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Is it Important Mastering Basic Astronomy? Having sufficient astrophoto-graphy equipment is not enough for shooting session. The basic knowledge of astronomy about sky map, coordinate, and cons-tellation is needed to recog-nize the name, type and position of the objects. Understanding the sky map and coordinate system will give us information about when and where DSO entering view zone, the estimation of position, then followed by observation using telescope to find the exact position when it’s already on the view zone.

It is not difficult, the information of DSO position can be acquired by using sky map software available freely on internet and can be accessed from a desktop/laptop, PDA, or smartphone.

After we discover the DSO position, then we can start shooting. A catalog contained of DSO list and detailed information about the objects can be found easily. For instance, Messier Object catalog consisting of 110 objects, such as galaxy, cluster, and nebula with various position and magnitude level.

Constellation is the easiest guide for discovering objects, because commonly DSO position is connected with the constellation where the object can be found. For example, Orion Nebula (M42; Messier Object number 42) lies on Orion Constellation. How do we find Orion? Use a star map or star chart application, so we will find its position and configuration. Where is the Perfect Location for Shooting? As long as the sky is clear without cloud, the perfect place could be anywhere, provided that it is free from light pollution. Out town, countryside, hill top and so on can be used as the shooting location.

However, it doesn’t mean that the shooting can not be executed in the city. It can be executed by using a filter with the ability to minimize artificial light (street light, building light, etc). If you don’t use a filter, the process of eliminating light pollution can be done on the digital image processing. How do We Take the Photograph? The photographing process in astrophotography for DSO with low light intensity is different from a common photography.

The duration of shutter speed is longer (more than 10 seconds to tens minutes, even hours), with ISO more or equivalent to 400, and must be taken in more than one shot then combined it with the process of stacking and aligning using a software for astrophotography. Each shot is called as subframe or subs. The greater amount of subs then noise resulted during the stacking process and aligning will be lower, besides that it gives a greater data accumulation to increase the detail of DSO. Commonly, all of digital or analog SLR can be used for astrophotography with the additional adapter and cable shutter release for bulb.

Does It Need a Digital Image Processing? In astrophotography, digital image processing is something that can not be ignored. A photograph produced by camera still needs digital processing before beingshown. Digital image processing is needed to give the perfect final touch. In astrophotography processing, the functions used in digital image processing is not different from other photography. It differs in the case of stacking and aligning process which only can be done by special application for astrophotography (Iris, Registax, AstroArt, DSS, MaximDL, and others).