ABSTRACT
The Astrophotography Manual, Second Edition is for photographers ready to move beyond standard SLR cameras and editing software to create beautiful images of nebulas, galaxies, clusters, and the stars. Beginning with a brief astronomy primer, this book takes readers through the full astrophotography process, from choosing and using equipment to image capture, calibration, and processing. This combination of technical background and hands-on approach brings the science down to earth, with practical methods to ensure success.
This second edition now includes:
- Over 170 pages of new content within 22 new chapters, with 600 full-color illustrations.
- Covers a wide range of hardware, including mobile devices, remote control and new technologies.
- Further insights into leading software, including automation, Sequence Generator Pro and PixInsight
- Ground-breaking practical chapters on hardware and software as well as alternative astrophotography pursuits
TABLE OF CONTENTS
part |26 pages
Astronomy Primer
chapter |3 pages
The Diverse Universe of Astrophotography
A totally absorbing hobby, limited only by your imagination, patience and weather
chapter |7 pages
Space
The thing about space is when you think you have seen it all, something truly bizarre shows up
chapter |2 pages
Catalogs
It is easy to forget that the availability of detailed planetarium and catalog data on personal devices was only made possible by the patient and astonishing dedication of generations of astronomers
chapter |5 pages
Four Dimensions and Counting
Locating an object in 3-D space from a spinning and wobbling planet, which orbits a star, which orbits its galactic center that itself is receding from most other galaxies is … interesting
chapter |8 pages
Limits of Perception
In the UK, if I had known how many clear nights there would be in the year, I would have taken up fishing
part |66 pages
Choosing Equipment
chapter |17 pages
The Ingredients of Success
Some practical considerations to steer one through the maze of options. After all, success breeds success
chapter |4 pages
New Tools
An exciting time, when new products and concepts challenge the establishment
chapter |14 pages
General Equipment
I have found it is an unnatural act to keep to a budget, make the right choices (at the beginning) and prioritize correctly
chapter |24 pages
Imaging Equipment
Imaging requires a complex system of hardware and software to run for hours without issue. The options increase every day and making choices is not easy
chapter |6 pages
A Portable System
There is no single perfect trade-off between portability and performance. It is a personal thing
part |32 pages
Setting Up
chapter |7 pages
Software Setup
In the ever-changing world of operating systems, updates and upgrades, it is optimistic to assume that it will be “all right on the night”
part |53 pages
Image Capture
chapter |7 pages
Sensors and Exposure
Understanding how sensors work and their real-world limitations are key to achieving high-quality images
chapter |6 pages
Focusing
The difference between an excellent and an “OK” focus position may only be ten microns. The effect on the image is often far greater
chapter |19 pages
Autoguiding and Tracking
A perpetually thorny subject, laid bare to develop into robust strategies
chapter |8 pages
Pointing and Tracking Models
New technologies to make pixel-perfect object location and unguided long-duration exposures a reality
chapter |6 pages
Sequencing, Automation and Scripting
The power of automation extends one’s ability to image for longer and adapt to changing conditions, with an immediate benefit on image quality and sleep
part |58 pages
Image Calibration and Processing
chapter |5 pages
Post Exposure
To me, the magic of monochrome photography occurs in the dark. The same is true of astrophotography, except the lights are turned on
chapter |10 pages
Image Calibration and Stacking
Two strategies that go hand-in-hand to remove mean errors and reduce the noise level in the final image
chapter |10 pages
Linear Image Processing
It easy to forget that sensor data is inherently linear and that some image processing algorithms, to be effective, depend on unadulterated sensor data
chapter |15 pages
Non-Linear Image Processing
These are the rules: There are no rules, but if it looks right, it probably is
chapter |9 pages
Narrowband Image Processing
For astrophotographers living in light-polluted areas, narrowband imaging is a savior and a thing of wonder to everyone else
part |43 pages
Pix Insights
chapter |10 pages
Pre-Processing
This set of tasks is often automated for convenience but a little extra effort often improves image quality
chapter |13 pages
Seeing Stars
Stars are “just” points of light. Tricky little devils. They show up every slip we make
chapter |9 pages
Noise Reduction and Sharpening
Astrophotography requires specialized techniques to reduce image noise and improve definition, without each destroying the other
chapter |4 pages
Image Stretching
Just as when a print emerges from a tray of developer, this is the magical moment when you find out if your patience has been rewarded
chapter |5 pages
Color Filter Array (CFA) Processing
Color cameras do not require filter wheels to produce color but require some unique image processing techniques
part |77 pages
First Light Assignments
chapter |3 pages
Practical Examples
An extensive range of worked examples; with acquisition and processing notes, warts and all
chapter |6 pages
C27 (Crescent Nebula) in Narrowband
A first-light experience of an incredible nebula, using new imaging equipment and software
chapter |6 pages
M31 (Andromeda Galaxy)
Sensitivity and novel techniques to get the best from a classic subject
chapter |5 pages
IC1805 (Heart Nebula) in False Color
Synthetic colors, synthetic luminance and real stars
chapter |4 pages
Comet C/2014 Q2
I find it ironic that Messier’s catalog was created with the purpose to identify “non-comets”
chapter |5 pages
M27 (Dumbbell Nebula)
A lesson in observation and ruthless editing to improve definition
chapter |4 pages
M3 (Globular Cluster), revisited
The journey continues; the outcome of 3 years of continual refinement
chapter |9 pages
Exoplanet and Transit Photometry
If you thought astrophotography was demanding, think again
chapter |5 pages
NGC1499 (California Nebula Mosaic)
My first mosaic, using special tools in Sequence Generator Pro and PixInsight
chapter |5 pages
NGC2264 (Cone Nebula Region)
An experiment in wide-field portable imaging, using color cameras
chapter |5 pages
IC1396A (Elephant’s Trunk Nebula)
An astonishing image, from an initially uninspiring appearance
