3 Mar 2024
Astronomy photography superpowered with remote connectivity
For most of us, the universe is a distant marvel—only to be admired on clear nights. For Nicholas Clarke, a former flight engineer and pilot, it is closer than most of us can imagine. Photographing distant galaxies and rare stars is a passion he’s pursued for decades.
“I’ve always liked science,” Nicholas reflects. “But I never did anything about it. Then one day, I picked up an astronomy magazine, saw the images, and thought, ‘Wow, I could do this too.’ If only someone had told me how difficult it was; they would’ve saved me a lot of time.”
Nicholas’s love for flight and exploration began in Australia, where he worked as a flight engineer before becoming a pilot. After some time leaving in the UK, retirement brought him back to Australia, and with it, the chance to delve deeper into astrophotography.
“I’ve always been fascinated by the beauty of space,” Nicholas says. “There’s something magical about producing images of objects you can’t see with the naked eye. Some of these galaxies are 100 million light-years away, and yet, here they are, captured in a photograph.”
His journey into astrophotography began with a simple telescope and a Nikon film camera. “You’d set it all up, take the photos, and then wait days for the film to be developed. Only then would you find out if your images were in focus—or if the clouds had ruined everything,” he recalls with a laugh.
Digital cameras and advanced equipment have made things easier, but the process still demands patience. “You need your telescope to track the sky perfectly; otherwise, the stars become trails instead of dots. Back in the day, I’d sit outside for hours in freezing European winters, nursing my equipment, just to get a single shot.”
Over time, Nicholas upgraded his setup. He built an observatory in his backyard in the UK, allowing him to focus on longer exposures and finer details. Eventually, technology offered a new solution: remote telescope operation.
“At first, I thought it wasn’t ‘real’ astronomy,” Nicholas admits. “But when you’re in your 60s, sitting outside at 3 a.m. in the cold doesn’t sound so appealing. Using tools like TeamViewer, I can now control my telescope from the warmth of my living room—or even while visiting my kids in Europe. It’s a game changer.”
For Nicholas, astrophotography is more than just a hobby—it’s a reminder of our place in the universe. “Looking at these vast galaxies and nebulae, you realize how insignificant we are. Our time here is fleetingly short, yet we spend it hating people over religion or politics. We should cherish every moment.”
One of his proudest captures is the Running Chicken Nebula. “It’s part of the IC 2948 catalog,” he explains. “If you zoom out, it looks like a cartoon chicken running—it’s stunning. I’ve also captured parts of the Milky Way under the clear skies of Arizona and Utah. It’s a privilege to see these things up close.”