AstroPhoto Insight Master Index

Submitted by admin on Mon, 02/04/2008 - 17:15.

February 2010 Issue (Volume 6, Issue 1)

 In this issue you'll find:
  • New Product Announcements
  • The Five S's Part 4c: Select Warren Keller continues his series on the 5 S's in which he discusses the categories: Stretch, Sharpen, Saturate, Smooth, and Select.
  • Decoding the Stars Ken Harrison provides a beginner’s guide to spectroscopy.
  • PixInsight—Processing by Example, Part 3 Sander Pool illustrates how to use PixInsight to process your astro-images.
  • AstroDon Tammy Plotner introduces us to “AstroDon” Goldman, the man and his products.
  • Exposing Faint Halos in Planetary Nebulae Author Ruben Kier shares his innovative technique on bringing out the faint halos surrounding many planetary nebulae.
  • Signal-to-Noise Ratios for Non-Engineers Bruce Waddington explains the ever important SNR.
  • MWAIC 2009 Warren Keller recaps the 2009 Midwest Astro-Imaging Conference.
  • What to Shoot Tonight? David Snay provides us with some suggestions on what to image during the cold winter months.
Note - there are two versions available for download: a standard version and an enhanced version.
  • The Standard Edition is a PDF (8 MB) download. Click here to download
  • The Enhanced Edition is a PDF (13 MB) with text, images and a embedded video from The Five S's. This version requires Adobe Acrobat Reader v9 (or higher). Click here to download

December 2009 Hardware Issue (Volume 5, Issue 6)
  • 2009 Stellar Performer Award
    AstroPhoto Insight Magazine recognizes the QSI 583 with the Stellar Performer Award.
  • Kodak KAF-8300 – 8.3mp of Stellar Performance
    Kevin Nelson, VP at Quantum Scientific Imaging, breaks down why the KAF-8300 has become such a popular chip by camera manufacturers.
  • SBIG STX Beta Test Report
    Martin Pugh puts the beta unit of the SBIG STX camera to the test.
  • TS OAG 9mm Low-Profile Off-Axis Guider Review
    Michael Fulbright reviews the low profile off-axis guider from APM America.
  • Orion Starshoot Solitaire Autoguider
    A review of the new Orion autoguider by Alan Smallbone.
  • Requiem – Daniel Marquardt
    Tammy Plotner helps us remember a rising star that has risen to the stars.
  • 2010 Camera Buyers Guide
    Our annual camera buyers guide with specs on over 187 cameras.
  • Automation on a Budget: Part 3 - Operation
    Joe Ulowetz wraps up this three part series on automation on a budget
  • What to Shoot Tonight?
    David Snay provides us with some suggestions on what to image during the cold winter months.

October 2009 Issue (Volume 5, Issue 5)

 In this issue you'll find:
  • Astrophotography from Orbit
    Robert Reeves and Don Pettit, NASA Astronaut, provide insight on the challenges of imaging from space.
  • Expedition 6 Photography: The Untold Story
    Don Pettit, NASA Astronaut, relays the story to Robert Reeves how thousands of film images taken from space were almost lost.
  • Beyond Pretty Pictures: An Amateur Astronomer’s Adventure in Science
    Ralph Megna demonstrates that backyard observers with commercial equipment can make contributions to "real" science.
  • Automation on a Budget: Part 2 - Software
    Joe Ulowetz continues this three part series on automating your set up without taking out a second mortgage.
  • 3D Astronomical Visualization - Part 3
    Chris Ford, Business Director of RenderMan at Pixar Animation Studios, wraps up this three part series on 3D visualization.
  • What to Shoot Tonight?
    David Snay provides us with some suggestions on what to image during the next couple of months, based on your imaging experience and set up.

