The Dobsonian telescope is beloved by both beginners and experienced observers due to its simplicity, large aperture, and affordability. While it's ideal for visual stargazing, many wonder: can you also photograph with it? The answer is yes — with the right approach and realistic expectations. This guide will walk you through setting up, aligning, and photographing with a Dobsonian, plus the best software to use.
 

1. Setting Up and Aligning a Dobsonian
 

A Dobsonian is an alt-azimuth telescope, meaning it moves horizontally (azimuth) and vertically (altitude). This is different from an equatorial mount, which is designed to track the sky's rotation.
 

Setup Steps:

1. Placement: Set the telescope on a flat, stable surface. Grass or soil helps reduce vibrations better than concrete or pavement.

2. Cooling Down: Let the telescope sit outside for at least 30 minutes to match the outside temperature. This minimizes thermal turbulence inside the tube.

3. Collimation: Check the alignment of the mirrors using a collimation cap or laser collimator.

4. Align the Finder Scope: During the day, aim at a distant object (like a lamppost) and make sure the finder scope and main view are aligned.
    

➤ Point the Telescope North

While Dobsonians lack tracking or go-to capabilities, it’s still smart to orient the telescope base toward true north, especially if you plan to:

• Take photos (even short exposures),

• Track planets manually,

• Use an equatorial tracking platform (a motorized accessory for Dobsonians).
   

How to Align North:

• Use a compass or an app like Stellarium or SkySafari to find north.

• If using a magnetic compass, correct for local magnetic declination.

• Level the base with a small bubble level for stability and accurate motion.
   

2. Photographing with a Dobsonian
 

Since Dobsonians generally don’t have motorized tracking, celestial objects drift out of view due to Earth’s rotation. Still, you can photograph bright targets like the Moon and planets effectively with some creativity.
 

A. Basic Photography: Smartphone or DSLR

📱 Smartphone:

• Use a smartphone adapter to align your camera with the eyepiece.

• Apps like NightCap Camera (iOS) or DeepSkyCamera (Android) allow for better control of exposure and ISO.

• Use short exposures to avoid star trailing.

📷 DSLR or Mirrorless Camera:

• Use a T-ring adapter to connect the camera directly to the focuser (“prime focus” method).

• Ideal for lunar photos and short captures of planets like Jupiter and Saturn.

• You can use a Barlow lens to increase magnification.
   

➡️ Without tracking, exposure time is limited to just a few seconds.
 

B. Planetary Imaging with Video + Stacking

This is the most effective way to get clear results from a non-tracking Dobsonian:

1. Record a short video of a planet (15–60 seconds).

2. Use stacking software to combine the best video frames into a sharp image.
    

3. Software for Capture and Processing
 

For capturing images or video:

• SharpCap (Windows): User-friendly for capturing from webcams or astro cameras.

• FireCapture: Excellent for planetary imaging, with detailed control options.

For stacking and processing:

• AutoStakkert!: Automatically stacks the best frames from your video.

• RegiStax: Sharpens the stacked image using wavelet filters.

• GIMP or Photoshop: For final touch-ups (contrast, sharpening, color correction).

Helpful Tools:

• Stellarium (desktop/app): Shows what’s in the sky and where to point your scope.

• SkySafari (iOS/Android): Mobile star chart and object information.
   

4. Bonus: Using a Tracking Platform
 

An equatorial tracking platform is a motorized base you place under your Dobsonian. It slowly moves to counteract Earth’s rotation, keeping objects centered for a few minutes.

• Enables longer exposures.

• Must be precisely aligned with true north.

• Not suited for deep-sky long exposures, but great for planets and the Moon.
   

5. Tips for Success
 

✅ Start with the Moon – bright, stable, and easy to find.
✅ Use a Barlow lens to zoom in on planetary detail.
✅ Record video instead of taking stills – stacking works best.
✅ Capture several short videos of each object (30–60 sec).
✅ Always process your images – editing reveals surprising detail.
 

In summary, with some patience, a basic adapter, and the right software, you can do more with a Dobsonian than you might think. It may not be a traditional astrophotography setup, but it’s a fantastic learning experience — and can produce some impressive results.