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Antoine & Dalia Grelin

Learn Milky Way Astrophotography with Season 2 of the Galactic Course!

Updated: Apr 29, 2022



The new season of the Galactic Course is here! 🥳 This time, it is all about Milky Way photography! Be sure to join before more seasons get added as the price will increase then.

As a reminder, the first season covered deep sky imaging with a telescope. It was divided into three sections: beginner, intermediate, and advanced. You can learn more about it HERE.


But for season 2, let's leave our telescope at home and go image our own galaxy wide-field! 🌌



 

Astrophotography Online Course Reviews - Galactic Course
Galactic Course Reviews

To all our current members, thank you for being part of the Galactic Course and remember, this new season, along with all the others that will come after, are 100% free for you! It will be automatically added to your account.


Thank you for being active on the Discord chat, joining the quarterly livestreams, and for all your awesome reviews!

You can see some of the reviews from the first season of the course on the left. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️


The Galactic Course is an ever-growing platform and we take note of each person's feedback.


Current members, do not ever hesitate to reach out to us on the Discord chat if you'd like us to add or edit any of the content in the course if you believe it would make it even better!



You can see the full list of reviews, along with the course curriculum on the Galactic Course page!






Like we said, Season 2 of the Galactic Course is all about Milky Way astrophotography!


Season 2 has the same easy-to-follow structure as the 1st season, and is divided into two sections, beginner and advanced.


The image below is one of the types of pictures you can expect to get when completing the Advanced section of this Milky Way course. It shows the bright Milky Way band rising over a beautiful Joshua Tree.


Milky Way captured during Season 2 of the Galactic Course

NGC 6820 Emission Nebula in Vulpecula astrophotography



 
Season 2 - What's Included?


Season 2 comes with new content and new perks! 🥳


Milky Way Astrophotography Course beginner section with a tripod

The first half of the season covers Milky Way photography for complete beginners.


If you've never attempted capturing the Milky Way before, then this is the perfect way to get your feet in the water!


We go over what the Milky Way actually is, when is the best time to see it, how to find a good location out of the city, some basic equipment we recommend, how to set everything up on the field, and how to actually capture your first ever picture of the Milky Way band!


This beginner section is truly meant for complete beginners, so we made sure to keep everything simple to keep you engaged and motivated.


By the end of this section, a complete beginner should be ready to tackle the advanced section of the course!




Milky Way Astrophotography Course advanced section with a star tracker

In the advanced section, we invest in a small star tracker, use a different camera and lens than in the beginner section, as well as different accessories.


We give you tips to make your life easier, walk you through the best settings to use, and teach you how to pick an exciting foreground.


You will learn how to stack and process the Milky Way band, as well as how to create a composite image using several tools.


Last but not least, we share how you can get a print of your work to hang in your home as we did in the first season!


This second section of Season 2 will teach you advanced techniques to get the absolute best out of your Milky Way shots. Because of how we structured this season, we believe that a complete beginner can easily achieve incredible results in little time after going through both the beginner and advanced sections.



We introduced 10 awesome perks in Season 1, which you unlock as soon as you become a lifetime member of the course.



With the addition of the second season, we're introducing 3 extra perks! You will get:

  • A discount from a professional printing company, which you can use when you want to get your own image as a print

  • A discount for picture frames, including custom-size frames

  • We also introduce affiliate earnings. This means you will earn money whenever you refer the course to a friend! Each referral will net you $50! Did you refer the course to 10 friends? That's $500 in your pocket! 🥳💸 There is no limit to how much you can earn, and over time, you can make back your investment on your own membership with just affiliate earnings.


Milky Way Astrophotography online course Milky Way arch
Another image you will learn to take in Season 2!




 

Course Curriculum

The Galactic Course currently has two seasons with a total of 27 chapters and 186 lessons. The Galactic Hub is where you can find general help about the course and see the latest announcements if any.

Table of Contents:

The Galactic Hub

  • Announcements - Check Here for Updates!

  • A Message from the Instructors

  • How to Navigate this Course

  • Table of Contents

  • Access to Stellar Perks

  • Useful Resources

  • Astrophotography Glossary

Season 1 | Deep Sky Astrophotography With a Telescope


Chapter 1: How to Get Started

  • Before we begin...

  • How we got started

  • What resources should you read?

  • How to get motivated: Astrophotography apps and websites

  • Get to know your objective

Chapter 2: Using a DSLR Camera

  • Introduction

  • The camera: Your new best friend!

