Astrophotography

Guides and galleries to inspire and help you get the most out of imaging the night sky.

The Rosette Nebula in hydrogen-alpha, before dark frame calibration (left) and with reduced thermal noise after it has been applied (right). Credit: Steve Richards

Astronomy FAQs What is a dark frame in astrophotography?

Supernova SN2011fe in Messier 101 – supernova hunting is an important activity ideally suited to amateur astro imaging. Credit: Pete Lawrence

Astrophoto guides

Image processing Deep-sky imaging for science

Spectroscopy Credit: LWA / Getty Images

Astrophoto guides

Imaging for science Astronomical deep-sky photometry and spectroscopy

How to photograph the Orion Nebula. Credit: David Tolliday

Astrophoto guides

Image processing How to photograph the Orion Nebula

A full-colour Mars and the filtered images from which it was built. Each filter reveals a different aspect of the planet. Credit: Pete Lawrence

Astrophoto guides

Imaging for science How to photograph Mars

The final processed image of the Monkey Head Nebula in Orion reveals its rich colours. Credit: Sara Wager

Astrophoto guides

Image processing Create Hubble Palette astro images with Astro Pixel Processor

Stellina smart telescope. Credit: BBC Sky at Night Magazine

Stellina Observation Station review

£3400 Price converted from Euro

Stellina smart telescope. Credit: BBC Sky at Night Magazine

Stellina smart telescope: a good option for beginners?

How to use PixInsight to enhance the brightness of a galaxy image without affecting the stars. Credit: Steve Richards

Astrophoto guides

Image processing Use PixInsight to enhance a galaxy's brightness without affecting stars

Like Jupiter, Saturn’s atmosphere shows numerous belts and zones. Recording variations in their intensity and colour will make valuable contributions to science. Credit: Pete Lawrence

Astrophoto guides

Imaging for science How to photograph Saturn

The Grace of Venus © Martin Lewis

Astrophoto guides

Imaging for science How to photograph Mercury and Venus

The Google Pixel 4 smartphone. How does it hold up as an astrophotography camera? Credit: Google

Astrophotography with Google Pixel 4’s Night Sight mode: is it worth it?

The top images from the Insight Investment Astronomy Photographer of the Year 2020 competition will be on display at the National Maritime Museum, Greenwich. Credit: National Maritime Museum, London

IIAPY The world's biggest astro imaging competition opens for entries

Processing raw space mission data

Astrophoto guides

How to process images from raw space mission data

Dione and Saturn in an image captured by the Cassini spacecraft in 2012 and processed by Emily Lakdawalla. Credit: NASA/JPL/SSI/color composite by Emily Lakdawalla

The art of processing space mission data to create astrophotos