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

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



Saturday, March 10, 2018

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.

Tuesday, March 6, 2018

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.