  • The telescope: Making the right decision

  • The mount: Strong and sturdy!

  • Camera accessories: Make your life a little easier!

  • Telescope accessories: Don't leave these at home!

  • Power sources: Getting amped on the field

  • DSLR camera - Equipment summary

  • What equipment will you be using?

  • How German equatorial mounts work

  • How to Attach a Clip-On Filter to a DSLR Camera

Chapter 3: DSLR - Camera Settings

  • Introduction

  • Menu walkthrough and important features to activate

  • Main menu settings (ISO, Shutter Speed, Aperture)

  • How to switch to manual or automatic focus

  • How to switch to BULB mode

  • Summary of camera settings

  • How to use an intervalometer

Chapter 4: DSLR - Planning is Everything

  • Introduction

  • Battling light pollution: How to find the perfect location

  • Weather Wizard: Which websites and apps to use

  • Scouting a location to image from

  • What objects should you image?

  • How to frame using planetarium software

  • The dangers out on the field

  • Survey

Chapter 5: DSLR - Setting Up and Initializing

  • Introduction

  • How to set up your equipment

  • How to attach the camera to your telescope

  • How to balance your rig

  • How to plug in your cables

  • How to polar align

  • Initializing the mount and 3-star alignment

Chapter 6: DSLR - Imaging a Deep Sky Object

  • Introduction

  • How to focus at night

  • What settings should we use?

  • How to focus the guide camera

  • How to use the auto-guider

  • Using the intervalometer and taking test shots

  • Passing time while imaging

  • Calibration frames - How to take darks, bias, and flats

Chapter 7: DSLR - Processing Data

  • Introduction

  • Importing the files

  • Downloading raw data

  • Stacking with Deep Sky Stacker

  • Stacking with PixInsight

  • Processing a globular cluster with PixInsight

  • Post-processing with Lightroom

  • PixInsight - Download our processing workflow PDF

  • Processing summary

  • Beginner Processing Survey

  • Messier 13 - Final image results

Chapter 8: OSC Camera - Using a One-Shot-Color Cooled Astrophotography Camera

  • Introduction

  • One-shot-color cooled astrophotography camera

  • Telescopes - Using a reflector over a refractor

  • Mounts - The jump to a high-end mount

  • Filters - Do you need them?

  • Batteries - We. Need. More. Power!

  • OSC camera - Equipment summary

Chapter 9: OSC Camera - Planning and Sequence Generator Pro

  • Introduction

  • Planning ahead with SkySafari

  • SGP: Dashboard walkthrough and the basics

  • SGP: Preparing our imaging session

  • SGP: Settings used to capture M33

  • SGP: Setting up text and email notifications

Chapter 10: OSC Camera - Imaging a Galaxy from the Desert

  • Introduction

  • Setting up the equipment

  • How to use a coma corrector

  • How to collimate a reflector telescope

  • Initializing the MyT mount

  • SGP: How to focus

  • Test shots and launching our series

  • Calibration grames with SGP: Taking darks and flats

Chapter 11: OSC Camera - Processing Data

  • Introduction

  • Transferring files

  • Download our OSC camera raw data!

  • Debayering: Why is it important?

  • Processing a galaxy with PixInsight

  • Messier 33 - Final image results

Chapter 12: Mono Camera - Using a Monochrome Cooled Astrophotography Camera

  • Introduction

  • The monochrome camera

  • The Telescope: We're using another refractor!

  • Extra accessories: An off-axis guider and electronic auto-focuser

  • How to mount the OAG on the camera

  • The electronic filter wheel and narrowband filters

  • Mono camera - Equipment summary

Chapter 13: Mono Camera - Planning Shots and the ASIAir

  • Introduction

  • Understanding Monochrome Cameras

  • Planning our shot

  • What is the ASIAir?

  • What is a field flattener?

Chapter 14: Mono Camera - Imaging a Nebula from Home

  • Introduction

  • Setting up in the backyard

  • ASIAir: Initializing and connecting the equipment

  • ASIAir: How to focus and use the electronic focuser

  • ASIAir: How to focus the guide camera on the OAG

  • ASIAir: Test shots and launching our series

  • ASIAir: Shooting flats and darks

  • ASIAir Pro - Mount controls and auto-guiding

Chapter 15: Mono Camera - Processing the Data

  • Introduction

  • Transferring files from the ASIAir to the computer

  • Download our raw data!

  • Processing walkthrough of monochrome data

  • IC 5070 - Final image results

Chapter 16: Art You Can Be Proud Of

  • Introduction

  • Our favorite printing companies

  • Displaying your art

  • Final Thoughts

  • Before you go...


