Picastro blog
Photonica — field notes from the dark.
Guides, tips and stories from the Picastro astrophotography community.
How to Photograph the Moon with a Phone
You do not need a telescope to photograph the Moon. A phone, a tripod and the right settings will get you a sharp lunar shot — here is exactly how, step by step.
Stacking Software for Astrophotography: A Practical Guide
Stacking software turns dozens of noisy frames into one clean image. A practical guide to the main options — DeepSkyStacker, Siril, PixInsight and more — and when to use each.
Best Astrophotography App in 2026: What to Look For
Choosing the best astrophotography app depends on what you shoot. Here is what actually matters — image quality, capture data, community and protection — and how the options compare.
Imaging M42 in Astrophotography – A PicastroNerd’s Guide
Discover how to image M42 – The Orion Nebula in astrophotography with expert tips on exposure and setup. Learn to frame M42 perfectly today!
Understanding deep sky astronomy objects in our night sky
Astronomy opens a window to the vast universe beyond our planet. Among the many celestial wonders, deep sky astronomy objects captivate both amateur stargazers and professional astronomers alike.
Essential UK astrophotography tools for enthusiasts
Astrophotography is a tremendous hobby that combines the beauty of the night sky with the art of photography.
Stop chasing likes and follows on social media.
Explore why our astrophotography deserves more than an algorithm's approval. Discover the true joy of astrophotography beyond likes.
Astrophotography Tips for Beginners
Discover astrophotography tips for beginners. Learn how to capture stunning photos with astrophotography techniques and tools today!
Astrophotography tools for stunning night shots
Discover astrophotography tools to enhance your night sky captures. Learn how astrophotography tools can improve your photos.
Framing M42 in Astrophotography – A Picastro Nerd’s Guide
Discover expert tips on How to Frame M42 – The Orion nebula in Astrophotography. Learn how to frame M42 like a pro and enhance your astrophotography skills.
Calibration Frames in Astrophotography: Essential Guide by Picastro
Discover why "Satellite trails and the problems they cause" are a growing issue in astrophotography. Learn how to minimize satellite trails.
Satellite trails are becoming a serious problem for astrophotographers. Learn how they interfere with stacking, photometry, and astrometry—and what you can do to minimise their impact.
Discover why "Satellite trails and the problems they cause" are a growing issue in astrophotography. Learn how to minimize satellite trails.
Tips to help mitigate light pollution
Discover how light pollution in astrophotography impacts your images and nature. Learn strategies to combat light pollution in astrophotography effectively.
Astrophotography tips for improving your astrophography images
Discover some tips on taking great astrophotography images. Tips I always come back to time after time.
Astrophotography tips for improving your astrophography images
Unlock the full potential of Deep Sky Stacker, an astrophotography software for processing. Master the workflow of this astrophotography software for processing.
Astrophotography Technology Guide
Discover astrophotography technology and how it’s changing the game. Learn about astrophotography technology in this detailed guide.
Managing expectations when doing astrophotography and amateur astronomy
Discover the best software for astronomy processing of planets and deep-sky images. From RegiStax to PixInsight, find the perfect tool for your astrophotography journey.
Top remote and private observatories for astronomy and astrophotography
Using a remote imaging setup or private observatory to capture images of the night sky can be a great thing for the hobby of astronomy and astrophotography, more so if you live in an area with lots of inhibiting weather conditions or terrible viewing conditions, but it can have some drawbacks too. Some offer the facility to send your own telescope setup out there and some have their own setups too. Let's dive in...United StatesSiding Spring Observatory (SSO), New MexicoBest for: Deep-sky astroph
IC1848, The Soul nebula
Imaging IC 1848, the Soul Nebula, in Cassiopeia — capture details, integration time and processing notes for this classic narrowband deep-sky target.
The best dark sky sites in Scotland for astrophotography and stargazing
Scotland has some of the darkest skies in Europe. A guide to the best dark sky locations for stargazing and astrophotography — from Galloway Forest Park to the Isle of Skye.
The Aurora in Scotland!
Where and when to see the aurora borealis in Scotland — the best dark-sky spots, the right time of year, and how to photograph the northern lights with a camera or phone.
Tadpoles in space - the tadpoles nebula?
IC410 / NGC 1893 or the Tadpoles nebula is a cosmic collection of dust hurling through space and it looks like two tadpoles swimming! Can you see it?Total Integration time: 16 hours 40 minsMoon coverage: 25%Location: Northern HemisphereBortle: 4 This nebula is actually combined data from two different focal lengths of telescope, one at 1000mm and one at 750mm with the addition of the Starizona .75 reducer attached to the ZWO 533MMPro astronomy camera.The Tadploes nebula taken from my back garden
M101 Galaxy - the one with the supernova explosion.
