John Griffiths Astro Pages

GCSE Astronomy — Straightforward Astro Photography

 

 

 

GCSE Astronomy >  [Revision]  >  Astro Photography >  [Useful Links]

VC1.1

Last updated Oct 01 , 2009

 

Taking photographs of the night sky and the brighter objects in the sky is surprisingly easy – and exceptionally rewarding. Here are some of the available with the simplest of equipment.

 

· A. Just using a camera

 

To photograph star trails, prop up the camera, point it at the night sky and open the shutter for a few minutes. This can produce an image of star trails. The stars, which appear as points of light, will, as the Earth spins, cause trails (like streaks) across the image. If the camera is pointed towards the North Celestial Pole, NCP ( marked out by Polaris, the Pole, or North star) the image will show a series of concentric arcs around Polaris – note that Polaris also moves but by a very small amount, due its close proximity to the NCP. Here are examples of what can easily be produced.

 

 

 

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