Richard’s seven-year-old son AJ is autistic and “absolutely fascinated with space”.
“He can tell you any fact you want to know about space,” said Richard. “He even knows all the scientific names for the planets and stars.”
After “seeing how AJ was reacting to space”, Richard decided to invest in a telescope as a way to develop his son’s passion for all things astronomy.
Pictured: Richard’s seven-year-old son AJ is “absolutely fascinated with space”.
“He was absolutely enthralled,” said Richard. “He’s immensely clever for a seven-year-old, it’s brilliant.”
However, Richard – who has always been interested in space and astronomy himself – discovered a new passion of his own when he decided to put a camera at the end of the telescope.
He began watching YouTube videos about astrophotography and was “really really pleased” with his “first real picture” taken from his Ann Street garden.
Pictured: Richard only took up astrophotography last year after he bought a telescope for AJ.
Although AJ doesn’t have the attention span to look through the telescope for long periods of time by himself, he loves the photographs his dad takes.
“He’ll tell you all different facts and stories about the things I take pictures of,” explained Richard.
Pictured: This stellar photo of Andromeda was captured by Richard from the garden of his Ann Street home.
“He calls the moon the ‘cheesy moon’ and will tell you all about the different types of cheese on it!”
Richard added that his son’s reaction to his new hobby has been “fantastic”, and the pair are looking forward to their trip to the London Science Museum next week.
Pictured: Richard’s first ever space picture was of the moon – which AJ calls a “giant cheese ball”!
The astrophotographer plans to continue his hobby for as long as AJ enjoys it.
“As long as it makes him smile, I’m happy!” said Richard.