Capturing the ISS at 28,000 km/h with a Telescope!

I am thrilled to share my recent astrophotography endeavor: capturing the International Space Station (ISS) 🚀 as it traversed the night sky. Utilizing my Meade Polaris 127 EQ Reflector Telescope, I managed to photograph this remarkable feat of human engineering orbiting Earth 🌍 at approximately 28,000 km/h. ✨

🔭 Telescope Specifications:

Model: Meade Polaris 127 EQ Reflector Telescope

Aperture: 127mm (5 inches) 🌌

Focal Length: 1000mm (f/7.9)

Mount: German Equatorial Mount with slow-motion control cables ⚙️

Eyepieces Included: Three 1.25" Modified Achromatic (MA) eyepieces (6.3mm, 9mm, and 26mm)

Additional Accessories: Red-Dot Finder Scope, 2x Barlow Lens 🔍


The 127mm aperture allows for bright and detailed images, making it ideal for observing celestial objects such as the Moon’s craters 🌕, Saturn’s rings 🪐, and Jupiter’s surface 🌟. The stable equatorial mount with slow-motion controls facilitates easy tracking of objects as they move across the sky.

📸 Imaging Details:

Camera: OnePlus Nord 2 Smartphone 📱

Imaging Technique: Afocal photography, aligning the smartphone camera with the telescope's eyepiece

Camera Settings: Manual mode with adjustments to ISO and shutter speed to capture the fast-moving ISS


Capturing the ISS required precise timing and coordination. I utilized the Red-Dot Finder Scope to locate the station and manually tracked its movement using the equatorial mount's slow-motion controls. Aligning the OnePlus Nord 2’s camera with the telescope's eyepiece, I adjusted the settings to achieve optimal exposure, resulting in a clear image of the ISS against the night sky.

🌠 Observing Conditions:

Location: Uttar Pradesh, India 🇮🇳

Date and Time: January 22, 2025, at 6:37 PM IST

Weather: Clear skies 🌟 with a temperature of 14°C (58°F)


The clear skies provided excellent visibility for this observation, and the moderate temperature made for a comfortable stargazing experience.


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🌌 Reflection:

This experience underscores the accessibility of astrophotography, even with amateur equipment. The Meade Polaris 127 EQ Reflector Telescope, combined with a smartphone camera, can yield impressive results. Capturing the ISS—a symbol of international collaboration and scientific progress 🌐—was a profoundly rewarding endeavor.

Hashtags:

#InternationalSpaceStation 🚀 #Astrophotography 🌌 #MeadePolaris127EQ 🔭 #OnePlusNord2 📱 #SpaceExploration 🌍 #Stargazing 🌠 #TelescopePhotography #NightSky 🌟 #SpaceLovers 🪐 #ScienceAndTechnology 🔬


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I invite you to share your thoughts on this capture and any experiences you’ve had with astrophotography. Clear skies to all! 🌌✨