Did you know that you can align your smartphone's camera lens with the eyepiece of a telescope or binoculars? This technique, known as afocal photography, opens up a world of possibilities for your science and astronomy classes.
While it's possible to do this manually, it requires practice, familiarity with your smartphone's camera, and steady hands. However, there's a more convenient and effective method: using a smartphone adapter.
Smartphone adapters are devices that securely hold any smartphone in the correct position against the eyepiece, allowing for high-quality close-up images. There are various adapters available, but one popular option is the NexYZ by Celestron. This adapter is compatible with most smartphones and eyepieces for both binoculars and telescopes. The NexYZ, true to its name, allows for adjustment along three axes to achieve optimal focus.
I've been using such an adapter for several years in both terrestrial and astronomical observations. With it, I've captured images of the moon, planets, and even nebulae! By utilizing the long exposure and increased sensor sensitivity features of smartphones, it's even possible to photograph nebulae in color.
For advanced students or extracurricular projects, consider introducing image stacking techniques. By taking multiple photos or a video of the same celestial object and processing them with various stacking software, students can achieve results comparable to those from professional and expensive equipment.
Educational Applications:
1. Hands-on STEM learning: Combine physics, astronomy, and technology in one activity.
2. Visual documentation: Create a class archive of observations over time.
3. Data analysis: Use captured images for measurements and calculations.
4. Accessibility: Make astronomy more approachable with familiar technology.
5. Interdisciplinary projects: Combine with art or computer science for image processing.
All images in this post were captured using a NexYZ adapter and a Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 smartphone.
Remember, this method allows students to engage directly with astronomical observation using technology they're already familiar with, potentially sparking a deeper interest in science and astronomy.