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It's after 3AM - Milkyway

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Basil

Basil

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I just returned from an excursion to the boondocks where the night sky was much darker to try shooting the Milky way. I recently bought a star tracker for my camera and tonight was my first attempt to use it to take a longer exposure of the Milky way. Unfortunately at the time of the shot (around 1:30AM MT) the moon was starting to rise, which didn't help, but overall I was happy for a first attempt. Look forward to trying again in better circumstances (no moon). Hopefully I'll get better at it.

Milky Way 25 May 2019.jpg
 
Basil - that is really *spectacular*. A beautiful photo, of a beautiful universe.

Thanks. Now get some shut eye.
Tom M.
 
Contrary to the idea the moon diminishes the impact, that shot is enhanced by "moonrise"! Great shot. Nearly impossible with film.

And congrats on getting a clock. Looking forward to seeing more.
 
Boy, I haven't seen the milky way i so many years. I need to get out of town more. Nice Basil and I agree with Doc. The moonrise makes it more dramatic.
 
I think that is a great picture, moonrise and all. I too miss seeing the Milky Way as in years past.
 
Gorgeous, part time amateur astronomer here, love the pic, is the done with software or an old fashioned mechanical thing that actually turns the camera?
 
NutmegCT said:
Basil - that is really *spectacular*. A beautiful photo, of a beautiful universe.

Thanks. Now get some shut eye.
Tom M.
Click to expand...

Thanks Tom. Went to bed around 3:30AM. Up at 6:30. Probably be taking a nap later (Yawn) :highly_amused:

DrEntropy said:
Contrary to the idea the moon diminishes the impact, that shot is enhanced by "moonrise"! Great shot. Nearly impossible with film.

And congrats on getting a clock. Looking forward to seeing more.
Click to expand...

I was disappointed at first that the moon cam up and caused light pollution, but the more I look at it, maybe it's not a bad thing after all.

Bayless said:
Boy, I haven't seen the milky way i so many years. I need to get out of town more. Nice Basil and I agree with Doc. The moonrise makes it more dramatic.
Click to expand...

Bob McElwee said:
I think that is a great picture, moonrise and all. I too miss seeing the Milky Way as in years past.
Click to expand...

One of the benefits of us living out west is that you don't have to drive too terribly far to get to really dark sky areas.

glemon said:
Gorgeous, part time amateur astronomer here, love the pic, is the done with software or an old fashioned mechanical thing that actually turns the camera?
Click to expand...

I used this beast called the StarGuider Pro. It has a spotting scope down the center that you aim at true north (which is not exactly pointing at the North Star) and then, when you aim your camera, you turn it on and it tracks the star movement, allowing for longer exposures without getting star trails. I have an app on my iPhone that detects my Lat/ Long and the time, and shows you exactly where to place the North Star in the scope in order to be pointing at true north.

IMG_4402.jpg

IMG_4401.jpg
 
65_BRG_Sprite said:
I hope you don't mind- I set that shot as my background.
Click to expand...

No, I don't mind at all. In fact, here is a link to a much larger version (18MB) that you can download if you want:

Milky Way Large

By the way, that larger, gassy looking area just about dead center of the image is the center of our galaxy. That's why I had to go out so late - so that the galactic center would be above the horizon.
 
Will update my travelogue in a minute, but, great shots! ANd a close island to where we are is Sark, the world's first "dark sky" island.
 
JPSmit said:
Will update my travelogue in a minute, but, great shots! ANd a close island to where we are is Sark, the world's first "dark sky" island.
Click to expand...

Is it still a dark sky location today? Bet that would be a cool place to photograph the night sky.
 
Amazing exposure... and I might have thought this would require some dodging (digital or old school) while printing. WOW.
 
James on Jeopardy answered last question about Dark Sky location with a bright name - Sun Valley. He's now won over $2 million. Here in the East, we're lucky if we see 8 stars every night.
 
pdplot said:
James on Jeopardy answered last question about Dark Sky location with a bright name - Sun Valley. He's now won over $2 million. Here in the East, we're lucky if we see 8 stars every night.
Click to expand...

As you can see from the US view on my "Dark Sky" App, if you live east of the Mississippi finding a dark sky area can be a challlenge.

IMG_4405.jpg
 
That's a really nice picture! You should use it for Christmas cards,
or postcards.
 
Amazing photo Bas!
 
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