Prizes given are usually eyepieces, telescope kits, filters, etc. Participants can also expect prizes at larger star parties, donated by astronomy retailers and manufacturers. Veteran astronomers will be there to help and answer questions.Īt larger star parties, participants can expect guest speakers (from NASA, telescope manufacturers, astronomy magazines, etc.) providing presentations covering our solar system, interstellar neighborhood, galaxy, and the universe as a whole. New astronomers will have a chance to expand their knowledge on the hobby. New to the hobby? Then attend a star party. What happens at a star party?Īctivities at star parties usually involve looking through telescopes or binoculars at objects beyond our Solar System-stars, nebulae, globular clusters, galaxies, and more. The number of participants at a star party varies from a dozen to hundreds, depending on location, weather conditions, and other factors. The meets usually last an entire night, although meets lasting several nights to an entire week are common. Star parties are gatherings in which many astronomers will observe the night sky together, usually in an open field far away from the city lights. With the new camera, my intentions are to take serious astrophotography photos, with and without the aid of telescopes. My interest in both fields have lead to the recent camera upgrade, from the SX20 IS to the T3i. Combining both optics allows for great up-close images of popular objects: the planets, nebulae, globular clusters, galaxies, etc.įrom my brief experiments in astrophotography, using the SX20 IS camera, not only have I rediscovered my interest in photography, I've also gained an interest in astrophotography. With this camera, an astrophotographer can insert another lens, or the camera into a telescope. The Canon T3i can take 30 second exposures-twice the length of the SX20 IS. This can prove frustrating, if up-close images of galaxies, nebulae, planets, and other objects are desired. Notice the lens is permanently attached to the camera. This camera, though limited to 15 second exposures, proved to be an excellent starting point for wide-field astrophotography. To properly capture deep space objects, exposures must last 30 seconds or longer, an operation my camera couldn't accommodate without altering the operating software. 15 second exposures are barely adequate for capturing deep space objects, yet my camera captured three nebulae they appeared as small fuzzballs. I've captured these constellations, as well as Ursa Major and Minor, and, much to surprise my dad and I, three nebulae near Scorpius. I took numerous photographs of Cygnus (or as I called it "The Australian Boomerang"), Cassiopeia (the big 'W'), and Scorpius. Using manual settings, I experimented with my SX20 IS at the Cherry Springs star party, taking 15 second exposures with an ISO of 1600 and 2.8 F-stop. By default, the camera is set with automatic settings. Personally, I recommend the Canon SX20 IS, as a starter.Īlthough the camera lens is permanently attached to the Canon SX20 IS, one can alter the shutter speed, ISO, focal length, color, and more when operating under manual settings. Cellphones, pocket-sized cameras, basic cameras in general cannot be manipulated easily. However, for astrophotography, the astronomer must use a camera that can be manipulated in other words, the shutter speed, ISO, and focal length are altered. You think photography is restricted for daytime pleasure? Think again-astronomers can capture images of the night sky with cameras. One popular alternative to observing through telescopes is capturing the night skies with cameras. Observing through telescopes easily satisfies the amateur astronomer, although there are some who prefer alternatives. Same scope, different angle, and in monochrome For our nighttime observing, we brought along an Explore Scientific refractor, and for solar observations a Lunt solar scope. Three weeks ago, my dad and I attended the Cherry Springs Star Party, an event held every late spring/early summer-refer to my previous post for more information about star parties. It is at this mountain-top location where light pollution and ambient light are absent, providing freshmen and veteran astronomers with an "open window" for deep-space objects, such as galaxies, globular clusters, nebulae, etc. Of all the observing sites in Pennsylvania, amateur astronomers will suggest packing a telescope, and camping gear, for a night or two at Cherry Springs State Park-the darkest site in the state. Light pollution and ambient light are the astronomer's worst enemy, next to unfavorable weather conditions. Though stated in previous posts, I cannot emphasize the necessity for dark skies enough. Explore Scientific refractor on Meade LX80 mount
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |