Milky Way Panorama Astrophotography

There are couple of Milky Way panoramas which I did previously. There are Milky Way Rainbow from West and East of North America, Panorama in South America Chile and Milky Way Bow in Equator Galapagos. The photos of panoramas done during of couple of years. All places have best dark sky on Earth, photos were done during new moon. I used about the same technology – about 20-30 photos for one panorama. It took about 30 – 40 minutes (one photo was about 30 second, Canon 60Da with Canon Lens EF16-35mm, F/2.8). For post processing I used Photoshop to stitch all photos to one panorama. Challenge were that it was new places, when I never bean before, and very limited time.

Milky Way Panorama - Utah USA, Arches National Park Astrophotography

This is panorama of 40 images which were done during my trip to Arches National Park. I really like this trip, and I believe that   Arches National Park is one of the best place for landscape astrophotography. It is paradise for astrophotography – really dark sky (during new moon) and fantastic landscaping.

Milky Way Panorama - Maine USA, Acadia National Park Astrophotography

While Mount Desert Island is not heavily populated and is remote, but some light pollution exists. So, some places in Acadia National Park are just with good dark sky. But some places are having amazing sky! Sand Beach, while just a 290-yard-long beach inlet between granite mountains, has a spectacular view of the night sky. On the Bortle Dark-Sky Scale, this place has “Class 1” (out of 9) is absolutely, naturally dark — the darkest skies on Earth!

Milky Way Panorama - Galapagos Astrophotography

This sea is my sea, this land is my land, this sky is my sky, this Milky Way is my Milky way.

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

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.

Panorama - Milky Way Shadow - Chile Astrophotography

Milky Way casting shadows – for all my live don’t see many times. Need very dark sky, no moon, no light pollution. Also, when doing the photo of Milky Way panorama, I usually add extra light to see landscape. This was exception. Very dark sky – Chile Atacama Desert has one of the best skies for observation. On the astronomical tour had one request – no light. Location is desert oasis with trees. Scorpius and Sagittarius and Jupiter are close to zenith. As result on the photo you can see diffuse shadows from trees casing by Milky Way. Really, there is the place where the Milky Way casts a shadow!

First Canon Ra Milky Way Rainbow - Catskill  NY

This is my first photo of Milky Way Rainbow with Canon EOS Ra. I am continue testing Canon Ra astrophotography camera. Canon Ra has High ISO performance with reasonable low noise levels (Topaz DeNoise AI allow minimize noise level). So even 5 sec photos with ISO 20,000 gives very nice result for night landscaping. Because of 5 sec shots – photo time is pretty fast. Special filter gives good contrast for Milky Way. Photoshop allows combine all 20 photos to one Milky Way rainbow panorama.

Milky Way and Zodiacal Light over Bolivia - Black and White Astrophotography

The photo captures a view of the night sky over the Bolivia. 2 hours after sunset (elevation: 4020 m / 13190 feet). Canon EOS 60Da, 25 sec., Canon Lens EF16-35mm, f/2.8, ISO 6400, panorama of 20 images. 

Because our eyes are less sensitive to color in low light conditions, a black and white photo more closely approximates what our eyes can see at night (compared to a color photo).

The black and white photography highlights the stark contrast between the dark night sky and the glowing band of the Milky Way. The Milky Way, a dense band of stars and interstellar dust, stretches across the sky in a white arc. 

If you look closely, you can also see a faint, diffuse glow stretching up from the horizon. This is the Zodiacal Light, a ghostly band of light caused by sunlight reflecting off interplanetary dust particles in our solar system. 

Taken together, the Milky Way and Zodiacal Light create a breathtaking scene that reminds us of the immense scale and beauty of the universe we inhabit. It is a testament to the power of nature and the wonders that can be discovered by simply looking up at the night sky.

The photo of the Milky Way and Zodiacal Light is an example of the beauty that can be found in the natural world. It is a reminder that there is always more to discover and explore, both here on Earth and beyond.

Milky Way Casting Shadows - Chile Astrophotography - San Pedro de Atacama Celestial Explorations Star Tour

We all know that the Sun and the Moon cast shadows. But can the Milky Way itself be bright enough to do the same? In extremely dark locations, the answer is yes.

