A little over a year ago, I decided to get into astrophotography. This will be my Expensive Middle Aged Man Hobby™️

I got my first telescope in December, learned to use it, and took a few pictures of the moon with my phone held in place over the eyepiece.

Today, I own three telescopes. I have a small, lightweight outfit that breaks down into a backpack; a big, chonky feller that rarely travels; and, most recently, a newfangled smart device I’m still on the fence about.

I’ve also bought T ring adapters and a (not very good) used DSLR camera. Which let me get some better shots:

You spend a lot of nights wishing for clearer skies and better weather.

You don’t get to practice as much as you’d like.

Things keep, you know, moving.

Recently I was able to get this image. I feel it’s much improved. I still have a lot of learning ahead of me when it comes to processing, but this is an undeniable step forward.

And this past weekend, Sydney and I got away for a couple nights in the mountains. I took the digital smart telescope and the weather cooperated on the second night.

That’s about 14 minutes exposure time. The nifty thing about the smart scope is that it tracks for you. I went inside and had a drink while this was captured and stacked.

Again, processing is something I need to learn. And I think other settings for gain and exposure time could have nabbed a better result.

Anyway, I’m progressing and have thus far only spent a slightly obscene amount of money. The time involved is by far the larger investment.

But hey, isn’t that the point of hobbies?