A community for anyone who loves looking up at the night sky.

North West Astrophotography (NW Astro) is a community bringing together astrophotographers and astronomy enthusiasts from across Greater Manchester, Cheshire, Lancashire, Derbyshire and the wider North West.

Whether you’re taking your first photograph of the Moon, experimenting with a DSLR or capturing distant galaxies and nebulae, NW Astro is somewhere to share your images, ask questions, learn from others and meet people who share your interest in astronomy.

You don’t need expensive equipment or years of experience to get involved. Everyone is welcome.

How NW Astro Started

I’ve always been fascinated by astronomy, but it was during lockdown that I decided to have a proper go at photographing the night sky.

I bought a second-hand DSLR camera with a telephoto lens for less than £100 and started experimenting with targets such as the Orion Nebula and the Pleiades star cluster.

I had very little experience and wasn’t sure what to expect, but I was amazed by what I could capture with such basic equipment.

Since then, astrophotography has become a real passion of mine. I’ve spent countless nights experimenting with different cameras, telescopes and techniques, learning along the way and discovering just how much there is to photograph above us.

One of the things I’ve enjoyed most is sharing that experience with other people, which eventually led me to create NW Astro.

Why I Created NW Astro

I wanted to build a community where people could share their photographs, exchange advice, ask questions and learn from one another, regardless of their experience or the equipment they own.

Astrophotography can sometimes seem complicated when you’re starting out.
There’s a lot of information available, and it isn’t always easy to know where to begin.

Having other people to ask for advice, share ideas with and learn from can make a huge difference.

But NW Astro isn’t just about photography. It’s also somewhere to discuss astronomy, share discoveries, recommend observing locations and arrange meet-ups to explore the night sky together.

Whether someone has just captured their first photograph of the Moon or has spent years photographing distant galaxies, everyone has something to contribute.

That’s exactly the sort of community I wanted to create.

What You’ll Find at NW Astro

Astrophotography Is for Everyone

One of the biggest misconceptions about astrophotography is that you need thousands of pounds worth of equipment, completely dark skies or an advanced understanding of astronomy to get started.

That simply isn’t true.

I started with a second-hand camera and lens costing less than £100, and modern technology has made the hobby even more accessible.

You can begin with a smartphone, a DSLR and tripod, or a compact smart telescope. And while darker skies certainly help with some targets, there’s plenty you can photograph from your own garden.

For me, astrophotography isn’t about having the most expensive equipment or producing the best image. It’s about curiosity, learning something new and enjoying the experience of capturing the universe for yourself.

Join North West Astrophotography

Whether you’re completely new to astrophotography or have been enjoying the hobby for years, we’d love to have you involved.

You can join our WhatsApp community, follow us on Instagram or explore the guides and galleries on our website.

Join the community: NW Astro Community

Follow us on Instagram: @nw_astro

Explore our members’ photographs: Astrophotography Gallery

Learn something new: Astrophotography Guides & Tutorials

If you’ve got an interest in the night sky, there’s a place for you here.

North West Astrophotography — Explore. Capture. Share.