Astrophotography
Who we are
The ASWA Astrophotography Section is a community of like-minded members who gather to pursue Astrophotography, furthering their knowledge and skills.
The section welcomes all experience levels, from someone who would like to start imaging but has no equipment yet to someone to beginners taking their first night-sky photographs to experienced astrophotographers using advanced telescopes, cameras and automated observatories.
Members can learn about:
- Choosing cameras, telescopes, mounts and filters
- Setting up and polar-aligning an equatorial mount
- Focusing, guiding and planning imaging sessions
- Capturing planetary, lunar, solar and deep-sky images
- Calibrating and stacking image data
- Processing images using specialised astrophotography software
- Operating portable and remote imaging systems
The section provides opportunities for members to share images, discuss equipment and techniques, troubleshoot problems and learn from each other. Beginners are encouraged to bring their questions and images, regardless of their equipment or experience level. We also feature a target of the month and other target suggestions.
Meetings
Astrophotography Section meetings are held monthly online. These meetings may include presentations, demonstrations, image reviews, equipment discussions and practical advice from other members.
The section also encourages informal gatherings of its members, including at its Tammin Observatory.
Tammin Observatory
The Tammin Observatory provides ASWA members with access to dark skies away from Perth’s light pollution.
On clear, moonless weekends, members regularly gather to image using a wide range of equipment. Because astrophotography is highly dependent on weather, members often confirm their plans only a few days before attending. The weather in Tammin can be significantly different from that in Perth, so members are encouraged to check the local forecast before attending.
New members are welcome to visit and observe other astrophotographers in action. It is recommended that visitors announce their plans in the Member Forum to ensure other members are present. We also require new members to contact the Committee to ensure a site induction can be completed.
Astrophotographers are usually busy setting up during the first hour of the night. Once their equipment is aligned, focused and imaging reliably, they will generally have more time to explain their setup and answer questions.
Get Involved
The best way to get involved is to attend an Astrophotography Section meeting, join an observing session or share your images and questions with other members on the Members Forum. The link to the Section meeting can be found in the members calendar.
You do not need expensive equipment to begin. A camera, tripod and basic lens can be enough to photograph constellations, star trails, the Milky Way and bright astronomical events.
For more information, contact the Astrophotography Section Leader/s at [email protected]
Section Leaders: Sean Makin and Brendan Mitchell