The February 27 meeting of the RASC Mississauga Centre will feature a talk on astrophotography. 

Talk Title: Astrophotography with Portable Mounts

Speaker: Michael Watson, RASC (Unattached)

Astronomy magazines are filled with stunning images made by astrophotographers using expensive permanent pier telescopes in private observatories.  But aspiring astrophotographers with more modest budgets - or who live in light-polluted cities and have to drive to get to dark sites - can produce high-quality images using a variety of portable gear.  In this talk, illustrated with dozens of images of various well-known celestial targets, astrophotographer Michael Watson will discuss photographing the night sky using various types of equipment, from the simple tripod to the heavier but portable astrophotography mount.  He will give tips on how to use each type of mount to best advantage, and on additional equipment that can make your astrophotography experience easier and more productive.

Michael Watson joined the RASC in 1970, was a member of the Toronto Centre for many years, and is now an unattached life member.  He is past national Treasurer and Second Vice-President, as well as former legal counsel to the Society, and is recipient of the Service Award and the Simon Newcomb Award.  Michael has been expedition leader or co-leader for several solar eclipse expeditions, and is a long-time astrophotographer, having started in the old film days of the 1970s.  After a few years away from astronomy while his children were growing up, Michael is on a steep learning curve to catch up on the newest equipment and techniques in digital astrophotography.

The meeting will be held from 8:00 to 10:00 p.m. at The University of Toronto,Mississauga Campus, in lecture hall SE2082 in the William Davis Building. The meeting is open to the public and is free.  

Enter off of Mississauga Road. Park in lot 4 or the parkade, across from the fitness centre south of theDavis Building. Enter through the Fitness centre, walk up the stairs untilyou reach the main corridor then turn right. (If you need an elevator,follow the corridor to the right of the stairs, then go up to the mainfloor.) Look for the Mississauga Centre sign in front of the lecture room.

Post meeting plans: we usually continue the discussion post-meeting at a local bar – please join us!