What sort of camera would you use?

[BL4CKB0X97]

Hi. I am doing a project concerning getting a picture of the milky way, in a similar manner of the artists impressions artwork( I don't actually intend to try it obviously). As I don't have a clue what camera to use as an example because I need the FOV to work out how far it needs to travel perpendicular to the centre of the galaxy to get a complete picture.

What existing camera (if any) would work best on the probe? Was thinking of using the ones from New Horizons then I realized that's for planetary imaging so probably wouldn't work well.

 

[russ_watters]

This is a tough question to answer because while the camera doesn't necessarily have to be very specialized (a normal SLR type with a wide angle lens, adapted for installation on the probe might work), the mission itself is way, way beyond our capabilities. How wide of a fov you need is going to depend on how far away from the galactic plane you get.

 

[BL4CKB0X97]

This is a tough question to answer because while the camera doesn't necessarily have to be very specialized (a normal SLR type with a wide angle lens, adapted for installation on the probe might work), the mission itself is way, way beyond our capabilities. How wide of a fov you need is going to depend on how far away from the galactic plane you get.

That's what my project was about. I am going to work out the distance required to get a picture, then go through all the space drives that have been theorised,provide detail(time to travel,cost,time required until technology exists and how it works), determine which one is the best option and work out how far away we are technologically and try and determine a time frame,estimate cost and maybe come up with a few ways to lower price or speed up travel.i also want to write about what humanity needs to achieve before its possible.It seems like it will be fun.
So I could put use any distance and work from that, say 15 kpc? Or would 30 be better?

 

[russ_watters]

That's what my project was about. I am going to work out the distance required to get a picture...

Then you will just need to arbitrarily pick your field of view. You can literally go as wide as you want and flatten it with software, but you will have to decide for yourself how much perspective distortion and and shading is acceptable (because the galaxy is not perfectly flat/thin).

 

[Chronos]

The IR sensitivity of CMOS chips is an issue for AP. That is why IR mods are widely advertised for SLR's.

 

[davenn]

That's what my project was about. I am going to work out the distance required to get a picture, then go through all the space drives that have been theorised,provide detail(time to travel,cost,time required until technology exists and how it works), determine which one is the best option and work out how far away we are technologically and try and determine a time frame,estimate cost and maybe come up with a few ways to lower price or speed up travel.i also want to write about what humanity needs to achieve before its possible.It seems like it will be fun.
So I could put use any distance and work from that, say 15 kpc? Or would 30 be better?

I am still seriously struggling to understand what all that almost meaningless word jargon has to do with a camera for taking a photo of the milky way ??Dave

 

[davenn]

the milky way on my 14mm ultra wide angle lens on a full frame DSLR camera

Dave

 

[russ_watters]

The IR sensitivity of CMOS chips is an issue for AP. That is why IR mods are widely advertised for SLR's.

Yeah, that's why I said "adapted". Astro cams may use the same chips as DSLRS, but they aren't the same physical camera.

 

[russ_watters]

the milky way on my 14mm ultra wide angle lens on a full frame DSLR camera

View attachment 111862

Dave

That photo was taken from Earth. The OP wants to take a photo from above the plane of the galaxy so he can see the whole thing.

 

[davenn]

That photo was taken from Earth. The OP wants to take a photo from above the plane of the galaxy so he can see the whole thing.

well that isn't going to happen for our galaxy huh

refer to my earlier post #6

the best that that could be visualised would be say a pic of the Andromeda galaxy

 

[russ_watters]

well that isn't going to happen for our galaxy huh

It can happen in a thought experiment.