With a desire to promote astrophotography I have set up a Facebook group called Astronomy Imaging UK to not only showcase what is possible from “backyard observatories” but also explain “how” it was achieved.
Having recently setup my own observatory, I will over the months to come be adding an astro-blog together with guides and tutorials then eventually, I will be running some practical workshops.
Please check the Tutorials area for the current selection of completed guides.
Stephen Bowden FRAS
STEM Ambassador for Royal Astronomical Society
Above is a photo of the MIG headquarters
Observatory:
SkyWatcher Equinox ED120 refractor with Moonlite dual speed focuser mod + CCD
William Optics Zenithstar 73 refractor + DSLR
SkyWatcher Traveller 80mm refractor + LVI Smartguider for autoguiding
HP Elitedesk mini pc with Pegasus Astro Pocket Powerbox providing full Remote control over a MESH network – backup using SkyFi and iPad/phone
NEQ6 Pro mount on a fixed pier under computer control using Cartes du Ciel
Canon 5DmkIII (unmodded for widefield imaging)
Canon 6D (astromodified) + 2″ CLS filter
ZWO ASI178MC (CMOS for planetary, guiding and some deep sky)
2″ IKharos combined focal reducer and field flattener
Visual observation using Baader Hyperion zoom 8-24mm (and 2.5x Barlow) + assortment of eyepieces and 2.5x Barlow
Multiple IP cameras for realtime observation {note: still in progress}
Networking:
Netgear ORBI with 2 satellites providing full coverage of about 1/2 acre on 2.4GHz and 5GHz
Mission Control:
27″ DELL XPS all-in-one pc with 4 monitors running Windows 10 Professional
Windows Remote Desktop using Cartes du Ciel, CCD Ciel, Backyard EOS and Sharpcap
Image processing using Adobe Photoshop and Astro Panel (new)
