Lake Afton Public Observatory

Photo: The Orion Nebula, by Jim Fullerton
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 On selected clear nights, anyone with a 35mm single-lens reflex camera with a removable lens can take astronomical photographs with the Observatory's Telescope. Automatic cameras 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 camera 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.

 
2009 Photography Programs
Object Date Time
Venus January 17 6:30 p.m.
Orion Nebula (M42)1 February 21 10:00 p.m.
Saturn March 21 10:00 p.m.
Saturn April 18 10:30 p.m.
Saturn May 16 11:00 p.m.
Full Moon June 6 11:00 p.m.
Summer Milky Way2 July 18 11:00 p.m.
Jupiter August 15 11:00 p.m.
Moon September 26 10:00 p.m.
Jupiter October 17 10:00 p.m.
Moon November 28 10:00 p.m.
Andromeda (M31)1 December 12 10:00 p.m.

1ISO 800 or faster speed film, telephoto lens, and cable release are required.
2ISO 800 or faster speed film, a tripod 50mm lens, and 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