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Showing posts with label astrophotography. Show all posts
Showing posts with label astrophotography. Show all posts

Saturday, October 4, 2025

Rainbow of the Milky Way and the Eternal Baobab — Tarangire, Tanzania

On the midnight of September 26, 2025, under the deep African sky, I captured one of the most surreal moments of light and life. The photograph — a 21-image panorama taken with my Canon EOS Ra and Canon EF 200 mm f/2.8L II USM lens (f/3.2, ISO 25 600, 15 s exposure) — reveals the Milky Way arcing like a celestial rainbow above a solitary baobab tree in Tarangire National Park, Tanzania.

Rainbow of the Milky Way and the Eternal Baobab - Tarangire National Park, Tanzania

This is a single-night image, stitched in Photoshop, but it carries the weight of millennia — both cosmic and earthly.


The Baobab: The Tree of Life

At the center of the frame stands the baobab (Adansonia digitata), often called the Tree of Life. Native to the dry savannas of sub-Saharan Africa, this extraordinary species grows in scattered populations across Tanzania, Madagascar, and parts of the Sahel. Baobabs can live for over 2 000 years — some carbon-dated specimens have reached 2 500 to 3 000 years old — silently witnessing the passing of generations, civilizations, and climates.

Baobab

Their immense trunks, often more than 10 meters in diameter, are actually natural reservoirs; a single tree can hold up to 120 000 liters of water within its fibrous tissue. In the dry season, elephants and baboons are sometimes seen peeling their bark to reach the moisture inside.

In African folklore, the baobab is a sacred symbol — a meeting of heaven and earth. Its branches, reaching skyward like roots, gave rise to legends that the gods planted it upside-down. Standing beside one beneath the Milky Way, the resemblance to a cosmic silhouette feels almost intentional.


Tarangire: The Quiet Heart of the Savanna

Located just south of the equator in northern Tanzania, Tarangire National Park is a sanctuary of vast plains, ancient river valleys, and herds of elephants. Its skies are among the clearest and darkest in East Africa, especially during the dry season from June to October.

That night, around midnight, the air was perfectly still. The southern Milky Way rose high overhead, and the galactic core shimmered in a curtain of color rarely visible to the naked eye.


The Airglow

The subtle green, red, and orange tones in the photo are not from city lights — they are natural airglow, an atmospheric phenomenon that occurs when molecules in the upper atmosphere (about 85–100 km up) emit faint light after being energized by the Sun during the day.

Contrary to popular belief, strong airglow is not limited to the poles; it is often most intense near the equator, where the upper atmosphere experiences greater gravity-wave activity and chemical recombination. Near-equatorial latitudes like Tarangire (~4° S) often produce beautifully structured bands of red (from oxygen at ~90 km) and green (from oxygen at ~95 km) that shimmer across the night sky — invisible to human eyes but captured vividly in long-exposure astrophotography.

What you see above the baobab, therefore, is not light pollution but the Earth itself glowing, whispering its quiet luminescence into the darkness.


A Meeting of Earth and Sky

This image is a meeting of contrasts: an ancient tree rooted in the soil of Africa, and a galaxy 100 000 light-years across suspended above it. Between them, a living, breathing layer of atmosphere paints the bridge — the airglow, the breath of our planet.


Under the Milky Way: A Night in Tarangire

Every color in the image tells a story:

  • Amber and red: oxygen recombining high above the equator.
  • Soft green: the pulse of Earth’s upper atmosphere.
  • Silver stars: the spiral arm of the Milky Way.
  • Dark silhouette: a 1 000-year-old baobab tree watching the cosmos turn.

In that moment, Tarangire was not just a national park — it was a reminder that the planet itself participates in the night sky.


Technical Notes

  • Camera: Canon EOS Ra (modified for astrophotography)
  • Lens: Canon EF 200 mm f/2.8L II USM
  • Settings: f/3.2 · 15 s · ISO 25 600
  • Panorama: 21 frames combined in Adobe Photoshop
  • Date: September 26, 2025
  • Location: Tarangire National Park, Tanzania (~4° S latitude)


Reflection

When I look at this photograph, I see time itself — the timeless patience of the baobab and the ceaseless motion of the stars. Both are survivors: one through endurance, the other through orbit.

Under that rainbow Milky Way, I realized that the Earth doesn’t just reflect the universe — it participates in it. The light that touched the baobab that night had traveled for tens of thousands of years, only to meet the glow of our own atmosphere.

