Astrophotographer and National Geographic Explorer Babak Tafreshi joins Neil deGrasse Tyson and Chuck Nice to discuss astrophotography, the impact of light pollution on wildlife and human health, advancements in technology like smartphones for capturing the night sky, and their favorite celestial objects to photograph including UFOs.
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Quick takeaways
Beginners in astrophotography should start by learning about the night sky and using a digital camera or smartphone with a fast lens on a tripod for low light conditions.
Raising awareness about light pollution and advocating for dark sky-friendly lighting regulations are essential steps in protecting our dark skies.
Deep dives
Capture the beauty of the night sky with astrophotography
Astrophotographer Babak Tafreshi shares his love for capturing the night sky and provides insights for beginners. He recommends starting with a digital camera or smartphone on a tripod, using a fast lens with a wide aperture for low light conditions. Tafreshi suggests learning about the night sky to plan the best times and objects to photograph. He highlights the Northern Lights and comets as his favorite celestial objects to photograph. For those living in light-polluted areas, he advises visiting darkest-sky designated locations like national parks or using resources like lightpollutionmap.info and blue-marble.de to find nearby dark sky spots. Tafreshi concludes by encouraging everyone to appreciate the beauty of the night sky.
Protecting dark skies: Individual actions and community involvement
Babak Tafreshi emphasizes the importance of protecting dark skies to combat light pollution. He suggests raising awareness and engaging with communities by discussing the cultural, environmental, and health impacts of light pollution. Tafreshi encourages individuals to use motion sensor lights and choose bulbs with warm yellow hues instead of bright white or blue lights. He also highlights the need to advocate for dark sky-friendly lighting regulations in public areas. Tafreshi recommends starting with local initiatives and discussing the broader benefits of dark skies beyond astronomy, including energy efficiency, wildlife preservation, and human well-being.
Finding inspiration in astrophotography
Babak Tafreshi shares his personal journey in astrophotography and finding inspiration. He recalls his fascination with the night sky since childhood and his first breathtaking view of the Moon through a telescope. Tafreshi's passion for astrophotography led him to become an editor at Astronomy Magazine and start a TV program on space. He highlights the beauty of capturing the night sky, including photographing the Milky Way and meteor showers. Tafreshi also mentions the joy of capturing rare phenomena like rocket exhaust, fireballs, and the elusive ball lightning. He encourages aspiring astrophotographers to stay curious and continuously explore the wonders of the night sky.
Astrophotography insights: Tips and equipment recommendations
Babak Tafreshi provides practical guidance for aspiring astrophotographers. He advises using a tripod for stability and recommends shooting in raw format for better low-light images. Tafreshi emphasizes the importance of using a lens with a wide aperture, such as F2.8 or better, to capture enough light in shorter exposures. He suggests researching the best time and seasons to photograph specific celestial objects like the Milky Way, meteor showers, and comets. Tafreshi also highlights the significance of finding dark sky locations away from light pollution, and recommends resources like lightpollutionmap.info and blue-marble.de to locate suitable spots. He concludes by emphasizing the joy and accessibility of astrophotography on smartphones, making it easier for anyone to capture the beauty of the night sky.
How do you take an incredible photo of the cosmos? In this extended conversation, Neil deGrasse Tyson and comedian Chuck Nice learn about how to start taking photos of space with astrophotographer and National Geographic Explorer, Babak Tafreshi.
NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can listen to this entire episode commercial-free here: https://startalkmedia.com/show/capturing-the-cosmos-with-babak-tafreshi/
Thanks to our Patrons Sass Hoory, Paul Kemp, Tor Emanuelsen, Gavin M Benedict, Norman Pestsaina, David Wiester, and Brady Smith for supporting us this week.
Photo Credit: ESO/B. Tafreshi, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
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