Your guide to astrophotography

Cluster

Messier 15 (M15): The Great Cluster of Pegasus

M15, also known as the Pegasus Globular Cluster or NGC 7078, is a magnificent swarm of hundreds of thousands of ancient stars, residing in the constellation Pegasus. Discovered in 1746, M15 is one of the oldest known globular clusters in our galaxy, estimated to be around 12.5 billion years old.

Located approximately 33,600 light-years from Earth, M15 boasts an apparent magnitude of 6.2, meaning it can be seen with the naked eye under dark skies. However, binoculars or a small telescope offer a more detailed view, revealing its impressive structure. The best time to observe M15 is during the fall months from the Northern Hemisphere.

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March 3, 2024
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M15 - Great Cluster of Pegasus

Solar System

My First Image of the Sun

With just over one month before the big solar eclipse crossing the United States on April 8, 2024, I decided to get a solar filter to try and capture the show. But first, I need to practice solar photography skills. This is quite a bit different in that I’m not using a telescope. Instead, I’m using a Canon T7i DSLR with a Sigma 150-600mm lens.

I get lucky in that on February 24, 2024, there was a big sunspot on the face and that the skies were clear. The image did take some time to process because I’ve never imaged the sun before. Based on my experience with lunar photography and PixInsight, I went ahead and developed a Solar Workflow

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February 29, 2024
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Sunspots - February 24, 2024

Best Practices

Learn How to Create a Point Spread Function (PSF) Model for PixInsight Deconvolution

The blurring effect within an image is often characterized by a mathematical function known as the Point Spread Function (PSF), which describes how a point source of light is spread out in the image. The point light sources are your stars, which should be circular.

When used with the PixInsight Deconvolution process, an accurate PSF model shows the blurring characteristics within the image, which deconvolution can correct. To be accurate, the PSF creation process should use a linear image (one that has not been stretched). When an image is stretched, the PSF characteristics are no longer accurate, resulting in a poor deconvolution result.

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January 19, 2024
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Best Practices

Learn the Best Time to Use PixInsight Deconvolution

Many astrophotography workflows often recommend removing stars to simplify image processing. Without stars, you are able to focus your attention on the nebula and galaxies. However, the process of star removal can often remove some of the finer details within your image. This is why star removal is often completed early on in the astrophotography workflow.

But an interesting question often arises: Should I run deconvolution before or after I remove the stars?

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January 14, 2024
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