A Celestial Masterpiece: Capturing the ISS in Twilight
This morning, I managed to capture what is by far my sharpest photograph of the International Space Station (ISS). The conditions were unbelievably still, allowing for a stack of approximately 20 frames taken during the magical twilight hours. When I reviewed the images, my jaw simply dropped. This is not CGI; this is raw, captured reality.
A Busy Hub in Orbit
The current long-duration crew aboard the ISS consists of 7 core members from NASA, Roscosmos, ESA, and JAXA, who have been on board since April 19, 2025. Adding to the activity, the Axiom-4 private mission docked on June 26, 2025, bringing an additional 4 spaceflight participants. This means there were a total of 11 individuals within the frame of these pictures!
The Gear and Process
To achieve this level of detail, I used a Celestron 9.25” telescope paired with an ASI662MC camera, without a barlow lens. To enhance the capture, I utilized an IR685nm filter combined with a standard IR/UV cut blend. The processing involved a meticulous workflow using Autostakkert and Registax6, followed by fine-tuning in Lightroom.
More Than Just a Photo
This image is a testament to how far amateur astrophotography has come. Many were surprised at the level of detail achievable with what they described as a "relatively simple telescope setup." It also sparks conversations about other ways we interact with the ISS, like amateur radio communication. It's incredible to think that a simple antenna can reach across the vastness of space to connect with those orbiting above us.
Seeing the ISS, whether through a telescope or even with the naked eye on a clear night, is a profound experience. It's a constant reminder of humanity's reach and ingenuity, pushing the boundaries of what's possible in the final frontier.
