Top 10 Cameras and Telescopes for Astronomy
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Modern-day innovations in the technology of cameras and telescopes add even more worth to the field of astronomy.
Astronomy involves a lot of low light shots. In such instances, the phrase ‘low light’ refers to the scene when the sun is down, and thousands of glittery stars cover the night sky. A tip that may help you to get some good shots is to take pictures away from city lights to minimize light pollution. In low light situations, your camera may warn you of insufficient light and in that case, you may have to increase exposure manually. Under these circumstances, you need to consider certain aspects of low light photography before choosing the best camera for astronomical observations.
An Ideal Camera for your Astronomy Needs
The camera you’re buying should have a good native ISO range because it controls the amplification of light. Sensor size is another important factor: larger the sensor, greater the amount of captured light. Keeping in mind the cost-to-performance factor, a 35mm DSLR will give the best value. Dynamic Range is the ability of the sensor to pick up a wide range of brightness. The sensor should be able to differentiate between the brightest part of your picture from the darkest part without overexposing or underexposing anything. Multiple lens switching on-the-go can help you with capturing all the breathtaking photos you need and provides you with the right lens for the right shot. Keeping all the information in mind, here are some of the best cameras for astronomy.
Nikon D810A
It goes without saying: D810A’s large 36.3-megapixel (MP) sensor is best in its class. Coupled with ISO ranges from 200 all the way up to 12,800 and picture-perfect focusing, Nikon’s D810A is hard to beat in astrophotography.
Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark II
Don’t let the terrible name scare you. The E-M10 is a great choice for astrophotography with its small and compact size. Having said that, it is great for long distance shots as the powerful zoom of this beast is perfect for focusing on objects that are many light-years away (perfect for astronomy).
Canon Rebel T7i
Canon is one of the biggest names in the camera market. Suffice to say, the Rebel T7i is great for deep sky photography. The 24.2-megapixel APS-C sensor is all you need to get started. This camera is able to handle high-speed, 60fps continuous shooting. Although Multimedia cards cannot be used with this DSLR, it has built-in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and NFC.
Sony Alpha a7R II Mirrorless
The a7R includes a goliath 42.4-megapixel sensor that supports 4K recording. The camera is packed with features such as shutter vibration suppression, silent shutter, and curtain shutter. The stand out features of the camera includes its 42-megapixel full-frame EXMOR R BSI CMOS sensor and the BIONZ X image processing engine. They are what is responsible for the camera capturing a lot of light. Similarly, it has an excellent dynamic range in dark low light conditions, which is simply ideal for astronomy.
ZWO ASI071MC-Cool
This camera uses a modified DSLR sensor that can be cooled to -40 degrees below ambient temperature. ASI071 makes for a good entry point into the world of CCD astrophotography, as the color sensor produces regular color (RGB) images just like a DSLR. However, a big advantage a camera like this has over a DSLR is the extremely low-noise qualities of the images produced.
Telescopes for Astronomy
Telescopes are essential for experiencing the best form of astronomy. They have a simple job, which is to gather light. Universe is a big place, and there is never a shortage of neat things to see. Despite the fact that it’s only a mere blip on the cosmic scale, the Milky Way galaxy contains over 100 billion stars, and with the help of a telescope, you can uncover the tiny details and see what the naked eye cannot. Some of the finest telescopes for astronomy are as follows:
Celestron 21023 Cometron Firstscope
This telescope is a popular choice among beginners because it is easy to set up and use. The 2 Kg device is quite portable and can be used almost anywhere. An additional selling point for this telescope is the included finder scope, which is a great accessory for all the beginners of astronomy.
AW 70mm Astronomical Refractor Telescope Refractive Spotting Scope
This telescope uses a refractor optics system for easier viewing using two comfortable eyepieces. The aluminum tripod can be raised up to 50 inches and assists in balance. This telescope is compact and can be moved around freely. The AW is a complete package: it has a tripod, eyepiece, finder scope, optics tube, and an aiming platform.
Orion StarBlast 4.5 Astro Reflector
The 10015 StarBlast comes with a good-sized 4.5-inch aperture, two Explorer telescope eye-pieces, and the Starry Night computer software, which helps those who just started learning how to use their telescope. However, since this telescope is aimed at beginners, it comes with certain limitations. The aperture is a great size for its intended use, but advanced star-gazers may prefer something a little more powerful.
Orion 09007 SpaceProbe 130ST Equatorial Reflector Telescope
The Orion 09007 SpaceProbe 130ST is a dream device for every observer of astronomy. It is a reflector telescope, and with a 5.1-inch aperture, it can deliver high-quality images of distant stars and galaxies. The large mirror within the optics tube gathers a decent amount of light and sends it to the eyepiece. A pair of 1.25-inch Sirius Plossl eyepieces make it easier to see the tiniest details, and unlike some alternative options, Plossl eyepieces are very comfortable and easy on the eyes. The only real downside is the price, which is significantly higher than many other entry-level telescopes.
Orion SkyQuest XT8
The SkyQuest is the priciest telescope in our list but it proves its worth. The quality of image this scope produces is on par with the levels required by professional astronomers. While being slightly heavy at 18 Kg, the SkyQuest is most likely the best choice for those who know that their passion for viewing heavenly objects will not fade, quickly.
Computer Scientist by qualification who loves to read, write, eat, and travel
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