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March 7 MTSU Star Party features tips to improve t...

March 7 MTSU Star Party features tips to improve taking moon photos with cell phone

MTSU Star Party March 2025 promo

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — “How to Photograph the Moon with Your Phone” is the topic for the next Star Party hosted by Middle Tennessee State University Department of Physics and Astronomy.

This month’s talk by department lecturer Gregg McPherson will start at 6:30 p.m. Friday, March 7, in Room 102 of Wiser-Patten Science Hall. It is the second of four spring semester Star Parties.

Night sky gazers take photos of the moon using their cell phones. Middle Tennessee State University Department of Physics and Astronomy lecturer Gregg McPherson will offer helpful hints to obtain better images during his “How to Photograph the Moon with Your Phone” Star Party starting at 6:30 p.m. Friday, March 7, in Wiser-Patten Science Hall Room 102, with an observatory viewing, weather permitting, following McPherson’s talk. (Submitted photo from imagerio.forbes.com)
Night sky gazers take photos of the moon using their cell phones. Middle Tennessee State University Department of Physics and Astronomy lecturer Gregg McPherson will offer helpful hints to obtain better images during his “How to Photograph the Moon with Your Phone” Star Party starting at 6:30 p.m. Friday, March 7, in Wiser-Patten Science Hall Room 102, with an observatory viewing, weather permitting, following McPherson’s talk. (Submitted photo from imagerio.forbes.com)

All Star Parties are free and open to the public and children are welcome. The format is a 45- to 60-minute lecture followed by a telescope viewing at the nearby MTSU Observatory, weather permitting.

Typically held on the first Friday of the month during the semester, the Physics and Astronomy Friday Star Parties feature an assortment of interesting astronomy and physics topics from faculty members.

Dr. Gregg McPherson, MTSU Physics and Astronomy lecturer
Dr. Gregg McPherson

“Have you ever tried to capture a bright, beautiful full moon with the camera on your cell phone? If so, the picture you took probably was not as satisfying as you hoped,” said McPherson. 

“While many amateur astrophotographers use a DSLR (digital single lens reflex) camera to photograph views of the sky, the camera on your phone can do a pretty good job at photographing the moon with just a few simple tricks,” he added. 

McPherson will offer pointers on best ways to takes photos of the moon with your cell phone.

The remainder of the spring Star Party schedule:

• April 4 — Lecturer Rob Mahur discussing “Inconstant as the Northern Star.”

• May 2 — Professor Chuck Higgins discussing “Don’t Forget Canus Major, ‘Fixed and Consequent.’”

Free parking after 4:30 p.m. can be found in the Judd-Sims lot or James E. Walker Library lot and other nearby lots located on the north side of Alumni Drive between North Baird Lane and Womack Lane.

For more information about Physics and Astronomy, one of 11 College of Basic and Applied Sciences departments, call 615-898-2130.

— Randy Weiler (Randy.Weiler@mtsu.edu)

A view of a full moon with color accents — reddish tones demonstrate areas rich in iron and feldspar and bluish spots rich in titanium — that is popular for people to take photos of using their cell phones. Middle Tennessee State University Department of Physics and Astronomy lecturer Gregg McPherson’s Friday, March 7, Star Party topic, “How to Photograph the Moon with Your Phone,” will include ways to improve image quality. (Submitted photo from reddit.com and created by Andrew McCarthy and Connor Matherne)
A view of a full moon with color accents — reddish tones demonstrate areas rich in iron and feldspar and bluish spots rich in titanium — that is popular for people to take photos of using their cell phones. Middle Tennessee State University Department of Physics and Astronomy lecturer Gregg McPherson’s Friday, March 7, Star Party topic, “How to Photograph the Moon with Your Phone,” will include ways to improve image quality. (Submitted photo from reddit.com and created by Andrew McCarthy and Connor Matherne)

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