Amateur Astrophotography

Astrophotography is a humbling yet rewarding pursuit. Using my Celestron INSPIRE 100AZ Refractor Telescope and iPhone 15 Pro Max, I capture glimpses of the cosmos. While my setup is simple compared to professional astrophotography rigs, I enjoy experimenting with different techniques to see what’s possible.

Stability and focus are my biggest challenges, as I don’t have a motorized tracking mount to compensate for the Earth’s rotation. Light pollution also limits visibility, but I embrace these obstacles as part of the learning process. Through trial, error, and post-processing, I’ve managed to capture images of the Moon, Jupiter, Mars, and other celestial wonders—sometimes with results that exceed my expectations.

Jupiter, with its Galilean moons, is one of my favorite objects to observe. Their movement is surprisingly swift, offering a real-time glimpse into orbital mechanics. Saturn’s rings are equally breathtaking. If you’ve never looked through a telescope to see Saturn, I highly recommend it—no photo can quite capture the awe of seeing it with your own eyes.

Each time I go out, I refine my approach, adjusting focus, exposure, and settings for the best possible shot. One day, I’d love to invest in a motorized tracking mount and a dedicated astrophotography camera, but for now, I’m enjoying the process of exploration—one photo at a time.