Before the Stars, There Were Cats

Before I ever looked to the stars, my world revolved around animals—especially cats. I've had cats my entire life, and their quiet presence taught me patience, observation, and respect for stillness. There's something almost cosmic about them: the way they move through shadows, their reflective eyes, and their mysterious independence. Growing up with them helped shape how I see and feel the world around me.

The Bridge Between Earth & Sky

That same quiet attentiveness naturally led me to astrophotography. Often with a cat curled up nearby, I learned to slow down, study the sky, and wait for the perfect moment to capture the night. Just like gaining a cat’s trust, photographing the stars requires time, care, and a deep appreciation for subtle beauty. My process begins in that space—where stillness meets wonder.

The Process

Every image takes weeks, sometimes months. Here's why

Setup & Alignment:
Once the sky is dark and clear, I set up and carefully align my equipment—choosing the galaxy, nebula, or cluster that inspires me most.

Guided Capture:
Guiding systems keep the telescope locked on target as I collect hundreds of long exposures over multiple nights.

Calibration Frames:
To remove noise and optical imperfections, I also capture calibration frames: darks, flats, and bias. These ensure the faintest light isn’t lost.

Image Stacking:
All the exposures are stacked—a process that combines the data to suppress noise and boost clarity. This step alone can take over 25 hours.

Scientific Calibration:
I match each image with astronomical reference data to correct scale, orientation, and sometimes color—anchoring art in science.

Stretching the Data:
The final stage reveals the magic. I carefully stretch contrast and color to unveil the hidden light—dust lanes, gas clouds, and ancient galaxies.

More Than Just a Photograph

This entire process—from capturing data to producing a finished image—can take weeks or even months to complete. It's a long journey fueled by love, memory, and purpose. Every time I sit down to work on a new image, I'm reminded of one of my previous cats whose photo rests beside my desk, quietly watching over the process. That image is my motivation. And knowing that the support this work receives goes toward helping animals still with us today gives every pixel a deeper meaning.

This is more than just astrophotography—it’s a tribute, a calling, and a way to give back.


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