This panorama was captured during the San Pedro de Atacama Celestial Explorations Star Tour in northern Chile. On the image you can clearly see shadows of the trees cast only by the Milky Way — something that is possible only under the darkest skies on Earth.

According to the Bortle Scale of night-sky brightness, this region rates as a Class 1 – Excellent Dark-Sky Site. Here, the Scorpius–Sagittarius region of the Milky Way is so bright that it produces detectable diffuse shadows on the ground. It is an extremely rare and unforgettable sight.

For observers hoping to witness Milky Way shadows themselves, sky conditions matter as much as sky darkness. A Bortle Class 1 site is essential, but it is usually not sufficient on its own. The Galactic Center, located in the Scorpius–Sagittarius region, must be well above the horizon, where the Milky Way’s surface brightness reaches its maximum.

Shadows are not produced by individual stars, but by the combined light of billions of stars concentrated toward the Galactic Core. When this region is high in the sky and atmospheric extinction is minimal, the Milky Way can generate subtle but detectable contrast between illuminated and shaded areas on the ground.

The effect becomes even more noticeable when a bright planet such as Jupiter is present near the Milky Way, subtly reinforcing the overall illumination. Only when these conditions align — a true Bortle Class 1 sky, the Milky Way core high above the horizon, and additional planetary light — do Milky Way shadows become realistically observable.

Milky Way Casting Shadows - Chile Astrophotography  - San Pedro de Atacama Celestial Explorations Star Tour

Near the horizon, green and red airglow is visible — a natural atmospheric luminescence often seen in extremely dark locations. The brightest “star” in the middle of the panorama is actually Jupiter.

Technical details:
Canon 60Da • EF16–35mm f/2.8L II USM • 25 sec • f/2.8 • ISO 6400
Panorama of 20 photos.

A slightly different version of this image was selected as the Dark Sky Travels Magazine – Image of the Day (17 November 2019).

Dark Sky Travels Magazine

Dark Sky Travels Magazine Image of the Day

This photograph was captured in the Atacama Desert, Chile—one of the premier astrophotography locations on the planet. Many of the world’s leading observatories operate here (the other major hub is Hawai‘i’s Mauna Kea).

The image was taken near a small oasis where a few trees are present. It is astonishing to stand in near-total natural darkness and see shadows cast not by any artificial light, but by the bright central bulge of the Milky Way and the planet Jupiter.

This is what a true Bortle Class 1 sky looks like — the very definition of a perfect dark-sky environment.

Experiences like this reveal the Milky Way not as a distant backdrop, but as a luminous structure capable of shaping the landscape itself — a reminder of what the natural night sky can truly be.

Related Astrophotography Posts

• Rainbow of the Milky Way and the Eternal Baobab — Tarangire, Tanzania
• The Milky Way Over the Sailing Stone — Racetrack Playa, Death Valley National Park
• A Tree and the Milky Way — Bethel, New York
• Milky Way Rainbow Panorama — Canon EOS Ra, Bethel Catskills, New York
• Arching Milky Way over Arches National Park — Utah Astrophotography
• Cherry Springs State Park — One of the Darkest Skies on the U.S. East Coast
• Adirondack Public Observatory — Dark Skies in Upstate New York
• Hawaii Lunar Eclipse (Jan 20, 2019) — Mauna Kea Night Sky

Chile Astrophotography - Galactic center - San Pedro de Atacama City - Backyard Photo

This photograph was taken on the very first night of my trip to Chile. It had been a long travel day, and there was no time for remote desert expeditions or complex planning. I simply placed a tripod in the backyard of a house in the center of San Pedro de Atacama and pointed the camera upward.

What happened next was a reminder of why the Atacama Desert is considered one of the best astronomical locations on Earth. Even from within the city limits, the sky was extraordinary.

The Galactic Center region — rich with dark dust lanes and dense star clouds in Sagittarius and Scorpius — rose clearly above the rooftops. Airglow was visible. Star density was overwhelming. And this was not a remote desert plateau — it was a backyard in town.

