Hello everyone! I’m Rodrigo, an 18-year-old Physics student at the University of Minho, and astrophotography remains one of my greatest passions. Although I now have less time to dedicate to it, my academic path is deeply connected to my curiosity about the universe, and my goal is to one day work in the field of Astronomy or Astrophysics, contributing to our understanding of the cosmos.

      My fascination with the night sky began early with the extraordinary beauty it reveals. The Moon was the first object to truly capture my attention, sparking a curiosity that led me to read, research, and eventually take my first steps into observational astronomy.

     On 25 December 2019, I received my first telescope, a National Geographic 60/700, which marked the beginning of my journey under the night sky. A few days later, on 5 January 2020, I observed the Moon through a telescope for the first time and it was an experience that remains unforgettable. On that same day, I decided to create my astrophotography account on Instagram, where I continue to share my work.

    Despite the challenges of 2020, that year became a crucial time for me to practice and deepen my knowledge of astrophotography. I spent many nights observing and photographing the Moon, stars, and planets like Jupiter and its Galilean moons, Saturn, Venus, and Mars. One of the most memorable moments was observing Comet C/2020 F3 (NEOWISE), my first comet, as well as capturing my first deep-sky object(Orion Nebula).

       As my experience grew, I invested time in learning, refining techniques, and improving my equipment. On 19 May 2021, with the support of my parents, I upgraded to a Celestron NexStar 6SE, which allowed me to explore a wider range of celestial objects. Since then, I have expanded my setup with a DSLR camera (Canon 250D), a planetary camera (ZWO ASI 662MC), UV and IR-cut filters, and other essential astrophotography accessories.

     This website was created with the purpose of sharing my astrophotography, alongside interesting facts and curiosities about the celestial objects I photograph. It also aims to help and inspire others who share the same dream or who simply wish to experience the night sky using the right tools and materials. For that reason, I provide on the homepage a selection of equipment and resources that I personally use and trust.

      Exploring the universe and capturing its beauty is an ongoing journey, one that continues to shape both my academic path and my passion for astrophotography.