Course curriculum

  • 01

    The Galactic Hub

    • Announcements - Check Here for Updates!

    • A Message from the Instructors

    • How to Navigate this Course

    • Table of Contents

    • Access to Stellar Perks

    • Affiliate Earnings - Get Started Here!

    • Useful Resources

    • Astrophotography Glossary

  • 02

    S1 Chapter 1: How to Get Started

    • Before We Begin...

    • Season 1 - Table of Contents

    • How We Got Started

    • What Resources Should You Read?

    • How to Get Motivated: Astrophotography Apps and Websites

    • Get to Know Your Objective

  • 03

    S1 Chapter 2: Using a DSLR Camera

    • Introduction

    • The Camera: Your New Best Friend

    • The Telescope: Making the Right Decision

    • The Mount: Strong and Sturdy

    • Camera Accessories: Make Your Life a Little Easier

    • Telescope Accessories: Don't Leave These at Home

    • Power Sources: Getting Amped on the Field

    • DSLR Camera - Equipment Summary

    • What Equipment Will You Be Using?

    • How German Equatorial Mounts Work

    • How to Attach a Clip-On Filter to a DSLR Camera

  • 04

    S1 Chapter 3: DSLR - Camera Settings

    • Introduction

    • Menu Walkthrough and Important Features to Activate

    • Main Menu Settings (ISO, Shutter Speed, Aperture)

    • How to Switch to Manual or Automatic Focus

    • How to Switch to BULB Mode

    • Summary of Camera Settings

    • How to Use an Intervalometer

  • 05

    S1 Chapter 4: DSLR - Planning is Everything

    • Introduction

    • Battling Light Pollution: How to Find the Perfect Location

    • Weather Wizard: Which Websites and Apps to Use

    • Scouting a Location to Image from

    • What Object Should You Image?

    • How to Frame Using Planetarium Software

    • The Dangers Out on the Field

    • Survey

  • 06

    S1 Chapter 5: DSLR - Setting Up and Initializing

    • Introduction

    • How to Set Up Your Equipment

    • How to Attach the Camera to Your Telescope

    • How to Balance Your Rig

    • How to Plug in the Cables

    • How to Polar Align

    • Initializing the Mount and 3-Star Alignment

  • 07

    S1 Chapter 6: DSLR - Imaging a Deep Sky Object

    • Introduction

    • How to Focus at Night

    • What Settings Should We Use?

    • How to Focus the Guide Camera

    • How to Use the Auto-Guider

    • Using the Intervalometer and Taking Test Shots

    • Passing Time While Imaging

    • Calibration Frames: How to Take Darks, Bias, and Flats

  • 08

    S1 Chapter 7: DSLR - Processing Data

    • Introduction

    • Importing the Files

    • Downloading Raw Data

    • Stacking with Deep Sky Stacker

    • Stacking with PixInsight

    • Processing a Globular Cluster With PixInsight

    • Post-Processing with Lightroom

    • PixInsight - Access our Processing Workflow for Beginners

    • Processing Summary

    • Beginner Processing Survey

    • Messier 13 - Final Image Results

  • 09

    S1 Chapter 8: Using a One-Shot Color Cooled Astrophotography Camera

    • Introduction

    • One-Shot Color Cooled Astrophotography Camera

    • Telescopes - Using a Reflector Over a Refractor

    • Mounts - The Jump to a High-End Mount

    • Filters - Do You Need Them?

    • Batteries - We. Need. More. Power!

    • OSC Camera - Equipment Summary

  • 10

    S1 Chapter 9: OSC Camera - Planning and Sequence Generator Pro

    • Introduction

    • Planning Ahead with SkySafari

    • SGP: Dashboard Walkthrough and The Basics

    • SGP: Preparing Our Imaging Session

    • SGP: Settings Used to Capture M33

    • SGP: Setting Up Text and Email Notifications

  • 11

    S1 Chapter 10: OSC Camera - Imaging a Galaxy from the Desert

    • Introduction

    • Setting Up the Equipment

    • How to Use a Coma Corrector

    • How to Collimate a Reflector Telescope

    • Initializing the MyT Mount

    • SGP: How to Focus

    • Test Shots and Launching Our Series

    • Calibration Frames with SGP: Taking Darks and Flats

  • 12

    S1 Chapter 11: OSC Camera - Processing Data

    • Introduction

    • Transferring Files

    • Download Our OSC Camera Raw Data!

    • Debayering: Why is it Important?

    • Processing a Galaxy with PixInsight

    • Messier 33 - Final Image Results

  • 13

    S1 Chapter 12: Using a Monochrome Cooled Astrophotography Camera

    • Introduction

    • The Monochrome Camera

    • The Telescope: We're Using Another Refractor!

