About The Backyard Astronomer
My journey exploring the cosmos from my own backyard
Hello Stargazers!
Welcome to my little corner of the internet! I'm an amateur astronomer and astrophotographer with a passion for capturing the wonders of the night sky from my suburban backyard.
My journey into astronomy began over a decade ago when I received my first telescope as a gift. What started as casual stargazing quickly evolved into a deep passion for astrophotography as I sought to capture and share the beauty of celestial objects.
Through this blog, I hope to share my experiences, techniques, and the joy of discovery with fellow astronomy enthusiasts and anyone curious about the cosmos.
My Backyard Observatory
Telescopes
- •Celestron EdgeHD 8" SCT
- •William Optics RedCat 51
- •Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Mount
Cameras
- •ZWO ASI294MC Pro
- •ZWO ASI224MC (Planetary)
- •Sony A7III (Widefield)
Software
- •PixInsight
- •Adobe Photoshop
- •N.I.N.A. for acquisition
My Astrophotography Journey
The Beginning
2015
Started with a basic 6" Dobsonian telescope, focusing on visual astronomy and learning the night sky. First attempts at smartphone astrophotography through the eyepiece.
First Deep Sky Images
2018
Upgraded to an equatorial mount and DSLR camera. Captured my first deep sky objects including M31 (Andromeda Galaxy) and M42 (Orion Nebula).
Building the Observatory
2022
Built a small roll-off roof observatory in my backyard, allowing for more permanent setup and better imaging sessions.
Today
2025
Continuing to refine techniques and equipment. Focusing on capturing detailed images of galaxies, nebulae, and creating this blog to share my passion with others.
About This Website
This entire website was built using Windsurf AI, a powerful AI coding assistant. The development process was remarkably streamlined - I simply provided the requirements and prompts, and Windsurf AI handled the coding implementation.
From the initial setup of Next.js, to the implementation of MDX for blog posts, to the space-themed design with Tailwind CSS, everything was generated through AI-assisted development. The only manual step required was the final deployment to AWS Amplify.
This project showcases how AI tools like Windsurf can dramatically accelerate the web development process while maintaining high quality and customization. The entire site - including responsive layouts, blog functionality, image galleries, and more - was created through natural language prompts rather than traditional manual coding.
Get in Touch
Have questions about astrophotography or want to collaborate? I'd love to hear from you! Connect with me on social media or send me an email.
Email Me