considered as secondary ones , are equally important to acquire high-res images : the perfect alignment and collimation of the scope and the proper cooling of the optical parts of the telescope . Why do most of the planetary and Moon Hi-Res imagers uses reflector telescopes , Newtonians and Catadioptric ? Hi-Res planetary images have some specific requirements : large aperture and long focal length , to get appropriate resolution – a direct function of the aperture , and real great ampliation . Along with all these factors , there is another one that is as essential as any other and do not depend on the equipment : perseverance . It can sound a bit odd , but in fact , Hi-Res planetary images are far away from “ pointing and shooting ”. As we said before , seeing condition is a crucial factor and it largely varies from one night to another and even during the same night , due to high layers fast movements ( jet streams ) as well as micro-climate conditions of the observation site . Therefore , depending on the site location , it is very common to count in a proportion of just 1 out of 5 of nights with reasonable seeing conditions for imaging . Despite this , we must try every night , on and on , waiting for that quick stability window even if it happens that of some Gb of files of several nights will almost entirely go to the trash folder . Seeing obviously cannot be controlled by the astrophotographer . But there are some ways to reach for better conditions : choosing the appropriate time during the night when the cooling process of the Earth is almost stable – usually after midnight or a few minutes before Sun raising , and also when the planet , or the Moon is at its high in the sky . Sometimes this optimal circumstance is not possible , because we can want to register a transit of a Jupiter ´ s moon or want to get the GRS at its best . Planning , anyway , is also a key issue to obtain Hi-Res images .
MY WORKS I was interested in astronomy since college days , but I developed a real passion for astrophotography in the last 10 years , studying , reading and learning with colleagues , some that began with it in the era of non-digital images . I learnt that the “ trial and error ” method is by far the worst way to good achievements so I was and still am permanently dedicated to research in every possible way new ways to constantly improve my images . And also , to extent at the limit the possibilities of the equipment that I have in my hands . I also stick up for two concepts that I keep in my works :
• “ Less is more ”: I do support the belief that we must be committed to the fidelity of our images in respect to the real object . Editing and processing tools and software has developed tremendously in recent years . But they must be used in a wise and responsible way . The objective of the processing must be extracting from the file the data that has been effectively acquired , at the maximum extent , but not add anything more . Even if the final image presents some “ defects ” or if it ´ s not as “ beautiful ” as we
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