    • Extra Accessories: An Off Axis Guider and Electronic Auto-Focuser

    • How to Mount the OAG on the Camera

    • The Electronic Filter Wheel and Narrowband Filters

    • Mono Camera - Equipment Summary

  • 14

    S1 Chapter 13: Mono Camera - Planning Shots and the ASIAir

    • Introduction

    • Understanding monochrome cameras

    • Planning Our Shot

    • What is the ASIAir?

    • What is a Field Flattener?

  • 15

    S1 Chapter 14: Mono Camera - Imaging a Nebula from Home

    • Introduction

    • Setting Up in the Backyard

    • ASIAir: Initializing and Connecting the Equipment

    • ASIAir: How to Focus and use the Electronic Focuser

    • ASIAir: How to Focus the Guide Camera on the OAG

    • ASIAir: Test Shots and Launching Our Series

    • ASIAir: Shooting Flats and Darks

    • ASIAir Pro - Mount Controls and Auto-Guiding

    • [2022 Update] Full Walkthrough using the ASIAir Plus

  • 16

    S1 Chapter 15: Mono Camera - Processing the Data

    • Introduction

    • Transferring Files from the ASIAir to the Computer

    • Download Our Raw Data!

    • Processing Walkthrough of Monochrome Data

    • IC 5070 - Final Image Results

  • 17

    S1 Chapter 16: Art You Can Be Proud Of

    • Introduction

    • Our Favorite Printing Companies

    • Displaying Your Art

    • Final Thoughts

    • Before You Go...

  • 18

    S2 Chapter 1: Photographing the Milky Way - Introduction

    • Welcome to Season 2!

    • Season 2 - Table of Contents

    • The Milky Way: What is it, and Why Photograph it?

    • Survey: Your Current Milky Way Photography Skills

  • 19

    S2 Chapter 2: Milky Way Photography - Planning our shot

    • Introduction

    • The Best Time to Image the Milky Way

    • The Best Location to Photograph the Milky Way and Escaping Light Pollution

    • Using SkySafari to Plan our Shot

    • Useful Apps for Milky Way Photography

    • PhotoPills Walkthrough

    • Planning our Shot: Summary

  • 20

    S2 Chapter 3: Beginner Milky Way Photography - Equipment

    • Introduction

    • The Camera: Canon 7D Mark II

    • The Tripod: Orion Paragon XHD Heavy Duty

    • Image Acquisition: Wired Intervalometer

    • The Lens: Canon EF-S 24mm f/2.8

    • Other Accessories: SD card / Battery pack

    • Beginner Equipment Summary

  • 21

    S2 Chapter 4: Beginner Milky Way Photography - Camera Settings

    • Introduction

    • Camera Navigation: Canon 7D Mark II

    • The "500 Rule"

    • Camera Settings

    • Switching the Lens to Manual Mode

    • Activating BULB Mode on the camera

    • Camera Settings - Summary

  • 22

    S2 Chapter 5: Beginner Milky Way Photography - Photographing the Milky Way

    • Introduction

    • Arriving on Location

    • Setting Up the Equipment

    • Focusing the Lens

    • Framing the Milky Way and Taking Some Test Shots

    • Taking Images of the Milky Way

    • Photographing the Milky Way - Summary

  • 23

    S2 Chapter 6: Beginner Milky Way Photography - Processing

    • Introduction

    • Download our Raw Image!

    • Enhancing our Image using Lightroom

    • Processing Summary

    • Survey: Milky Way Beginner Section

  • 24

    S2 Chapter 7: Advanced Milky Way Photography - Equipment

    • Introduction

    • The Camera: Canon Ra

    • The Lens: Samyang XP 14mm f/2.4

    • The Tripod: Carbon Fiber Tripod

    • The Star Tracker: Sky-Watcher Star Adventurer Pro

    • Accessories: SD Card and Wireless Intervalometer

    • Advanced Equipment Summary

  • 25

    S2 Chapter 8: Advanced Milky Way Photography - Camera Settings

    • Introduction

    • Camera Navigation: Canon Ra

    • The "NPF Rule"

    • Camera Settings

    • Switching the Lens to Manual Mode

    • Activating BULB Mode on the Camera

    • Camera Settings - Summary

  • 26

    S2 Chapter 9: Advanced Milky Way Photography - Photographing the Milky Way

    • Introduction

    • Scouting for Foregrounds during Daytime

    • Setting Up the Equipment and Balancing

    • Polar Aligning the Star Tracker

    • Focusing, Framing, and Taking a Test Shot

    • Understanding the Histogram

    • Tracker OFF: Capturing the Foreground

    • Tracker ON: Capturing the Milky Way

    • Photographing the Milky Way tracked - Summary

    • Extra - How to Make a Milky Way Arch Panorama

  • 27

    S2 Chapter 10: Advanced Milky Way Photography - Processing

    • Introduction

    • Importing and Organizing the Files

    • Download our Raw Files!

