Molly Wakeling, Author at Astronomy.com

Watch Jupiter’s moons in action this month

The author captured the Rosette Nebula under Bortle 2 skies with a ZWO ASI2600MC Pro camera on an Astro-Tech 72ED refractor atop an iOptron CEM40 mount. This image comprises 104 three-minute exposures.

Astrophotography, Telescopes and Equipment

Finding your first astroimaging rig

Albireo (Beta [β] Cygni) is a classic example of a double star with contrasting colors.

Observing, Stars

What gives stars their colors?

My first image of the Lagoon Nebula (M8) was effectively zoomed in so far that the object looked nothing like a lagoon. It was taken with a Nikon D3100 on my Celestron 8-inch SCT, with an exposure time of 30 seconds at ISO 3200.

Astrophotography, Observing Basics

How to choose the right focal length for your astrophotos

Deep-Sky Objects

Tools for finding dark skies

I captured the Eagle Nebula (M16) at the 2019 Texas Star Party using a borrowed SBIG STF-8300M and Baader 8nm Hα/OIII/SII filters on my Takahashi FSQ106N. Recognize those pillars at the center?

Astrophotography, Observing Basics

How to take Hubble-like photos: Filters and post-processing guide

Observing, The Sun

These are the safe ways to look at the Sun (and you know you want to)

Observing, The Sun, Upcoming Events

How to observe the Sun safely during a solar eclipse

NGC 4565, the Needle Galaxy, was imaged with a ZWO ASI294MC Pro on a Takahashi FSQ-106N with 18 hours and 50 minutes of exposure.

Deep-Sky Objects, Observing Basics

Here are a few targets Messier missed that are worth a visit

Saturn, post-processed in PixInsight. Credit: Molly Wakeling

Observing Basics

Observing Basics: How you can take sharp pictures of the planets

A close-up image of M51 properly calibrated.

Observing Basics

Observing Basics: Coming to terms

Anyone can get started with observing, thanks to the Astronomical League’s programs. Here, the author peers through her telescope in the twilight.

Observing Basics

Observing Basics: Supercharge your observing