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By: Ikedi Ani-okoye.

Astrophotography Newton scope

Newtonian Telescopes

This design was invented by Sir Isaac Newton (he of the apple on the head fame). Instead of a lens at the front of the tube this telescope design uses a concave, parabolic mirror to collect light reflecting it back towards the front of the tube to a flat diagonal mirror which reflects the light out the side of the telescope to the eyepiece or camera for astrophotography.

Advantages of newton astrophotography

Lowest cost per inch of all the telescope designs.More light gathering power per dollar because of the lower cost design. Absolutely perfect color rendition.More compact design compared to a refractor of similar light gathering ability.-Excellent contrast for planetary and lunar astrophotography and viewing in longer focal lengths. Can get excellent wide-field astrophotos and short exposures in shorter focal lengths.

Disadvantages of newton astrophotography

Slight loss of contrast due to the central obstruction (the flat secondary mirror) as compared to a refractor. Requires more maintenance, such as collimation (discussed in another article) which is vital for great results in your astrophotography, although you will learn how to do this quickly with practice.

Astrophotography popularity

The telescope is a device that aids the naked eye to take a good view of distant objects. Because of this, astrophotography has become very popular. Ordinary camera’s lenses may not be able to make astrophotography possible. Yet, the onset of cameras as telescope adapters has changed this notion.

Neophyte astrophotographers prefer the traditional 35mm camera. From the day when astrophotography was preconceived, film cameras did a good job capturing optical images in the atmosphere.

CONCLUSION

Astrophotography ranges from simple images of bright objects to very complex exposures designed to reveal objects that are too faint to observe with the naked eye. With only a few exceptions, almost all astrophotography employs time exposures since both film and digital cameras can accumulate and sum light photons over long periods of time. This is just one of many distinct aspects of astrophotography that sets it apart from conventional photography.