August 2009 Issue (Volume 5, Issue 4)

 In this issue you'll find:
  • The Five S’s Part 4b: Select Warren Keller continues his series on the 5 S's in which he discusses the categories: Stretch, Sharpen, Saturate, Select and Smooth.
  • First Look at the QSI 583
    Kevin Dixon gives us a first look at the new QSI 583 camera.
  • On the Bench: Atik 314L+
    Craig Stark puts the new Atik 314L+ through his bench tests.
  • PixInsight—Processing by Example - Part 2
    Sander Pool delves into PixInsight's histogram stretch, previews, real time preview and ACDNR.
  • 3D Astronomical Visualization - Part 2
    Chris Ford, Business Director of RenderMan at Pixar Animation Studios, provides a couple of case studies on creating 3D animations.
  • What to Shoot Tonight?
    David Snay provides us with some suggestions on what to image during the next couple of months, based on your imaging experience and set up.
  • Automation on a Budget: Part 1 - Hardware
    Joe Ulowetz kicks off a three part series on automating your set up without taking out a a second mortgage
  • Comparing the Throughput of Imaging System Configurations
    Michael Fulbright shares his CCD comparison spreadsheet.

June 2009 Issue (Volume 5, Issue 3)

 In this issue you'll find:
  • The Five S’s Part 4a: Select
    Warren Keller continues his series on the 5 S's in which he discusses the categories: Stretch, Sharpen, Saturate, Select and Smooth.
  • Orion’s New Starshoot Pro v2
    Alan Smallbone tests the new Starshoot Pro v2 from Orion.
  • PixInsight—Processing by Example, Part 1
    Sander Pool illustrates how to use PixInsight to process your astro-images
  • 3D Astronomical Visualization—Part 1
    Chris Ford, Business Director of RenderMan at Pixar Animation Studios, shows us how to make our 2D astro-images become a 3D visualization.
  • Which Photons to Capture?
    David Snay provides us with some suggestions on what to image during the next couple of months, based on your imaging experience and set up.
  • Flip-Flat; What's That?
    Alan Smallbone examines this new, unique, automated flat-fielding tool.

April 2009 Issue (Volume 5, Issue 2)

 In this issue you'll find:
  • Three Canon DSLRs Hit the Bench
    Craig stark compares the Canon XSi, 50D and 5D Mk II.
  • The Five S’s: Saturate
    Warren Keller continues his series on the 5 S's in which he discusses the categories: Stretch, Sharpen, Saturate, Smooth, and Select.
  • Archiving Your Digital Data
    Jerry Lodriguss discusses the various image file formats and ways to protect your data from accidental loss.
  • Astronomy Outreach - Bareket Observatory Israel
    Learn how the Bareket Observatory Outreach program provides teachers and students from around the globe with the scaffolding to perform research projects in their classroom.

February 2009 Issue (Volume 5, Issue 1)

 In this issue you'll find:
  • The Five S’s-Part 2b: Sharpen
    Warren Keller continues his series on the 5 S's in which he discusses the categories: Stretch, Sharpen, Saturate, Smooth, and Select.
  • The Spike-A Bahtinov Mask: A Simple, Accurate, and Quick Focusing Aid
    Robert Reeves takes a look at a rising star of focusing masks.
  • SkyTools 3 Pro: The Imager’s Friend
    Ted Saker, Jr. overviews the features of the new version of Skytools that will appeal to imagers.
  • The Marathon from Megnaritaville
    Ralph Megna shares his experiences of attempting an imagining Messier Marathon.
  • Messier 2009
    Ralph Menga provides tips on imaging the Messier.
  • My Mac Imaging Journey
    Jeff Phillips tells of his journey trying to image using a Mac.

December 2008 Hardware Issue (Volume 4, Issue 7)

In this issue you'll find:
  • Review of the Orion StarShoot Pro
    Alan Smallbone tests the latest Starshoot, a 6.1 megapixel, one-shot color camera.
  • DSLR Filter Modifications
    Hap Griffin discusses filter modifications to make Digital SLR cameras capture more astro-imaging data.
  • 2008 Camera Buyers Guide
    Our annual Camera Buyers Guide with specifications on 124 cameras.
  • Peltier Cooled DSLR Project
    Gary Honis shares his experiences setting up a cooled DSLR.
  • Thinking Inside the AstroBox
    Daniel Perry give us an inside look at his portable AstroBox.