 Backyard astrophotography in San Pedro de Atacama – the Galactic Center visible from the city

Technical Details

This image was created by stacking 20 individual exposures using DeepSkyStacker to reduce noise and enhance faint structure in the Galactic Center.

Single exposure settings:

• Camera: Canon EOS 60Da (astro-modified DSLR)
• Lens: Canon EF 16–35mm f/2.8L II USM
• Focal length: 16mm
• Exposure: 20 seconds
• Aperture: f/2.8
• ISO: 4000

The Canon 60Da is optimized for astrophotography with enhanced sensitivity to hydrogen-alpha wavelengths, helping to reveal subtle reddish nebular regions near the Galactic Center. Combined with the exceptional transparency of the Atacama Desert, even a simple tripod setup can produce remarkably detailed results.

Backyard Comparison: Atacama vs New York vs Utah

This image highlights something remarkable: location matters more than equipment.

In New York City (Bortle Class 9), even the brightest stars struggle through heavy light pollution. Capturing the Milky Way from a backyard there is essentially impossible without traveling far from the city.

In Utah Backyard Astrophotography – Milky Way Over the Fence, the sky was significantly darker — yet still nowhere near the clarity of northern Chile.

But here in San Pedro de Atacama, even from a simple backyard setup in town, the Galactic Center structure was bold and richly detailed. The combination of:

• High altitude (~2400 m)
• Extremely dry atmosphere
• Minimal regional light pollution
• Stable desert air

creates conditions that elevate even casual tripod photography into something extraordinary.

Why Atacama Skies Are Special

The Atacama Desert is home to some of the world's largest professional observatories for a reason. Transparency and atmospheric stability are exceptional. Even urban areas such as San Pedro maintain skies that would be considered Bortle Class 2–3 by many observers.

This first-night backyard photograph required no tracking mount, no complex planning — just experience, timing, and a clear southern sky. Sometimes the best astrophotography moments happen when you simply look up.

A Town Built Around the Night Sky

Walking through the central streets of San Pedro de Atacama, I quickly realized something remarkable: this is not just a desert town — it is a town built for people who love the sky.

Astronomy tour agencies, deep-sky observatories, meteorite museums, and signs dedicated to southern hemisphere stargazing appear everywhere. For the first time in my travels, I felt like I was in a city designed specifically for astrophotographers and sky observers.

This cultural connection explains why even a simple backyard setup can produce extraordinary results here. The entire community is aligned with the night sky.

Deep-sky tour advertisement in the center of San Pedro de Atacama — astronomy is part of daily life here.

Another astronomy-focused agency along the main street — the town lives under the stars.

A meteorite museum in town — a reminder that the Atacama Desert is also rich in space rocks.

Tour agency sign in the center of San Pedro de Atacama offering astronomical night tours as well as daytime desert excursions — from deep-sky observation to geysers and salt flats.

“Del Cielo Austral” — dedicated to exploring the southern hemisphere sky and the Galactic Center.

Even casual evening walks become astronomy-themed in this desert town.

“A Night with the Stars” — astronomy tourism is woven into the identity of San Pedro.

Final Reflection

This experience changed the way I think about backyard astrophotography. In some places, a backyard means fighting light pollution and searching for a few visible stars. In San Pedro de Atacama, a backyard means standing beneath the core of our galaxy.

Here, astronomy is not an occasional activity — it is part of the landscape, the culture, and the identity of the town. The first night of the trip required no planning, no remote expedition, no special setup. Just a tripod, a clear sky, and the realization that sometimes the best astrophotography begins exactly where you are.

Location matters. The sky matters. And in the Atacama Desert, even a simple backyard can become a gateway to the Galactic Center.

Related Backyard & Dark Sky Astrophotography

Urban Backyard – Bortle Class 9

• Urban Astrophotography in Brooklyn NYC Backyard (Bortle 9)
• Removing Light Pollution – Los Angeles Urban Astronomy (Bortle 9)

Rural Backyard – Bortle Class 3

• Utah Backyard Astrophotography – Cannonville (Bortle 3)

Extreme Dark Sky – Bortle Class 1–2

• Astrophotography Adventure in Chile – Atacama Desert (Bortle 1–2)
• Milky Way Casting Shadows – San Pedro de Atacama (Bortle 1)
• Zodiacal Light – Bolivia Astrophotography (Bortle 1)

The difference between Bortle 9 and Bortle 1 is not subtle — it is the difference between searching for stars and standing beneath the galaxy itself.

