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Sunday, June 15, 2014

Canon 60Da Astrophotography - Brooklyn NYC

This was my first experience using the Canon 60Da after many years with the Canon 40D. The 60Da immediately showed how much easier it is to capture faint stars, even from Brooklyn.

The Canon EOS 60Da was my first dedicated astrophotography camera after years of shooting the night sky with the Canon 40D. Even under the heavy light pollution of Brooklyn, New York, the 60Da revealed stars that were almost impossible to capture with the older camera.

The letter “a” in Canon 60Da stands for “astronomy”. This version of the 60D includes a special modified IR-cut filter that allows about three times more H-alpha sensitivity than a standard DSLR. This improved red sensitivity makes nebulae and faint emission regions much easier to record. The 60Da also provides cleaner high-ISO performance and live-view focusing that is especially useful for astrophotography.

Below is my very first image taken with the 60Da: a mix of night sky and rose flowers from my backyard, with Saturn and the Libra, Scorpius, and Ophiuchus constellations faintly visible above.

Canon 60Da first astrophotography image Brooklyn NYC roses Saturn Libra Scorpius Ophiuchus night sky
Sky and roses Canon 60Da Astrophotography Brooklyn NYC

The second image shows the 60Da camera itself with the night-sky photo displayed on the rear LCD — proof of how well the modified sensor captured faint stars even in a bright city environment.

Canon 60Da camera astrophotography LCD screen showing night sky photo Brooklyn NYC
Canon 60Da Astrophotography – LCD Display with Night Sky Photo

The third image was taken during the day, showing the 60Da on a tripod. The EOS 60Da label is clearly visible — a reminder of when I first started testing this specialized camera.

Canon EOS 60Da astrophotography camera on tripod daytime photo
Canon 60Da - Astrophotography Camera

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Thursday, June 12, 2014

Jupiter Moons and Red Spot - Astrophotography - Celestron 4SE

How does Jupiter hold up his trousers?
With an asteroid belt.

--Astronomy Jokes

Jupiter is one of the most exciting objects to observe in the solar system. Even a small telescope reveals its bright cloud belts, the famous Great Red Spot, and the four large Galilean moons — Io, Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto. Watching these moons change position from night to night (and sometimes hour to hour) is one of the highlights of amateur astronomy.

This photo was taken with my Celestron NexStar 4SE Maksutov telescope from Brooklyn, NYC. For bright planets like Jupiter, Mars, Venus, or Saturn, light pollution is not a problem at all. These planets are extremely bright, and the telescope’s tiny field of view blocks almost all city glow. Light pollution mainly affects faint stars and the Milky Way, but not planets — they remain sharp and clear even in a heavily light-polluted city like New York.

Capturing both Jupiter’s atmospheric details and all four moons in a single frame is not easy. The planet needs a very short exposure to reveal the belts and the Great Red Spot, while the moons require a much brighter setting. For the final image, I combined two photos — one optimized for Jupiter itself and another for the moons. I checked the ephemeris for that night so I could label each moon correctly. The positions of Jupiter’s moons can be easily found using online tools — for example, the Sky & Telescope Jupiter’s Moons calculator.

The Image


Jupiter with the Great Red Spot and Galilean moons captured through a Celestron 4SE telescope from Brooklyn NYC – astrophotography image
Jupiter Moons and Red Spot Astrophotography Celestron 4SE - Brooklyn NYC

What You Can See in the Image

  • Jupiter’s two main cloud belts
  • The Great Red Spot on the disk
  • All four Galilean moons correctly positioned for that night
  • Labeled moons based on calculated ephemeris

For a compact 4-inch telescope, this is a very satisfying result. The combination of sharp planetary details and the full set of moons gives a realistic view of the dynamic Jupiter system.

Gear & Technique

  • Telescope: Celestron NexStar 4SE Maksutov
  • Mount: GoTo Alt-Az
  • Method: Two-photo composite — short exposure for Jupiter, brighter exposure for moons
  • Main challenge: Huge difference in brightness between planet and moons

This image shows what a small telescope can do even in the middle of a major city. Planets are bright enough to cut through light pollution, and their details are visible whenever the atmosphere is steady.

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Tuesday, June 10, 2014

Golden Gate Bridge on Astronomy.com

Golden Gate Bridge Photo on Astronomy.com

Golden Gate Bridge Photo on Astronomy.com - battle with the Light pollution
 Night Landscape Golden Gate Bridge Astronomy.com - astronomy gallery Cosmic Creations

Wednesday, June 4, 2014

Explore Scientific 82° Series 8.8mm Eyepiece

I bought Wide angle  Eyepiece. Every time kids complain that they not able to see planets or stars in the telescope but later find right angle of view confirm that it is OK. I hope that now with wide angle Eyepiece problem will solved.

The  Explore Scientific has very nice box :)

Explore Scientific 82deg Series 8.8mm Eyepiece Box

Explore Scientific 82 Series 8.8mm Eyepiece Open Box
Constellation box of Explore Scientific 82 Series 8.8mm Eyepiece


Celestron 4SE and Explore Scientific 82 Series 8.8mm Eyepiece
Explore Scientific Eyepiece and Celestron 4SE
Explore ScientificWide Angle Eyepiece

Sunday, June 1, 2014

Brooklyn at night

Night Photography - Brooklyn, night sky, stars

Brooklyn at night - Sheepshead Bay boats and sky
Sheepshead Bay Brooklyn night sky - NYC Astrophotography
Night Brooklyn - Sheepshead Bay boats and starry sky - NYC Astronomy
Sheepshead Bay Brooklyn New York night Sky

Urban Astronomy Sheepshead Bay Brooklyn NYC Reflection of stars