AstroBackyard Inc.

Capture the Night Sky with your PHONE! 📱 ✨ Recommended apps, camera settings, and taking your shots to the next level with image stacking and processing. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/gBGWqYZB

Tonight (Oct. 17), you’ll have the chance to see the Hunter’s Moon, marking the third supermoon of the year. A supermoon refers to a full Moon that appears larger and brighter than usual, due to its closer position to Earth along its elliptical orbit. The name "Hunter’s Moon" is rooted in autumn’s traditional hunting season, a time when people historically prepared for winter by gathering food. The extra moonlight provided by this full Moon helped hunters track animals and navigate through the woods more easily during this crucial time of year. 🔗 Read more about the each of the full moon names and their history: https://lnkd.in/gDus9NXC

Exploring Remote Observatories for Astrophotography 🔭 Remote observatories offer an amazing opportunity for deep-sky astrophotographers to capture stunning images without worrying about travel or weather disruptions. With access to pristine dark skies and advanced equipment, you can maximize your imaging time and elevate your results. But, while the convenience is unbeatable, it’s not without its challenges. The cost and lack of hands-on access can be a downside, especially if you prefer tweaking your own setup or troubleshooting on the fly. In our latest post, we break down:  • The pros and cons of remote observatories  • Essential gear you’ll need for a successful remote setup  • A rundown of the 7 most popular facilities in the U.S. Whether you’re looking to broaden your astrophotography horizons or just curious about what's involved, this guide has you covered. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/gepN3DEr #Astrophotography #DeepSky #DarkSkies #Astronomy

The Askar SQA55 is a quintuplet Petzval astrograph telescope with a focal length of 264mm and an f-ratio of F/4.8 when used ‘wide open.’ It sits in the compact, wide-field refractor category, but there are a few things that make it unique - like the variable aperture similar to a camera lens and the ability to switch from a nighttime astrophotography telescope to a manual daytime photography lens. Read the full review, complete with images ▶️ : https://lnkd.in/dT5R8CcU

One of our most frequently asked questions: 'which telescope should I buy?'. From our experience, the best telescope for beginners is one that guides you through the process of learning the night sky in a straightforward and gratifying way. A manual telescope, like the Dobsonian reflector, will help you connect with the universe on a deeper level than any computerized telescope ever could. Because you are moving the telescope by hand, you have complete control. Forget about those wobbly department store refractors you used as a child, a Dobsonian reflector is the top choice of amateur astronomers looking for the ultimate observing experience. Read more: https://lnkd.in/g82fVG5r

NGC 6914 Nebula Complex The latest picture from the AstroBackyard is NGC 6914 in Cygnus! You may have seen this object in your wide-field Cygnus shots near the bright star Sadr. I have always noticed those glowing 'blue eyes', but had never dedicated a project to them until now. I spent a lot of time processing this one to get it right. Session 1 & 2: Camera: https://bit.ly/3XuHoMJ Filter: https://bit.ly/3EnvQ3t Telescope: https://bit.ly/4dKKDFb Mount: https://bit.ly/49Pug8w 170 x 2-minutes (5 Hours, 40 Minutes) Session 3: Camera: https://bit.ly/3ISZcsY Filters: https://bit.ly/47dnTv2 90 x 2 minutes each filter (3 Hours)

Strain wave mounts are for those looking to streamline their astrophotography experience, including less overall weight and faster setup time. They can carry an impressive payload (without the need for a counterweight) and are an incredible option for anyone that has to tear down and setup regularly or travels to dark sky locations. The Sky-Watcher Wave 150i is the newest addition to the strain wave mount family, with some impressive specs:  • EQ and AZ modes  • Built-in cable management  • Weighs 12.8 pounds (5.8kg)  • 33-pound (15kg) payload capacity without optional counterweight  • 55-pound (25kg) payload capacity with optional counterweight  • Balance the OTA on the RA and Dec axes  • Swift slew rate of 7.5 degrees per second For a full breakdown: https://lnkd.in/gCpuktqu Sky-Watcher USA

There is nothing like taking your first deep-sky image. You're taking pictures of objects that lie thousands or millions of light-years away. Galaxies, nebulae, and star-forming regions are out there, and there’s an endless supply of new targets to capture.    The best part is that you can see WAY more in an image than you ever could with your eye. Even if visual astronomy is your thing, how can you not enjoy seeing the object in incredible detail, especially when you’ve captured it yourself? For this reason, everyone should try astrophotography, and it’s not as complicated as you think. Astrophotography Basics: https://lnkd.in/gHA649v4

The Milky Way in the Southern Hemisphere is a sight to behold for any stargazer or casual observer. Not only does it contain constellations, nebulae, and stars not found in the Northern Hemisphere sky, but it also showcases the bright galactic centre of the Milky Way overhead. I took the following picture of the Southern Hemisphere Milky Way using my mirrorless camera and lens from Yulara, Australia. Learn how I took the photo, the equipment I used, and the best camera settings for your perfect shot: https://lnkd.in/gQjhmpeV

Most deep-sky astrophotography projects involve several hours of integration (often over several nights). In my latest video, I gave myself only one hour to take the picture, after setting up my gear, to see what I could get. How did I do? : https://lnkd.in/gkTHJaiu