Digital SLR Astrophotography

by Michael A. Covington

Overview

In the last few years, digital SLR cameras have taken the astrophotography world by storm. It is now easier to photograph the stars than ever before! They are compact and portable, flexible to adapt with different lenses and for telescope use, and above all DSLR cameras are easy and enjoyable to use. In this concise guide, experienced astrophotography expert Michael Covington outlines the simple, enduring basics that will enable you to get started, and help you get the most from your equipment. He covers a wide selection of equipment, simple and advanced projects, technical considerations and image processing techniques. Unlike other astrophotography books, this one focuses specifically on DSLR cameras, not astronomical CCDs, non-DSLR digital cameras, or film. This guide is ideal for astrophotographers who wish to develop their skills using DSLR cameras and as a friendly introduction to amateur astronomers or photographers curious about photographing the night sky.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781139930772
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	11/29/2007
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	19 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.

About the Author

Michael A. Covington is one of America's leading amateur astronomers and the author of the highly acclaimed Astrophotography for the Amateur (Cambridge, second edition, 1999). He was a professor of computational linguistics and artificial intelligence at the University of Georgia. Now retired from academia, he runs a consulting business in Athens, Georgia, from where he continues to take pictures of the stars.

Table of Contents

Part I. Basics: 1. The DSLR revolution; 2. Main technical issues; 3. Basic camera operation; 4. Four simple projects; 5. Coupling cameras to telescopes; Part II. Cameras, Lenses, and Telescopes: 6. More about focal reducers; 7. Lenses for piggybacking; 8. Focusing; 9. Tracking the stars; 10. Power and camera control in the field; 11. Sensors and sensor performance; Part III. Digital Image Processing: 12. Overview of image processing; 13. Digital imaging principles; 14. Techniques specific to astronomy; Appendices: A. Astrophotography with non-SLR digital cameras; B. Webcam and video planetary imaging.

Editorial Reviews

'Overall, the coverage is impressive, with an initial discussion of basic concepts.' Storm Dunlop, The Observatory

From the Publisher