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Software deep dives, equipment reviews, tutorials, imaging sessions, and field notes — everything published on Mac Observatory.

102 articles
How to take easy flats using an inexpensive light source.
Tutorials

How to take easy flats using an inexpensive light source.

Here’s my setup at 5:30 am this morning. Taking good flats is key. I had been using the dawn sky to shoot flats

Nov 4, 2018 2 min read
Pacman Nebula captured with EKOS, and processed in PixInsight.
Imaging

Pacman Nebula captured with EKOS, and processed in PixInsight.

I managed to get a few clear nights last week. Just two in fact. So, knowing I had only two nights to image, I focused

Oct 15, 2018 1 min read
Astro-Tech AT6RC
Reviews

Astro-Tech AT6RC

Hubble at Home The Astro-Tech AT6RC is probably the most economically viable Ritchey-Chrétien telescope money can buy at roughly $350. Its dual-hyperbolic mirror design eliminates

Sep 14, 2018 1 min read
Tutorial for Astro Pixel Processor to calibrate and process a bi-color astronomy image of the Veil Nebula
Tutorials

Tutorial for Astro Pixel Processor to calibrate and process a bi-color astronomy image of the Veil Nebula

To get started, you'll need to have taken a full set of light images to process. In addition you will need darks, flats,

Sep 10, 2018 11 min read
Astronomy and astrophotography planning with AstroPlanner on the Mac
Software

Astronomy and astrophotography planning with AstroPlanner on the Mac

Overview of AstroPlanner AstroPlanner is a complete system for tracking observations and planning out nightly viewing or imaging sessions with your equipment. It also offers

Sep 3, 2018 4 min read
Using the EKOS sequencer to capture the Wizard Nebula (NGC7380) on the Mac
Tutorials

Using the EKOS sequencer to capture the Wizard Nebula (NGC7380) on the Mac

This will be a general walkthrough of a typical capture session with my AstroTechAT6RC setup. This should be a good walkthrough for someone not familiar

Aug 24, 2018 6 min read
Getting Started with Astrophotography on the Mac
Field Notes

Getting Started with Astrophotography on the Mac

Recommendations for your start in imaging on the Mac There's a few things that need to be covered here as a starting point.

Aug 2, 2018 3 min read
An Overview of Double Stars on the iPhone
News

An Overview of Double Stars on the iPhone

Here's another well done, simple, and focused astronomy application that's been recently added to the App Store. Double Stars, as it&

Jul 23, 2018 2 min read
An Overview of MeteorActive on the iPhone
News

An Overview of MeteorActive on the iPhone

MeteorActive is a great way to stay on top of all the meteor showers headed your way. The iPhone application is very straight forward in

Jul 23, 2018 1 min read
An overview of Observer Pro on the iPhone
Software

An overview of Observer Pro on the iPhone

Observer pro is really an invaluable application to use for choosing targets in the night sky. It contains objects from all the large catalogs Messier,

Jul 23, 2018 3 min read
Celestron's C5 Spotting Scope: Maximize Your Grab-And-Go
Reviews

Celestron's C5 Spotting Scope: Maximize Your Grab-And-Go

Make no mistake, this is a BIG, little grab-and-go. The biggest I could fit on theiOptron Cube Promount. The AT60ED wasn't cutting it

Jul 13, 2018 1 min read
Celestron C5 Spotting Scope
Reviews

Celestron C5 Spotting Scope

Grab and Go The Celestron C5 is a 5" Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope with XLT Starbright anti-reflective coatings, delivering 1250mm of focal length at f/10

Jul 13, 2018 1 min read