Hello

[paddy973]

My names Henry, i live in Ripon North Yorkshire and am just getting to stargazing at the tender age of 53, i have a Celestron 130SLT and hope to do some astrophotography.

[Pete Presland]

Hi welcome to SGL from Pete in Bedfordshire

[Mr Spock]

Hi Henry, welcome to SGL

[swag72]

Hi Henry and welcome to SGL - Imaging is a tricky old game for sure - Enjoy your scope and the visual side before you try imaging and then become obsessed

Look forward to seeing you around

[ronl]

Hi Henry welcome to S G L

Hope you enjoy your time with us.

Good Luck and Clear Sky's

[michigander]

Welcome to SGL, Henry!

Dana

[PeterCPC]

Hi Henry and welcome.

Peter

[Sirius Starwatcher]

Hello Henry and welcome to SGL hope you have many clear skies

[hippie]

Welcome to SGL Henry  .

[RichM63]

Hi Henry, welcome to SGL. I always enjoyed the countryside around Ripon.

[Saganite]

Welcome to the forum Henry

[laudropb]

Hello and a warm welcome to the SGL

[thanders]

Hi Henry!

Welcome from Sweden.

/T

[Charon]

Welcome aboard Henry.

[JamesM]

Hi Henry and welcome to the forum. Before committing yourself to astrophotography, I would certainly recommend that you take a look at Steve Richard's book, "Making Every Photon Count". It's a comprehensive guide on how to image and what kit you will need to make good consistent images. Planetary imaging (planets and moon) can be done using a simple video camera, selecting the best 'frames' and stacking them together to make a composite image. Can be done using any scope and is fairly straightforward to do and good results can be obtained in a relatively short time period. Deep Sky imaging (Galaxies and nebulae) is quite another beast altogether and starts with an accurate motorised mount, probably a minimum HEQ5 that will enable you to take the long exposures that are needed to capture the very faint light that these objects emit. As well as the time needed to collect the light or data, there is of course the time needed to process the final image, teasing out the detail from software that can be obtained from the internet for free but equally there are other programs that will need to be paid for.

As you can see, to get the kind of images that most people associate with astrophotography requires a little bit more work than just pointing a camera down the scope. It is difficult though there is an initial steep learning curve as you get your head around the technical requirements that bring all the components together. The book is great value being modest in price and will certainly save you money by helping you avoid buying the wrong kit - don't want the first image of a black hole being the one in your wallet!  

Clear skies for your existing scope and hope you enjoy your stay here. 

[K3ny0n]

Welcome to the forum, I'm not too far away in Middlesbrough. The place where all of your light pollution comes from unfortunately. 

Sorry 

Rob.

[purdo]

Hi Henry & Welcome to SGL.

[Vox45]

Hello Harry and welcome to the forum

Clear skies !

[Bizibilder]

Hello Henry and welcome to SGL!!

[glowjet]

Hi Henry and welcome to SGL