Monday, March 2, 2015

Puerto Rico Astrophotography

You might be an amateur astronomer if

you center your vacation time around the New Moon.

--Amateur Astronomer Jokes

These images were captured during my trip to Puerto Rico, where tropical landscapes, low latitude skies, and dark coastal locations create unique conditions for astrophotography. Palm trees, yachts, and ocean waves combine naturally with constellations and the Milky Way, producing nightscapes that look very different from those photographed at higher northern latitudes.

Big Dipper constellation over palm trees in Puerto Rico astrophotography panorama

Puerto Rico Astrophotography - Big Dipper constellation, Canon 60Da

Location: Wyndham Grand Rio Mar Beach Resort, Puerto Rico
Canon EOS 60Da · EF 16–35mm f/2.8L II USM · Panorama of 4 frames · ISO 3200 · f/6.3

This image can be used as a practical astronomy question: “What is the latitude of the observer?” Palm trees and the low altitude of the Big Dipper provide strong clues that this photo was taken much closer to the equator than typical northern U.S. locations.

Palm trees and planet Jupiter in Puerto Rico night sky astrophotography

Palm trees and Jupiter in the Puerto Rico night sky

Canon EOS 60Da · EF 16–35mm f/2.8L II USM · 20 sec · ISO 3200 · f/4.5

Orion and Canis Major constellations above palm trees in Puerto Rico

Palm trees with Orion and Canis Major — Puerto Rico astrophotography

Canon EOS 60Da, EF16-35mm f/2.8L II USM lens, 20 sec, ISO-3200, F4.5

Yacht astrophotography at Culebra Island Puerto Rico showing long-exposure night sky and ocean motion

Yacht astrophotography at Culebra Island Puerto Rico with long exposure night sky

Long exposure and waves gave such interesting yacht effect
Canon 60Da, EF16-35mm f/2.8L II USM lens, 30 sec, ISO-3200, F4

Near-equator view of the Big and Little Dippers in Puerto Rico nightscape astrophotography

Near Equator Big and Little Dippers Puerto Rico Nightscape Astrophotography

Canon 60Da, Wide Angle EF16-35mm f/2.8L II USM lens, 10 sec, ISO-6400, F2.8

Polaris North Star marked with laser pointer over golf course in Puerto Rico astrophotography

Northern Pole Star - Polaris - Laser Pointer Puerto Rico Golf Course Astrophotography

Canon 60Da, EF16-35mm f/2.8L II USM lens, 14 sec, ISO-3200, F6.3

Dark-sky nightscape from Culebra Island Puerto Rico showing stars over tropical landscape

Culebra Puerto Rico Night Sky

Canon 60Da, EF16-35mm f/2.8L II USM lens, 30 sec, ISO-3200, F4

Advanced Astrophotography — Tracked Exposure

The final image below represents a different level of astrophotography. Unlike the previous nightscapes, this photograph was captured using a star tracker, allowing a much longer exposure and revealing faint nebulae invisible in short exposures.

Tracked wide-field astrophotography of Orion showing Barnard’s Loop and Winter Milky Way from Culebra Island Puerto Rico

Orion, Canis Major and Milky Way - iOptron SkyTracker Astrophotography Puerto Rico

Barnard’s Loop is often one of the first emission nebulae successfully captured in tracked wide-field astrophotography, making it a natural milestone for beginners moving beyond nightscapes.

Canon EOS 60Da · EF 16–35mm f/2.8L II USM · iOptron SkyTracker
120 sec · ISO 3200 · f/4.0 · Culebra Island, Puerto Rico

At this exposure length, faint objects become visible, including Barnard’s Loop, the Great Orion Nebula (M42), Horsehead Nebula (IC 434), Witch Head Nebula (IC 2118), Rosette Nebula, and Seagull Nebula (IC 2177).

Winter Milky Way images are more challenging than summer Milky Way photography because the galactic center lies on the opposite side of the sky. Tracking with the iOptron SkyTracker made it possible to capture significantly more detail despite limited clear skies.