Sunday, November 12, 2023

Alaska Astrophotography - Cosmic Symphony

Alaska, the "Last Frontier", is renowned for its pristine wilderness, vast landscapes, and breathtaking night skies. In August, when the days are still long but the nights begin to reveal their celestial wonders, I embarked on a photographic journey. This photo was done about midnight during remarkable night in Alaska, where the Milky Way, the Big and Little Dipper, Cassiopeia, and the Andromeda Galaxy took center stage amidst the backdrop of a tranquil forest and towering mountains.


Alaska Astrophotography - Milky Way, Big and Little Dipper, Cassiopeia and Andromeda Galaxy

Under the captivating beauty of the Milky Way, with a glacier river  winding through the mountains and a mysterious boat on its shores, will forever remain etched in my memory. It is a testament to the awe-inspiring landscapes that Alaska offers to those willing to venture into its remote corners. The photograph serves as a reminder of the incredible beauty that can be found in nature and the magic that can unfold on a single night in this pristine wilderness.


Alaska Travel Night Landscape Astrophotography


The photograph stands as a visual symphony, combining Earth's terrestrial wonders with the infinite cosmos, creating a breathtaking portrayal of the universe's grandeur.

Alaska Astrophotography Milky Way Cygnus Lira Aquila Constellations

Canon EOS Ra, EF16-35mm f/2.8L II USM Lens, f/2.8

Monday, October 17, 2022

Joshua Tree National Park Astrophotography

 There are some photos from my trip to Joshua Tree National Park.

Joshua Tree National Park is one of the fantastic places to stargaze in the US! The reason it’s so dark is because the park is located in the High Desert—3000-6000 feet above sea level—far from any major cities, which create light pollution. 

The east side of the park is best for stargazing. There is very little light pollution there, since the closest major city to the east—Phoenix, Arizona—is about 300 miles away. Unfortunately, the south/west areas of the park get light pollution from nearby Palm Springs. 

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:

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:

Entrance to Joshua Tree National Park


Stargazing Area of Joshua Tree National Park

Sunset Joshua Tree National Park


Joshua Tree National Park at Night

Canon EOS Ra, EF16-35mm f/2.8L II USM Lens, f/2.8, ISO 25600, 9 sec


Joshua Tree National Park Night Landscape

Canon EOS Ra, EF16-35mm f/2.8L II USM Lens, f/2.8, ISO 25600, 25 sec


Tuesday, August 3, 2021

Washington State Hurricane Ridge - Night Sky and Snow Mountains

 

Astrophotography from Washington State Olympic National Park, July 11, New Moon, during astronomy tour in  Hurricane Ridge. 

Canon EOS Ra, EF16-35mm f/2.8L II USM, f/2.8;   ISO 12800, Combination of two photos 4 sec and 30 sec, Hurricane Ridge, Olympic National Park, Washington State.


Washington State Hurricane Ridge - Night Sky and Snow Mountains

I enjoy the night sky view.

Thursday, June 10, 2021

New York City Solar Eclipse - June 10, 2021 - Astrophotography

Solar eclipse - New York City  Staten Island  - June 10, 2021. Approximately 70% of the sun is eclipsed by the moon. Photos were done about 5:30 am in the morning on sunrise. This is view from Staten Island boardwalk to Brooklyn near Verrazzano Bridge.

Canon Ra, Canon  EF 200mm f/2.8 L II USM Telephoto Lens

Solar Eclipse NYC - June 10, 2021 - Astrophotography


Partial Solar Eclipse Staten Island, New York, USA 06-10-2021


People, Birds and Solar Eclipse - NYC view from Staten Island to Brooklyn - June 10, 2021


Wednesday, November 11, 2020

A Tree and the Milky Way

Earth has 3 trillion trees and our Milky Way has approximately 400 billion stars. There are more trees on Earth than stars in the Milky Way galaxy!


A Tree and the Milky Way

Canon Ra, 10 Sec, ISO 16000, EF16-35mm f/2.8L II USM, f/2.8. The Summer Triangle (Vega, Deneb and Altair stars) is visible on this photo.

Thursday, November 5, 2020

Corona Constellation during Coronavirus pandemic

 Corona Borealis is a constellation in the northern sky. Its name means “the northern crown” in Latin. Corona Borealis is the 73rd constellation in size, occupying an area of 179 square degrees. It lies in the third quadrant of the northern hemisphere and can be seen at latitudes between +90 and -50 degrees. 

Corona Constellation during Coronavirus pandemic

Canon EOS Ra, ISO 40,000, 3 sec, EF16-35mm f/2.8L II USM, f/2.8.

Saturday, October 10, 2020

Austin Dam Ruins - Cherry Springs State Park Pennsylvania Astrophotography


Austin Dam was a dam in the Austin, Pennsylvania area that served the Bayless Pulp and Paper Mill. A failure of the dam on September 30, 1911 caused significant destruction and loss of life in the valley below. The dam was rebuilt, but the new dam failed in 1942. The dam was not replaced after the second failure. In 1994 the Austin Dam Memorial Park Association was formed and they since have worked diligently to preserve the dam remains.

