Category: Blog

How to Set Up the ZWO AM5

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…

Making Your Device RED

Introduction In astrophotography it is inevitable that you will use a screen of some sort to control your gear. Whether you are using a PC, Phone, or Tablet, almost all gear requires external control. To protect your night vision and those around you, your screen needs to be tinted red, and be as dim as possible. This also helps your light pollution footprint if you are say, at a star party. In this article, we are going to go over how to turn your screen red on all common operating systems and devices. Making Your Device Red – Things to…

Beginner Deep Sky Objects – June to August

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…

NEAF 2023 Coverage

In case you missed the coverage of NEAF 2023, check out the videos below. I interviewed Simon from ZWO in one video. In the other video, I do a general walkthrough of the vendor area, and talk to some of the vendors! It was a tiring weekend, but if you missed it, check out the videos! If you couldn’t make it this year, I hope to see you there next year! After you are done with the videos, check out my latest post:

Pixinsight Top Five Common Processes

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…

Astrodymium Rings for the Rokinon 135mm Lens

When getting the 135mm Rokinon, one downside to using it is how to mount it. If you were, for example, mounting on a full size equatorial mount, you need a dovetail. You could connect the dovetail to the body of the camera, but it might not be fully aligned with the mount. Add in a guide scope, and you need somewhere to mount that. This is where the Astrodymium Rings come in. The rings make sure you are perfectly aligned every time. And a bonus! It comes with a spot to mount a guide camera. Putting it together is fairly…

Beginner Deep Sky Objects – March to May

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

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…

Getting Started In Astrophotography: Setup Examples for Each Style

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…

November Goals – Working to Expand The Website

In my previous post I mentioned how I did not like how little I was adding to this website. Well, I’ve set some goals. Along with the weekly video on YouTube, I’ve set some goals that will help keep new content coming in. In addition, some guides or reviews may be in conjunction with a YouTube video, but not all of them. However, each review will follow these rules: Reviews will require a minimum of six months and/or ten uses Manufacturers will not influence reviews in any way These two simple rules allows proper time to form an honest opinion.…