F4175 Astrophotography

Faculty of Science
Spring 2024
Extent and Intensity
1/1/0. 2 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
Bc. Petr Horálek (lecturer), doc. RNDr. Miloslav Zejda, Ph.D. (deputy)
Mgr. Pavel Gabzdyl (lecturer)
RNDr. Pavel Karas, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
doc. RNDr. Miloslav Zejda, Ph.D.
Department of Theoretical Physics and Astrophysics – Physics Section – Faculty of Science
Contact Person: doc. RNDr. Miloslav Zejda, Ph.D.
Supplier department: Department of Theoretical Physics and Astrophysics – Physics Section – Faculty of Science
Timetable
Mon 19. 2. to Sun 26. 5. Fri 16:00–16:50 F3,03015, Fri 17:00–17:50 F3,03015
Prerequisites
F1251 Elements of astronomy 1 && F2252 Elements of astronomy 2
To enroll in the course, the student needs to be acquainted with basic astronomical concepts and to understand the nature of phenomena in the Earth's sky. As a condition for enrolling in the course, the completion of the following courses is required: F1251 Fundamentals of Astronomy 1 + F2252 Fundamentals of Astronomy 2. Students of this course should be equipped with their own interchangeable lens digital camera.
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
The capacity limit for the course is 15 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 7/15, only registered: 0/15, only registered with preference (fields directly associated with the programme): 0/15
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
This is an introduction to astrophotography and processing of digitally captured data using common digital cameras. The basic genres of landscape astrophotography, telescopic astrophotography and time-lapse imaging techniques will be discussed. Methods of image processing in available graphics programs, panorama processing and calibration using available astronomical software will also be taught.
Learning outcomes
- describe the basic principles of a digital camera
- photograph common astronomical and meteorological phenomena both with the help of commonly available techniques and with the help of astronomical telescopes
- perform basic color calibrations of astronomical images using available graphics editing software
- create time-lapse videos of astronomical and meteorological phenomena
- create and post-process panoramic images of the sky
- choose the optimal location and time for photographing specific astronomical phenomena
Syllabus
  • 1. Introduction to landscape astrophotography – definition of basic terms, color calibration basics, methods of creating landscape astrophotography.
    2. Time-lapse – procedures in the production of time-lapse data, the main issues of time-lapse data, creation of time-lapse videos.
    3. Panoramic imaging – photography and processing methods.
    4. The Moon photography – selection of the optimal location and time, atmospheric phenomena with the Moon, selection of a suitable exposure.
    5. Photography of bright objects through telescopes – afocal photography of the Moon and planets, basics of simple processing.
    6. Rare phenomena photography – meteor showers, red sprites, eclipses.
    7. Photographing of multiple exposures of the landscape – basic methods.
    8. Mathematical processing of multiple expositions – theoretical basics
    9. Panoramic image processing – basics and practical examples.
    10. Practical examples of photography – panoramic photography.
    11. Practical examples of photography – afocal photography through telescopes.
    12. Practical examples of photography – telephoto photography with a small mount.
Teaching methods
Theoretical preparation and practical examples of field photography.
Assessment methods
The evaluation will be based on 3 submitted photographs (or two photographs and one time-lapse). The exam will take the form of a discussion on the selected submitted work.
Language of instruction
Czech
Further Comments
Study Materials
The course can also be completed outside the examination period.
The course is taught annually.
The course is also listed under the following terms Spring 2021, Spring 2023, Spring 2025.
  • Enrolment Statistics (recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/sci/spring2024/F4175