Difference between revisions of "Astrophotography"

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The '''Messier objects''' are a set of astronomical objects catalogued by the French astronomer [[Charles Messier]] in his ''"Catalogue des Nébuleuses et des Amas d'Étoiles"'' ("Catalogue of Nebulae and Star Clusters"), originally published in 1771, with the last addition (based on Messier's observations) made in 1966.<ref>{{cite web |title=SEDS Messier Database |work=THE MESSIER CATALOG |url=http://seds.org/messier/ |date=10-11-2007}}</ref>
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[[file:astrophotographyportfolio.jpg|thumb|300px|right|[http://www.tedvlango.com/astrophotography Astronomical Portfolio]]]
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Wikipedia describes '''Astrophotography''' as "a specialized type of photography that entails recording images of astronomical objects and large areas of the night sky. The first photograph of an astronomical object (the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moon Moon]) was taken in 1840, but it was not until the late 19th century that advances in technology allowed for detailed stellar photography. Besides being able to record the details of extended objects such as the Moon, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sun Sun], and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Planet Planets], astrophotography has the ability to image objects invisible to the human eye such as dim [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star stars], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nebula nebulae], and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galaxy galaxies]]. This is done by long time exposure since both film and digital cameras can accumulate and sum light [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photon photons] over these long periods of time. In professional astronomical research, photography revolutionized the field, with long time exposures recording hundreds of thousands of new stars and nebulae that were invisible to the human eye, leading to specialized and ever larger [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Optical_telescopes optical telescopes] that were essentially big "cameras" designed to collect light to be recorded on film. Direct astrophotography had an early role in sky surveys and star classification but over time it has given way to more sophisticated equipment and techniques designed for specific fields of scientific research, with film (and later [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charge-coupled_device#Use_in_astronomy|astronomical CCD cameras]) becoming just one of many forms of sensor."
  
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Because Messier was interested in finding only [[comet]]s, he created a list of non-comet objects that frustrated his hunt for them. The compilation of this list, in collaboration with his assistant [[Pierre Méchain]], is known as the Messier catalogue. This catalogue of objects is one of the most famous lists of astronomical objects, and many [[Messier object]]s are still referenced by their Messier number.<ref>{{cite web |title=Original Messier Catalog of 1781 |work=Original Messier Catalog of 1781 |url=http://seds.org/messier/xtra/Mcat/mcat1781.html#messier1781 |date=10-11-2007}}</ref>
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I personally conduct most of my astrophotography by leveraging the telescopes available to me via [http://www.itelescope.net iTelescop.net]. I started taking my first pictures using my own telescope in my teens, but as my professional career had me move over different parts of the country, it became difficult to impractical to continue shooting direct. In addition, the proper mounts and camera equipment can be very costly, and the trade-off of leveraging an IP based array of [[Telescopes|telescopes]] allows me the capability of shooting far more objects throughout the year.
  
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The first edition included 45 objects, with Messier's final list totaling 103 objects. However, Messier 102 was not reported correctly, bringing the total to 102 objects. Other astronomers, using side notes in Messier's texts, eventually filled out the list to 110 objects.
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Currently, I am building out my [http://www.tedvlango.com/astrophotography portfolio of images].
  
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==Messier objects==
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I am also shooting the entire [[Messier Catalog]] leveraging these [[Telescopes|telescopes]].  With still more than 1/2 the year left, I have captured about 70% of the Messier objects. 
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=Gallery=
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Here a few samples.  Visit [http://www.tedvlango.com/astrophotography portfolio of images] for more!
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<gallery caption="Caption for gallery" widths=200px perrow=4 showfilename=all>
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File:Messier1.jpg|Crab Nebula: A Supernova remnant, 8.4 magnitude
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File:Messier8.jpg|Lagoon Nebula: A Nebula with cluster, 6 magnitude
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File:Messier16.jpg|Eagle Nebula: A Nebula, H II region with cluster, 6 magnitude
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File:Messier17.jpg|Omega, Swan, Horseshoe, or Lobster Nebula: A Nebula, H II region with cluster, 6 magnitude
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File:Messier31.jpg|Andromeda Galaxy: A Galaxy, spiral, 3.4 magnitude
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File:Messier42.jpg|Orion Nebula: A Nebula, H II region, 4 magnitude
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File:Messier45.jpg|Pleiades: A Cluster, open, 1.6 magnitude
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File:Messier64.jpg|Black Eye Galaxy: A Galaxy, spiral, 9.4 magnitude
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File:Messier68.jpg|Messier 68: A Cluster, globular, 9.7 magnitude
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File:Messier82.jpg|Cigar Galaxy: A Galaxy, starburst, 8.4 magnitude
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File:Messier84.jpg|Messier 84: A Galaxy, lenticular, 10.1 magnitude
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File:Messier97.jpg|Owl Nebula: A Nebula, planetary, 9.9 magnitude
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File:Messier101.jpg|Pinwheel Galaxy: A Galaxy, spiral, 7.9 magnitude
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File:Messier104.jpg|Sombrero Galaxy: A Galaxy, spiral, 9 magnitude
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File:Messier109.jpg|Messier 109: A Galaxy, barred spiral, 10.6 magnitude
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File:NGC4490.jpg|NGC 4490: "The Cocoon Galaxy", spiral spiral, 10.6 magnitude
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</gallery>

