These images were captured during my trip to Joshua Tree National Park, one of the most iconic dark-sky locations in the United States.
Joshua Tree National Park is an exceptional place for astrophotography and stargazing. Located in the high desert at elevations of roughly 3,000–6,000 feet above sea level, the park is far from major urban centers, resulting in very low levels of light pollution and excellent sky transparency.
The eastern side of the park offers the darkest skies, with minimal artificial glow. The nearest major city in that direction—Phoenix, Arizona—is nearly 300 miles away. In contrast, the south and western sections of the park are more affected by light pollution from Palm Springs and nearby desert communities.
Wide-field panoramas work especially well at Joshua Tree, where distinctive rock formations and desert vegetation create strong foreground elements beneath the Milky Way and airglow-rich skies.
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| Joshua Tree National Park Astrophotography |
Canon EOS Ra, EF16-35mm f/2.8L II USM Lens, f/2.8, ISO 25600, 3 sec, Panorama of 8 photos
There is entrance to the park at nigh:
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| Joshua Tree National Park Entrance at Night |
Canon EOS Ra, EF16-35mm f/2.8L II USM Lens, f/2.8, ISO 25600, 7 sec
Other entrance during the day:
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| Entrance to Joshua Tree National Park |
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| Stargazing Area of Joshua Tree National Park |
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| Sunset Joshua Tree National Park |
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| Joshua Tree National Park at Night |
Canon EOS Ra, EF16-35mm f/2.8L II USM Lens, f/2.8, ISO 25600, 9 sec
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| Joshua Tree National Park Night Landscape |
Canon EOS Ra, EF16-35mm f/2.8L II USM Lens, f/2.8, ISO 25600, 25 sec
I have a friend who lives nearby Joshua Tree. We should try astrophotography there. However, I'm a bit put off by the sign that invites stargazing but warns about staying overnight. Hard to do stargazing (or astrophotography) during the day.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful picutres, though!!!
Sign is cool, never saw in another park before. But it also confusing :) There are a lot of camping area with parking place in park so it is not problem. Also, if you are near car you can stay in any place in park. As for as sigh, I think they put it near bathroom, stargazing is fantastic not only in these places.
DeleteThanks,
Val