What is involved in piggyback astrophotography?
The Moon and planets are interesting targets for the budding astrophotographer, but what next? Literally thousands of deep-sky objects can be captured on film with a type of astrophotography called “piggybacking”. The basic idea is that the camera with its own camera lens attached rides on top of the main telescope. The telescope and camera both move with the rotation of the Earth when the mount is polar aligned and the motor drive is engaged. This allows for a long exposure through the camera without having the object or background stars blurred. In addition to the motor drive (dual-axis), and illuminated reticle eyepiece is also needed. The T-ring and camera adapter are not needed, since the camera is exposing through its own lens. Any camera lens with a focal length between 35mm and 400mm is appropriate. On the top of one of the tube rings is a piggyback camera adapter. This is the black knob with the threaded shaft protruding through it. The tube ring with the piggyback adapter sho
