An excellent book on Deep-Sky imaging is by Chris Woodhouse called
The Astrophotography Manual. There are two variations.
1)
The Astrophotography Manual: A practical approach to Deep-Sky imaging, 3rd edition 2024
2)
The Astrophotography Manual: A practical and scientific approach to Deep-Sky imaging, 2nd edition 2017
If you are interested in the science & mathematical formulæ, the 2nd edition is better. If your interest is in the practical aspects only, the 3rd edition is better.
Both go into depth about the theory & numerous considerations involved in creating images. Considerations include the amount of light pollution, atmospheric conditions (skies are clearer after heavy rain), the
Bortle scale, sensor capabilities & limitations, the need to factor in bright pixels as sensor artefacts and the ways of resolving that & that multiple images need to be taken over several minutes each, dark images taken using the sensor as well as bright images then stacked & edited in specialist software such as
PixInsight or the easier to use
AstroPixel Processor.Because the sensor needs to be operational for several minutes, like other types of processor they get very hot & this leads to artefacts. The best way of overcoming this is to use a cooled camera, which super-cools the sensor chip to minimise artefacts. These cameras are more expensive and are not necessary for lunar photography. The other consideration is the need for a computerised motorised tracker which must be aligned to the North Star (Polaris) so that you avoid star trails, automated focussing etc. Astrophotography is a much more expensive hobby than ordinary photography & in any given year you may only have clear enough skies to do astrophotography half a dozen times per 12 months. It is also a very challenging, difficult photographic discipline. Not for the faint hearted or those susceptible to cold outdoor weather. Heated, battery powered socks are recommended.
Locked
