Sunday 21 May 2023, 11:00 to 17:30
With contributions from
Dave Eagle
Mary McIntyre
Robin Scagell
This course covers all aspects of astrophotography at a beginner’s level, whether with DSLR/mirrorless cameras or specialised astro cameras, from wide-field photography with an undriven camera to through-the-telescope imaging. opics will include
* Basic night photography with a DSLR, using tripod and a range of lenses. Control of the camera, choice of ISO, shutter speed, lens, etc.
* Driven exposures, eg piggybacking, use of driven platforms such as AstroTrac, Star Adventurer etc.
* Attaching a DSLR to a telescope, including a mention of afocal imaging for those with compacts and phone cameras. Increasing the focal length for planetary imaging (Moon and planets)
* Planetary and lunar imaging through a telescope using a webcam – capturing and processing images. Choice of cameras, increasing the image scale, tips and tricks
* Long-exposure imaging through the telescope – comparison of DSLR and dedicated cameras. Choice between single-shot colour and mono cameras. Autoguiding
* RGB imaging, choice of filters, and basic image processing using Photoshop.
* Computer control of the camera and the telescope using manufacturer’s remote capture software and proprietary software such as APT. Control of the telescope using software such as SkyMap etc.
About the speakers
Dave Eagle is the author of several guides to all forms of astrophotography
Mary McIntyre is a noted astrophotographer who has organised previous courses on astrophotography
Robin Scagell is Vice President of the SPA and author of many books and articles about astronomy.
Hands-on
We’ll have examples of suitable equipment for basics imaging, such as mounts and cameras, so you can see what you’re getting into.
Cost and how to book
SPA or BAA members £10; non-members £12.
To book, please go to https://www.popastro.com/main_spa1/shop/product/starting-from-scratch-astrophotography-day/
Refreshments (tea/coffee will be available on the day for a small extra charge but participants should bring their own lunch to the meeting. Note that there will be only a short lunch break, so there will be no time to go off to the shops and buy something on the day!
How to get there
The Humfrey Rooms are the headquarters of the Northampton Natural History Society. Here’s a link to the location: https://www.nnhs.info/Find-Us/. Alternatively, use this link to Streetmap.co.uk.
Note that car parking outside the venue is now for residents only.
The programme
Details will be issued nearer the time, but the timetable is shown below. Note that as there is a lot of material to get through, the lunch and afternoon breaks are limited in length and there will only be short breaks between lectures! Course notes will not be handed out, so bring a notebook!
11.00 Lecture 1
11.45 Lecture 2
12.30 Lecture 3
1.15 Lunch (45 mins)
2.00 Lecture 4
2.45 Lecture 5
3.30 Break (30 mins)
4.00 Lecture 6
4.45 Lecture 7
5.30 end