Season 2 | Milky Way Photography




Chapter 1: Introduction

  • Welcome to Season 2!

  • Table of Contents

  • What is the Milky Way, and Why Photograph it?

  • Survey: Your Current Milky Way Photography Skills

Chapter 2: Planning our Shot

  • Introduction

  • The best Time to Image the Milky Way

  • The Best Locations to Photograph the Milky Way and Escaping Light Pollution

  • Using SkySafari to Plan our Shot

  • Useful Apps for Milky Way Photography

  • PhotoPills Walkthrough

  • Planning Our Shot - Summary

Chapter 3: Beginner Milky Way Photography: Equipment

  • Introduction

  • The Camera: Canon 7D Mark II

  • The Tripod: Orion Paragon XHD Heavy Duty

  • Image Acquisition: Wired Intervalometer

  • The Lens: Canon EF-S 24mm f/2.8

  • Other Accessories: SD card / Battery pack

  • Beginner Equipment - Summary

Chapter 4: Beginner Milky Way Photography: Camera Settings

  • Introduction

  • Camera Navigation: Canon 7D Mark II

  • The "500 Rule"

  • Camera Settings

  • Switching the Lens to Manual mode

  • Activating BULB mode on the Camera

  • Camera Settings - Summary


Chapter 5: Beginner Milky Way Photography: Photographing the Milky Way

  • Introduction

  • Arriving on Location

  • Setting up the Equipment

  • Focusing the lens

  • Framing the Milky Way and Taking some Test Shots

  • Taking images of the Milky Way

  • Photographing the Milky Way - Summary


Chapter 6: Beginner Milky Way Photography: Processing

  • Introduction

  • Download our Raw Image!

  • Enhancing our image using Lightroom

  • Beginner Processing - Summary

Chapter 7: Advanced Milky Way Photography: Equipment

  • Introduction

  • The Camera: Canon Ra

  • The Lens: Samyang XP 14mm f/2.4

  • The Tripod: Radian Carbon Fiber Tripod

  • The Star Tracker: Sky-Watcher Star Adventurer Pro

  • Accessories: SD Card and Wireless Intervalometer

  • Advanced Equipment - Summary

Chapter 8: Advanced Milky Way Photography: Camera Settings

  • Introduction

  • Camera Navigation: Canon Ra

  • The "NPF Rule"

  • Camera Settings

  • Switching the Lens to Manual Mode

  • Activating BULB mode on the Camera

  • Camera Settings - Summary

Chapter 9: Advanced Milky Way Photography: Photographing the Milky Way

  • Introduction

  • Scouting for Foregrounds during Daytime

  • Setting Up the Equipment and Balancing

  • Polar Aligning the Star Tracker

  • Focusing, Framing, and Taking a Test Shot

  • Understanding the Histogram

  • Tracker OFF: Capturing the Foreground

  • Tracker ON: Capturing the Milky Way

  • Photographing the Milky Way - Summary

  • Extra - How to Make a Miky Way Arch Panorama

Chapter 10: Advanced Milky Way Photography: Processing

  • Introduction

  • Transferring and Organizing the Files

  • Download our Raw Files!

  • Stacking the Milky Way using PixInsight

  • Processing the Milky Way using PixInsight

  • Adding a Foreground using Photoshop

  • Milky Way Processing - Summary

Chapter 11: Hanging your Art

  • Introduction

  • Purchasing a Print and Finding a Custom Frame

  • Hanging your Work

  • Galactic Course Season 2 Conclusion

  • Survey - Season 2




 

Want to learn all aspects of astrophotography in the most efficient way possible?

The Galactic Course includes a LIFETIME membership that gives you unlimited access to all current and upcoming astrophotography content. Step into an ever-growing realm of knowledge and learn at your own pace. Make life-long friends and connections with other members, and get tips from instructors that truly care about your journey and progress under the night sky.


 

Final Thoughts

We can't wait to welcome new members to the Galactic Course, and we also can't wait for the current members to enjoy the new content and perks.


If you need more information about the course, make sure to check out the main Galactic Course page where we have a ton of information listed.


Creating these courses is a lot of work, and as we’ve mentioned before, each time we add a new season, the price of the course will increase. Sign up before Season 3 is added to become a lifetime member for $469! Once you're in, you're in for life!




Make sure to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube to stay up to date with our work!


Clear Skies,

Galactic Hunter





 

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