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Thursday, March 28 2024 @ 07:42 pm EDT

How do I take astronomical pictures?

Astro ImagingI have long wished to take pictures of the moon, planets, galaxies and nebulae with my telescope. How can I afford this, you ask? Isn't this extemely complicated? No! You can start taking astronomical pictures today.

You can use a simple film camera, or an inexpensive digital camera. Today a 4- or 5- mega pixel camera can be had for less than $200. With that said, you are probably saying "Prove It!" OK. Let's try a Kodak Easyshare Z730 camera. This one can be obtained from numerous online retailers for less than $170 and is capable of up to 64 second exposures. With this camera, and a $35 adapter that clamps on to your telescope eyepiece at one end and then screws in to your tripod mount hole on your camera, you are ready to go. With this set up you are able to photograph the moon and planets through your telescope.

You can do this with a telescope as small as 4.5 inches across. You also never need to buy film since you can keep reusing your digital film. I will follow up with articles showing you how to do more complex astro photographs with simple equipment. In my next article I will offer some simple examples. Have fun. That is what our hobby is all about. Any questions you are welcome to email me. Simply click on my byline above, and send me an e-mail.
How do I take astronomical pictures? | 1 comments | Create New Account
The following comments are owned by whomever posted them. This site is not responsible for what they say.
How do I take astronomical pictures?
Authored by: bobmoody onMonday, June 26 2006 @ 12:23 pm EDT
Good tips and advice, Bruce! Anyone can take pictures of many celestial objects with simple equipment, and everyone should try it. Most members and visitors will be surprised just how easy it really is to take the simpler pictures.

I'll be looking forward to your upcoming articles. For those who haven't yet heard, I'm nominating Bruce Grates to a position on our AOAS Executive Committee as our Astrophotography Coordinator. I know he'll make a good person to handle this newest committee position.

Join me in welcoming Bruce Grates of Sallisaw to our Executive Committee. And bring your cameras to our next outing.....bring your digital cameras this weekend and we'll help you take home your own images of the crescent moon this Saturday, July 1st, for our "Stars in the Parks" event at Carol Ann Cross Park in Ft Smith. Bring a manual 35mm SLR and we'll help you take a picture of a constellation with just a tripod and a cable release.

We set up around 8:00pm and start observing the moon and bright Jupiter even before its completely dark. JOIN US THIS SATURDAY!

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