Step into the star-soaked, sleep-deprived world of Kingsley J. Burton as he shares a five-year expedition with his partner Paul through the “dark arts” of astrophotography—dark not for its mood, but because every frame was captured after the rest of Perth went to bed. Beginning with nothing more than a trusty SLR camera, a rickety tripod, and an alarming caffeine habit, Kingsley charts the steep (and occasionally sideways) learning curve that led him to star trackers, esoteric EQ mounts, refractor and reflector telescopes, –20 °C-cooled astronomy cameras, and software so specialised it practically speaks in binary. You’ll hear the epic tales behind the gear, discover the inevitable obsessions (why three or more star trackers are obviously better than one), and pick up practical tips for every budget and ambition level—whether you just want to freeze the Milky Way over your favourite beach or you’re ready to process narrow-band nebulae until dawn. Plus, get the inside scoop on the new generation of smart telescopes—like the irresistibly tiny Seestar S50—that promise to turn curious night-owls into seasoned sky-hunters. Expect equal parts inspiration, hard-won wisdom, and the occasional cosmic dad joke. After all, when you spend your nights staring into infinity, a sense of humour is mandatory.