A general ASTRONOMY site to get you started exploring the night sky
Astrophotography
The topic of astrophotography and getting into the hobby is way beyond the purpose of this site but here is some basic information on what is needed for the hobby.
Interested in the hobby of Astrophotography?
FIRST
Ask yourself why you want to get into astrophotography when the professional observatories and space telescopes are providing us with the best possible images of the heavens! And, what will you do with your images—why do you want to take them (If you want it as a hobby, that is understandable)?
SECOND
Please Read the 8 Points Below
Equipment Overview
FILTER WHEEL
OPTIONAL
Holds specialized filter(s) to enhance image of celestial object.
COST
Single Filter Holder: $75
Auto Filter Wheel (Holds 5): $300
AUTO FOCUSER
OPTIONAL
Accurately focuses images. Can refocus for temperature changes and more.
COST
$300
FILTERS
OPTIONAL
Inside are specialized filters
to aid in capturing images.
COST
Individual FIlters: $75 to $300
TELESCOPE
NECESSARY
Refractors often used from 2-inches (50mm) to 3 or 4 inches. Can use reflector telescopes.
COST
$500 to $5000+
CAMERA
NECESSARY
Can be a SLR camera, specialized CMOS cooled camera for Deep Sky Objects like galaxies or nebula or special CMOS video camera for the planets, Moon and Sun.
COST
$200 to $5000+
GUIDESCOPE/
AUTOGUIDER
OPTIONAL
BUT HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Keeps telescope accurately on target—necessary to keep stars round for extended exposures. The guidescope is a small refractor equipped with a small CMOS guiding camera.
COSTS
Scope: $100
CMOS Camera: $150
WIRES
Use a lot of wires to connect everything together.
COMPUTER INTERFACE
NECESSARY
Interfaces with all the astrophotography “attachments” on the telescope providing a pathway for control by an App (phone or tablet) or Windows Program (NINA).
COST
$100 to $300.
MOTORIZED EQUATORIAL
MOUNT & TRIPOD
NECESSARY
The motorized and probably computerized equatorial mount is necessary to follow celestial objects as they are imaged and the tripod needs to be very steady, too.
COST
$1000 to $5000+
12 Volts DC
is what 99% of telescope mounts and accessories use for power. As you might not know,
12V DC is actually 13.8V DC. You can power your mount/equipment with a “big” battery or use a transformer
plugged into an electrical outlet. The 12V is an international standard.
Popular Astrophotography OEM Vendors
Many of these products are sold at physical Telescope Stores or on-line Telescope Stores