Astrophotography57 articles

7 Mistakes to Avoid When Photographing Meteor Showers

7 Mistakes to Avoid When Photographing Meteor Showers

Relevant note: The Perseid meteor shower remains active until August 23, 2025, with its peak occurring around August 12–13, though visibility was subdued by a bright waning gibbous Moon (around 84%–85% illuminated) that night. As the Moon continues to wane toward a thinner phase, viewing conditions are improving during the later nights of the shower. Meteor showers are […]

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2 Methods of Star Trail Photography

2 Methods of Star Trail Photography

Relevant news: The Perseid meteor shower peaks the night of August 12–13, 2025, with up to 50–100 meteors per hour visible from dark, rural locations despite a bright moon. Best viewing is in low-light areas like national parks or designated dark-sky sites, with pre-dawn hours offering the clearest shots. Aim toward the constellation Perseus for […]

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Large Moon Photos with a Long Focal Length

Large Moon Photos with a Long Focal Length

Have you ever come across images where the moon looks big, like really really big? Looks fascinating right? But, when you point your smartphone towards the sky, it’s nothing more than mere disappointment. And the situation doesn’t improve much even when you use your camera with an everyday lens. So how can you take such […]

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How to Photograph Auroras

How to Photograph Auroras

Photographers across the northern U.S. may have another chance to capture the aurora borealis tonight (Saturday, June 7), with geomagnetic activity expected to reach levels that could make the northern lights visible in states like Washington, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan. Visibility will depend on cloud cover, but NOAA forecasts favorable conditions […]

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Night Photography Tips

Night Photography Tips

Night photography is a typical “next step” for many budding photographers. I have had numerous photographers ask me over the years, “What do I need to get started in night photography?” My response is always, “What type of night photography do you want to do?” To which they inevitably say, “I don’t know. I just […]

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Chasing Auroras: Photography in Geomagnetic Storms

Chasing Auroras: Photography in Geomagnetic Storms

Geomagnetic storms, often referred to as space weather, are caused by disturbances in Earth’s magnetosphere due to solar wind. While they can disrupt communications and navigation systems, they also offer a rare and spectacular opportunity for photographers. The most famous visual manifestation of geomagnetic storms is the aurora borealis, or northern lights, in the Northern […]

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Eclipse Photography: Protecting Your Eyes & Camera Sensor

Eclipse Photography: Protecting Your Eyes & Camera Sensor

When you point your camera at the sun without a solar filter, especially during an eclipse, you’re essentially focusing intense sunlight onto your camera’s sensor. This can have detrimental effects. The Perils for Camera Sensors Camera sensors, much like the human eye, are sensitive to the intense light emitted by the sun. Without a solar […]

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Eclipse Photography 101: Avoiding Rookie Mistakes

Eclipse Photography 101: Avoiding Rookie Mistakes

Photographing a total solar eclipse is an exciting endeavor that photographers of all levels look forward to. However, due to the unique challenges it presents, many photographers, especially those attempting it for the first time, make some common mistakes. Understanding these pitfalls can help you capture this celestial event successfully. Here’s a breakdown of the […]

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Comet Photography Tips

Comet Photography Tips

Capturing the ephemeral beauty of a comet as it dances across the night sky is an experience that can leave an indelible mark on a photographer’s heart. These celestial wonders, with their blazing cores and trailing tails, offer a unique opportunity to photographers. If you’ve ever dreamt of capturing this spectacle, you’re in for an […]

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Astro Photography Tips & Camera Settings

Astro Photography Tips & Camera Settings

Astrophotography opens a window to another world. The results are so powerful that they make us feel our insignificance. Professional astrophotographer Stan Moniz along with Chris Hau share camera settings, gear, and secret tricks to help you get started with photographing the stars: Gear for Astrophotography Moniz recommends that you have the following essential gear for […]

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