I really like this one but there is a massive halo around the rock which makes me think it is probably a composite image.Here's one for you from the Astronomy Photographer of the Year shortlist.
And a couple more that were shown on DPR.
Some part of the Milky Way can always be seen from the UK, it’s just that the more rich areas accessible to northern hemisphere dwellers are visible in the summer. The portion in the northern winter skies is more dim, a little less exciting. Maybe that just makes for more of a challenge to photograph though.
The white arc through the centre from west to east is the path of the Milky Way ie the plane of the galactic equator projected on our sky (it’s a sky map for now, tonight).
Hmm. I don't have any complex kit, so it is one or more single shots for me. I might be able to blend a series of photos, I believe there is free software available for that.
I noticed north is at the bottom. Confused me a little.
It helps to imagine those diagrams on the inside of an umbrella so the direction labels go all around the horizon.
Cygnus, which was in the image you posted before is close to the horizon in the NW now. And on the opposite side the MW is near Orion in the SE.
Can't seem to get my head around it
Great article, thanks for the link. Most interesting, I am going to be in Brecon in the new year, I hope for a clear night.
Thanks. I do plan a circular star trail at some point, perhaps an hour with the shutter open if I can figure out decent settings. Or I could do shorter exposures and blend them I don't yet know which will be the best option.
I'd always use shorter ones and stack them. That way you can do some quick test shots to make sure you're getting what you want first. And I'd be surprised if you could go anywhere near an hour in one exposure with a dslr.
Aha, why do you say not an hour with a dslr?
The longer the exposure, the hotter the sensor will get. This will generate more noise. If it gets too hot the camera will shut down. There will also be significant battery drain. Will there be enough power for a one hour exposure.
I think I will take shorter exposures, apart from anything I don't want to have to wait for an hour to see if what I am getting is rubbish
Yes I can do that, there is a little knob that moves a cover over the viewfinder.
I am probably going to use my 20mm prime so no zoom ring to worry about.
My last camera bag had a small loop at the top which I could attach to a knob on my tripod, my present bag doesn't have one. I may see if I can modify my tripod a little ..
Yes, aha, good point. I had a condensation issue going into a hothouse at a butterfly farm, it was quite a pain and the condensation took ages to clear. During my last milky way expedition everything was going well but at about 1am there seemed to be a dew which settled over and wetted us including onto the lens. I didn't have anything to wipe it with so I just continued and luckily it didn't seem to affect things too much.
On family summer holidays decades ago I used to sit up all night on the top deck of cross channel ferry crossings so I could enjoy the extra dark skies. Especially when coincident with the Perseids.
Aha, yes - during my last nocturnal exploit I was stunned by the sight of the stars when my eyes had become accustomed, it was like looking at a secret but special and most beautiful scene, which only exclusive people who were out at 1am would ever see.
The further you can get away from artificial light, the better.
Surely being in the middle of nowhere without any other people should be ok at the moment?
Not in this weather!
how do you mean?