 

Austin Dam Ruins - Cherry Springs State Park Pennsylvania Astrophotography

Canon EOS Ra, ISO 16,000, 15 sec, EF16-35mm f/2.8L II USM, f/2.8.


Green airglow is visible on this photo. 

Green Sky and Red Milky Way - Cherry Spring State Park Pennsylvania Astrophotography

Canon EOS Ra, ISO 10,000, 25 sec, EF16-35mm f/2.8L II USM, f/2.8.


Austin Dam Ruins map


Monday, September 14, 2020

Topaz DeNoise AI Canon Ra Milky Way Astrophotography


Noise is one of a problem for astrophotography. Even Canon Ra give less noise (compare 60Da) but still for big zoom it is visible. Before I used Adobe Camera Raw, Noise Ninja, Photoshop denoise filters to fix it. But Topaz DeNoise AI is absolutely amazing - Artificial Intelligence looks like do it much better and in more simple way. Now it is easy amateur photography does as professional one – with minimum noise. Topaz DeNoise AI integrated as filter to Photoshop. 

Topaz DeNoise AI Astrophotography

 
Canon EOS Ra, 5 sec., ISO 20000, f/2.8 16mm + Topaz DeNoise AI

Topaz DeNoise AI Canon Ra Milky Way Astrophotography



Wednesday, August 26, 2020

Canon Ra Panorama Milky Way Toronto Reservoir Bethel, NY


Previous photos of Canon Ra were photos of one short. There is classic panorama photo of 10 shots. Toronto Reservoir Bethel, NY. Toronto Reservoir is a reservoir located just 7.7 miles from Monticello, in Sullivan County, Bethel, in the state of New York, United States, near Black Lake, NY.

Canon Ra Panorama Milky Way Toronto Reservoir Bethel, NY

Canon EOS Ra, F2.8, ISO 6400, Combination of 10 images - 8 sec each, Lens EF16-35mm f/2.8L II USM.

Tuesday, June 30, 2020

Canon Ra Reflection Night Landscape Bethel, Sullivan County, New York Astrophotography

I am continue testing new Canon Ra astrophotography camera. There's nothing quite like starry night sky. Milky Way is moving majestically through the night, and you can see reflection of stars in a small pond. This area was brought to the world's attention in 1969, when nearly 500,000 people gathered at Max Yasgur's Farm for "Three Days of Peace and Music" on Woodstock Festival.


Canon Ra Reflection Night Landscape Bethel,  Sullivan County, New York Astrophotography 
Canon EOS Ra, 25 sec, ISO 20000, F2.8, Lens EF16-35mm f/2.8L II USM

Tuesday, June 23, 2020

Milky Forest - Testing new camera Canon Ra

I have owned the 60Da and now Canon Ra. Very happy. The camera has exceeded my expectations so far. This is one of the first test. Photo was done near Bethel Woods, NY. Lite pollution is less than in NYC, but still is visible. The camera has IR cut filter and center structure of Milky Way is pretty much visible and has good details even for such light pollution.  It is better compare to 60Da.


Milky Forest - Testing new camera Canon Ra
Milky Forest - Canon Ra, f/2.8; ISO 20000, 6 sec., Lens EF16-35mm f/2.8L II USM with Zoom.  High ISO and not so long exposure (usually for Canon 60Da need 10-15 seconds).  Minimum post process in Photoshop, mostly image as is. Canon EOS Ra performs superbly for astrophotography.


Tuesday, October 15, 2019

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

We know the Sun and Moon cast shadows. But if Milky Way is bright enough to throw shadows? This is panorama from San Pedro de Atacama Celestial Explorations Star Tour. On the photo you can see shadows of trees cast by the Milky Way!

Based on Bortle scale of night sky's brightness this is one of the darkness sky on Earth - Scale 1 - Excellent dark-sky site - The Scorpius and Sagittarius region of the Milky Way casts obvious diffuse shadows on the ground. Not so often can see something like this!

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

Green and red airglow is noticeable close to the horizon. The brightest "star" in the center is actually Jupiter. 

Canon 60Da, EF16-35mm f/2.8L II USM, 25.0 sec;  f/2.8;  ISO 6400 - Panorama of 20 photos

This image, slightly different version, has been chosen as Today's Image of the Day 17/11/2019. 

