Astrophotography: The Art Of Photographing The Sky In 5 Questions

Astrophotography or astronomical photography is for anyone who loves observing the stars and wants to capture a record of these magical moments. For those who want to try this exciting discipline, here is a practical guide in 5 questions.

1- What is astrophotography?

Astrophotography is a hobby halfway between astronomy and photography. As its name suggests, it involves photographing all kinds of celestial objects: the moon, eclipses, auroras, planets of our solar system and their satellites, galaxies, nebulae, comets, or even sunspots...

Whether out of scientific curiosity or aesthetic pursuit, astronomical photography has many enthusiasts who capture wonderful images of the infinitely large. This branch of photography is particularly aimed at capturing details that observation alone does not allow us to see.

2- What is the history of astrophotography?

The father of astrophotography is the English scientist and photographer John William Draper. He was the first to take a daguerreotype of the moon on March 23, 1840, using the photographic process invented by Louis Daguerre shortly before.

The first photograph of a star was taken on July 17, 1850, with the telescope at Harvard University Observatory by Bond and Whipple. It was a daguerreotype of the star Vega, the main star of the Lyra constellation. The first images of the deep sky, specifically the great nebula of Orion, date back to the 1880s.

Astronomical photography made enormous progress during the 20th century. In 1949, the installation of two giant telescopes on Mount Palomar revolutionized this discipline by providing images of unprecedented precision.

The invention of the CCD sensor was another technical revolution that gradually supplanted photographic plates in professional observatories. Digital photography indeed offers increased sensitivity and greater ease of image storage.

Another decisive step in the race for the most perfect and precise image was, of course, the launch of the Hubble Telescope in April 1990. This space telescope has the advantage of being completely free from atmospheric turbulence and weather whims.

3- What equipment is needed for astrophotography?

Several techniques are used by astronomy photography enthusiasts. Film astrophotography involves using a classic Photo Film, which allows for a very wide field.

As for digital astrophotography, it has the advantages of using highly sensitive sensors and allowing amateur photographers to achieve good results at a lower cost.

Astronomy photography equipment is expensive. A substantial budget is necessary as it is recommended to equip oneself with:
- a high-performance telescope (Newtonian type).
- a specific adapter to attach your camera lens.
- an "equatorial" tripod combined with a motor (to follow celestial bodies by rotating the camera at a constant speed).
- a remote control or a flexible shutter release.
- a star chart to locate the celestial bodies to photograph.

4- How to succeed in your first astrophotography shots?

The main difficulty when attempting to photograph celestial objects is obtaining sharp images due to the rotation of celestial bodies, atmospheric turbulence, and light pollution. To achieve this, it is important to choose the right exposure time, hence the importance of experimenting and equipping oneself with a tripod.

If you also want to get into astrophotography, remember the following golden rules:
- take shots in clear weather.
- choose a location away from large cities to avoid any light pollution (in the countryside, mountains, or forest).
- be patient and seize the right moment.
- look for beautiful compositions by also using elements of the landscape.

Note: Summer is the best time of year to photograph the starry sky, especially since it is also the season of the Perseids (fascinating meteor showers).

5- How to get started with astrophotography?

One of the simplest or most fun ways to discover astrophotography is to sign up for a workshop or a stay dedicated to this hobby. Astrotourism, which allows you to admire the stars and the Northern Lights in privileged conditions, is a booming sector.

While waiting to book your next adventure under the starry sky, you can also gain perspective from everyday life by admiring photos of the Northern Lights shared by Thomas Pesquet on his social networks. The French astronaut indeed posted on his social networks on November 6, 2024, some of the wonderful shots from the finalists of the Astronomy Photographer of the Year contest.