ASTROPHOTOGRAPHY
Many amateurs starting out in their new hobby wish to take pictures of the night sky. However, the equipment and its complexity can vary tremendously. Some astrophotography (pictures of star trails, short exposures of constellations, etc.) can be done with relatively simple equipment, such as a film or digital camera on a tripod. In contrast, imaging faint deep sky objects requires long exposures and an astro-imaging camera. The camera must be attached to a large aperture telescope that is kept on target by an accurate, motor-driven mount.
For long-exposure imaging, the German equatorial mount is preferred by many because of its ability to carry the weight of the equipment and minimize vibration. A digital CCD (charge coupled device) camera specifically designed for astrophotography is often used, since it is many times more sensitive to light than a film or regular digital camera. The telescope and camera must be matched to take full advantage of their respective capabilities. All of this equipment is generally expensive, but the cost can be mitigated somewhat by buying good quality, used equipment.
We strongly suggest that you contact one of the Society's astrophotographers and arrange to meet and discuss this special interest area in detail before buying a mount and telescope for this purpose. Learning how to get everything working together, locating the object to be imaged, guiding the telescope during the exposure, and processing the results will take a significant commitment of your time and energy. The results, however, can be very rewarding.
©2005 Indiana Astronomical Society