Astrophotography Adventure in Chile Atacama Desert

Chile is one of the best places in the world for astronomy, astrophotography, and stargazing. The Atacama Desert stands out due to its extreme dryness, minimal light pollution, high altitude, and an exceptional number of clear nights per year. These conditions make northern Chile one of the premier dark-sky destinations on Earth.

This photograph was captured during the “Sitial del Fuego” astronomical tour — a cultural night experience that combines stargazing with Andean mythology, storytelling, and traditional Chilean food and wine inspired by the surrounding desert landscape.

Fire plays a central symbolic role in Andean traditions, representing warmth, protection, and connection between people and the cosmos. In this scene, the fire illuminates the foreground, casting dramatic cave-like shadows of people seated nearby, while the Milky Way rises above the desert horizon.

Milky Way Rising Above Fire — Sitial del Fuego astronomical tour, Atacama Desert, Chile

Camera & Exposure:
Canon EOS 60Da · Canon EF 16–35mm f/2.8L II USM
ƒ/2.8 · 22mm · 25 seconds · ISO 6400
Panorama of 3 images · Natural firelight (flash off)

Although the Milky Way may appear narrower near the horizon and broader higher in the frame, this is not a perspective effect. The apparent change in width is an illusion created by composition and orientation — the Galactic Center, which is naturally brighter and wider, is positioned higher in the image.

Visually, this works in favor of the photograph. The Milky Way feels like a continuation of the fire below, expanding upward into the sky — as if the flames themselves rise and transform into stars. This natural visual transition strengthens the connection between the human fire circle and the vast structure of the galaxy above.

This image is part of an ongoing Dark Sky Illumination series — a long-term exploration of how natural and celestial light shape the night under truly dark skies. From firelight and zodiacal light to airglow and the Milky Way itself, these photographs examine the subtle boundary where Earth and sky illuminate one another.

Related Astrophotography Posts:

• Milky Way Casting Shadows — Chile Astrophotography, San Pedro de Atacama
• Zodiacal Light Astrophotography — Bolivia
• Arches National Park Astrophotography — Utah
• Yellowstone National Park Astrophotography
• Grand Teton National Park Nightscape Astrophotography — Colter Bay
• The Milky Way Over the Sailing Stone — Racetrack Playa, Death Valley
• Rainbow of the Milky Way and the Eternal Baobab — Tarangire, Tanzania

Southern Hemisphere Astrophotography

If you saw Northern Hemisphere stars but you've never saw Southern Hemisphere night sky, you only know half the story. The southern night sky contains a greater range of interesting features.

Magellanic Clouds are visible to the unaided eye in the Southern Hemisphere.

Bolivia Night Sky with Magellanic Clouds (two irregular dwarf galaxies) and Red AirGlow near horison. Hotel Tayka del Desierto (Ojo de Perdiz). Altitude about 4600 m / 15000 feet.

Southern Hemisphere Astrophotography Magellanic Clouds  Bolivia

Two cloud-like patches of light are the neighbouring galaxies known as the Large Magellanic Cloud and the Small Magellanic Cloud. They are about 170,000 light years away and the Large Magellanic Cloud contains about 10,000 million stars. These are the closest galaxies to our own and are a stunning sight whether viewed with the naked eye, binoculars or a telescope. They are considered to be satellite galaxies linked by gravity to the Milky Way.

Southern Hemisphere Astrophotography: Magellanic Cloud, Southern Cross, Alpha and Beta Centauri,  Milky Way - Chile

Part of the Milky Way Panorama

Southern Hemisphere Astrophotography - Colors of Night Sky

Southern Hemisphere Astrophotography - Chile Astrophotography

Southern Hemisphere Milky Way Panorama - Bolivia Astrophotography

Southern Hemisphere Milky Way Mountain Bolivia Astrophotography

Unintentional Camera Movement Astrophotography

Most astrophotography relies on long-exposure images. Because the shutter stays open for several seconds—or even minutes—many things can happen during that time: the tripod can shift, the wind can blow, someone may touch the camera, or the lens focus or zoom can move. Sometimes the photographer doesn’t notice anything at the moment but later sees strange, unexpected results.

