Anthony Galván III
Birdman to the Stars!
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In 1997 Comet Hale-Bopp prompted me to
turn an eye skyward once again. Photography has alway been a nurturning and
soothing thing, even when I was earning a living at it. On Sunday, January
19, 1997 I bought a C90 at the Santa Barbara Swap Meet. My first telescope in 20+
years! I quickly bought a T-adapter and began shooting the Moon. I thought the
planets and deep sky stuff would be a piece of cake - WRONG!
Join me as I crawl, stumble, and walk among the stars, tripping on my cable
release, putting up with bad weather, dead batteries and the heart-break of
dew.
Follows these links to images, how to's and astronomy related tips and travels
around the globe that have to do with the stars and beyond.
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Transits and eclipses have the same thing in common. Something moves between something else. Here are some images from past eclipses and transits.
Astrophotographic images ranging from simple moon, solar, lunar and planetary
shots to deep sky targets. I've used a simple barndoor made of two pieces of
wood and a door hinge to a Celestron C8 on a Losmandy GM11 German Equatorial
Mount (GEM) with an ST-4 autoguider to photograph and image comets, conjunctions,
eclipses and other strange astronomical events and highlights.
My equipment
and techniques
run from a time exposure on
a tripod to 60 minutes tracking the target and hoping nothing gets in the
way except the right photons. With the digital age I've found ways to side-step
the German Equatorial Mount when the right digital camera and lens combination
is put together.
If you're getting started in astrophotography, then this is where you need
to start.
Rocket Launches from
Vandenberg Air Force Base, CA
The other rocket place in the U.S. Located on the Central Coast in California,
Vandenberg AFB has been the site of may spectacular and controversial launches.
Enjoy these beautiful launch images folks in California and sometimes as far
away as Las Vegas get to see.
June 27, 2006 Delta IV launch carrying a National Reconnaissance Office satellite.
A waxing crescent moon makes for a nice photo op.
Plans and tips for constructing a simple barn door mount.
Sometimes the simplest pieces of equipment provide you with the best results.
A couple of pieces of wood, a door hinge, some screws, nuts and bolts, and presto,
celestial tracking device. Who needs a German Equatorial Mount when you can make
your own!
The Comet
Hale-Bopp
This is what brought me back to astromony. Since Comet Hale-Bopp I've
photographed and images several others including Comet Linea, Comet Ikeya-Zang
and Comet C/2004 Q2 Machholz.
QuickCam
Images
Yes, a $39.95 camera attached to a parallel port on a PC
computer can yield images of the moon, planets, and the sun. These days there
are dedicated cameras made by Celestron and Meade that fit the bill. But, it's
more fun to make and adapt your own.
A motely crew from the Astronomical Unit goes to Big Bear, CA.
This annual event is the big Star Party for Southern California astronomers.
- Here are some
links to friends and resources who've helped along the way.
Don't be afraid to ask. One night at Mt. Pinos I was having problems with
my setup. I asked the person next to me if they could. He did.
His name?
Marty
Germano!
So, don't be shy! Ask!
Still need more information on astronomy or astrophotography? Search now.
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This Site takes part in the AstroPhotography Sites Ring
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All images © 1998 - 2006 Anthony Galván III.
Any use without written permission is strictly prohibited.