Latest revision as of 13:13, 18 May 2014

Astronomical Portfolio

Wikipedia describes Astrophotography as "a specialized type of photography that entails recording images of astronomical objects and large areas of the night sky. The first photograph of an astronomical object (the Moon) was taken in 1840, but it was not until the late 19th century that advances in technology allowed for detailed stellar photography. Besides being able to record the details of extended objects such as the Moon, Sun, and Planets, astrophotography has the ability to image objects invisible to the human eye such as dim stars, nebulae, and galaxies]. This is done by long time exposure since both film and digital cameras can accumulate and sum light photons over these long periods of time. In professional astronomical research, photography revolutionized the field, with long time exposures recording hundreds of thousands of new stars and nebulae that were invisible to the human eye, leading to specialized and ever larger optical telescopes that were essentially big "cameras" designed to collect light to be recorded on film. Direct astrophotography had an early role in sky surveys and star classification but over time it has given way to more sophisticated equipment and techniques designed for specific fields of scientific research, with film (and later CCD cameras) becoming just one of many forms of sensor."

I personally conduct most of my astrophotography by leveraging the telescopes available to me via iTelescop.net. I started taking my first pictures using my own telescope in my teens, but as my professional career had me move over different parts of the country, it became difficult to impractical to continue shooting direct. In addition, the proper mounts and camera equipment can be very costly, and the trade-off of leveraging an IP based array of telescopes allows me the capability of shooting far more objects throughout the year.

Currently, I am building out my portfolio of images.

I am also shooting the entire Messier Catalog leveraging these telescopes. With still more than 1/2 the year left, I have captured about 70% of the Messier objects.

Gallery

Here a few samples. Visit portfolio of images for more!


  • Caption for gallery

  • Messier1.jpg
    Crab Nebula: A Supernova remnant, 8.4 magnitude

  • Messier8.jpg
    Lagoon Nebula: A Nebula with cluster, 6 magnitude

  • Messier16.jpg
    Eagle Nebula: A Nebula, H II region with cluster, 6 magnitude

  • Messier17.jpg
    Omega, Swan, Horseshoe, or Lobster Nebula: A Nebula, H II region with cluster, 6 magnitude

  • Messier31.jpg
    Andromeda Galaxy: A Galaxy, spiral, 3.4 magnitude

  • Messier42.jpg
    Orion Nebula: A Nebula, H II region, 4 magnitude

  • Messier45.jpg
    Pleiades: A Cluster, open, 1.6 magnitude

  • Messier64.jpg
    Black Eye Galaxy: A Galaxy, spiral, 9.4 magnitude

  • Messier68.jpg
    Messier 68: A Cluster, globular, 9.7 magnitude

  • Messier82.jpg
    Cigar Galaxy: A Galaxy, starburst, 8.4 magnitude

  • Messier84.jpg
    Messier 84: A Galaxy, lenticular, 10.1 magnitude

  • Messier97.jpg
    Owl Nebula: A Nebula, planetary, 9.9 magnitude

  • Messier101.jpg
    Pinwheel Galaxy: A Galaxy, spiral, 7.9 magnitude

  • Messier104.jpg
    Sombrero Galaxy: A Galaxy, spiral, 9 magnitude

  • Messier109.jpg
    Messier 109: A Galaxy, barred spiral, 10.6 magnitude

  • NGC4490.jpg
    NGC 4490: "The Cocoon Galaxy", spiral spiral, 10.6 magnitude

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