Lake Afton Public Observatory

Photo: The Orion Nebula, by Jim Fullerton
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 On selected clear nights (or days), anyone with a 35mm single-lens reflex camera with a removable lens can take an astronomical photographs with the Observatory's Telescope. Automatic camera without a manual override cannot be used to take astronomical photos .  

If you do not have the proper camera, bring a USB flash drive instead. After you use the Observatory’s digital SLR to take your pictures, we will transfer them to your flash drive for you to take home and print.

Date, times, objects to be photographed, and film recommendations are given below.

 
2010 Photography Programs
Object Date Time
Mars January 23 10:00 p.m.
Mars February 6 10:00 p.m.
Orion Nebula (M 42)1 March 13 10:00 p.m.
Saturn April 17 10:30 p.m.
Saturn May 15 11:00 p.m.
First Quarter Moon June 19 11:00 p.m.
First Quarter Moon July 17 11:00 p.m.
Summer Milky Way2 August 7 11:00 p.m.
Jupiter September 18 10:00 p.m.
Jupiter October 16 10:00 p.m.
Andromeda (M31)1 November 6 10:00 p.m.
Pleiades (M45)1 December 11 10:00 p.m.

1ISO 800 or faster speed film, 300mm or greater telephoto lens, and cable release are required.
2ISO 800 or faster speed film, a tripod, 50mm lense and a cable release are required.
For all other programs ISO 400 or 800 color film and a cable release are recommended.
Learn more about photography from wichitaphotographers.com
Note: An Observatory program will automatically be cancelled if there is a severe thunderstorm warning or tornado warning anywhere in Sedgwick County during the hour prior to the start of a program. Programs also will be cancelled if travel conditions are hazardous. If possible, the recorded program information at (316) WSU-STAR [978-7827] will be changed to reflect any program cancellations.
This page is maintained by the Lake Afton Public Observatory
and theWSU Fairmount Center for Science and Mathematics Education.

Send your questions and comments to Observatory@wichita.edu