. To routinely see the texture of the solar surface, solar prominences and many other features of the sun requires a solar telescope with appropriate narrow band filters. Topics include:
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Mercury Transit
Mercury was visible but, because of clouds, conditions were a challenge. Constantly changing light added to the problem. Topics include:
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Reduce the Noise
There are new software tools to process astrophotography images and reduce noise. Before and after images are included. Topics include:
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Wide Field Astrophotography Using a Star Tracker
Wide field photos of the night sky can be taken with a DSLR, a wide angled lens, and a tripod without and with a tracking mount. Topics include:
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Photographing a Comet
Photographing a comet is challenging and rewarding. Learn how to make a plan to photograph a comet. This article takes you through the first planning stages to the end product. Beautiful astrophotography examples of Neowise are included. Topics include:
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Annular(Ring of Fire) Eclipse
Understand what conditions are needed to produce an annular solar eclipse and read a detailed, step-by-step process to capture the event. Camera settings with many instructional photos are included with each topic. Topics include:
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Topics Continued
Photo: Randy Light, M.D.
CONTACT EMAIL:
contact@brazosvalleyastronomyclub.org
Coordinator - Randy Light, M.D.
PROGRAM REQUEST EMAIL:
outreach@brazosvalleyastronomyclub.org
Coordinator - Tom Campbell
GOOGLE DISCUSSION GROUP:
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Coordinator - Randy Light, M.D.
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The Brazos Valley Astronomy Club is a non-profit group located in Bryan-College Station, Texas.
Our goal is to promote astronomy and related science as a hobby for people of all ages.