Dark Sky Travels Magazine Image of the Day


Sunday, September 22, 2019

Unintentional Camera Movement Astrophotography

Most of astrophotography is long exposure photos (except photos of sun and some other exception). During long exposure time a lot of can happen. Tripod may move, focus of camera may change, etc. Sometimes you even not remember what happen and only see some strange result on photo. I started astrophotography in middle school with such weird photos. Photos had UFO, which I did not saw by naked eye. Probably it was reflection of car light but maybe not.

There is very close popular photo technic - Intentional Camera Movement. But I am talking about Unintentional Camera Movement. This is one of the photos from adventures in Bolivia. Photo was done in Salar de Uyuni. Interesting effect – looks like camera reached warp speed. No Idea how it happened, probably changed zoom.

Unintentional Camera Movement Astrophotography - Warp Speed

And this is one more example

Unintentional Camera Movement Astrophotography - Meteor Shower

Tuesday, September 17, 2019

Bolivia Astrophotography - Salar de Uyuni at Night

It's something unreal. Photos were done during a Uyuni stargazing tour. Salar de Uyuni Bolivia Milky Way, Southern hemisphere sky, Crux constellation, red and green Airglow, elevation 3,650 m or 12,000 ft. Salar de Uyuni is the world's largest salt flat. Hexagonal formations on the surface is visible on photos. Such formation is a result of salt crystallization from evaporating water.

Canon EOS 60Da, 30 sec., Canon Lens EF16-35mm, f/2.8, ISO 6400, panorama of night sky.

Bolivia Astrophotography - Salar de Uyuni at Night

With 10,582 km^2, more than 10 billion tons of salt and containing up to 70% of the world’s lithium reserves, Salar de Uyuni is the world’s largest salt flat, a vast salt plain near the crest of the Andes in southwest Bolivia has amazing, fantastic night sky view!

Salar de Uyuni Milky Way Bolivia Astrophotography

Southern hemisphere night sky Milky  Way Bolivia Astrophotography

Monday, July 15, 2019

Acadia National Park, Maine USA - Astrophotography

Acadia National Park is one of the darkest place on the East Coast. It is amazing how good sky is here - amazing airglow and shadow from Milky Way. I not even expected something like this on the East Coast of US.


Acadia Astrophotography - Panorama of 4 Images Milky Way over Sand Beach
Canon 60Da, EF16-35mm f/2.8L II USM, 25.0 sec;  f/2.8;  ISO 6400 - Four photos, Panorama

Acadia Astrophptography  Milky Way Night Landscape
Canon 60Da, EF16-35mm f/2.8L II USM, 30.0 sec;  f/2.8;  ISO 12800 - One photo
Black and White Acadia Astrophotography
Canon 60Da, EF16-35mm f/2.8L II USM, 30.0 sec;  f/2.8;  ISO 12800 - One photo

Night Landscape Canon Astrophotography Panorama Milky Way Acadia National Park Maine USA
Canon 60Da, EF16-35mm f/2.8L II USM, 25.0 sec;  f/2.8;  ISO 6400 - 6 photos

Chasing the Milky Way - Acadia National Park

Rainbow Milky Way - Maine Astrophotography, Acadia National Park

Canon 60Da, EF16-35mm f/2.8L II USM, 25.0 sec;  f/2.8;  ISO 6400 - Panorama of 20 photos


I derived with my family and friends from New York to Acadia National Park about 10 hours. There was new moon and weather forecast for this night was good.  It was chance to get good dark sky.

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! Such darkness sky in the Sand Beach can be attributed to two factors: location and park lighting. Newport cove protects the beach from most of the sky glow from major population centers on the island. The beach faces out to the dark open ocean. The surrounding topography blocks the line of sight from Bar Harbor preventing residual sky glow. Park lighting were design to minimized light pollution.

The Sand Beach was good choice.  The Galactic center region of the Milky Way casts obvious diffuse shadows on the ground. Airglow is readily apparent. The presence of Jupiter in the sky seems to degrade dark adaptation. Its big contrast between New York sky and Acadia National Park.

Saturday, June 15, 2019

Hawaii Lunar Eclipse Jan 20 2019

One more photo from vacation. In this case vacation was during full moon :(, but it also was total lunar eclipse :). Hawaii Lunar Eclipse Jan 20 2019.

Hawaii Lunar Eclipse Jan 20 2019

Canon EOS 60D, EF200mm f/2.8L II USM, f/4.5;   ISO 1000

Thursday, April 19, 2018

Antelope Canyon at Night - Astrophotography Arizona

One more night photo from my Arizona trip.

Antelope Canyon at Night - Astrophotography Arizona
Canon EOS 60Da, EF16-35mm f/2.8L II USM, 30.0 sec; f/2.8; ISO 6400

And photo near Antelope Canyon - Horseshoe Bend SunSet

Horseshoe Bend SunSet

Saturday, March 17, 2018

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