Satellite Photography

[satellite22]

Hey, I'm new, don't know too much about the whole thing. I've spent plenty of time outside tracking satellites, marking their paths, ect. Got some stars memorized, you know, the basics.

But now, I have the Canon Rebel T3i and I'm looking to try to capture some pictures of satellites, you know, close up. So they're not just a moving light in the sky.

So here's all I have.

•canon rebel t3I

•500mm telephoto lens with 2x attachable piece.

So its basically a 1000mm lens when I need to zoom that much.

So, with that equiptment, how will a "close up" photo of a satellite such as Terra or Envisat turn out?

Thanks

[Cornelius Varley]

Hello and welcome to SGL. I would suspect that with your equipment a satellite would still look like a small dot on the the sensor. Photographers have successfully taken images of the ISS using telescopes and webcam style cameras but I think using the same technique to capture images of much smaller objects such as satellites would be difficult. Imagine trying to take a photograph of a moving object about the size of a bus 500 miles away and I think you will get an impression of the difficulty.

[satellite22]

Okay, thanks

[JB80]

I have seen a couple of shots of the ISS done with DSLR and camera lens of about 200-300mm so in theory you should be able to get a workable image with your set up.

Here is one with a very similar set up to yours and frankly it's an amazing shot.

http://stargazerslounge.com/topic/188245-iss-with-a-camera-lens/

I dare say it would take a bit of practice too, I am yet to have success with a telescope and CCD so if I thought it'd be easier with a 300mm lens I'd give it a go.

As for Terra or envisat I have no idea how that would work as they are much smaller than the ISS but I would love to see you have a go and post the results. I haven't really seen anybody trying to image these sats before so have no idea what the end result is.

I say have a look at the heavensabove or calsky website and find a time for the next ISS crossing and give it a go.

[D4N]

Anyone tried a geostationary sat?

That would be easier if you have enough aperture.

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