This idea fascinated me even back in middle school, when I first experimented with long exposures. My early photos often contained bright streaks or weird shapes. Some even looked like “UFOs” I never saw with my own eyes. Most likely they were reflections or car lights—but maybe not!

Today, there is a real creative technique called Intentional Camera Movement (ICM), where artists deliberately move the camera during long exposures to create surreal effects. But in this post I’m focusing on Unintentional Camera Movement (UCM)—the unpredictable accidents that sometimes create surprisingly cool images.

Below are two examples from my astrophotography trip to Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia, one of the most unique landscapes on Earth. Both images were created by accident, but each tells its own story.

Unintentional Camera Movement Astrophotography - Warp Speed

In this first example, the light streaks appear to shoot outward from a single point—almost like the camera jumped to warp speed during the exposure. My best guess is that I accidentally changed the zoom during the shot, creating a rapid zoom-out effect. Long exposures can exaggerate even tiny movements into dramatic patterns.

Unintentional Camera Movement Astrophotography - Meteor Shower

This second photo looks almost like a meteor shower, with bright streaks of light falling in parallel lines. In reality, it was probably a combination of tripod shift and slight rotation during the long exposure. Even small movements can create surprisingly artistic patterns in the sky.

While these images weren’t planned, that’s part of the fun of astrophotography. Sometimes the accidents are just as interesting as the perfectly tracked shots. Unexpected motion can transform a simple night sky photo into something surreal and otherworldly.

Related Astrophotography Posts

• Watching the Sky & Observing Meteors — Cherry Springs
• Milky Forest — Testing the Canon Ra
• Arching Milky Way Over Arches National Park
• Comet C/2023 A3 Tsuchinshan–ATLAS
• Milky Way Over El Chaltén — Argentina

Bolivia Astrophotography - Salar de Uyuni at Night

These photographs capture an unforgettable night under the stars at the Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia — a place that feels almost unreal after dark. Shot during a guided Uyuni stargazing tour, the images reveal the brilliance of the southern hemisphere night sky above the world’s largest salt flat.

At an elevation of approximately 3,650 meters (12,000 feet), Salar de Uyuni offers exceptionally transparent air, minimal light pollution, and dramatic atmospheric effects. The night skies above Salar de Uyuni approach Bortle Class 1 on the dark-sky scale. Such skies allow the Milky Way to appear extremely bright and structured, with visible airglow and exceptional contrast even at low elevations above the horizon. The result is a sky filled with intense star fields, vivid red and green airglow, and prominent southern constellations such as Crux (the Southern Cross).

The vast salt surface creates a unique foreground for astrophotography. Distinct hexagonal salt patterns, formed by crystallization as water evaporates, are visible even at night and provide scale and texture beneath the Milky Way.

Camera & Settings:
Canon EOS 60Da
Canon EF 16–35mm f/2.8L
30 seconds · f/2.8 · ISO 6400
Panoramic night-sky composition

Bolivia Astrophotography - Salar de Uyuni at Night

In this first image, the Milky Way rises diagonally from the salt horizon on the left toward the upper right of the frame. The Galactic Center is clearly visible, glowing intensely against the high-altitude sky.

Salar de Uyuni Milky Way Bolivia Astrophotography

The second image includes a person illuminated by a small light source. This provides a clear sense of scale against the immense salt flat and highlights how the Milky Way and airglow dominate the high-altitude night sky.

Southern hemisphere night sky Milky  Way Bolivia Astrophotography

The third image highlights the richness of the southern Milky Way combined with subtle airglow colors — a signature of extremely dark, high-altitude observing sites. The Crux constellation (Southern Cross) is especially well defined here, as this frame was captured with a tighter field of view and moderate zoom rather than as part of a wide panoramic sweep.

With over 10,500 km² of salt, more than 10 billion tons of crystalline deposits, and up to 70% of the world’s known lithium reserves, Salar de Uyuni is not only a geological wonder, but also one of the most extraordinary natural platforms for night-sky photography on Earth.

