My Astrophotography Collection

I’m not an expert astrophotographer, nor do I claim to be. I’m just a regular guy who’s always been fascinated by the vast expanse of the universe. The telescope I use is special to me because it’s the first thing I bought with my salary as an intern. Back then, I didn’t know much about telescopes, but I knew one thing – I wanted to gaze at the stars and planets, and maybe, just maybe, take a few cool photos along the way.

The Moon is one of my favourite targets. In the photo below, you can see its craters and shadows, though it looks even sharper through the telescope. The shadows along its horizon really bring those details to life.

Another favourite of mine is Saturn. Although my photos of Saturn are a bit blurry, I can still make out its famous rings.

This is where I started to think about upgrading my telescope (maybe that’s what I’ll get with my next paycheck!). Even so, there’s something magical about seeing Saturn, rings and all, with your own eyes.

I had one of my proudest astrophotography moments when I managed to capture the Orion Nebula. It was a bit of a lucky moment, honestly. I’ve only seen it once, and although my photo came out blurry, just knowing that I managed to capture it is a big win for me.

Over time, I’ve had the pleasure of seeing Jupiter and its moons, Vega shining brightly, and even catching glimpses of tiny planets and wandering satellites. Each time I see something new.

Unfortunately, stargazing isn’t always easy in the city because of light pollution. Where I live, the best time to catch clear skies is in July to October when rain clears the air. Still, light pollution has gotten worse over the years. Studies show the Earth’s night sky is now twice as bright as it was a decade ago, and future generations might see only 30% of the stars we can see today.

The universe is expanding, and many distant stars will eventually drift out of view, so the night sky we enjoy now won’t be around forever.

Must Read: The Night Sky Deserve Your Attention

I might not have the best gear or the sharpest photos, but stargazing brings me so much joy. If you’ve ever thought about it, I highly recommend giving it a try—you never know what cosmic wonders you might find!

Happy stargazing! 🌌