December 2008 Issue (Volume 4, Issue 6)

In this issue you'll find:
  • The Five S’s-Part 2a: Sharpen
    Warren Keller continues his series on the 5 S's in which he discusses the categories: Stretch, Sharpen, Saturate, Smooth, and Select.
  • Combining One-Shot Color and Monochrome Data
    Dietmar Hager shares his method of combine data from different sources.
  • What’s New in Photoshop CS4
    Adobe Photoshop software engineer, Alan Erickson, overviews new features in Adobe’s latest version of Photoshop. The Enhanced Edition include a video.
  • Measuring Noise in CCD Cameras — Part 2
    In this second of two articles, Kevin Nelson concludes his discussion on measuring noise in CCD cameras.
  • Advanced Imaging Conference 2008 Recap
    Joe Ulowetz recaps the fifth annual premier imaging conference in the United States. The Enhanced Edition include a video by Chris Ford of Pixar.

October 2008 Issue (Volume 4, Issue 5)

In this issue you'll find:
  • The Five S’s Part 1: Stretch
    Warren begins his series on the 5 S's in which he discusses the categories: Stretch, Sharpen, Saturate, Smooth, and Select. The Enhanced version contains a video demonstration.
  • Guider Roundup
    Craig Stark compares nine guide cameras.
  • Eclipse 2008: Postcards from Jiayuguan
    Stephne Russell shares his story on imaging the 2008 Total Solar Eclipse
  • Measuring Noise in CCD Cameras
    In this first of two articles, Kevin Nelson discuss noise in CCD cameras.
  • Maximizing Signal-To-Noise with DSLRs
    Corey Weinheimer discuss how t o maximize the signal-to-noise ratio when imaging deep sky objects with a Digital SLR
  • Twelve Ways to Focus Your DSLR Astrophotos
    Robert Reeves overviews various focusing methods for DSLRs

August 2008 Issue (Volume 4, Issue 4)

In this issue you'll find:
  • Curves IV
    Warren Keller closes out this series on Photoshop Curves.
  • StarShoot Autoguider: Guiding becomes more affordable
    Alan Smallbone tests the new Orion Starshoot Autoguider.
  • Telescope Stability Systems: StableMax Tripod
    How sturdy is the StableMax Tripod? Craig Stark tests it out.
  • MWAIC 2008 Recap
    Joe Ulowetz provides an overview of the Second Annual Midwest Astro-Imaging Conference
  • DSC: the Digital Schmidt Camera
    Lorenzo Comolli shares his experiences with the Digital Schmidt Camera.
  • New Products
    New product announcements
  • The Kindle and Astronomers
    Reader Thomas Bouvier explains how he uses his Amazon Kindle as an astronomy reference tool, including all back issues of AstroPhoto Insight.

June 2008 Issue (Volume 4, Issue 3)

In this issue you'll find:
  • Remote Control Astronomy
    Renowned imager R Jay GaBany covers remote imaging options.
  • Benchtest: QSI 520ci
    Craig Stark evaluates the QSI 520ci camera.
  • Preparing for the 2008 Solar Eclipse
    Stephen Russell prepares for his journey to the Gobi desert in another attempt to image a solar eclipse.
  • NEAIC/NEAF 2008
    A brief recap of some notable announcements and products shown at the NorthEast Astro-Imaging Conference and NorthEast Astronomy Forum.
  • Orion Starshoot II - In the Field
    Alan Smallbone field tests the new Orion Starshoot II.
  • Pre-Planning Guide Stars for an OAG
    Joe Ulowetz shares his tips and tricks to efficiently find proper guide stars with his off-axis guider.

April 2008 Issue (Volume 4, Issue 2)

In this issue you'll find:
  • Testing QSI’s 532WS Scientific CCD Camera
    Richard Berry takes the Quantum Scientific Imaging camera through it’s paces.
  • Performance Testing a CCD Camera
    The methodology behind Richard Berry’s testing
  • Tria - Deconvolution Magic
    Neil Fleming shows you how to quickly improve your images using this new astro-imaging tool.
  • On the Bench: Meade DSI III Pro
    The Meade DSI III Pro is put through Craig Stark’s standard bench test.
  • Review of the AstroTrac TT320 Astrophotography Mount
    Michael Overacker examines the performance of the AstroTrac TT320 mount.

