Welcome & My Perspective on Astronomy

Though I started my journey into Astrophotography nearly 4 years ago, I never put much thought into starting a website describing what I have been photographing or learning. I always thought others had already written more than I could contribute. However, at the time I am typing this entry, I have started to realize that even if my work is not wholly unique (I am certainly not the first to capture the Orion Nebula, after all), perhaps my perspective is. I started this hobby with the drive to share what I could see in the night sky with others; and I intend this website to be another platform to accomplish this goal.

I’ve always held an admiration for space exploration and to an extent, astronomy, but only recently have I been able to articulate why. While I do find the colors and shapes of night sky objects to be enthralling or beautiful, the truth behind it is that I believe astronomy and space exploration (which could perhaps be described as “applied astronomy”) is integral to both the past & future of humanity.

In varying forms, astronomy has been with us since we learned to farm, and the stars gave us a calendar which continues to be readily available, at least during clear nights. Only recently have we learned of an even greater value of extending our civilizations beyond Earth, which is that the universe holds virtually unlimited resources which (at least for now) seem free to take for anyone who can reach them. In that sense, the photos I take are more like primitive surveys of humanity's homes in the far distant future.

Anyway, welcome. For a little about myself; as mentioned, I am an astronomer based in Wichita, KS who has been involved in astrophotography for about 4 years (as of early 2019). Most of my equipment is purposed for long exposure of objects beyond our solar system, but I have also captured planetary phenomena such as Space Station transits across the Moon, sunspots, close-ups of our planetary neighbors, and high-speed captures of the Lunar surface.

The 16” LAPO telescope observing a Half-Moon

On some weekends I volunteer at the Lake Afton Observatory west of Wichita, where I help run a sizable telescope – again, all to share the night sky with others. Finally, one of my more recent ventures is selling my photos in local galleries with a wood board laminate medium – so if you see something you like on this site or my social media, contact me and I'd be happy to give you a quote (or set up an art show, if you happen to own a gallery!).

Welcome, and Clear Skies,

Brent