Nightfly Astrophotography

The summer of 2009 so far has been one of the cloudiest in Maine. This is a major disappointment to stargazers who have looked forward to summer observing. Fortunately we are moving into what tends to be the clearest skies of the year. The weather of late summer and early fall provides crisp clear evenings perfect for stargazing. As soon as darkness falls on September evenings the Milky Way runs high overhead. One can see the largest stretch of our galaxy’s incomparable light as it blazes from the northeast in Perseus through Cygnus and Aquila, ending magnificently in Sagittarius on the south horizon. The bright star Vega dazzles overhead. It is the brightest in our evening sky as soon as Arcturus sets, but yields to brilliant Capella late at night. Lying on your back in a large field under dark skies one can get a feeling of traveling in space, as indeed we are. Jupiter rises in the southeast in Capricornus, the sea goat. The largest planet in our solar system, Jupiter’s size can be just made out in binoculars. Held steady, small instruments can show up to four Galilean moons. Galileo discovered these moons 400 years ago. Their orbit around Jupiter can be seen as you watch from night to night. A small telescope will give an impressive view, far surpassing Galileo’s. On the evenings on September 2nd and the 29th, Jupiter is in close conjunction with the nearly full Moon. These will be spectacular sights, so mark your calendar. If you are interested in celebrating the night sky with others, please take part in the many events taking place this month at the Acadia Night Sky Festival from September 17th though the 23rd. For more information visit http://nightskyfestival.org

The Earth is but a perch to view the larger Universe. The Milky Way galaxy’s visibility for the greater part of human history was a birthright. Our well lit technological age has reduced or eliminated its visibility, leaving it to the few rural and remote areas left. Fortunately, Maine has the largest area of naturally dark skies east of the Mississippi. This is dark sky country. Prime Milky Way observing will be on moonless nights which occur the latter half of the month. An optimal viewing location will include a good southern horizon as well as a clear overhead. Our Milky Way Galaxy and its dark rift appear from Cassiopeia in the north, overhead in Cygnus, through Aquila, Ophiuchus, and ends most spectacularly in Sagittarius near the southern horizon. The Star clouds that populate Maine’s summer Milky Way shine with a peerless light, subtle yet starkly wonderful. Nothing is more awe inspiring. It stimulates our sense of wonder and a zest for learning. Lunar events for July include a close encounter with Scorpius’ brightest star on the 3rd. The Moon will be seen hanging to the lower right of red-orange Antares. On the evening of the 25th, Saturn is in conjunction with the Moon. Saturn will appear to the upper right of our natural satellite. Spica, the brightest star in Virgo, tops our Moon on the 27th. All these events will be visible in early evening. The scene will be most striking in deep twilight. The Delta Aquarid meteor shower peaks on the 28th. The radiant is rather low on the southwest horizon after midnight; however, up to twenty meteors per hour may be seen. The first quarter moon will set by 11:00 and will increase the chances of seeing them.

"Film is dead". I keep hearing this from family, business associates, and even astrophotographers. As a film astrophotographer I can tell you that film is far from dead on this end. As a matter of fact, because everyone has caught the digital buzz, the unique quality of film work is being done by just a handfull of people worldwide. As long as the proper films for this type of work are available, and as long as there are processing chemicals, I will be doing film astrophotography. This is not just to uphold the tradition of film photography. Film provides quality images and in some cases is the only way to shoot a subject. No batteries, very low temperture limits, and very high quality images when employing medium format cameras. Stay tuned for more exciting images as the summer of 2009 is just getting underway. Now, if the skies will just clear.

This time of year represents the mandated slowdown in nightly outdoor activities. Observing and astrophotography are hit and miss. If it is clear, it is usually too cold. If it's warm? Clouds..... I have managed to get out, but it is a few nights a month. February should moderate the temperature somewhat. Again it will be hit or miss. On the news front. We have a few new lenses to work with . The 55mm f/4 will produce amazing wide field Milky Way Panorama's . The 200mm f/4 that was a gift from Igor Morin , will frame some detailed areas of the Milky Way. Thanks Igor.

October provides New Englanders with warm sunny days and cool clear nights. The period of late summer and early fall could easily be called “stargazing season” since this time of year provides the highest percentage of clear skies. The cold crisp air seams to recall our fondness for the night sky and lures us out our homes. Take time for your eyes to adjust to the darkness, at least 20 minutes. This will allow you to see and appreciate the night sky to the fullest. If a light is necessary for reading star charts, use a red flashlight. A regular flashlight can be covered with red cellophane if a red lens is not available. Red light diminishes night vision the least. The bright Summer Triangle is still nearly overhead come nightfall, but Sagittarius is sinking low in the southwest. Arcturus is sinking low in the northwest. The big dipper is just above the trees looking north. The Milky Way’s brightest region lies high overhead in Cygnus, the Swan. Cygnus is home to the largest and brightest star cloud in the northern skies. It is visible south of its brightest star, Deneb. The remainder of October’s Milky Way traverses through Cepheus, Cassiopeia, and Perseus. October’s Orionid meteor shower, which peaks on the early morning hours of the 21st, is not the most prominent shower, but can contain fireballs as well as faint meteors. This year the Moon will diminish the usual count of about 25 meteors per hour. Jupiter has a close encounter with the Moon on the evenings of the 6th and 7th. Both will be low on the south-west horizon and will offer a spectacular scene with the fall landscape just after dusk.