In this post, I’ll provide a step-by-step guide to building an inexpensive Solar Scintillation Seeing Monitor. The SSSM is a handy device which monitors the atmospheric seeing conditions during solar imaging. This SSSM can be built for a fraction of the cost of commercially available devices. You can use the SSSM to monitor seeing conditions through …
Questions about the best choice of equipment for astro-imaging come up quite frequently. In this first of a series of posts, I will start by explaining the basics of aperture, focal length focal ratios. These troublesome topics cause many beginning imagers to jump to mistaken conclusions. If you bear with me you’ll find out how …
Basics Part 1: Understanding Aperture, Focal Length and Focal Ratios Read More »
Many new astro-imagers believe that they can make their camera more sensitive to light by using a higher ISO setting. This is not surprising given that there are a vast number of articles out there that continue to spread this myth (including photography magazines and other technical publications that really ought to know better). After …
Do High ISOs Make DSLRs More Sensitive To Light? Read More »
The histogram is probably the most important tool available in any astro-imaging application, both for capturing images and for processing them once captured. For those just starting out in astrophotography, the histogram is also one of the simplest but most frequently misunderstood tools. In this short guide will explain the histogram; both what it means and …
A new update to the Imaging Toolbox has just been released with several great new features, including: Create, name and display multiple reticules simultaneously to compare the fields of view of different camera and telescope / lens combinations. Great for evaluating prospective investments in new equipment! Arrange multiple reticules by panning them horizontally and vertically. …
Pleas for help with PHD Guiding seem to come up more often than almost other long-exposure imaging topic. I make no claims to be the ultimate expert on the subject, but I have travelled some way along the road from guiding failure to success, and so I thought it might be good to share a …
Unless you are fortunate enough to do your imaging in a very dry environment, you will be all too familiar with the problem of dew forming on your telescope objective, corrector plate or camera lens. As an astro-imager who spends all his time ten metres above sea-level and within sight of the North Sea, dew …