Related Astrophotography Posts

• Zodiacal Light – Bolivia Astrophotography
• Southern Hemisphere Astrophotography
• Milky Way Casting Shadows – Chile Astrophotography
• Astrophotography Adventure in Chile – Atacama Desert
• Chile Astrophotography – Galactic Center from San Pedro de Atacama

Zodiacal Light Bolivia Astrophotography

This Zodiacal Light astrophotography image was captured in the high Andes of Bolivia, approximately two hours after sunset, during a New Moon night. The observation site was near Hotel Jardines De Mallku Cueva, at an elevation of 4,020 meters (13,190 feet), where the atmosphere is exceptionally clear and dry.

The faint triangular glow rising from the western horizon is the zodiacal light, aligned with the ecliptic plane. Jupiter is visible near the top of the frame, providing a natural reference point above the glowing dust column. Despite the camera’s enhanced sensitivity, the zodiacal light was clearly visible to the naked eye, a rare experience even for experienced observers.

For beginners, planets provide one of the easiest ways to locate the zodiacal light. All major planets orbit within the ecliptic plane — the same plane in which the zodiacal dust cloud is distributed. If you remember where the Sun set and can identify at least one bright planet after dusk, that planet effectively marks the path along which the zodiacal light may appear.

When two or more planets are visible, the orientation of the Solar System’s plane becomes even clearer. The same approach works before sunrise: by noting the position of a bright planet and the upcoming direction of sunrise, you can determine where to search for the faint zodiacal glow.

Modern mobile sky-mapping applications can also be helpful, but seeing zodiacal light visually offers something unique — while the plane of our Galaxy is easily traced by the Milky Way, the plane of the Solar System is far more subtle. Observing zodiacal light is one of the few ways to directly perceive that solar plane with the naked eye.

Captured with Canon EOS 60Da and Canon EF 16–35mm f/2.8L, this panorama consists of three stitched exposures, each taken at 25 seconds, f/2.8, ISO 6400.

Zodiacal Light over the Andes, Bolivia – New Moon astrophotography at 4,020 meters

Zodiacal light is a faint, diffuse, and roughly triangular glow visible in exceptionally dark skies, appearing along the zodiac and following the ecliptic plane. It is brightest near the horizon and gradually fades upward, tilted according to the seasonal angle of the ecliptic.

This glow is caused by sunlight scattering off microscopic interplanetary dust particles distributed throughout the inner Solar System. Most of this dust is believed to originate from cometary debris and collisions between small rocky bodies.

High-altitude locations such as the Bolivian Andes dramatically enhance zodiacal light visibility due to reduced atmospheric scattering, extremely low humidity, and minimal light pollution.

Below is a color-enhanced variation of the same zodiacal light panorama, revealing subtle gradients and dust-scattering structure that are difficult to perceive visually.

Zodiacal Light Astrophotography

The black and white version below is the closest representation of what the zodiacal light appeared like to the human eye — a soft, ghostly glow rising from the horizon, barely distinguishable from the natural night sky background.

Zodiacal Light Astrophotography Black and White

 

Observing zodiacal light from the high Andes of Bolivia was a reminder that not all structures in the night sky are immediately obvious. While the Milky Way clearly traces the plane of our Galaxy, zodiacal light reveals the far subtler plane of our Solar System itself — made visible only under pristine conditions. At high altitude, far from light pollution, this delicate glow becomes one of the most rewarding naked-eye experiences in night-sky observation.

Related Astrophotography Posts

• Zodiacal Light Astrophotography – Negev Desert, Israel
  Zodiacal light captured from Mitzpe Ramon in the Negev Desert, one of the darkest locations in Israel, revealing the same interplanetary dust glow observed from Bolivia under New Moon conditions.


• Milky Way Casting Shadows – Chile Astrophotography
  Milky Way nightscape from Chile, captured during the same South American journey, demonstrating extreme sky darkness where the Milky Way is bright enough to cast visible shadows on the ground.


• Rainbow of the Milky Way and the Eternal Baobab – Tanzania
  A rare atmospheric and astronomical combination showing Milky Way structure, airglow color separation, and ancient landscape under pristine African skies.

