As the masterclass instructor, Dr. Christian Sasse, in partnership with local expert Elke Schulz, we had the pleasure of organizing and leading the iTelescope's 2023 Masterclass in Chile. This exceptional event took place at the Hacienda Los Andes, spanning five days and nights from April 19 to April 24, 2023.

Chile offers a unique setting for these masterclasses, primarily due to its virtually unblemished night skies and almost certain clarity that persists night after night. This characteristic serves as a significant advantage for astrophotography enthusiasts.

Day1

Commenced with our afternoon arrival. After enjoying an 8pm dinner, we were plunged into absolute darkness, which unveiled an astonishing sight. From our vantage point in the garden, the Milky Way was visible in unparalleled clarity. The evening was dedicated to setting up and optimizing various cameras specifically for nightscape photography.

Kind permission Göran Strand @Astrofotografen

We took advantage of well-placed platforms, equipped with North-South markers, to properly align our camera gear. The conditions were ideal - warm, tranquil, devoid of wind or mosquitoes. Coupled with perfect 'seeing' conditions, it made for an auspicious start to our astrophotography masterclass Kind permission Göran Strand @Astrofotografen

Day2

On the second day of our masterclass, our focus shifted to the cosmos, more specifically, the Sombrero Galaxy. Using a remote telescope, we embarked on the task of capturing this celestial body. This ambitious endeavor spanned over multiple nights, culminating in a total of 41 hours of meticulous observation and data capture.

The ultimate reward for our collective efforts was the processing and presentation of the image at the end of the masterclass. This served as a tangible testament to our commitment and dedication to capturing the majesty of the universe.

While our gaze was fixed on the stars, we also made sure to employ innovative teaching methods to ensure the participants' full engagement and understanding. We leveraged the capabilities of Zoom, allowing all participants to convene at a single virtual table. This approach facilitated the recording of tutorials for future reference, ensuring each participant could revisit and consolidate their learning from this unique experience.

During the afternoon, we paid a visit to Deep Sky Chile, a partner organization of iTelescope. This visit was an essential part of our Masterclass Chile 2023 experience, providing us an opportunity to further engage with the astrophotography community and broaden our understanding of the field. The beauty of this location is enhanced by its consistently clear nights, offering almost uninterrupted views of the cosmos. This makes it an ideal place for our astrophotography masterclass, providing us the opportunity to capture stunning astronomical images under optimal conditions.

Day 3

This was marked by a thrilling excursion to the Vera Rubin Observatory. We departed early in the morning, as it was a windy, long tour through the mountains. Our fleet of 4x4 vehicles were well-suited to tackle the journey.

This visit was undoubtedly a highlight of the Masterclass Chile 2023. We were captivated by the ground-breaking technology the observatory boasted..

Of particular note was the 8.4-meter telescope, which utilizes a unique three-mirror design. This innovative design allows for an extraordinarily wide field of view, and possesses the capability to survey the entirety of the sky in a mere three nights. .

Our timing was fortuitous, as we had the unique opportunity to witness the final stages of the telescope's construction. Being able to see this marvel of modern astronomy coming to life was an experience that left us all in awe.

As the day came to a close, our night was filled with more captivating nightscape photography. We captured a truly stunning image of the Carina Nebula, a celestial marvel located approximately 7,500 light-years away from Earth and spanning a distance of over 300 light-years. It's one of the largest star-forming regions in our Milky Way galaxy and is visible from the Southern Hemisphere.

As the day came to a close, our night was filled with more captivating nightscape photography. We captured a truly stunning image of the Carina Nebula, a celestial marvel located approximately 7,500 light-years away from Earth and spanning a distance of over 300 light-years. It's one of the largest star-forming regions in our Milky Way galaxy and is visible from the Southern Hemisphere[

Day 4

On the fourth day of our journey, we embarked on a visit to the Obstech Observatory in the morning. Situated in the Río Hurtado Valley in Chile, the observatory enjoys a prime location that shares the same spectacular skies as renowned scientific observatories such as the Cerro Tololo Interamerican Observatory (CTIO) and Gemini South. Its remote position, away from major cities, ensures that it benefits from some of the darkest skies in the world.

As the evening descended, our activities once again revolved around nightscape photography, beginning early to make the most of the clear Chilean skies. In addition to capturing individual images, we undertook a more challenging project - creating a 6-panel mosaic of the Rho Ophiuchi region.
For this task, we used a compact yet powerful tool - a portable Borg 107fl telescope, equipped with a color camera. This telescope's portability, coupled with its ability to capture vibrant color details, made it the perfect instrument for this intricate task.
The result was a breathtaking composite image of the Rho Ophiuchi region, a stunning testament to the beauty and complexity of the cosmos. This endeavor further enhanced our participants' understanding and mastery of astrophotography techniques, offering them a hands-on experience of creating a celestial mosaic

Day 5- On the fifth day, following another night of crystal-clear skies and successful nightscape imaging, we shifted our focus towards honing our skills in advanced image processing techniques, particularly for Narrowband imaging.

Amazing details from an Olympus OM1 camera- Kind permission Sikander Daryanani

We dedicated our day to the meticulous processing of images from the Vela Supernova Remnant, including both the Puppis A region and the Vela mosaic.

We also processed the image of the Sombrero Galaxy that we had captured earlier. The pristine conditions in Chile enabled us to resolve the intricate dust layers of this distant galaxy, underscoring the advantages of astrophotography in this location.

The Vela Supernova Remnant, which was visible during the Masterclass, is a rich astronomical subject. Puppis A, located in the North East corner of the Vela Supernova Remnant, is particularly known for its abundant OIII shock waves.

The Vela Supernova Remnant – complete Mosaic

Day 6 –
On the sixth day, it was time for us to part ways after an extraordinary journey filled with learning, camaraderie, and the shared experience of exploring the cosmos. Each participant departed not only with a wealth of new astrophotography knowledge and skills but also with the priceless experience of a unique adventure under the breathtakingly clear Chilean night skies.

The bonds formed during this journey were as invaluable as the knowledge gained. Participants left as new friends, bonded over their shared passion for astrophotography and the unforgettable experiences they had during the Masterclass. This adventure, much like the cosmos we explored, was vast and filled with awe-inspiring moments, leaving everyone enriched and with memories to cherish.