    • Stacking the Milky Way using PixInsight

    • Processing the Milky Way using PixInsight

    • Adding a Foreground using Photoshop

    • Milky Way Processing Summary

  • 28

    S2 Chapter 11: Milky Way Photography Conclusion

    • Introduction

    • Purchasing a Print and Finding a Custom Frame

    • Hanging Your Work

    • Galactic Course Season 2 Conclusion

    • Survey - Season 2

  • 29

    S3 Chapter 1: Star Trails & Time-Lapses - Introduction

    • Welcome to Season 3!

    • Season 3 - Table of Contents

    • Survey: What do you struggle with the most?

  • 30

    S3 Chapter 2: Star Trails & Time-Lapses - Equipment

    • Introduction

    • The Camera: Canon 7D Mark II

    • The Lens: Rokinon 10mm f/2.8

    • Image Acquisition: Wired Intervalometer

    • The Tripod: Carbon Fiber Tripod

    • Other Accessories: SD Card / Battery Pack

    • Optional: Star Tracker

    • Equipment: Summary

  • 31

    S3 Chapter 3: Star Trails & Time-Lapses - Planning and Settings

    • Introduction

    • When & Where to Shoot Star Trails

    • When & Where to Shoot Time-Lapses

    • Useful Apps for Planning

    • Useful Photopills Features

    • How to Find Polaris

    • The Settings We Use for Star Trails

    • The Settings We Use for Time-Lapses

    • Planning and Settings: Summary

  • 32

    S3 Chapter 4: Star Trails - Capturing Light

    • Introduction

    • Scouting the Location

    • Setting Up the Equipment

    • Focusing the Lens

    • Taking Star Trails Images of the Sky

    • Extra: How to Use the Built-In Intervalometer Feature in Newer Cameras

    • Capturing Light: Summary

  • 33

    S3 Chapter 5: Star Trails - Processing

    • Introduction

    • Importing and Organizing the Files

    • Download Our Raw Files!

    • Lightroom: Enhancing the Images

    • Photoshop: Removing Plane Trails & Creating Star Trails

    • StarStax: Creating Star Trails

    • Photoshop: Blending a Foreground

    • Transforming Star Trail Data into a Video

    • Star Trails: Conclusion

  • 34

    S3 Chapter 6: Star Trails - Getting a High-Resolution Print

    • Introduction

    • Ordering a Metal or Acrylic Print

    • Hanging your Art

  • 35

    S3 Chapter 7: Time-Lapses - Photographing the Motion of the Sky

    • Introduction

    • Scouting the Location

    • Setting Up the Equipment

    • Focusing the Lens

    • [Untracked] Taking Images of the Sky

    • [Tracked] Tracking the Earth Rotation

    • Photographing the Motion of the Sky: Summary

    • Extra: Using the Built-In Time-Lapse Feature in Newer Cameras

  • 36

    S3 Chapter 8: Time-Lapses - Turning Pictures into Video

    • Introduction

    • Importing the Files to the Computer

    • Download our Raw Files!

    • Enhancing our Images using Lightroom

    • Using a Video Editing Software to Turn our Pictures into a Video

    • Time-lapses Compilation Video & Conclusion

  • 37

    S3 Chapter 9: Star Trails & Time-Lapses - Conclusion

    • Final Thoughts & Conclusion

    • Season 3 Survey

  • 38

    S4 Chapter 1: Remote Imaging - Introduction

    • Welcome to Season 4!

    • Season 4 - Table of Contents

    • Survey

  • 39

    S4 Chapter 2: Remote Imaging with Personal Equipment - Finding the Right Remote Observatory

    • Introduction

    • The Most Popular Observatories in the World

    • Analyzing Weather, Altitude, Distance, Darkness, Owners…

    • Choosing the Right Observatory

    • Touring an Observatory

    • Finding the Right Remote Observatory: Summary

  • 40

    S4 Chapter 3: Remote Imaging with Personal Equipment - Getting your Equipment Ready

    • Introduction

    • The Telescope and Camera

    • The Computer

    • The Software

    • The Mount

    • The Power Management Box

    • The Auto-Focuser

    • The Dew Heaters

    • [Optional] The Flats Panel

    • Power (UPS, AC adapters..)

