How to Set Up the ZWO AM5

August 11, 2023 Articles, Blog, Equipment, Guides, Guides and Tools, Uncategorized, Youtube VideoAstro EscapeLeave a comment

Introduction In this article, we’re gonna go over how to set up the ZWO AM5 so we can get you up and running. Whether you already have one or you’re looking to buy one, hopefully this will help you out with exactly what you need to capture some great images. As of the time of publishing this article, ZWO has announced the AM3. You can follow the same steps below for that mount too! Tripod The first thing you’re going to need is a tripod. This guide uses the tripod that was designed for the AM5, but you can use…

Beginner Deep Sky Objects – June to August

May 24, 2023 Articles, Blog, Guides, Youtube VideoAstro EscapeLeave a comment

When you are beginning deep sky astrophotography, it can be overwhelming to choose an object with the massive number of objects out there. The time between June and August presents us with a multitude of objects to pick from. In this article we will go over my top seven June to August picks for beginners, with a setup with a smaller focal length. Just like the previous article, there are some rules Lagoon Nebula Starting off with an object you can even see in Milky Way pictures, is the Lagoon Nebula. It is one of the few nebulae you can…

Pixinsight Top Five Common Processes

May 11, 2023 Articles, Blog, Guides, Guides and ToolsAstro EscapeLeave a comment

Introduction When you first start using Pixinsight, there’s a lot to learn. Be aware that there are some processes that you will almost every time. In this post, we go over the Pixinsight top five common processes, to help you get going. I’ll give a slight example of what each does, but keep in mind that this won’t go in depth, this is a general overview. Pixinsight Common Process Number 1: Screen Transfer Function This is Pixinisight’s auto stretch. One thing to note is that this is just a preview, not an actual stretch. But, it’s very common to use…

Beginner Deep Sky Objects – March to May

February 22, 2023 Articles, Blog, GuidesAstro EscapeLeave a comment

When you are beginning Deep Sky Objects, this time of year can be a little bit of a challenge if you don’t have a large focal length telescope. Large nebulae are either setting within a few hours of sunset, or rising in the morning, limiting time on those objects. The objects this time of year are rather small from our perspective, but they are doable. When you are beginning Deep Sky Objects, this time of year can be a little bit of a challenge if you don’t have a large focal length telescope. In this post, I will list seven…

ZWO AM5 and ASI2600MC-Pro Unboxing

January 27, 2023 Articles, BlogAstro EscapeLeave a comment

ZWO recently sent me the AM5 and the ASI2600MC-Pro to try out. Disclaimer: I do need to send them back if I don’t buy them. Below, I give a few quick tidbits about each and link the accompanying video. Once I get some use in, a review will be released. AM5 When unboxing the , right away I could tell it was lighter than the . The mount itself is very sturdy and comes with large, easy to use knobs unlike some other mount options. It also has a second bubble level which helps verify that the mount is level…

Which Software to Use? Astrophotography Programs Master List

January 25, 2023 Articles, Guides, Guides and ToolsAstro Escape2 Comments

Below you’ll find the list of currently used programs for Astrophotography. There’s a lot out there, all covering each step of the process. We all need to plan our sessions under the stars. There’s acquisition software, for when you are actually under the stars collecting data. There’s also processing. I’ll also link a few websites that are great for sharing your images if you had planned on it! Because this is intended to be a master list, if you know of something I missed, please reach out to me with the price, operating system, and a brief description and I’ll…

Getting Started In Astrophotography: Setup Examples for Each Style

July 6, 2022 Articles, Blog, GuidesAstro EscapeLeave a comment

When getting started in Astrophotography, there is a lot to consider with your setup. You should ask yourself which kind of images you would like to take. Widefield night time landscapes? Constellation or star field shots? Deep Sky Objects? What about Solar System Objects? There is no right or wrong style to choose, each has a different approach that can be very rewarding. There are different equipment requirements, although there can be some overlap. In this post, I’ll explain different styles and setups, and what you will need to get started with that style of astrophotography. Night Time Landscapes Description…

How to Process a Moon Photo Using Video From A DSLR

March 2, 2021 Articles, GuidesAstro EscapeLeave a comment

A common method for taking Moon photos is to use video. This guide will walk you through the steps for processing a Moon photo using video from a DSLR. This guide assumes you already have video of the Moon, but if you don’t, you can practice with the file located here. When you are done with this guide, please VirtualDub When learning how to process a Moon photo from video taken with DSLR, you need to convert it from the default .mp4 to an uncompressed .avi. Think of this like the difference in processing JPG’s vs RAW files. All of the…

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