The Art of Astrophotography

This book provides a step-by-step guide of how anyone can capture and produce beautiful astronomical images, for beginners and professionals alike.

Ian Morison (Author)

9781316618417, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 2 February 2017

280 pages, 198 colour illus. 2 tables
24.5 x 19 x 1.4 cm, 0.62 kg

'The significant developments in the optics of both telescopes and cameras, coupled with powerful imaging programs now commercially available, mean that amateur astronomers can make remarkable images of astronomical objects … [The book] provides an excellent guide to the techniques involved. The emphasis in the text is on the various imaging processes one might use, but there are sufficient details about the instrumentation … a beginner will be comfortable in selecting a telescope, or a camera, to suit the goals. Instructions are given in detail, with procedures outlined in step-by-step explanations that even include specific mention of control buttons on a laptop screen. Typically, each chapter focuses on the photography of one type of object (e.g., the moon, nebulae in the Milky Way, or neighboring galaxies) because each object requires a slightly different technique. The illustrations are effectively coordinated with the text, and the final illustration in each chapter is usually extraordinary.' D. E. Hogg, CHOICE

In The Art of Astrophotography, astronomer and Popular Astronomy columnist Ian Morison provides the essential foundations of how to produce beautiful astronomical images. Every type of astroimaging is covered, from images of the Moon and planets, to the constellations, star clusters and nebulae within our Milky Way Galaxy and the faint light of distant galaxies. He achieves this through a series of worked examples and short project walk-throughs, detailing the equipment needed – starting with just a DSLR (digital single lens reflex) camera and tripod, and increasing in complexity as the book progresses - followed by the way to best capture the images and then how, step by step, these may be processed and enhanced to provide results that can rival those seen in astronomical magazines and books. Whether you are just getting into astrophotography or are already deeply involved, Morison's advice will help you capture and create enticing astronomical images.

1. Imaging star trails
2. Imaging a constellation with a DSLR and tripod
3. Imaging the Milky Way with a DSLR and tracking mount
4. Imaging the Moon with a compact camera or smartphone
5. Imaging the Moon with a DSLR
6. Imaging the Pleiades Cluster with a DSLR and small refractor
7. Imaging the Orion Nebula, M42, with a modified Canon DSLR
8. Telescopes and their accessories for use in astroimaging
9. Towards stellar excellence
10. Cooling a DSLR camera to reduce sensor noise
11. Imaging the North American and Pelican Nebulae
12. Combating light pollution - the bane of astrophotographers
13. Imaging planets with an astronomical video camera or Canon DSLR
14. Video imaging the Moon with a webcam or DSLR
15. Imaging the Sun in white light
16. Imaging the Sun in the light of its H-alpha emission
17. Imaging meteors
18. Imaging comets
19. Using a cooled 'one shot colour' camera
20. Using a cooled monochrome CCD camera
21. LRGB colour imaging
22. Narrow band colour imaging
Appendix A. Telescopes for imaging
Appendix B. Telescope mounts
Appendix C. The effects of the atmosphere
Appendix D. Auto guiding
Appendix E. Image calibration
Appendix F. Practical aspects of astroimaging.

Subject Areas: Popular astronomy & space [WNX], Astronomy, space & time [PG], Popular science [PDZ], Photographic equipment & techniques [AJG]