Digiscoping

Digiscoping is that process of photography that brings the distant objects nearer to us on a print paper with the use of a digital camera fitted to a telescope or binocular. The camera is placed on the telescope eyepiece. Thus the camera takes the position of the eye of the photographer. Digiscoping is very closely associated with the method of afocal projection.

Afocal projection deals fundamentally with astrophotography in which photos are captured by the placement of the camera on the telescope eyepiece. The photographer should be careful of the placement of the camera because it is the camera that captures the image with no instant aid from the photographer.

Digiscoping is gradually replacing astrophotography which was practiced by astronomers for a pretty long time. The 35mm SLR or film cameras of large format were mainly used for the purpose of astrophotography. With the advent of digital cameras, the tide is turning and the astronomers are slowly heading towards digiscoping.

The birdwatchers are also adopting digiscoping because they are producing distinct pictures of wildlife with the aid of digital cameras. These celestial photographs are serving the purpose not only for astronomers but also the educationists. The cost effectiveness of digiscoping is making this method further popular.

But for the effectiveness of digiscoping, the digital camera is not the only serving medium. The tracking mechanism and the placement of telescope are equally important because the stars are no static and the telescope should work in accordance with the movement of stars.