Astrophotography combines the beauty of space with the precision of photography. Whether you’re capturing the Moon or distant galaxies, here are key tips to help you shoot the stars with stunning results.

• Use a tripod and a DSLR or smartphone with manual controls.
• Try shooting the Moon, star trails, or the Milky Way before attempting deep-sky objects.
• Apps like PhotoPills and Stellarium help plan the perfect time and location.

• Shutter Speed: 10–25 sec (depending on focal length – use the 500 Rule).
• Aperture: Wide open (f/2.8 or lower).
• ISO: 800–3200 (balance brightness with noise).
• Use a remote shutter or timer to avoid camera shake.

• Wide-angle lens (14–24mm): Great for Milky Way shots.
• Star Tracker: Tracks Earth’s rotation for long exposures of galaxies/nebulae.
• Telescopes with mounts: For deep-sky imaging (e.g., Orion, Sky-Watcher).
• Light Pollution Filters: Improve contrast in urban areas.

• Lightroom & Photoshop: Essential for editing RAW files and boosting detail.
• DeepSkyStacker: Stacks multiple images to reduce noise.
• Siril & GIMP: Free options for astrophotography editing.

Astrophotography takes patience, but the results are truly out of this world. Start small, practice often, and share your night sky journey with the stars!