Astronomy tracking mounts provide the foundation for all the other equipment. They allow us to capture stunning images of the night sky by tracking the apparent movement of the stars across the sky. This enables the use of long exposures to capture the faint light of distant galaxies and nebulae. These equatorial mounts are designed to follow the stars accurately, and often, a computer can be used to control the pointing and framing of a particular object or area of the sky.

Sitting on top of the mount, the telescope enables us to reach out and capture the wonders of the universe beyond what our eyes can see. They come in three types, refractors, reflectors, and catadioptrics. Refractor telescopes use lenses for crisp and high-contrast views and are ideal for photographing wide-field celestial objects. Reflecting telescopes use large mirrors and have an excellent light-gathering capability, revealing faint deep-sky objects and often providing excellent color correction. Catadioptrics are a family of scopes that vary in design and are suited for a variety of purposes.

It goes without saying that a camera is essential for capturing stunning celestial images. Most images on our site have been taken with either a Digital Single-Lens Reflex (DSLR) or a dedicated astronomy camera. DSLR cameras offer versatility with interchangeable lenses and are suitable for a wide range of astrophotography subjects, including wide-field shots, constellations, and detailed deep-sky objects like galaxies and nebulae. Dedicated astronomy cameras, available in both color and monochrome options, are specialized tools designed specifically for astrophotography. They offer high sensitivity to low light conditions, advanced features for optimal image quality, and often include cooling systems to minimize thermal noise.

Filters enable us to shoot under light-polluted skies and still capture stunning details and colors. Narrowband filters allow specific wavelengths of light, capturing emission nebulae and reducing light pollution. Common narrowband filters include Hydrogen-alpha (Ha), Oxygen III (OIII), and Sulphur II (SII). LRGB filters, used with monochrome cameras, enhance natural colors and block light pollution by using separate filters for luminance (L), red (R), green (G), and blue (B) channels. LRGB filters can be used together to create stunning true color images, While narrowband filters are often used for false color images similar to what is seen from the Hubble Space Telescope.