Acadia National Park, Maine USA - Astrophotography

Acadia National Park, located on Mount Desert Island, Maine, is one of the darkest accessible locations on the U.S. East Coast. I honestly did not expect to witness such extraordinary sky conditions here — visible airglow, intense Milky Way contrast, and even subtle diffuse shadows cast by the Galactic Center.

After driving nearly 10 hours from New York with family and friends, we arrived under perfect conditions: new Moon, clear forecast, and dry summer air. It was a rare opportunity to test how dark the Atlantic coast can truly be.

Acadia Astrophotography - Panorama of 4 Images Milky Way over Sand Beach

Canon 60Da, EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM, 25 sec, f/2.8, ISO 6400 – 4-frame panorama

Sand Beach, while just a 290-yard-long beach inlet between granite mountains, has a spectacular view of the night sky. On the Bortle Dark-Sky Scale, this spot can approach Class 1 — naturally dark and remarkably rare on the East Coast.

That darkness comes from two main factors: location and park lighting. Newport Cove helps protect the beach from sky glow from populated parts of the island. The beach faces out to the dark open ocean, and the surrounding topography blocks the line of sight from Bar Harbor, reducing residual sky glow. Park lighting is also designed to minimize light pollution.

Acadia Astrophptography  Milky Way Night Landscape

Canon 60Da, EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM, 30 sec, f/2.8, ISO 12800

Even a single exposure reveals remarkable atmospheric structure. Subtle green airglow layers are clearly visible — a strong indicator of natural darkness.

Black and White Acadia Astrophotography

Canon 60Da, EF16-35mm f/2.8L II USM, 30.0 sec;  f/2.8;  ISO 12800 - One photo

Monochrome emphasizes structure — granite formations, dark dust lanes, and stellar density of the Sagittarius region.

Night Landscape Canon Astrophotography Panorama Milky Way Acadia National Park Maine USA

Canon 60Da, EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM, 25 sec, f/2.8, ISO 6400 – 6-frame panorama

Chasing the Milky Way - Acadia National Park

Rainbow Milky Way - Maine Astrophotography, Acadia National Park

Canon 60Da, EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM, 25 sec, f/2.8, ISO 6400 – 20-frame panorama

The Sand Beach location was a perfect choice. The Galactic Center was bright enough to cast subtle diffuse shadows on the ground, and natural airglow was clearly visible. The presence of Jupiter slightly affected dark adaptation, yet the overall sky quality was extraordinary — a dramatic contrast to New York’s Bortle Class 8–9 skies.

Sand Beach feels like a small dark-sky oasis along the Atlantic coast. Just a few minutes away by car, the ocean horizon disappears, the mountains no longer shield the view, and faint light pollution becomes noticeable again. Here, however, the combination of open ocean exposure and terrain shielding creates a pocket of exceptional darkness.

Acadia proves that true darkness still exists on the East Coast — sometimes in small geographic pockets where ocean exposure and terrain combine perfectly.

For East Coast astrophotographers, this place is a hidden treasure.

Related Astrophotography Posts – Bortle Class 1 Dark Sky Locations

Explore other locations where I experienced true Bortle Class 1 darkness around the world:

• Milky Way Casting Shadows – Atacama Desert, Chile (Bortle Class 1)
• Zodiacal Light – Bolivia Altiplano (Bortle Class 1)
• Rainbow Milky Way & Eternal Baobab – Tarangire, Tanzania (Bortle Class 1)
• Milky Way Over the Sailing Stone – Racetrack Playa, Death Valley (Bortle Class 1)

Mauna Kea Observatories, Big Island Hawaii

The purpose of life is the investigation of 

the Sun, the Moon, and the heavens.

— Anaxagoras, Philosopher

Mauna Kea is one of the best places in the planet for an astronomical observation. The elevation is about 4,200 meters (13,800 ft). The atmosphere above the mountain is extremely dry and cloud-free, the proportion of clear nights is among the highest in the world with minimum optical turbulence.

Below are photos from my visit to the Mauna Kea summit and the world-class observatories that operate there.

