Skip to content
Stargazing Feb 22nd ✦ 6pm-10pm
Stargazing Feb 22nd ✦ 6pm-10pm

Tutorials

  • Imaging with a Newtonian

    Imaging with a Newtonian

    The modern theory of optics is due in great part to Isaac Newton. Much has been written about the fantastic achievements of Newton, but it was a misconception of his that led to his greatest astronomical invention. While studying refracting...

    Read now
  • Imaging with a SCT

    Imaging with a SCT

    Probably the most popular telescope design is the Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope (SCT). The SCT is a versatile design, good for both imaging and visual observation. It is compact for portability and ease of use, and is relatively inexpensive compared to other...

    Read now
  • Imaging Mounts

    Imaging Mounts

    A sturdy mount is obviously important for visual observing--the lack of a quality mount is a primary complaint about cheap telescopes--but for astrophotography, the mount is every bit as important as the telescope itself. The mount's ability to hold the...

    Read now
  • Imaging with other Telescope Designs

    Imaging with other Telescope Designs

    Other Telescope Designs While the Schmidt-Cassegrain, Newtonian, and refractor are the most common optical designs used for CCD imaging and observing in general, other types are becoming increasingly popular. Classical Cassegrain Above: Optical layout of a Classical Cassegrain telescope The...

    Read now
  • Video Cameras

    Video Cameras

    There are two types of video cameras for astrophotography. The first is planetary cameras, used for imaging solar system objects at high frame rates. The other are deep-sky video cameras, which integrate longer exposures to give a "real time" view...

    Read now
  • Understanding Image Scale and Field of View

    Understanding Image Scale and Field of View

    When it comes to telescopes for visual observation, bigger is better: a larger aperture will gather more light and the observer will see more at the eyepiece. For CCD imaging, on the other hand, aperture is less important. What really...

    Read now
  • Assembling the Telescope

    Since there are different requirements for imaging than for visual observation, the setup of your telescope will likely be slightly different for CCD imaging than you may be used to for visual observing. Everything must be more precise when it...

    Read now
  • Balancing for Imaging

    Balancing for Imaging

    Properly balancing your telescope is one of the most important steps in setting up to take CCD images. Improper balance is also one of the biggest sources of problems for imagers. Taking some extra time to understand the concepts behind...

    Read now
  • Polar Aligning your Mount for Imaging

    Polar Aligning your Mount for Imaging

    Accurate polar alignment is critical for CCD imaging. Field rotation, a trailing of stars near the edges of an image, can result from improper polar alignment. Even short exposures such as planetary images can benefit from good polar alignment as...

    Read now
  • Attaching the CCD Camera and Accessories

    Attaching the CCD Camera and Accessories

    While this seems like a straightforward procedure, there are some tricks to assembling all the imaging accessories which will help you avoid problems during an imaging session. Mounting the CCD Camera There are quite a few different ways to attach...

    Read now
  • Setting Up the Computer

    While setting up your computer for CCD imaging is pretty straightforward, there are a couple tips and tricks which can prevent problems you might run into. Laptop Settings It is important to turn off certain power-saving features before beginning CCD...

    Read now
  • Astronomy Articles

    An innovative Open-Air Planetarium (Sky & Telescope) by David Schlom ART: Suffering No Longer Required (Astronomy Technology Today) by Scott Tucker Deep-Sky Imaging with Starizona’s Hyperstar (Astronomy Technology Today) by Greg Parker Diffraction & the Obscuring Shape by Rick Blakley...

    Read now