Guides
Astrophotography guides
Short, specific answers to the questions people ask before they buy.
- Smart Telescope or Traditional Rig? How to ChooseSmart telescopes are easy, traditional rigs reach further. Compare ease, cost, planets and upgrade paths to pick the right astrophotography setup.
- The Best Smart Telescopes of 2026 by BudgetEvery current smart telescope from ZWO, Dwarflab, Vaonis, Unistellar and Celestron, grouped by budget, with specs and who each model suits.
- Seestar S50 Pro vs Dwarflab Draco: Which to BuyThe Seestar S50 Pro ships now; the Dwarflab Draco ships in November. We compare specs, exposure length, weight and who each smart telescope suits.
- Your First Deep-Sky Rig: Why the Mount Matters MostThe mount decides whether a deep-sky rig works. Learn the payload rule, star tracker vs GoTo EQ vs harmonic mounts, and see three starter rigs.
- Photograph the Milky Way With the Camera You OwnShoot the Milky Way with your existing DSLR or mirrorless camera. Lens choice, the 500 and NPF rules, focusing, timing, star trackers and stacking.
- The Bortle Scale: What You Can Shoot From Your SkyWhat each Bortle class looks like, which astrophotography targets work from cities versus dark sites, and when to use broadband or narrowband filters.
- How to Photograph the Sun SafelySafe solar photography: certified front filters, why eyepiece and ND filters are dangerous, H-alpha scopes, smart telescopes and eclipse planning.