Lake Afton Public Observatory

Photo: M17, 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.

 
2011 Photography Programs
Object Date Time
Pleiades (M45)1 January 8 10:00 p.m.
Orion Nebula (M42)1 February 5 10:00 p.m.
First Quarter Moon March 12 10:00 p.m.
Saturn April 9 10:30 p.m.
Saturn May 7 11:00 p.m.
Saturn June 4 11:00 p.m.
First Quarter Moon July 9 11:00 p.m.
Summer Milky Way2 August 20 11:00 p.m.
Full Moon September 10 10:00 p.m.
Andromeda (M31)1 October 22 10:00 p.m.
Jupiter November 19 10:00 p.m.
Jupiter December 17 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