Beyond the images themselves, this is where my articles on the practical side of astrophotography live: buying decisions and hands-on reviews of mounts, cameras and filters, tutorials on guiding, flats and PixInsight workflows, plus visits to observatories and astronomical sites. It’s the technical and narrative side behind the images – the learning diary of my equipment and methods. You’ll find the finished images themselves in the astrophoto timeline.
For my mobile setup with the Baader APO 95/580 CaF₂, I was looking for a flat, lightweight source for flats. The Aurora Flatfield electroluminescent panel from Gerd Neumann delivers even flats and, with a 3D-printed holder, fits my Apo precisely.
On August 28, 2026, the Moon darkens to 93% — but the real highlight only arrives on the night of December 21, 2029. My research into how eclipses unfold, what makes them "good," and why the best is yet to come.
The purely technical side of my learning process in preparation for the total solar eclipse.
How much gear do you actually need for your first total solar eclipse when you don't yet know how to photograph one?
A week-long father-son road trip from Koblenz to northern Spain to photograph the total solar eclipse on August 12, 2026. From the search for the right spot to three independent local contacts and a nerve-wracking final hour before totality – the first part of a blog series about planning, detours, and the moment itself.
The Berlebach Uni 18 is my tripod of choice for the WarpAstron WD-20P – an overview of the selection criteria, the configuration with three-angle spread, ZWO plate and extension pier, and the reasons why a lightweight carbon tripod is not a sensible choice for harmonic drive mounts.
StellarMate OS keeps showing a notification that a new PHD2 version is available – but what's actually behind it? I dug in, worked through terminal output and apt packages, and finally dissected the package itself. The result is surprising.
Sometimes the best outings happen almost by accident. That is how it was on the day I picked up my son from the Albert Einstein Science Park in Potsdam after the finals of the Geo-Olympiade — and we spontaneously decided to explore the grounds together on foot. What was meant to be a relaxed walk turned into a small journey through 150 years of scientific history.
Recently, in addition to the ToupTek62AM, I also purchased a ToupTek24AC camera.
A Step-by-Step Guide - Using the ToupTek SkyEye 62AM and SkyEye 24AC as Examples
Last week, I finally hit the “buy” button. After extensive research, I chose the Harmonic Drive mount WD-20P from WarpAstron.
It was time for a permanent adaptation of an astrocomputer to my Vixen VC200L.
I chose the ToupTek StellaVita.
More contrast under suburban skies — my real-world experience with the Baader UHC-L Booster Filter (50.4 mm).
Three projects, challenging conditions, and an honest technical conclusion from my backyard in Koblenz.
I'm increasingly considering capturing RGB data with a one-shot color camera instead of continuing with mono and separate filters. While mono remains efficient, the RGB workflow is time-consuming, and early tests with two cameras have shown that it can significantly reduce routine overhead. As a result, my focus has shifted less toward pure image quality and more toward handling and workflow efficiency.
Perfect detailed planning of the deep-sky object and the framing using Stellarium HiPS full-sky surveys!
Before the current nebula season, I once again improved the optical system of my APO. I could have saved myself a lot of trouble if I had chosen this path from the very beginning.
My initial experience with the Baader Planetarium LRGB filters left me very satisfied with the purchase.
Old flats: Poor correction, bad results.
Fresh flats: Proper calibration, much better image quality.
My PixInsight processing comparison between 2021, 2024 and 2025 and some Tools and Methods I use.
After the alignment of the mono setup, the first light was eagerly anticipated. The path was rockier than expected, and the devil was indeed in the details.
A tilt unit corrects sensor tilt and ensures uniform sharpness. The CTU from Gerd Neumann provides precise adjustment while also optimizing the back focus.
During the transition from OSC to MONO astrophotography, I had to choose a filter system. I decided on the Baader UFC.
I chose the SkyEye62AM astrophotography camera from ToupTek Astro for my transition to mono astrophotography. My decision was primarily influenced by the Sony CMOS IMX455 sensor featured in this camera.
Here I describe the lengthy decision-making process for switching to a mono camera, including the requirements, considerations, and the specific equipment I ultimately chose.