When you purchase through inter-group communication on our website , we may earn an affiliate perpetration . Here ’s how it works .
When you ’re getting started in astrophotography , one of the most exciting celestial upshot that you could capture is a meteor shower . Photographing the fleeting beauty of a shooting star shower can be veneration - inspiring and a very rewarding experience , but it does necessitate some degree of preparation , the right equipment and a bit of creative flare to get the most out of your images .
Best binoculars for stargazingBest binocularsBest opera glasses for kidsBest telescopesBest astrophotography camerasBeginner ’s guide to astrophotographyBest exponent banks and power stations
December’s Geminids shower is one of the most reliable and prolific.
Meteor cascade can be exciting and awe - breathe in heavenly events , andcapturing them on camerawell demand a blend of technical skill , longanimity , and a sure level of creativeness . By carefully selecting the right shooting star shower , preparing your equipment and your photographic camera configurations and employing originative technique , you may produce sensational image quite apace after a little practice . Moon phase not lining up and the weather getting in the way can sometimes test your solitaire , but memorialise these fleeting moments will be worth it !
Equipment
The good thing about getting started photographing meteor shower is that you do n’t need the most expensive gear to capture a great shot , but certain equipment will sure as shooting improve your chances of capturing arresting shot .
DSLR or mirrorless cameras
These provide full manual control , crucial for long exposures . Some mellow - end modern compact camera models such as the Nikon Zfc also offer manual options and sound dispirited - light performance . The verybest astrophotography cameraseven have dedicate astro lineament and options .
December’s Geminids shower is one of the most reliable and prolific.
Which lenses ?
Using a wide-cut - slant genus Lens ( 14 mm to 24 millimeter ) conquer more of the sky , increasing the chances of photograph multiple meteors . You ’ll be wanting to appear at a fast aperture ( f/2.8 or low-down ) to ensure more light hit the sensor , which is a must for lowly - brightness level environments .
Tripod and other equipment
A sturdy tripod is non - assignable for long exposures . Any movement will result in bleary images . We ’d also recommend using a remote shutter release or intervalometer , which reduces vibrations when pressing the shutter and enables continuous shot over foresighted periods .
Take extra store carte du jour and to the full charged batteries with you , as farsighted - exposure photography consumes both quickly and in cold surround , barrage fire performance can be take down . One of thebest superpower bankscan help keep your geared wheel go for longer . It ’s also worth jam a headlamp with a red light , which is all-important for navigating in the darkness without ruining your night vision . It ’s optional , but a dew heater or crystalline lens warmer can also prevent condensation on your lens system during cold nights .
Our pick
We named the Nikon Z8 as thebest camera for astrophotographyoverall , with night imaginativeness mode and a spectacularly elaborated sensing element .
Astrophotography require a broad - angle lens system with a riotous aperture , like the Sigma ART 14 mm F1.8 DG HSM .
A sturdy tripod is essential for capturing sharp images of the night sky — we loved theBenro Mach3 when we reviewed it .
Camera settings
Capturing meteors involves long exposures and lowly - light preferences . It starts with assign your camera in manual mode , which gives you unadulterated control over photo , aperture and focus .
Start with 20 - 30 irregular of exposure and use the 500 prescript to look maximum photograph sentence without sensation trail : divide 500 by the focal length of your lens and round down to the nearest full routine . Use the broad aperture ( f/2.8 or crushed ) useable to gather as much light as possible , and start with an ISO set as scurvy as you think you’re able to get forth with , bet on your camera consistency – ISO 1600 is a good starting period , and you’re able to always ramp up from there and adjust it depending on how coarse-grained your images come out . Choosing an ISO is a scrap more of an art than a skill .
Turn off picture stabilisation ( IS / VR ) if your lens system has it , particularly when using a tripod . Also make certain you shoot down in RAW mode , as this maximise your ability to set exposure and color balance during editing , which is vital for reach the right tonality and semblance level in astrophotography .
Camera settings are important for producing a sharp image.
With starry sky autofocus and live composite shot , we were able to photograph ace lead effortlessly duringour OM-1 Mark II review — this feature of speech will be wondrous for photograph meteor shower .
Photography Techniques
Once you ’ve arrest a good grip on the expert aspects , you ’ll sense like it ’s clip to get creative . Here are some thoughts on how you might achieve a different tone to your meteor shower photography .
admit foreground constituent
Adding foreground element can provide context of use and make your image more visually compelling . silhouette of trees or mountains can create a spectacular demarcation against the night sky , and man - made structures like bridge , lighthouses or abandoned buildings can sum up a unequaled perspective and a sensation of drama .
Time - lapse and star lead
you may make dynamic sequences by combining multiple shot . If you shoot century of image you’re able to compile them into a time - lapse in the edit , showing meteors blotch across the sky . spate multiple exposure together over the row of the night to create circular star lead while highlighting meteoroid singly . you’re able to also use a headlamp to illuminate foreground object during foresightful photo . We know using the Live Composite feature to create maven trails during ourOM System OM-1 Mark II review .