February 2008 Issue (Volume 4, Issue 1)

In this issue you'll find:
  • Flat Field Calibration using an LCD Monitor
    David Haworth shows you how to take advantage of your LCD monitor for creating perfect flat fields every time.
  • How to Photograph a Lunar Eclipse
    Fred Espenak, aka Mr. Eclipse, helps you prepare to photography a lunar eclipse.
  • Curves III - Rounding the Curves
    Warren Keller continues his journey of showing you how to utilize Photoshop curves
  • FAQ on Imaging with a One-Shot Color Camera
    Alan Chen provides answers to frequently asked questions on using a one-shot color camera.
  • Focusing Masks
    Floyd Blue shares his trials with trying to achieve perfect focus manually
  • A FocusMax Overview
    Neil Fleming walks you through the use of the FocusMax application to achieve perfect focus.

December 2007 Issue (Volume 3, Issue 6)

In this issue you'll find:
  • First Look: Canon 40D
    Hap Griffin tests Canon’s latest camera to see how it functions for astrophotography.
  • High Resolution Lunar Imaging, Part 2
    Bob Pilz wraps up the discussion on lunar imaging with his processing techniques.
  • Exclusive: Digital SLR Astrophotography
    An exclusive excerpt on Digital SLR hardware from Michael Covington’s latest book.
  • Imaging Comet 17/P Holmes
    Chris Peterson shares his experiences and image data of the outburst of this amazing comet.
  • Review of FotoSharp Telescope Focussing Adapter for Canon
    Michael Covington field tests this adapter which promises to simplify focussing of Canon DSLRs.
  • Autoguiding System Essentials
    Doug Anderson provides us with an autoguiding primer.

December 2007 Hardware Issue (Volume 3, Issue 7) 48 pages

In this issue you'll find:
  • Review: Atik 16IC
    Craig Stark reviews the monochrome Atik 16IC camera.
  • First Look: QSI 516ws
    Alan Smallbone shares his experiences with this cooled CCD camera.
  • A Pair of Planetary Imagers
    Tim Easterday compares a Philips webcam with a dedicated astro-imaging camera from The Imaging Source.
  • Camera Buyer’s Guide
    Looking to buy a camera for astrophotography? Here’s a list of some currently available cameras and their specs.
  • DSLRs vs CCD: A Bench Test Comparison
    Craig Stark provides a quantitative look at four cameras: Canon Rebel XT, Canon 40D, SBIG ST-2000 XCM and the CCD Labs Q8-HR.
  • First Look: Meade Deep Sky Imager III
    Stephen Hamilton provides his experiences with the new Meade DSI III cameras.

October 2007 Issue (Volume 3, Issue 5)

In this issue you'll find:
  • No Dark Skies? No Filters? No Problem - DSLR Imaging in Urban Skies by Robert Reeves
  • High Resolution Lunar Imaging Part 1 by Bob Pilz
  • Maintaining Star Colors with a One-Shot Color Camera by Alan Chen
  • Curves II - Curves Confidence by Warren Keller
  • Mapping Out You Light Pollution with Google Earth
  • Readers' Image Gallery

August 2007 Issue (Volume 3, Issue 4)

In this issue you'll find:
  • Cameras Compared: DSLR vs CCD by Blair McDonald
  • Quick Look: Two New Guiders - The Q-Guide and the Starfish by Craig Stark
  • Summer Secrets by Adam Block
  • Canon-Nebulosity Tutorial for Beginners by Bill Logan
  • Midwest Astro-Imaging Conference Review by Joe Ulowetz
  • Readers' Image Gallery

June 2007 Issue (Volume 3, Issue 3)

In this issue you'll find:
  • Fast Astrograph Considerations by David Erickson
  • M27 Re-Work - A 'Soup to Nuts' Workflow by Neil Fleming
  • Quick Looks: Baader T2 System by Craig Stark
  • Readers' Image Gallery

