Backyard Amateur Astronomy from N50.49 E3.16 - Astrophotography by Xavier Debeerst

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Backyard Amateur AstronomyWe shall not cease from exploration
And the end of all our exploring
Will be to arrive where we started
And know the place for the first time. . . .
T. S. Eliot
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AstrophotographyBetween my 12 and 18 years astronomy was my passion. It was the start of my interest in photography. That's the reason that I became a professional photographer and now a photography dealer.
That why I'm also interested in historical Astrophotography.
After 20 years of occasional observing I took up again my passion.
Necessity creates possibilities: discovering the unexepted possibilities of my equipment is a creative exploration of the mind.
My professional life is very stressing but when looking to the stars the stress disappears. It's a source of energy.
Not the scope is goal but observing as much as possible.

If you should have any comments of questions, don't hesitate to contact me: xavier@debeerst.com.
Xavier Debeerst
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Historical AstrophotographyAstrophotography was one of the first photographic subjects. Photography needed to help astronomers to find answers to some basic questions: is there life on the Moon, how much stars are there and how big is the Universe.

In 2006 I organized a photo exhibition called "Who's afraid of the Dark?" with a lot of unique astrophotos.

In this section you can find a selection of this exhibition.
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EquipmentEquipment can never be a goal as such but is a priority to use the right equipment for observing and to take photos.
It takes a lot of time and skills to find and match the right tools. In this part of the website you can see the results of this never ending search.
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309 files in 20 albums and 4 categories with 0 comments viewed 20582 times

Random files
26112006_triple_auriga_135m.jpg
The three open clusters in Auriga: M36, M37 and M3879 viewsDate: 26/11/2006
Lens: Zeiss Sonnar (Contax) 135mm f:4 with Lumicon Minus Violet filter
System: prime focus
Camera: Canon EOS 350D
Exposure: 15 X 180 sec @ 800asa
Autoguiding: no autoguiding
Treatment: DslrStar + Registax + Photoshop
Remarks:
maan_intes_mutar_c.jpg
High resolution Moon with the Eos 40d23 viewsDate: 13/01/200
Telescope: Intes M703
Mount: Modified EQ6 with Astromeccanica motors and FS2 controller
System: Zeiss Contax Mutar II
Camera: Canon EOS 40D
Exposure: 30 X 1/20 sec @ 800asa
Autoguiding: No autoguiding
Treatment: Registax and Photoshop
Remarks:
perseide_1308_0004_2.jpg
Perseid: 13/08/2005 00h04 CET45 views
16122006_m42_300mm4.jpg
The Orion Nebula M42114 viewsDate: 17/12/2006
Lens: Zeiss Tele Tessar (Contax) 300mm f:5.6 with Lumicon Minus Violet filter and Hutech LPS Front Filter
System: prime focus
Camera: Canon EOS 350D
Exposure: 7 X 180 sec @ 800asa
Autoguiding: no autoguiding
Treatment: DslrStar + Registax + Photoshop
Remarks: Not possible to make longer exposures due to the heavy light pollution..

Last additions
intes_martini14.jpg
Intes M70365 viewsThe Intes M 703 ready for astro photography.Nov 11, 2009
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Intes M703 with Martini tube rings59 viewsThe Intes needed tube rings for astro photography. The wooden tube rings are made by Martini in Germany.Nov 11, 2009
intes_martini07.jpg
Intes M703 + Starlight focuser80 viewsIntes Micro M703 with the Starlight Feathertouch focuser and the Martini tube ringsNov 11, 2009
epsilon.jpg
Epsilon Modular Pier with eq639 viewsEpsilon Modular Pier with eq6 adaptor and two accessory shelves.Nov 11, 2009