    • The Pier Extension / Pier / Tripod

    • [Optional] The Security Camera

    • Cable Management and Cleaning

    • Getting your Equipment Ready: Summary

  • 41

    S4 Chapter 4: Remote Imaging with Personal Equipment - Setting Up

    • Introduction

    • Removing the Previous Telescope

    • Setting Up Your Equipment & Balancing

    • Plugging in the Cables

    • The Art of the "Double Loop"

    • Testing Connections & Saying Goodbye One Last Time

    • The Ideal Park Position

    • Polar Aligning

    • Setting Up: Summary

  • 42

    S4 Chapter 5: Remote Imaging with Personal Equipment - Controlling your Setup Remotely

    • Introduction

    • Checking the Weather Before Imaging

    • Mapping the Observatory Shared Drive

    • Using the Roof Status File as a Safety Monitor

    • Connecting to your Equipment from Anywhere in the World

    • Launching our First Sequence

    • Parking & Downloading the Files

    • Checking the Files & 1st Light!

    • Taking Flats Remotely

    • Requesting Technical Support

    • Images Taken from the Remote Telescope and Summary

  • 43

    S4 Chapter 6: Remote Imaging with Rented Equipment - Understanding How it Works

    • Introduction

    • Remote Imaging - Too Easy? Not "Real" Enough?

    • Telescope Live Walkthrough

    • Training Session Using our Remote Telescope

    • Understanding How it Works: Summary

  • 44

    S4 Chapter 7: Remote Imaging with Rented Equipment - Imaging and Downloading Data

    • Introduction

    • Data Acquisition using Advanced Requests

    • Data Acquisition using Bundles

    • Importing Telescope Live Data into PixInsight

    • Summary and Images Taken Using Rental Equipment

  • 45

    S4 Chapter 8: Professional Data Acquisition - Downloading Data from NASA

    • Introduction

    • How to Download Data from the HST or JWST

    • Organizing your RAW Files

    • How to Understand the Filters

    • How to Combine the Channels Properly

    • Process Data from the JWST

    • Final Touches in Lightroom

    • Download a Processing Guide for Professional Data!

    • Professional Data Acquisition: Summary

  • 46

    S4 Chapter 9: Remote Imaging - Conclusion

    • Final Thoughts & Conclusion

    • Season 4 Survey

  • 47

    Special Topics 1: Comets

    • Welcome to our Comet Imaging & Processing Workflow!

    • Table of Contents

    • How to take Pictures of Comets

    • Processing - Before We Start

    • Download our Process Icons

    • Download our Raw Data

    • Data Calibration and Stacking

    • Getting our Star Mask

    • Comet Alignment

    • Batch-Removing the Stars and Stacking the Data on the Comet

    • Processing the Comet Image

    • The Final Image

TESTIMONIALS

WHAT OUR MEMBERS SAY

“One of a kind! Astrophotography is an intense hobby and it can be hard to know where to start or find the information and help needed throughout the learning process. I had always wished there was an all in one class or course to help lay it all out in the same way I have learned my other photography skills. When I saw this course announced I was super excited and signed up right away. It is very informative and well put together, covering everything a beginner would need to know. Highly recommend.”

Sydney, Australia

Lachland M.

“This truly is an all-in-one course for learning astrophotography. It will help you choose what equipment you will need. Or if you already have some equipment it will help you to get the best out of your equipment. It covers everything from the equipment, to taking the pictures, to how to edit the pictures. And then it even shows you where to get your picture printed to show off the skills that you have acquired.”

Utah, USA

Tom G.

“This course is absolutely outstanding. Great course with 100% real-world scenarios and lots of materials to download. I love the course and would recommend it as the first thing to whoever wants to wet their feet in astrophotography. 100% worth the investment and not at all a hefty price considering the help this course provides with whatever we might need to learn and invest in the rig. This would be THE course I would recommend to anyone who wants to start astrophotography as a hobby.”

Missouri, USA

Dheeraj M.

“I loved everything and have learned so much! It was well worth the investment and I can't wait for the next course to be released.”

California, USA

Shelia L.

“I really enjoyed the course. Nothing was overly technical and was well explained. I've really enjoyed having access to the Discord community and being able to get answers and see questions from others like myself just starting out. So far it's been worth the investment, with the understanding that future seasons are going to be added. I also enjoyed the fact that you used different equipment and explained in detail what to do with all of it. ”

Minnesota, USA

Josh B.

