Five Star Gift Ideas

For your daughter who loves astro photography and capturing celestial events, I have a few gift ideas that I think she would absolutely love.

1. Telescope: Having a high-quality telescope is a must-have for any budding astro photographer. Look for a telescope that has a good aperture and focal length, as these are crucial for getting clear and detailed images of celestial objects. Consider models like the Celestron NexStar 8SE or Orion SkyQuest XT8, which are popular among amateur astro photographers.

2. Star Tracker: A star tracker is a device that helps photographers capture stunning long-exposure images of the night sky. It compensates for the Earth's rotation, allowing for sharp images even with longer exposure times. The Sky-Watcher Star Adventurer is a great option to consider. It's a portable and user-friendly star tracker, perfect for capturing captivating shots of stars, the Milky Way, and even the Northern Lights.

3. Lens Filters: Filters are essential tools for astro photography as they can help enhance the quality of images and reduce light pollution. Consider getting your daughter a set of filters, including a light pollution filter that will allow her to capture clearer and more vibrant images of the night sky. Brands like Hoya or NiSi offer a range of filters suitable for astro photography.

4. Photography Guidebooks: Help your daughter expand her knowledge and skills in astro photography with guidebooks dedicated to this specific genre. There are numerous educational and inspiring books available, such as "Night Photography: From Snapshots to Great Shots" by Gabriel Biderman and Tim Cooper, or "The Astrophotography Manual: A Practical and Scientific Approach to Deep Sky Imaging" by Chris Woodhouse.

5. Portable Power Bank: Spending long nights under the stars can drain the battery of cameras and other devices quickly. A portable power bank would be a practical and thoughtful gift. Look for a power bank with a high capacity and multiple charging ports, so she can charge her camera, smartphone, and other equipment simultaneously.

6. Photography Accessories: Consider surprising your daughter with some useful accessories, like a sturdy tripod for steady shots, a remote shutter release for capturing longer exposures without any camera shake, or a camera bag that not only protects her equipment but also offers convenient storage options for her lenses and accessories.

7. Photography Workshop or Course: Another wonderful gift idea is to enroll your daughter in an astro photography workshop or course. This could be a local photography class, a professional workshop led by experienced photographers, or even an online course. Learning from experts in the field will help her deepen her skills, gain new insights, and connect with other photographers who share her passion.

Remember that these gift ideas are meant to complement your daughter's love for astro photography, but you can always add a personal touch by presenting them creatively or packaging them with a heartfelt note expressing your pride and support for her passion.

Or you can get her a star map with an important date you share.

Elaine Bornemeier says about Under Lucky Stars star maps:

“These are fabulous. They are gifts, so excited for my daughters to receive them for Christmas! Thank you!”