The Subaru Telescope, operated by the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan, is one of the largest single-mirror telescopes in the world. Its 8.2-meter primary mirror is designed for deep-sky surveys and high-resolution studies of galaxies, star formation, and the early universe.

From left to right the Smithsonian Submillimeter Array, the Subaru Telescope, the twin Keck I and II telescopes, and the NASA Infrared Telescope Facility - Hawaii Mauna Kea Observatories

Note, that the Submillimeter Array is important component of the Event Horizon Telescope, which made photo of the Black Hole Shadow at the center of Messier 87 Galaxy.

W. M. Keck Observatory - Hawaii Mauna Kea Observatories

Big Island Hawaii Mauna Kea Observatories - W. M. Keck Observatory

Very Long Baseline Array Radio Telescope on Hawaii - Mauna Kea Observatories

The Mauna Kea antenna is part of the VLBA (Very Long Baseline Array) — a continent-spanning radio telescope system that provides some of the highest-resolution observations in astronomy. Combining signals from antennas across the country creates a single “virtual telescope” the size of North America.

NASA Infrared Telescope Facility Hawaii Observatory

Operated by NASA, the IRTF specializes in infrared studies of planets, comets, asteroids, and near-Earth objects. It plays an essential role in planetary defense and Solar System science.

Above the Clouds - Hawaii Mauna Kea Big Island

Being above the inversion layer means that the summit sits above most weather, haze, and moisture. Standing at the top of Mauna Kea truly feels like being on an island floating in the sky.

Skydriving  Hawaii Mauna Kea

Sunset Hawai Mauna Kea

Mauna Kea is famous for its spectacular sunsets. The sharp temperature drop and calm evening atmosphere create near-perfect observing conditions as the sky shifts from gold to deep blue.

Stargazing and Astrophotography near  MaunaKea Visitor Information Station

Night Sky MaunaKea Visitor Information Station

The MaunaKea Visitor Information Station (VIS) is located at 9,300 ft (2,800 m) — well below the observatories but still far above city lights. It is one of the best places on the island for public stargazing, astrophotography, and safe acclimatization before heading up to the summit.

Night skies here are extremely dark, and the Milky Way is bright even to the naked eye.

Mauna Kea remains one of the most scientifically important sites in the world — a place where cutting-edge astronomy combines with some of the clearest skies on Earth. Whether you are an astronomer, astrophotographer, or simply someone who loves the night sky, visiting Mauna Kea is a powerful and unforgettable experience.

Related Observatory Posts

• The Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array (VLA)
• Lowell Astronomical Observatory, Flagstaff, Arizona
• Long Island Astrophotography – Custer Astronomical Observatory
• Sky's The Limit Observatory
• Puerto Rico Radio-Telescope Arecibo Observatory
• Cherry Springs State Park Pennsylvania Astrophotography
• Northeast Astronomy Forum NEAF 2018

Hawaii Lunar Eclipse Jan 20 2019

During my Hawaii vacation in January 2019, I was expecting bright full-moon nights—not ideal for astrophotography. But I got extremely lucky: the trip coincided with the Total Lunar Eclipse of January 20, 2019! Even with the tropical humidity and moving clouds, the Moon looked beautiful as it entered Earth’s shadow.

This eclipse was visible across most of North and South America, but watching it from Hawaii made it especially memorable. The photo below captures the partial phase after totality had already ended. I was not able to photograph the red totality itself, but the post-totality view surrounded by clouds still looked dramatic.

Hawaii Lunar Eclipse Jan 20 2019

Even though I missed photographing the red totality, capturing the Moon in the post-totality partial phase glowing through clouds was still a memorable moment. Unexpected conditions sometimes create the most atmospheric astrophotography.

Photography Details

• Camera: Canon EOS 60D
• Lens: Canon EF 200mm f/2.8L II USM
• Exposure: f/4.5
• ISO: 1000

Related Posts

• Solar Eclipse – April 8, 2024
• Yellowstone Night Sky
• Lunar Eclipse Astrophotography
• Solar Eclipse Astrophotography
• Blue Moon November 21 2010 Celestron 4se Canon 40D
• Mauna Kea Observatories, Big Island Hawaii