AMATEUR ASTROPHOTOGRAPHERS

CELESTIAL IMAGESLindsay Knock

Professor SyndergaardDecember 30th 2016

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HOW DO AMATEUR ASTROPHOTOGREAPHERS CAPTURE IMAGES

OF CELESTIAL OBJECTS?• Amature astrophotographers use their own equiment/cameras with

modified lenses. In the image below, Claro used a  Canon 60Da; ISO 2000, Exp: 45s. at f/2.8 with a Canon telephoto lens series L at 200mm + Travel mount Vixen Polarie. Multiple exposures are made to collect enough light for an image that would otherwise not be evident to the eye. (Space.com)

• Some examples of equipment that is used are:• -QHY9M CCD camera• -Canon 60Da camera with diferent lenses• Orion telescopes or other types of telescopes• *Most images are combined with images already taken to create a clearer

photo.

PROFESSIONAL TELESCOPES: WHY THEY WORK

• The Earths atmosphere is full of gases that have the possibility of blocking and distorting images. With the professional telescopes the ability to see through the gasses or have stronger lenses than what amateurs have access to. Once the image is gathered it is sent back to NASA and there is no need to edit it.

Image provided by NASA

WHAT DO AMATEUR PHOTOS LOOK LIKE?

Miguel Claro

Jaspall Chadha

Greg Hogan

WHAT DO PROFESSIONAL IMAGES LOOK LIKE?

All images provided by NASA

Amature photo taken by Miguel Claro of the Andromeda Galaxy (1)

Amateur photo by Keith Hansen

Hubble Telescope photo of the Andromeda Galaxy (2)

Image produced by NASA & the Hubble Telescope

Compare & Contrast

REFERENCES:• 1. Amazing Andromeda Galaxy View Captured by Amateur Astronomer (Photo).

(n.d.). Retrieved December 30, 2016, from http://www.space.com/26742-amazing-andromeda-galaxy-night-sky-photo.html

• 2. ANDROMEDA GALAXY HUBBLE PICTURES. (n.d.). Retrieved December 30, 2016, from http://www.californiaindianeducation.org/science_lab/andromeda_galaxy.html

• 3. Hubble’s High-Definition Panoramic View of the Andromeda Galaxy. (2015, January 25). Retrieved December 30, 2016, from https://www.nasa.gov/content/goddard/hubble-s-high-definition-panoramic-view-of-the-andromeda-galaxy

• 4. (2012, July 15). Retrieved December 30, 2016, from https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap120715.html

• 5. Heart Nebula's Cloudy Core Glows in Amateur Photo. (n.d.). Retrieved December 30, 2016, from http://www.space.com/28275-heart-nebula-core-amateur-photo.html

• 6. A Horsehead and Flame: Amateur Photo Reveals Nebula Double Feature. (n.d.). Retrieved December 30, 2016, from http://www.space.com/31682-horsehead-nebula-cosmic-flame-amateur-photo.html