
Smaller guidescope mounted to the main scope.Guider options (requires dedicated guide camera):
BEST TELESCOPE FOR ASTROPHOTOGRAPHY UNDER $1000 SOFTWARE
A separate guide camera and special software is used to send corrections to the mount to keep an object centered. If you don’t already own a digital camera (such as a DSLR), it’s better to start with a dedicated astronomy camera if you can afford it.Īuto-guiding is recommended for best results. More efficient at gathering light and allows narrowband imaging. Dedicated monochrome astronomy camera with filter wheel.Dedicated one-shot color (OSC) astronomy camera.Digital camera body (DSLR or mirrorless) with adapters.Main camera options (least to most expensive): Fork mount with equatorial wedge: not recommended.Payload capacity should be twice the actual payload weight for mass-produced mounts. German equatorial mount: best option for accurate tracking.Avoid the temptation to use a large aperture instrument such as a Schmidt-Cassegrain – that way will most likely lead to frustration. This can be quite technical and is not a casual endeavour!Ī short focal length refractor is the best way to start and achieve satisfying results. Hours worth of exposures are required, then need to be stacked using specialized software. Imaging deep sky objects (galaxies, nebulas, star clusters) involves taking minutes-long exposures using a telescope with good tracking. This is a vast subject that cannot be adequately covered in this short guide. The steadiness of the atmosphere (called seeing).Ītmospheric seeing depends on your climate and geography, but it generally limits useful magnification to around ×200 on most nights.The telescope’s aperture: ×50 per inch of aperture.Magnification is limited by one of two factors: It is determined by the focal length of the telescope and the eyepiece that’s being used (eyepieces are interchangeable).

Magnification: Ratio between apparent size and true sizeĪlso called “power”.

