by Don Selle
When you are starting out in astrophotography (AP) and selecting the components of your imaging rig there are a lot of decisions you need to make. In my opinion your first imaging rig should be adequate for the task, straight forward and easy to use. Rather than acquiring top of the line equipment that well known imagers are using, you should aim to select equipment that is easy to use which will make completing your first images as straight forward as possible.
For many beginning astroimagers, there can be a steep curve with new technologies that need to be mastered. As a result, for many, the first images completed are the most important. Early success is the surest prevention for the frustration and burn which leads many beginning astroimagers to throw in the towel. Your choice of camera can help make that early success possible.
Back in the day, the standard advice to newbies was that they start out with a good mount, and an 80 mm (or shorter) focal length refractor, still good advice today. Back then, the choice of cameras on a beginner’s budget was very limited. In the Early 2000s, monochrome CCD cameras were the thing, as CMOS camera technology was still in its infancy, and was considered not to have the sensitivity required for AP.
This is a series of columns primarily revolving around observing the Messier Catalogue. The intent is to provide the reader a sampling of the Messier objects each month that are most visible in the time frame the column is published. Hence, these deep sky objects should be easily identifiable in and around the month of September. Some months may have a special treat in addition to the Messier Objects. Check the trailer.
