Milky Way over Galapagos Astrophotography

We can allow satellites, planets, suns, 

universe, nay whole systems of universes, 

to be governed by laws, but the smallest insect, 

we wish to be created at once by special act.

--Charles Darwin

Panorama of Milky Way - 40 photos (it takes about 1 hour). On this photo you can see Orion, Crux (Southern Cross), Canis Major, Carinae, Centaurus Constellations, and three brightest stars of the Earth sky: Sirius, Canopus and Rigel Kentaurus. The night sky airglow (red and green sheen) is visible on this panorama too.

Milky Way over Galapagos Astrophotography

 Canon EOS 60Da, EF16-35mm f/2.8L II USM, 16.0 sec; f/2.8; ISO 6400, Puerto Villamil, Isabela Island, Galapagos, Ecuador.

One more photo: "How to Train Your Dragon"

The marine iguana (Amblyrhynchus cristatus), also known as the sea iguana, saltwater iguana, or Galapagos marine iguana, is a species of iguana found only on the Galápagos Islands (Ecuador) that has the ability, unique among modern lizards, to forage in the sea, making it a marine reptile.

How to Train Your Dragon or Milky Way over Galapagos Astrophotography

Not so much were changes on Galapagos Islands during last 3 millions years!

The blue-footed booby (Sula nebouxii) is a marine bird. The blue-footed booby is distributed among the continental coasts of the eastern Pacific Ocean from California to the Galapagos Islands down into Peru. The blue color of the blue-footed booby's webbed feet comes from carotenoid pigments obtained from its diet of fresh fish.

The blue-footed booby and Milky Way Isabela Island Galapagos Ecuador

Frigatebirds (also listed as "frigate bird", "frigate-bird", "frigate", "frigate-petrel") are a family of seabirds called Fregatidae which are found across all tropical and subtropical oceans. Females have white underbellies and males have a distinctive red gular pouch, which they inflate during the breeding season to attract females.

Frigate-bird and Milky Way - Galapagos Islands

Darwin's finches (also known as the Galapagos finches) are a group of about 15 species of passerine birds. During the survey voyage of HMS Beagle, Darwin was unaware of the significance of the birds of the Galapagos. These birds were to play an important part in the inception of Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection.

Darwin's Galapagos finch and night cloudy sky Santa Cruz Island

Most of Galapagos Flamingo plumage is pink, giving rise to its earlier name of Rosy Flamingo and differentiating adults from the much paler European species. Flamingos can only eat with their head upside down. Their beaks have lamellae (thin, flat membranes) which are used to filter the mud.

Galapagos Flamingo and Milky Way Astrophotography

The Galapagos tortoise are the largest living species of tortoise. Modern Galapagos tortoises can weigh up to 417 kg (919 lb). Today, giant tortoises exist on only two remote archipelagos: the Galapagos Islands 1000 km due west of mainland Ecuador; and Aldabrachelys gigantea of Aldabra in the Indian Ocean, 700 km east of Tanzania.

Galapagos giant tortoise and Orion - night sky

Crux (Southern Cross), Milky Way and Palm Tree - Galapagos Night Sky Astrophotography

Galapagos night starry sky is fantastic! You can see Alpha Centauri - the closest star system to the Solar System, Crux - Southern Cross constellation, and the South Celestial Pole!

Crux  (Southern Cross), Milky Way  and Palm Tree - Galapagos Night Sky Astrophotography

Panorama of 3 photos, Canon EOS 60Da, EF16-35mm f/2.8L II USM, 16.0 sec; f/2.8; ISO 6400, Puerto Villamil, Isabela Island, Galapagos, Ecuador.

Using this photo you can find the South Celestial Pole.

The South Celestial Pole - Galapagos Equator Sky - Annotated

From this photo you can see that the south celestial pole is very close to the horizon. The equator passes through the Isabela island. This is true equator sky!

Large Magellanic Cloud - Galapagos Night Landscape Astrophotography

Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) is one of the symbol of the Southern Sky (especially for me northern-biased star gazer).  First time I saw Large Magellanic Cloud in Peru, couple of years ago, but it was too close to horizon. Finally, I got it!   This small white cloud on the right is not regular cloud, it is companion of our Milky Way, just 1/100 mass of our Galaxy. The position of the LMC can be recognized using Southern Cross. On Galapagos fantastic starry night sky, the LMC view was amazing!

Large Magellanic Cloud - Galapagos Night Landscape Astrophotography

Large Magellanic Cloud, Puerto Villamil, Isabela Island, Galapagos, Ecuador. Canon EOS 60Da, EF16-35mm f/2.8L II USM, 30.0 sec; f/4.0; ISO 6400.

Sky Ladder - Galapagos Nightscape Astrophotography

The Night Sky at Galapagos Islands is one of the best dark sky which I saw! The darkness of night sky based on Bortle scale was very close to Level 1 (Excellent dark-sky site): clouds are only visible as dark holes against the sky, airglow is readily visible. I did not see a lot of night photos at Galapagos in internet, but I think it will be a lot soon, it is really one more attraction on the islands.

Sky Ladder - Galapagos Nightscape Astrophotography

Canon EOS 60Da, EF16-35mm f/2.8L II USM, 30.0 sec; f/2.8; ISO 6400. Puerto Villamil, Isabela Island, Galapagos, Ecuador, Nightscape Astrophotography.

Moonset - Galapagos Ecuador Astrophotography

After couple of days trips on Ecuador and Galapagos Islands when weather was cloudy and rainy (February is rain season) we got clear night sky.

I early went to sleep and wake up midnight to start astrophotography with Moonset. Photo was done on Isabela island on the beach of small city Puerto Villamil (less 2,000 people). There are about 100 meters to the main street. I was tied after day trips so it also was convenient to get this place. The other reason there are too many animals around so as minimum I able to see it.

Moonset - Isabela Island, Galapagos, Ecuador Astrophotography

Moonset (not to be confused with sunset) Astrophotography. Puerto Villamil, Isabela Island, Galapagos, Ecuador. Canon EOS 60Da, EF16-35mm f/2.8L II USM Lens, 10.0 sec; f/2.8; ISO 6400.