Shooting the Solar System
Damian Peach is one of the most successful and respected astrophotographers in the world, specialising in imaging the planets
What got you started in astrophotography?
It was seeing images published in magazines during the mid 1990s, especially the planetary work of Don Parker. Don Parker was a pioneering astrophotographer who died in 2015. Many people think that his photographs of the planets, taken in the early days of CCDs and image processing, revolutionised astrophotography.
Tell us about the first image you had published and how it differs from the images you’re taking now.
I don’t actually recall the very first photo I had published. However, I can remember the first photo I had featured on the Sky At Night TV programme – it was an image of Saturn, taken in October 1999, and it featured in the show the following month. Compared to the images taken today it is of much poorer resolution, but for the time it was very good.
Can you tell us a little bit about your favourite or most used piece of equipment?
I think it would have to be my first C14 telescope. I’ve had so many great views and images with this scope, and even today it continues to perform. Portraits of Saturn, Jupiter and Mars are well respected and admired around the world.
What’s the special appeal of photographing Solar System objects for you and what is your favourite object to image?
Their dynamic nature. They have ever-changing weather, which makes them fascinating objects to study in the long term. My favourite has to be Jupiter. I’ve had so many incredible views of it through the years, and even today its weather keeps us guessing as to what will happen next. It’s very tempting for some beginners to look at your gorgeous photos – showing the
caramel cloud bands of Jupiter and Saturn’s shining rings – and think to themselves: “I’ll never be as good as Damian… I shouldn’t even bother trying!” What advice would you give to them?
Astrophotography should never really be viewed as a competition. Enjoying it is far more important, and although when starting out things can seem daunting, with time and practice it’s possible for anyone to start achieving good results. Astrophotography is all about practice and commitment.