Technique for Photographing Celestial Bodies: Planets

Technique for Photographing Celestial Bodies: Planets

In August 2025, a unique celestial event will take place, with six planets (Mercury, Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune) aligning visibly with the Moon, creating a spectacular "planet parade" or alignment. Here's a guide to help you capture this rare event with your smartphone camera and telescope.

Preparing for the Session

Plan to start your observations between 4 am and 6 am local time, before the Sun rises. The planets Mercury, Venus, Jupiter, and the Moon will appear close together near the eastern horizon in a nearly straight line. Saturn and Neptune can be found in the southern sky during this time.

To locate these planets more accurately, consider using a stargazing app like Star Walk. These apps provide real-time interactive sky maps customized to your location and time, making it easier to identify planets and suggest the best observation windows.

A clear, unobstructed eastern horizon is essential to catch these planets before sunrise, as they quickly disappear in the Sun’s glare.

Equipment and Settings

Smartphone cameras can take basic shots of planets afocally through a telescope, and accessories are available for this purpose. However, unlike a DSLR, a high frame rate camera has no controls of its own and requires a separate computer with an appropriate driver and control software.

Before adjusting the camera's frame rate, exposure, and gain, focus as best you can. Rotate the camera so that the planet moves parallel to the bottom of the frame when the scope is moved in Right Ascension (RA).

When imaging planets, a telescope with quite a bit of magnification is needed to see any surface details. A medium frame rate camera such as the Celestron NexImage is the first step on the multi-frame imaging ladder.

Tips and Techniques

Use AVI or SER format to save the planetary video files. DSLRs are rarely used for planetary imaging due to Earth's turbulent atmosphere. Filters are frequently used in planetary imaging to enhance certain wavelengths or prevent others from reaching the camera.

Planetary video files can be large, requiring at least 50-100 GB of free space on the hard drive per session. A single exposure of a planet under average seeing conditions will often record slightly blurred detail.

The best time to image a superior planet (one with an orbit larger than Earth's) is around opposition. Recording a video of the planet and using specialist software to extract good frames can produce a sharp image.

Use registration and stacking software such as RegiStax or AutoStakkert to process the video files and produce a polished end result. When imaging Mars, aim for a high frame rate camera with filters to produce the best images, but a colour planetary camera can be used to keep capture time to a minimum and works best when Mars reaches a high altitude.

Notable Events

In early August, Jupiter and Venus have a close conjunction, and shadow transits of Jupiter’s moons occur, which could add interest to your photos.

Final Thoughts

Capturing the planet parade in 2025 will require careful planning, the right equipment, and some patience. With these tips, you'll be well on your way to capturing stunning images of this rare celestial event. Happy astrophotography!

1. This August 2025, a celestial event of unique proportions will unfold, with six planets visible alongside the Moon in what's known as a "planet parade" or alignment.
2. To fully appreciate this rare occurrence, preparation is key, and it's recommended to begin your observations between 4 am and 6 am local time.
3. Mercury, Venus, Jupiter, and the Moon will appear close together near the eastern horizon in a nearly straight line, while Saturn and Neptune can be found in the southern sky during this time.
4. A stargazing app like Star Walk can help with more accurate planet location; these apps provide real-time interactive sky maps tailored to your location and time.
5. A clear, unobstructed eastern horizon is critical to spotting the planets before sunrise, as they vanish quickly under the Sun's glare.
6. Smartphone cameras may capture basic planet shots through a telescope, but a high frame rate camera requires a separate computer for control.
7. Focus the camera before adjusting frame rate, exposure, and gain, and rotate it so that the planet moves parallel to the bottom of the frame as the scope is moved in Right Ascension (RA).
8. To see detail in planets, a telescope with high magnification is essential for multi-frame imaging, making a medium frame rate camera such as the Celestron NexImage the starting point.
9. Use AVI or SER format to save planetary video files, and filters are often employed in planetary imaging for wavelength enhancement.
10. Large storage space is necessary, as planetary video files can be up to 100 GB per session.
11. The best time for imaging a superior planet is around opposition, and using specialist software to extract good frames can result in a sharply defined image.
12. Registration and stacking software like RegiStax or AutoStakkert are crucial for processing video files and producing high-quality results.
13. Imaging Mars specifically requires a high frame rate camera with filters for the best images, but a colour planetary camera can save capture time and work well when Mars reaches high altitude.
14. In early August, Jupiter and Venus will have a close conjunction, and shadow transits of Jupiter's moons may add interest to your images.
15. Achieving stunning images of the planet parade in 2025 requires careful planning, the correct equipment, and a degree of patience.
16. Following these tips will put you on the path to producing captivating astrophotography images of this extraordinary celestial event.
17. The positive impacts of this celestial event extend beyond photography, and it can serve as a motivation for revisiting and expanding your understanding of science, the solar system, and astronomy.
18. Such events can contribute positively to workplace-wellness programs by encouraging employees to take breaks to stargaze, fostering a better connection with the natural world.
19. This planet parade is a fleeting opportunity to engage in mental-health practices such as mindfulness and stress-reduction, by taking a few moments to appreciate the wonders of the universe and the interconnectedness of life on our planet – and perhaps even spark curiosity in medical-conditions, chronic-diseases, or environmental-science.

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