Astro Imaging Special Interest Group (ASIG)
To help members learn, practice, and master the art and science of astronomical imaging through education, collaboration, and hands-on experience.
Meetings
Held on the 4th Monday of every month at 7:00 pm, at Paradise Valley Community College:
PVCC Building Q — Conference Center, Classroom 120A17811 North 32nd Street
Phoenix, AZ 85032
Upcoming Meetings
Monday, September 28 at 7:00 PMNext
Meetup-FREE Software for Image Processing(SIRIL,SetiAstro )
📍 PVCC Building Q - Conference Center - Classroom 120A, 17811 North 32nd Street, Phoenix AZ 85032
Monday, October 26 at 7:00 PM
Meetup-Spectroscopy TBC
📍 PVCC Building Q - Conference Center - Classroom 120A, 17811 North 32nd Street, Phoenix AZ 85032
Monday, November 23 at 7:00 PM
General Monthly Meeting-Deep-Sky Imaging (Charles Bracken)
📍 Zoom Online Session — online, not at PVCC
Monday, December 28 at 7:00 PM
General Monthly Meeting-TBC
📍 Zoom Online Session — online, not at PVCC
Meetings feature presentations, demonstrations, member image sharing, and plenty of time for questions and discussion.
PAS membership is required to take part in ASIG — see Join PAS.
What We Do
Twelve ways ASIG members learn from and support each other, month after month.
1. Learn Astrophotography
- Camera and telescope fundamentals
- Choosing equipment
- Mount setup and polar alignment
- Planning imaging sessions
- Image acquisition techniques
2. Image Processing
- Stacking images
- Calibration (darks, flats, bias)
- Noise reduction
- Color calibration
- Sharpening and deconvolution
- Final image finishing
Software covered includes PixInsight, Siril, Astro Pixel Processor (APP), Photoshop, and GraXpert.
3. Equipment Workshops
- Telescopes, mounts, and cameras
- Filters and auto focusers
- Guiding systems and dew control
- ASIAIR and N.I.N.A.
- Mini PCs
4. Monthly Show & Tell
- Recent images
- Processing techniques
- Successes, challenges, and lessons learned
Everyone learns from real-world experience.
5. Beginner Training
- What equipment to buy
- Budget-friendly setups
- First image workflow
- Common mistakes
- Step-by-step guidance
No experience required.
6. Advanced Techniques
- Narrowband imaging
- Mosaic projects
- Multi-night imaging
- High Dynamic Range (HDR)
- Planetary, solar, lunar, and comet imaging
7. Software Demonstrations
- N.I.N.A.
- PixInsight
- Siril
- ASIAIR
- PHD2 Guiding
- Stellarium
- SkySafari
8. Image Critiques
- Composition
- Focus
- Star quality
- Color balance
- Processing improvements
Friendly, constructive reviews.
9. Imaging Challenges
- Galaxies
- Nebulae
- Moon
- Planetary
- Wide-field Milky Way
- Constellations
- Comets
Optional monthly themes.
10. Field Imaging Nights
- Set up together at dark-sky locations
- Assist with equipment
- Troubleshoot problems
- Capture data
- Learn from experienced imagers
11. Guest Speakers
- Professional astrophotographers
- Equipment experts
- Software developers
- PAS members
- Visiting astronomers
12. Member Support
- Equipment recommendations
- Troubleshooting
- Processing questions
- Workflow improvements
- New technology
Who Should Join?
The group welcomes:
- Complete beginners
- DSLR and mirrorless camera users
- Smart telescope owners (Seestar, Dwarf, Unistellar, etc.)
- Deep-sky imagers
- Planetary imagers
- Solar imagers
- Experienced astrophotographers who enjoy sharing their knowledge
What You'll Gain
- Learn faster through shared experience
- Avoid costly equipment mistakes
- Improve your images and processing skills
- Stay current with the latest equipment and software
- Build friendships with fellow astronomy enthusiasts
- Gain confidence in every stage of the imaging process
- Inspire others through your work
Learn. Capture. Process. Share. Inspire.
Whether you're taking your very first image of the Moon with a smart telescope or creating a multi-night deep-sky mosaic with advanced equipment, ASIG offers a welcoming community where members learn together, solve challenges together, and celebrate each other's achievements. Join us on the 4th Monday of every month at 7:00 pm at PVCC and discover just how rewarding astrophotography can be.
See what ASIG members have already captured in the member gallery.