A fantastic view of M101 galaxy, the one with the supernova explosion from 2023
Imaging M81, Bodes Galaxy from my back garden.
Discover how I captured stunning images of M81 Bodes galaxy from my back garden. Learn tips for photographing M81 Bodes galaxy yourself.
NGC 7380, I imaged a cosmic wizard in space!
NGC 7380 or the wizard nebula is a relatively young open cluster of stars in the constellation of Cepheus, discovered by Caroline Herschel in 1787. The surrounding emission nebulosity is known colloquially as the Wizard Nebula, which spans an angle of 25′.All nebulae are almost impossible to see with the naked eye, but using some dedicated astronomy equipment, some filters that only let in certain wavelengths of light and my astronomy telescope, we can image vast objects like the one show below.
Rosette Nebula - A Skull in Space: Capturing the Spectacular Monoceros Region
Explore the Rosette Nebula - a skull in space with a small telescope. Discover its vibrant colors and the fascinating Herbig-Haro object within.
I imaged Messier 33 or Triangulum galaxy from my back garden.
Imaging the Triangulum galaxy from a backyard with a dedicated astronomy camera, equatorial mount, and Skywatcher telescope. A great capture for only 27 minutes.
Have you ever seen a brain in deep space?
The Brain Nebula? A closer look at an unusual deep-sky object that genuinely looks like a brain in space — what it is, where it sits, and how it was imaged.
Imaging the Whirlpool Galaxy, Messier 51a, from My Back Garden in 2023
Immerse yourself in the beauty of the Messier 51 galaxy as captured from a backyard in 2023. Discover the wonders of this celestial marvel!
Messier 1 — The Crab nebula: A supernova explosion and the first object in the Messier catalogue.
A beautiful supernova explosion and the first object in the messier catalogue, messier 1
A full run down of the Messier catalogue of deep sky objects.
A full list of the 110 objects in the messier catalogue of deep sky objects.
I took an image of a galaxy 27 million light years away from us.
I imaged this galaxy from my back garden in 2023 using my one shot colour camera and my light pollution filter.
The heart of the heart nebula. Melotte 15 a deep sky object I imaged from my back garden.
A colourful deep sky object called Melotte 15 or heart of the heart nebula
Best Astrophotography Apps for Use in Astrophotography: Beginner to Expert Guide
Discover the best space and astronomy apps for use in astrophotography. Perfect for beginners and experts seeking top-rated tools and insights.
Top Software for Astronomy Processing: Best Tools for Planetary and Deep-Sky Image Stacking
Discover the best software for astronomy processing of planets and deep-sky images. From RegiStax to PixInsight, find the perfect tool for your astrophotography journey.
A Quick Guide to Planetary Imaging
Learning the art of planetary imaging with our quick guide. Learn the best tips and techniques for capturing stunning images of the planets and beyond from a planetary imager in the UK.
The Bortle Scale - what is it?
Explore the Bortle Scale and learn how it measures the visibility of celestial objects in the night sky. Discover its impact on stargazing and astronomy and astrophotography.
Our friend — The Moon
From lunar phases to celestial folklore, discover the captivating allure of our celestial neighbour, our rocky partner, the moon.
Picastro - social media for astronomy
Discover the ultimate social media platform for astronomy enthusiasts. Picastro - social media for astro, where you can share and admire stunning space images distraction-free!
The Pelican Nebula
Explore the details and the breathtaking beauty of the Pelican Nebula and uncover the wonders of the universe. Discover the celestial marvel in all its glory! Taken from my back garden on the west coast of Scotland
The Moon: More Than a Rock
Discover the secrets of the lunar surface and the moon. Explore why the lunar surface and the moon are more than just a rock in space.
The Soul Nebula: My Latest Deep-Sky Image from my Back Garden.
Explore the breathtaking beauty and colours of the Soul Nebula captured from a backyard on the west coast of Scotland using a back garden telescope. Admire the awe-inspiring wonders of the universe through this stunning deep sky image.
Some Useful Tips to Get Into this Amazing Hobby We Call Astro!
a beginners guide to diving into the fascinating world of astronomy and astrophotography! Get a few tips and tricks to kickstart your astro hobby.
The Orion nebula – M42 with De Marian’s nebula and the Trapezium.
Imaging the Orion Nebula (M42) with De Marian's Nebula and the Trapezium cluster — framing, exposure and processing notes from a back-garden astrophotography session.
The second image I took of The planet Jupiter! I know, it is a bit fuzzy bit it’s the planet Jupiter from my back garden
Discover the wonders of the universe with 'The planet Jupiter from my back garden!' Explore tips for stargazing and see Jupiter from home!