Sky & Telescope - December 2024 - 56

DECEMBER 2024 OBSERVING
First Exposure
your phone's camera remotely without
having to touch (and thus, shake) the
device. These work with both Apple and
Android devices, and with many thirdparty
photo apps as well. Shop around
- it's possible to get a tripod, adapter,
and Bluetooth remote bundled together
for very little money.
Another great gadget is a smartphone
telescope adapter, which helps
correctly position your phone's camera
lens with your telescope's eyepiece so
you can harness the magnifying power
of your scope. Deep-sky astrophotography
done this way is challenging, but
quick snapshots of the Moon and planets
are pretty easy. You can even capture
sunspots if your telescope is equipped
with a safe solar filter. At outreach
events, I use a smartphone adapter
to let visitors take their own close-up
photos of the Moon - it's a huge hit.
There are several models from numerous
manufacturers to choose from. A
basic unit starts at around $20.
Easy Automation
If you already have a tripod and interchangeable-lens
camera, the next gadget
on your wish list should be a remote
shutter release. Most cameras have a
socket to accommodate one of these.
A remote shutter release allows you to
start an exposure without touching
DREAM TEAM The rig portrayed here consists
of a Canon EOS Ra DSLR camera, 70-to200-mm
f/2.8 zoom lens, and Sky-Watcher Star
Adventurer GTi portable multipurpose mount. A
top-of-the-line star tracker like this one isn't inexpensive,
but it's still airline-portable and can
even support a small telescope. This collection
of gear is capable of producing a wide range
of stunning results, including the astrophoto
shown on the previous page.
foreground for two hours!
An intervalometer is a handy, selfthe
camera. For most camera models,
you also have the option of a wireless
remote, but with these you're typically
restricted to the longest exposure
time your camera will do on its own.
If you want to expose for longer than
30 seconds (the maximum for most
cameras), you need to put the camera in
Bulb mode and lock the shutter-release
button for the duration of the exposure,
however long you wish it to be.
Even more useful is an intervalometer.
Yes, it's true than many cameras
allow you to use an intervalometer app
on your mobile device, but a proper
external intervalometer is much more
versatile. For example, if you want to
do a star-trail sequence that requires
120 one-minute exposures, you'd have
to stay within range of your camera
and leave the app running in the
contained programmable timer that
automates the process of capturing
multiple exposures. You can set the
exposure length, the number of shots,
and even program in a delay between
exposures if you like.
Once the device is up and running
your sequence of shots, you can walk
away and do some observing while
the intervalometer happily keeps your
camera clicking away. They're great
for star trails (S&T: Aug. 2024, p. 55),
capturing multiple sub-frames of a
given target, and for time-lapse videos.
An intervalometer can even replace
your standard remote shutter release.
In fact, unless you're really determined
to keep things as simple as possible, I
can't imagine why you wouldn't just
get an intervalometer instead.
You'll have to be sure to purchase an
intervelometer designed to work specifically
with your make and model of
camera. However, " off brand " units are
available and generally cost far less than
those made by the camera manufacturers
themselves. Expect to pay in the
SMART SOLUTIONS Left: You can mount your smartphone on a tripod with a simple, low-cost adapter bracket. This unit came bundled with a
Bluetooth camera shutter remote (left of the bracket) that works with both Apple and Android devices. JIGGLE-FREE SHOOTING Right: Either an
intervalometer (device at left) or a simple, locking shutter release (right) is an essential accessory for any nightscape photographer. The intervalometer
allows you to set up an automated exposure sequence, while the shutter release facilitates single, long exposures with your camera in Bulb mode.
56 DECEMBER 2024 * SKY & TELESCOPE

Sky & Telescope - December 2024

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Sky & Telescope - December 2024