catchingphotons

Hey folks!
I used the last few days to update my homepage. It has a fresh and slim design and comes with a new structure. You'll be able to follow my astrophotography journey reading my blog, viewing my modest astrophotography images (deep space, planetary, wide field), learn about my rig, get information about the different aspects of astrophotography in the tutorials section and much more.
Visit: catchingphotons.de/
Cheers 🍻

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6 months ago | [YT] | 12

catchingphotons

Hey folks, it’s Chris!

Just a heads-up—tomorrow we’ve got a partial solar eclipse coming up, and it’s a great chance to catch a cool cosmic event (safely, of course).

In a partial eclipse, the Moon covers just part of the Sun, giving us that signature “bite out of the cookie” look. If you’re in the right spot, you’ll get a unique view—as long as the weather plays nice. I’m planning to livestream it too, assuming the skies cooperate!

Now, super important—please protect your eyes. Looking directly at the Sun without proper protection is dangerous. Regular sunglasses won’t cut it. Make sure you’re using certified eclipse glasses that meet standards from a trustworthy source. These block out almost all visible light and harmful rays, keeping your eyes safe.

If you're planning to watch or stream the eclipse:

- Check if it's visible from your location

- Grab the right solar viewing gear

- Watch the weather—clouds can ruin the show

- Set up early so you're not scrambling

- Have a backup plan just in case


Bottom line: enjoy it, but play it safe. Never look at the Sun with the naked eye or through cameras/binoculars without a solar filter.

Stay tuned, and I’ll see you (hopefully under clear skies) for the eclipse!


Cheers 🍻

8 months ago | [YT] | 4

catchingphotons

Do you know the feeling of taking the telescope out for the first time in what feels like years - every routine and procedure needing to be relearned - but then the fever of capturing distant worlds catches you instantly?

You know what I'm talking about? Then this image is to you, my friend! Cheers 🥂

9 months ago | [YT] | 35

catchingphotons

Hey folks! 👋😄
I know it has been quiet around here. My family and I moved and that took quite a lot of "free energy" especially mental load. But now everything feels cozy and settled, so prepare for some more content around here! 😀 🌒🌌
Good thing: My new home is located in a "milky way with unaided eyes" - area, so that should help with future imaging sessions!

User question:
Do you use and or like fully automated "smart telescopes"? 🔭

1 year ago | [YT] | 7

catchingphotons

✨💫 Comet C/2023-Atlas taken with my #Googlepixel smartphone in night mode in Lower Saxony / Germany on the 15th of October, 2024 (about 20:00 MEST).

The comet was very dim visually but my kids and I embarked on a trip though the dark forest to find a fitting location with free sight to the west nevertheless. After some adjustment time our night vision kicked in and we were able to spot the faint dot and even the tail visually. It was a very mesmerizing evening together!

Cheers 🥂
Chris

1 year ago | [YT] | 24

catchingphotons

AMAZING ✨ Northern lights seen from Germany / Lower Saxony - 10.10.2024 (23:00 MEST)

🌌 Have you ever wondered what causes the stunning Northern Lights, also known as the Aurora Borealis? They occur when charged particles from the sun collide with the Earth's atmosphere. These particles are carried by solar winds and are drawn towards the magnetic poles of the Earth, where they interact with gases like oxygen and nitrogen. This creates those mesmerizing colors—usually greens, but sometimes reds, pinks, and purples—depending on the type of gas and altitude. It's truly one of nature’s most beautiful light shows!

Thanks for watching, and stay tuned for more astro content! 🌠

Cheers 🥂
Chris

1 year ago | [YT] | 21

catchingphotons

On the night of August 12, 2024, Lower Saxony was treated to an extraordinary display of natural beauty as an incredible aurora faintly lit up the sky.

The shy pinkish lights slowly danced across the horizon, painting the heavens with shades of green, pink, and violet. Even more exciting was taking images of this event. You don't need much, a simple smartphone on "night mode" will do. It was a rare and unforgettable experience, especially in this region, where such phenomena are seldom seen with such intensity.

For those unfamiliar, an aurora is a natural light display that occurs when charged particles from the sun collide with the Earth's atmosphere. These collisions excite the gases in our atmosphere, causing them to glow in various colors. While auroras are most commonly seen near the polar regions, under the right conditions, they can be visible further south, as we experienced here in Lower Saxony.

Stay tuned to this channel for our upcoming series of videos where we'll guide you through building a modest astrophotography rig from scratch. We'll cover every step of the process, from selecting the right tripod and mount to choosing the perfect camera and telescope. Each video will dive into the purpose of each component, how to set it up, and what you can expect to spend. Whether you're a beginner or looking to upgrade your setup, we'll help you piece together a rig that suits your needs and budget, ensuring you're ready to capture stunning images of the night sky.

Cheers and clear skies!
-Chris

1 year ago | [YT] | 22

catchingphotons

Finally!!
I've worked out the complete setup for my rig in my new backyard. Until now, I connected a powered USB hub directly to my main PC, running an extremely long USB cable through the terrace and the insulation foam of my door. In my new house, this setup is unfeasible, as the PC and the telescope are on opposite sides of the house.

Therefore, I invested in a new QUIETER3 mini-PC and installed all the necessary capturing software and drivers for my telescope and related equipment, enabling me to take astro-images with my Skywatcher Telescope. I then connect my main PC to the QUIETER3 using a screen-mirroring program, allowing me to relax comfortably in my living room while the telescope operates.

This new setup works perfectly, and I'm thrilled with it. No more ultra-long cables snaking through the house! Plus, I can conveniently connect my phone to the QUIETER3 as well – a very handy feature.

Can anyone guess what I'm targeting?

Cheers and clear skies!

Chris

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1 year ago | [YT] | 13

catchingphotons

Hey folks,
I know it has been quiet around this channel for a while now. I moved to a new house, and this was a great and fun but also very demanding journey.

With a larger property and everything else settling down, plans for a new Observatory are the next logical step. It won't be super giant and will replace my old shed.

Question now is: Roll-off roof or not to roll-off roof?

Pros: a roll-off roof is just cool, easy, and no more polar alignment before imaging.

Cons: I can't realize a concrete pier to hold my EQ6 mount at this location, so everything will be slightly unstable anyways. Plus, a normal shed is way easier to build. My old shed allowed for "easy in and easy out" without tearing down the rig. So that was already very convenient.

After all, what do you folks think? Let me know!
Cheers and clear skies!
Chris

1 year ago (edited) | [YT] | 5

catchingphotons

Hey Astro-Folks,
the smart telescope "SeeStar" from ZWO arrived a few days ago and I'm super hyped to test this device to its limits. Right now, the weather is not very cooperative, but I'm hoping for some clear nights in the upcoming weeks.
There was a long time of silence on this channel due to moving house, but I'm planning on returning to a more regular schedule regarding video creation here.
Thanks to everyone, for sticking around :-)

Cheers and clear skies!
Chris

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2 years ago | [YT] | 11