Composite images
Timelapse images can also highlight meteor showers.(Image credit: Getty Images)
Meteor shower can be unpredictable , and a single build may not conquer multiple meteors . Combine several images involve over the night to showcase more meteors in one composition .
thoughtfulness
If you ’re near very still water , you’re able to often entrance meteoroid reflecting off H2O bodies like lake . This might take a fleck of experiment , and you ’ll take a dissipated crystalline lens and a television camera body that can get by well with gamey ISO background .
Including other elements in your images adds more interest to the final product.(Image credit: Getty Images)
Capturing human dynamo
Occasionally , meteor shower produce exceptionally vivid meteors called fireball . These can light up the sky and hurl shadows , offer dramatic photography chance . You ’ll need to be quick , though , and align your exposure rapidly if a human dynamo appears .
bird’s-eye stroke
Fireballs are a great feature in meteor images.(Image credit: Nazarii Neshcherenskyi via Getty Images)
catch a broad view of the night sky by run up multiple wide - slant shots together . This proficiency can showcase the vastness of the sky during a meteor shower .
Post processing
When it comes to getting the most out of your astrophotography , it ’s worth check about the ins and outs of editing and post - processing , as get the hang these acquirement will help you produce pic you may be lofty of .
apply software program like Adobe Lightroom or Photoshop to reduce stochasticity , especially for high ISO images . you could also set contrast and clarity to make meteors stand out and fine - tune the white balance and intensity for more vibrant sky . Use pile software like StarStaX or Affinity Photo 2 to create unlined whizz trail images .
Which meteor shower should you photograph?
Luckily , meteor showers are among the most predictable celestial events each year , and we are able to track their visual aspect . In the northerly hemisphere , we ’re blessed with several spectacular displays throughout the class . They occur when Earth ’s sphere extend through the debris trail left by comets or , in some cases , asteroid . This debris , often no big than grains of sand , burn up upon entering Earth ’s atmosphere , creating vivid streaks of light .
Research plays a pivotal role in shoot any shooting star shower , so it ’s best to do this well in advance of an expected shower — but perhaps not so far in cash advance that you are n’t able to access a reliable germ of weather selective information , as this data is also crucial in set what you ’ll see and where you ’ll travel to .
Look at information about the peak night of the shower , which provide the best chance to enamour legion meteor . For each shower , these generally happen at the same time each year . You will also need to regain dark sky locations and expend light defilement maps likelightpollutionmap.infoto locate the sorry skies near you .
The Milky Way alongside a fireball during the Perseid meteor shower.(Image credit: Getty Images)
It ’s also important to check the moonshine stage . Aim for a new moon or minimal moonlight to maximize visibleness .
Here are some of the thing to debate when starting out make images of meteor shower :
Intensity : The telephone number of meteors you may see per hour , known as the zenithal hourly charge per unit ( ZHR ) .
There are several factors to consider when choosing a meteor shower to photograph.
Radiant point : The area in the sky from which the meteor come out to originate .
Moon phase : A bright moon can wash out wispy meteors , so time around a new moon is ideal .
Weather and light pollution : Clear skies and minimal light pollution are all-important .
The Perseids are one of the best meteor showers to photography.
Best meteor showers in the Northern Hemisphere
There is lot of data online about the most reliable meteor shower , and you’re able to also find some excellent imaging for inspiration for your own photographs , but we ’ve put the canonic data below . inhuman , crisp wintertime sky can be a really good time to seize range of a function of meteor shower bath , offer the weather condition and experimental condition can put up a exculpated view of the night sky .
Quadrantids ( January)Known for its sharp peak that lasts a few hours , this is one of the strong meteor showers of the year .
extremum : Around January 3 - 4ZHR:60 - 100 meteors per hourRadiant : Near the constellation Boötes
Lyrids ( April)One of the old recorded showers , often with burnished , fast meteoroid .
Peak : Around April 21 - 22ZHR:15 - 20 meteors per hourRadiant : Near the constellation Lyra
Perseids ( August)Famous for their gamy frequency and brilliant meteoroid during warm summer nights .
crown : Around August 11 - 13ZHR:50 - 100 meteors per hourRadiant : Near the constellation Perseus
Orionids ( October)Known for their fast meteors and occasional fireballs .
height : Around October 20 - 22ZHR:15 - 25 meteor per hourRadiant : Near the constellation Orion
Geminids ( December)One of the most dependable and fertile showers .
acme : Around December 13 - 14ZHR:120 - 150 meteor per hourRadiant : Near the constellation Gemini
You must confirm your public display name before commenting
Please logout and then login again , you will then be prompted to get into your display name .
