Since testing out the new Nikkor 180mm f2.8 lens on the Andromeda galaxy, we’ve been cursed with almost 3 solid weeks of cloud and moonlit nights. This is pretty typical, as anybody who’s just bought some new equipment will tell you. The stars finally came out for an... Read More

First attempt at imaging the Andromeda galaxy with the new Nikkor 180mm f2.8 ED Ai-s lens. I was able to grab just 2.5 minutes of exposure time before the clouds rolled in, but the resulting image stacked in Deep Sky Stacker blew me away! The lens is incredible. It can be shot... Read More

A moonlit night in Whitby, as the Milky Way shines through the gloom on Yorkshire’s Jurassic coastline. Read More

A recent trip to the Spanish island of Menorca gave me a chance to see Sagittarius at the heart of the Milky Way. This rich region of sky is barely seen from the UK. Despite a full moon, and Sagittarius hanging low above the Mediterranean, on the final day I couldn’t resist... Read More

This is easily the best astro shot I’ve managed to date. Taken using a combination of the cross filter and the new didymium / red enhancing filter which really draws out the nebulosity in Cygnus. The North America nebula, Pelican nebula and Butterfly nebula can all be seen... Read More

Rummaging through some old camera gear, I found a neglected looking cross filter from back in my old film camera days. I guess it’s more of a novelty effect filter, but I was intrigued as to what it might do to my star shots. It polished up nicely with a microfibre cloth,... Read More

Looking to test the newly improved ‘barn door’ tracker to its limit, I dusted off my old Sigma 75-200mm/f3.8 with 2x tele-converter. But with a hefty 600mm 35mm equivalent focal length, I was prepared for the worst. After less than a minute of polar alignment, and... Read More

First attempt at shooting with the home made ‘barn door/scotch mount’ star tracker – I’m amazed how well it works! This single 3 minute exposure was taken using a borrowed Tokina 11-16mm f2.8 lens in the amazingly clear skies of the North York Moors. The... Read More

The current solar maximum is on track to become the weakest in over 100 years. That is pretty disappointing news (and slightly worrisome!) if you’re a fan of auroras, solar flares and sunspots. But despite the low activity, I have put the bargain £12 sigma and 2x... Read More

It’s been many years since we last had clear skies for the peak night of the Perseid Meteor shower. Thankfully that run came to an end last night, when skies were as clear as the come around these parts. Making use of the D7000’s ability to take a long series photos... Read More