“Tons of valuable information on astrophotography. The way they have the courses set up, you can mix and match section to ultimately fit the setup that works for you.”

North Carolina, USA

Jeffrey P.

“Def worth the investment! Learned a lot and the use of your data will help a lot in learning how to edit. ”

Arizona, USA

Bradley H.

“I feel this was a great course and it was well worth the money for me. We all spend a lot of money on our equipment and having someone to help you through all the ins and outs makes it more enjoyable. I wish something like this was around for me 35 years ago when I first started, then my telescope my not have sat in the corner collecting dust all that time. Of course the technology has changed but the love of space has not. I would highly recommend this course to anyone.”

Wyoming, USA

Jeff H.

“Great job on both Seasons! I learned a lot from them and really look forward to learning more as my own Astro journey begins!”

South Carolina, USA

Kenneth Harrison

“I made the move from visual to astrophotography about a year ago. I have been heavily leveraging Galactic Hunter's instructional videos on YouTube, as well as following their step-by-step guides for image processing. I have a growing collection of frame-worthy images and I thank Galactic Hunter for it!”

Maryland, USA

Charles M.

“Great course! Great content, taught by knowledgeable teachers :) ”

Washington, USA

Harish K.

“I have learned a lot from this course which includes the planning, set-up of equipment, and processing the final image. The material in the course is easy to follow. And the feedback from Antoine has helped my astrophotography journey.”

Arizona, USA

Wanda T.

More Reviews

Zak Jones

5 star rating

“I have autism and found this course VERY helpful and educational! I found some videos on the internet about astrophotography are sometimes too hard for my auditory processing to fully understand, but this course is so beginner friendly, it is o...”

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“I have autism and found this course VERY helpful and educational! I found some videos on the internet about astrophotography are sometimes too hard for my auditory processing to fully understand, but this course is so beginner friendly, it is one of my go-to resources! I rely heavily on visual learning and the videos have helped me improve my post-processing and camera settings a LOT. For example, I am now shooting my pictures in the correct exposure on the histogram, and so far it has worked out far better than I expected and the post-processing videos are very simple and easy to follow-along. One of the course's best aspects is the layout. You can read and watch anything you want, when you want in no order. Other resources are set in a way where you have to watch them in a particular order, and I love the flexibility that this course has. Antione and Dalia definitely know what they are doing. I highly commend and thank both of them for creating this course. Their knowledge is invaluable and I cannot wait to see what the other seasons have in store! Zak Jones - NSW, Australia”

Read Less

Jeff Halter

5 star rating

“It has been quite a learning curve for me because it really is hard to teach old dogs new tricks. I started in 1982 and set my scope aside in 2001. I started again in 2020 and things have really changed. This was just the thing I needed to get bac...”

Read More

“It has been quite a learning curve for me because it really is hard to teach old dogs new tricks. I started in 1982 and set my scope aside in 2001. I started again in 2020 and things have really changed. This was just the thing I needed to get back on track.”

Read Less

James Glucksman

5 star rating

“I've been following Antoine and Dalia for a while now, and have always enjoyed their tutorials, so when I saw they had put together this course, I was interested, but initially was unsure what I would learn from it, since I have been into astropho...”

Read More

“I've been following Antoine and Dalia for a while now, and have always enjoyed their tutorials, so when I saw they had put together this course, I was interested, but initially was unsure what I would learn from it, since I have been into astrophotography for a little while now. Still, I decided to go ahead and it has proved to be very worthwhile! I learned quite a few new tricks, particularly on the subject of using Pixinsight, and found that I was able to go back to some of my old photos and dramatically improve them using the tips and tricks I picked up from this course. Looking forward to the future seasons!”

Read Less

Stephen TAYLOR

5 star rating

“The advanced processing piece is loaded with great Milky way processing tips that actually simplify things.”

“The advanced processing piece is loaded with great Milky way processing tips that actually simplify things.”

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Jimmy Ragsdale

5 star rating

“Don't know how to start, stuck in the middle, been doing this for along time and want some new ideas! This is the spot to be. ”

“Don't know how to start, stuck in the middle, been doing this for along time and want some new ideas! This is the spot to be. ”

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Steve Young

5 star rating

“Lots of top tips, useful advice and good content. I’m enjoying being part of it and it has definitely improved my understanding, skill level and results for astrophotography. Worth doing.”

“Lots of top tips, useful advice and good content. I’m enjoying being part of it and it has definitely improved my understanding, skill level and results for astrophotography. Worth doing.”

Read Less

Kathy Caballero

5 star rating

“Very informative, and summarized nicely.”

“Very informative, and summarized nicely.”

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