Using a Smartphone for Astronomy

[Tropo-Bob]

Hi all,

I am just starting to use a Smartphone for imaging. I have a lot to learn.

Two questions for the knowledgeable.

Is there an app or something that can allow me to change the phone-image settings? For example, to give me control over the time settings? The longest I can take at the moment is 1/15 second. I also wish to fix the focus. Currently, the phone has an auto-focus, which is confusing because I am trying to focus it as well.

2nd question. Are there particular smartphones available, which are much easier to use when astro-imaging?

I do not know what I am doing, but I am having fun.

Ha, another oddity. I rotated the attached image to be correct, but it comes up still on its side. However, when I clicked on it in the preview, it shows correctly. I am puzzled.

[Outcast]

Which phone Bob?

If android, try 'A better camera App' 99 cents for the unlocked version. Don't think it lets you manually change times but, it does have a bunch of features to control exposure & focus...

Cheers

[Tropo-Bob]

It is an Android. Thanks for the tip Carlton.

Cheers,

Bob

[pberrett]

Perhaps try this - Opencamera

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=net.sourceforge.opencame ra&hl=en_AU

https://opencamera.org.uk/

[Tropo-Bob]

This also looks very useful. THANKS.

[Pepper]

I use Nightcap on my iphone. Dunno if they have it for android.
Works pretty good and feature packed.

[Tropo-Bob]

Yes, I have been reading up and Nightcap is very popular for Iphones.

Looks like no stars tonight so I have been practicing during daylight on the local birds.

[LostInSp_ce]

Cool image. Very moody. :thumbsup:

[mental4astro]

Great thread to start! :thumbsup:

Different phones come with different built in software that may or may not allow for greater camera control. So to answer your question in short, it depends...

My basic model Samsung has limited camera control, and other apps just won't allow for expanded control.

My Oppo phone has much wider native control and third party apps do expand its capabilities.

One thing you might like to try on your phone is see if it has different camera control settings. For instance with the camera app on, swiping right should open up such a set of setting options, suchas Panorama, Pro, Auto, Hyperlapse, etc. The Pro function should give you greater exposure control, even if only limited.

Focus control can be achived by touching the screen of tghe phone. Start with focusing with your eye at the eyepiece and then adjusting the focus again when looking at the screen. What focuses for your eye will be different for the camera.

There are people producing remarkable images single frame & stacked using their phones.

Pic below of Saturn was taken right on opposition and the rings were showing the Seeliger Effect, which is why they are especially white. And of course I was using a smart phone adapter to hold the thing in place.

Oppo A5 2020, Pro function settings
Santel 9" f/13 Mak
7mm Vixen SSW eyepiece
Single frame, no post processing.

Alex.

[mental4astro]

While I now prefer to use my Oppo phone for astro pics, my Samsung can still do ok.

Below are a couple of single frames of the last lunar occultation of Saturn. I used the modest control settings its "Pro" function has, which was enough to deal with the huge dynamic range difference between the two. These were done using a 7" Intes Mak.

[algwat]

Here is some food for thought...
http://cometal-comets.blogspot.com/2018/04/samsung-g8-astro-camera.html

and this is the best result seen so far, I think tracking and processing used by Alex...?

David Malin Awards
https://www.parkes.atnf.csiro.au/news_events/astrofest/awards/2020_AstroFest_DMA.html

Winner: Alex Cherney
Theme - "Astrophotography with your Smartphone"
"Smartphone Galactic"

The best smartphone wide field I have seen so far.

[Tropo-Bob]

I rushed to take a few images before the clouds rolled in tonight at about 7.15pm.

I used an oddo phone, which has far superior options to my old phone. For example, I can vary the ISO to over 3000 and take 16 second exposures.

The three images of Alberio had ISO settings of 3000 and the time exposures were 3, 6 & 10 seconds. I used my Vixen 115mm ED (F7.7) on an EQ5. The tracking needs improvement and so does the cheap 12mm EP which I am using for EP projection.

The image of M27 was with the same ISO of 3000 for 16 seconds. Unfortunately, the focus is out and I had no time for a second attempt as this is when the clouds rolled in. Nevertheless, I think when I sort out a few issues, I should be able to capture some reasonable images.

Each of the images has been cropped into a square shape, but otherwise untouched.

[Tinderboxsky]

Interesting experiment Bob. Looking forward to seeing what can be achieved.

[Outcast]

Nice work Bob, are you using a smartphone mount or handheld?

[Tropo-Bob]

Hi Calton,

The smartphone is mounted. I had to take the case of the phone for this to work. A screwdriver (not supplied) is necessary to tighten everything up once aligned.

See pictures...

[Outcast]

:thumbsup: