Tim and Becky's Deep Space Imaging and Astrophotography Page
CCD and DSLR Astrophotography by Tim Tasto and Becky Tasto
This link leads to COLOR images taken with the Canon Digital Rebel (400D) XTi DSLR. So far, the results are looking good. Our XTi camera is unmodified, meaning that the infrared filter is still installed and therefore images are taken with the camera in its stock, "off the shelf" condition.
Welcome to the deep space astrophotography pages of Tim Tasto and Becky Tasto. The images on these pages are largely of galaxies and nebulae (Messier and NGC objects) that are hundreds and even millions of light years distant. We obtained these images using a variety of telescopes and digital imaging devices (i.e. we do not use film). The images are grouped as such in the links that follow. Our primary imaging site is our backyard or driveway at our home in central Minnesota. The light pollution is quite severe and growing worse, but the use of digital imaging devices and computers allows us to obtain reasonable astroimages of deep space objects despite the heavy glow from the city and streetlights.
As noted on the web page of another astrophotographer, the pursuit of astroimaging (or astrophotography) is surprisingly difficult as it is both physically demanding and has a steep learning curve. But, despite the difficulty (or perhaps because of the difficulty) in obtaining these images, the rewards are great. If it were not difficult, it would not be worth doing.
Please scroll through the links below to see a variety of astronomical images taken from our home using CCD and CMOS devices. The images include galaxies, nebula and star clusters. I have also included links for technical information and to web pages of other astroimagers.
The small image of M31 (Andromeda Galaxy) near the title of this page is an example of the types of objects we capture. We took this image from our home using an Orion 80ED refractor on a Meade LXD55 mount with the Canon Digital Rebel XTi DSLR. If you like color images, follow our link to the Canon XTi page below. The actual image is quite large at nearly 3800 pixels wide (too big for this web page).
Enjoy!
As noted on the web page of another astrophotographer, the pursuit of astroimaging (or astrophotography) is surprisingly difficult as it is both physically demanding and has a steep learning curve. But, despite the difficulty (or perhaps because of the difficulty) in obtaining these images, the rewards are great. If it were not difficult, it would not be worth doing.
Please scroll through the links below to see a variety of astronomical images taken from our home using CCD and CMOS devices. The images include galaxies, nebula and star clusters. I have also included links for technical information and to web pages of other astroimagers.
The small image of M31 (Andromeda Galaxy) near the title of this page is an example of the types of objects we capture. We took this image from our home using an Orion 80ED refractor on a Meade LXD55 mount with the Canon Digital Rebel XTi DSLR. If you like color images, follow our link to the Canon XTi page below. The actual image is quite large at nearly 3800 pixels wide (too big for this web page).
Enjoy!
Links to our Digital Astrophotos by the Type of Imaging Device:
This link leads to images taken with the SAC-8 Cooled CCD Device. These devices are no longer in production, but were an excellent product with good sensitivity. We obtained several images of galaxies using this device.
This link leads to images taken with the SAC-7b Cooled CCD Device. These devices are no longer in production, but were an excellent product in thier time. The SAC-7b is a color device but the sensitivity is low. This was the first device we used for CCD imaging. These images are not very good, and this link is more for posterity than anything.
This link leads to images taken with the SBIG ST-7E Cooled CCD Device. These devices are professional-level with high quantum efficiency, solid construction and design. This device is now in use the St. John's University Observatory and is largely dedicated to photometry.
This link leads to descriptions and pictures of the telescopes and imaging devices (i.e. cameras) that we use to obtain the images on these pages. Telescopes include a 10" Meade LX200GPS (polar), an 8" Meade LXD55 SN, and an Orion 80ED APO refractor.
Our Equipment (Telescopes and Cameras):
Latest News:
- Some of our SAC-8 series images have been published in a book titled "Introduction to Webcam Astrophotography" by technical author Robert Reeves and sold by noted publisher Willman-Bell. Robert did a great job on the book but I won't elaborate here. Please check out the Willmann-Bell website and pay a visit to Robert's excellent site as well. If you are not already a digital astrophotographer, Roberts' book is a great place to get started.
- As you can already see, I am completely reconstucting our website. The old one was getting too messy and unorganized. Most of the page should work fine, but some links may still lead to old pages. I got the front page done first and will work on other pages ASAP.
This link leads to a mosaic of the moon.While the moon is not considered to be a deep-space object, it is still an interesting object to image. I labeled the Apollo landing sites on the image.
This link leads to a simple tutorial on one (of many) methods used to process images and techniques used to enhance aesthetics. As experienced astrophotographers know, the initial images coming out of the device don't look like the final, processed images displayed on web pages.
Technical Information:
This link leads to a quick method of achieving polar alignment using an iterative technique adeqate for most imaging sessions. It should work for almost any computerized scope that requires polar alignment. I have had remarkable success with this method with either Fork or German equatorial computerized mounts. You can still "tweak" with drift alignment, if necessary.
This link is for those interested in the impact of autoguiding on image quality. There is a difference, but autoguiding is not quite as simple as pushing a button for long (more that 10 minute) exposures using most commercial mounts.
Introduction:
Visitors:
Links to Companies, Software, Reference Material and Master Astrophotographers such as Dr. Robert Gendler and Richard Crisp.
Links to Other Sites:
Other interests we have in photography, woodworking and anything else the is not related to astrophotography or astronomy.
Non-Astronomy Stuff:
Email us: dsastro <at> cloudnet <dot> com
Replace the <at>with @. Replace the <dot> with a period. Please
include the word "astrophotography" or something similar in the subject of your e-mail or it may be mistaken for SPAM and deleted.
Replace the <at>
SCSU Clear Sky clock. Click on the bar below for projected viewing conditions in the central Minnesota area:
Please note that all images on this website are Copyright (C) by Tim Tasto and Becky Tasto, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007.
This website was created using Web Easy Professional 7 by AvanQuest Publishing.
A little bit about us...
Who are we?:
Click here!
Please stop by again, more images and information will appear as we capture more images...mostly with the Canon XTi.
This page is undergoing massive reconstruction. Some links may not work yet. (11/26/07)
The passing of our dear friend and my astronomy mentor, Fr. Melchior Freund.