Robert Ruckhofer
My photographic journey began as a child when I started using my Dad's digital compact camera to capture images of flowers, bees, and insects in and around our backyard.
In 2012, after finishing school and starting my first job, I was finally able to afford my very own DSLR camera, a Nikon D90.
Over the years, I gained experience in landscape and basic portrait photography.
In 2015, I decided to invest in a smaller and faster mirrorless camera, the Sony a6000. This camera allowed me to explore long exposure and night-time photography, leading to my first captivating images of the Milky Way, which left me in awe of its beauty.
In 2019, a friend let me peer through his old Newtonian telescope, igniting a strong addiction to not only the night sky but also the planets, stars, and breathtaking nebulae out there.
A newfound passion for astronomy emerged, and I began delving into astrophotography and researching everything related to it on the Internet.
In 2020, I finally acquired my first Equatorial mount and a Samyang 135mm lens for my newly astro-modified Sony a6300.
This marked the beginning of my deep sky astrophotography journey.
Member of
Emerging from the establishment association of the observatory on Klagenfurt's local mountain - the Kreuzbergl - in 1965, the Astronomical Association of Carinthia (AVK) is now one of the largest astro-associations in Austria.
One of the goals of the Astronomical Association of Carinthia is to facilitate access to astronomy for all interested individuals.
Career at TS-Optics - Faszination Weltall und Natur
2021 has been a very important year for me because it marked the beginning of my journey at TS-Optics. For two years, I had the incredible opportunity to work in their technical department, and it turned out to be an educational and fascinating experience.
During my time there, I had the privilege of building and repairing telescopes, mounts, and cameras. This hands-on work allowed me to deepen my understanding of astronomical equipment and further develop my technical skills.
I was also fortunate to be part of the transformation of the technical department. Collaborating with the team, we worked together to create a more efficient and innovative workspace, ensuring that our customers received the best products and support.
One of the most rewarding aspects of my tenure was the chance to meet many passionate hobby astronomers. Sharing our enthusiasm and knowledge about the cosmos not only made the work enjoyable but also allowed me to establish valuable friendships.
Ein Blick in die Sterne - A Glimpse into the Stars
In January 2023, I had the opportunity to collaborate with a journalist from "Kärntner Monat" on a four-page article discussing astrophotography, light pollution, my goals, and various other topics.
You can view the complete article by clicking on the link below.