We are thrilled to welcome Mark Job as the guest presenter for the Milky Way Mini-Workshop on June 8th. A highly respected astrophotographer from Minnesota, Mark is a prominent figure within the Minnesota Astronomical Society, dedicating his expertise to capturing the wonders of the night sky.
With a passion for astrophotography, Mark enjoys photographing distant galaxies, nebulae, and star clusters, using an array of telescopes and cameras to reveal cosmic beauty. His mastery extends to overcoming the challenges of light pollution, ensuring that his images of the Milky Way and beyond are as breathtaking as they are scientifically fascinating.
This workshop is a unique opportunity to learn directly from Mark’s wealth of knowledge. Whether you are an experienced astrophotographer or just starting your journey, his insights into composition, exposure techniques, and celestial imaging will provide invaluable guidance.
This presentation by Mark Job focuses on star trackers and their role in astrophotography. He discusses how Earth’s rotation affects celestial photography and explains how star trackers allow for longer exposures without star trails. Mark shares his personal journey with astrophotography, mentioning his shift to a more compact setup (just two bags and a tripod) making travel more manageable.
He covers key photography concepts such as exposure settings, ISO, aperture, and equipment considerations. He recounts his experience with his first astrophotography camera, a Canon 60D, and emphasizes how exposure time impacts star movement. Mark references different shutter speed rules, including the 400, 500, and a more conservative 300 rule favored by professionals.
He also explores how the sky shifts nightly due to Earth’s orbit, explaining that objects rise one degree further east each night. The talk emphasizes practical astrophotography techniques, including proper setup, planning shots, and using trackers to capture clear, detailed celestial images.