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Observing Guides

What to Photograph in Winter: December to February

Orion is the obvious answer, and it is the right one. But winter hands a smart telescope four other targets that suit it beautifully, and one that will break your heart if you try it too early.

Observing Guides · SmartScope Sky Guide · 5 min read

Your First Ten Targets, in Order of Difficulty

A deliberate progression rather than a wish list. Each target teaches one thing, and doing them in this order means every night ends with something you can look at.

Observing Guides · SmartScope Sky Guide · 3 min read

What to Photograph in Spring: March to May

Spring is galaxy season, and galaxies are the hardest thing a smart telescope does. Here is which ones actually work, and how to set expectations before you point at Markarian's Chain.

Observing Guides · SmartScope Sky Guide · 4 min read

What to Photograph in Summer: June to August

Short nights, warm air and the Milky Way core overhead. Summer is the season where a smart telescope's filter earns its money, and where twilight decides your whole schedule.

Observing Guides · SmartScope Sky Guide · 4 min read

What to Photograph in Autumn: September to November

Andromeda gets all the attention and deserves some of it. But autumn's real gift is a run of large, bright nebulae arriving just as the nights get long enough to use them properly.

Observing Guides · SmartScope Sky Guide · 3 min read

Meteor Showers and Smart Telescopes: Use the Right Tool

A smart telescope is close to the worst possible instrument for photographing a meteor shower. Knowing why makes it easier to enjoy the best nights of the year properly.

Observing Guides · SmartScope Sky Guide · 3 min read