First, What is a Star Party? I get asked this a lot. All year round, amateur astronomers gather around the world under dark skies for star parties. People have been congregating beneath the stars with telescopes for centuries. There are even stories linking back to King George III in the 18th-19th centuries, using lanterns in […]
I am a confessed glass hound. Lenses in my kit range from a vintage 1981 Nikkor 28mm f/2.8 AIS to funky and fantastic, off brand lenses, like the Helios 44-2 58 mm f/2 Russian lens. To wit, this new one in my bag, the AstrHori 6mm f/2.8 fisheye lens. This full-frame lens has a whopping […]
Here is the third installment of using the Alpaca Benro Polaris V2.0 (ABP). A mini PC offers portability and powerful applications anywhere you go, but unlike a laptop, which has a built-in battery, a source of portable power is required. This post specifically addresses setting up a mini PC to control the Benro Polaris in […]
Here is a step-by-step installation of the Alpaca Benro Polaris V2.0 (ABP). Since its release, I have installed it along with N.I.N.A, Stellarium, ASCOM 7.1 on a desktop computer, a laptop, and a mini PC. I am not a Mac user, but I expect the process is similar. This post addresses ABP installation on Windows-based […]
Overview of the Alpaca Benro Polaris V2.0 A new version of Alpaca Benro Polaris (ABP) was released this month, and it is impressive! It is easier to set up than V1.0; it has streamlined many steps, and the Benro Connect app is no longer required for the initial connection to the PC (or Mac). The […]
Here we are, looking ahead to the celestial events of the upcoming year. As I always do, I load up my calendar with the happenings that are coming up. These include planet events, lunar and solar eclipses, meteor showers, expected comets, Moon phases, and Milky Way core visibility. Interspersed with these events, there are delightful […]
The Screw Plate Struggle: Why It’s Holding You Back Picture this: You’re hiking to that epic sunset spot, tripod in tow, only to fumble with a tiny screw knob for agonizing minutes while golden hour slips away. Sound familiar? That’s the silent killer of outdoor photography: the stock screw plate on your ball head. How […]
As a night shooter, I am always on the lookout for filters that can fight the ever-invasive light pollution. My first light pollution filter was the Benro True Night filter, and to date, it remains a favorite. I have since tried others on the market. This is a review of the Kase Neutral Night filter, […]
I recently received a complimentary 82mm Kase Bright Star Focus Focusing Tool to evaluate and review. A little background first: I am an astrolandscape photographer. I teach night photography, and I evaluate photographic gear with a special interest in the gear that assists with night photography. I own various Kase filters and find them to […]
Photographing an astrolandscape is becoming increasingly popular. People are discovering that their digital cameras see very well in the dark and can capture the splendor of the starry skies. Infrared Milky Way photography ramps up the ability to see more detail of the magnificence of a star-filled landscape. Using digital infrared converted cameras expands their […]