April 2007 Issue (Volume 3, Issue 2)

In this issue you'll find:
  • Line Filter Reconstruction on One-Shot Color Cameras by Craig Stark
  • The Accessible Universe by Adam Block
  • The Noise About Noise by Blair McDonald
  • Dangerous Curves by Warren Keller
  • Choosing a Solar Camera by Greg Piepol
  • AstroArt 4.0 Review

February 2007 Issue (Volume 3, Issue 1)

In this issue you'll find:
  • Color Management (Part 2)
    In this second and final part, professional photographer R Scott Ireland wraps up the important topic of colour management.
  • As The World Turns - Guided Imaging (Part 3)
    In this final article in the three part series, David Sandage helps you shoot for well guided images.
  • Telescope Mounts for AstroPhotography
    Exclusive, updated chapter excerpts from Jerry Lodriguss’ ebook Guide to Astrophotography with Digital SLR Cameras.
  • Colorado AllSky Camera Network
    Chris Peterson shares how his AllSky Network is capturing meteors and providing valuable data.
  • The Flip Side by Warren Keller
    Warren A Keller differentiates between a “WOW” image and a “so what” image.
  • New Online Resource for Narrowband Astro-Imaging
    Interested in Narrowband Imaging? Check out this Yahoo Group.

December 2006 Issue (Volume 2, Issue 4)

In this issue you'll find:
  • Color Management Part 1 by R Scott Ireland
  • As The World Turns - Guided Imaging Part 2 by David Sandage
  • A Simple and Robust Piggyback Guider by Chris Peterson
  • First Look at the TeleVue "is" Series by Jim Burnell
  • Finding the Unknown, Even in Light-Polluted Skies
  • Amateur Science - Getting Started in Photometry Part 2 by Tom Krajci
  • Vignette Correction without Flat Fields by Blair McDonald
  • Which Astro-Imaging Software is Vista Ready?

September 2006 Issue (Volume 2, Issue 3)

In this issue you'll find:
  • As The World Turns - Guided Imaging Part 1 by David Sandage
  • Debayering Demystifid by Craig Stark
  • Preparing for a Day in the Night by Tom Carrico
  • Amateur Science - Getting Started in Photometry Part 1 by Tom Krajci
  • Daytime/Twilight Imaging by Joe Ulowetz
  • Astro-Imaging Survey and Sweepstakes and more

June 2006 edition (Volume 2, Issue 2)

 In this issue you'll find:
  • Stretch Before Imaging - The Histogram by Adam Block
  • Amateur astronomy: not all image sensor pixels are created equal by Keith Wetzel
  • Stacking Images with Drizzle by Craig Stark
  • Smoooothing Your Interstellar Background by Noel Carboni
  • Drama in the Sahara: Total Solar Eclipse 2006 by Steve Russell
  • Creating Stereoscopic Astro Images by Steve Bell
  • and more

March 2006 edition (Volume 2, Issue 1)

In this issue you'll find:
  • Matching a CCD Camera to a Telescope
  • Troubleshooting Focal Reducers
  • Capturing first light with the Orion StarShoot
  • Regaining Star Colors
  • Beginners’ guide to lunar and planetary imaging with a webcam and a telescope
  • Why do DSLRs have Shutters
  • and much more

December 2005 edition (Volume 1, Issue 2)

In this issue you'll find:
  • Digital Watermarking: For Resolving Ownership Disputes
  • A review of the Canon Digital Rebel XT (350D)
  • A first look at the Orion StarShoot Deep Space Color Imager
  • Sneak peak of the SBIG All Sky Camera and the Fishcamp Engineering Starfish Camera
  • High Resolution Lunar Image Processing - A step by step workflow process
  • High resolution imaging of the Sun, Moon, and planets with the DSI PRO
  • and much more

September 2005 edition (Volume 1, Issue 1)

In this issue you'll find:
  • a guide to longer exposures with an alt/az mount
  • a tutorial on high pass filter sharpening
  • a tutorial on color CCD imaging with luminance layering
  • a drift alignment method using a CCD/DSLR
  • and much more