The night sky and all of its mystique and wonder, has captivated the minds of people for centuries. The thought of capturing an object hovering beyond the Earth’s hemisphere is something we all dream of, and that is what astrophotography is. Although virtually anyone with a camera aimed at the night sky is capable of astrophotography, the technique behind it involves having the right light conditions and the proper equipment.
Astrophotography first launched in the year 1840, when a man by the name of John William Draper captured an image of the moon. He was the first person to capture an image in space, and ever since, the world has had a craving for more. Early photographers focused their eyes upward, and astrophotography has remained an admired pastime ever since. Amateur and professional photographers directed their telescopes and cameras towards the night sky to capture vibrant, awe-inspiring shots of everything from nearby star-studded communities to distant far away nebula.
As the study of astronomy and photography procedures have advanced, laboratories and orbiting telescopes have magnified the tradition of photographing astrophysical matters. Even now, scientists continue to push the envelope, forming new methods and devices in order to achieve a more profound photographic accuracy at cosmic distances.
Given the expansion of today’s technology, many enthusiasts are using webcams and video cameras to capture images in space. Using these devices, many photographers have recorded and magnified images captured from outer space. Hooking the webcams and video cameras into a telescope or tripod can help stabilize the device when recording, and can help produce clearer photographs.
Although the equipment you use while capturing an image from outer space plays a huge role, it is not the only challenge affiliated with successful astrophotography. The planet if full of matters that are invisible to the naked eye such as interference from the ambiance. Dust, particles, moisture, light pollution and insects are just a few things you must try to avoid, when trying to capture a clear image of an object in space.
Capturing images of what dwells beyond our own planet, feels like entering another dimension. Witnessing the stars and nebula interact with each other right before your eyes, is an experience unlike any other. There are many resources available to help you achieve your own astrophotography goals, filled with tricks and techniques to guide your way through the steps needed to capture your own piece of the galaxy.
