The following are selected articles written by members of the Vermont Astronomical Society and either presented at a monthly meeting or published in the club’s quarterly newsletter, The Morning Star.
DIY Push-To with Digital Setting Circles
A presentation given by club member Bob Horton at the December 2020 Club Meeting. Use of DIY Electronics to add digital readouts for Alt-Azimuth settings on a Dobmount.
DIY GoTo Controller
A presentation given by club member Bob Horton at the December 2020 Club Meeting. Use of DIY Electronics to add programmable tracking to a DobMount.
Basics of How Digital Cameras Work
A presentation given by club member Paul Walker at the February 2020 Club Meeting.
Astro-Imaging Processing Concepts & Processes
By Paul Walker
Paul covers some basic information about digital images that helps explain why astro-images are processed the way they are. Includes information about the difference between pictures taken using a camera’s RAW format and the “normal” JPG format. Terminology and concepts are introduced, such as light frames, dark frames, and flat fields. Typical steps taken during “stacking” of images are covered. How to use specific stacking software is not covered. For “post” processing, Paul introduces the image histogram and how adjusting it enhances images.
Astro-Imaging Equipment Overview
By Mike Stadtmauer
One can start out doing easy astro-imaging with a DSLR camera on a tripod for a modest cost ($400-$800). You may even have the equipment you need. Depending on your experience and knowledge of “normal” photography, the learning curve can be quite steep. Regardless, it is recommended to progress from easier to more difficult levels. Deep-sky imaging with a telescope can be pretty involved, given the equipment required and the range of options available. Not to mention what it takes to get the most out of your pictures. Lower-end, through-the-telescope imaging can easily run a few thousand dollars for new equipment; medium- and high-end setups, several thousand. One can save a lot by purchasing used equipment. This was presented to the club as a PowerPoint presentation. If you have questions, feel free to contact us at info@vtastro.org
Astro Equipment Reviews
Astro Media Reviews
- The Glass Universe: How the Ladies of the Harvard Observatory Took the Measure of the Stars by Dava Sobel
- Cosmos: The Infographic Book of Space by Stuart Lowe and Chris North