Milky Way And The Moon

danny_bhoy · 5 Dec 2014

Planning a trip up to Dunstanburgh in Northumberland tonight as the forecast is for clear skies.

Looking to get some good Milky Way shots but TPE shows the moon rising at about 4pm tonight and setting at around 6am in the morning - the question is will the moon being high in the sky ruin my chances with the milky way?

Cheers.

jimmyjamjojo · 5 Dec 2014

More than likely, yes. You can sometimes get away with it if the moon is low and the sky is exceptionally clear, but the moon will be high, and the slightest bit of moisture in the air spreads that light all over. I'd leave it a week or 2.

danny_bhoy · 5 Dec 2014

jimmyjamjojo said:
More than likely, yes. You can sometimes get away with it if the moon is low and the sky is exceptionally clear, but the moon will be high, and the slightest bit of moisture in the air spreads that light all over. I'd leave it a week or 2.

Oh balls.

Cheers for the info - I've got a very rare free night tonight so was hoping that wasn't going to be the case but I suspected it would.

jimmyjamjojo · 5 Dec 2014

It's surprising how rarely conditions are good for astronomy in the uk. For 2 weeks of the month the moon is around, the other 2 weeks you need to contend with cloud, haze, and atmospheric turbulence, then you need one of those rare nights to allign with a night off - preferably not a work night... my scope is lucky to get out once a month, even less lately due to stupid work.

My advice would be not to chase it, but just be ready when it happens.

danny_bhoy · 6 Dec 2014

jimmyjamjojo said:
It's surprising how rarely conditions are good for astronomy in the uk. For 2 weeks of the month the moon is around, the other 2 weeks you need to contend with cloud, haze, and atmospheric turbulence, then you need one of those rare nights to allign with a night off - preferably not a work night... my scope is lucky to get out once a month, even less lately due to stupid work.
My advice would be not to chase it, but just be ready when it happens.

You're absolutely right - when I first started researching the specific shot I wanted, I thought that all I needed was a clear night - had no idea I'd be looking for so many other variables to align.

I can see this having to wait until well into the new year.

vtrjames · 8 Dec 2014

danny_bhoy said:
You're absolutely right - when I first started researching the specific shot I wanted, I thought that all I needed was a clear night - had no idea I'd be looking for so many other variables to align.

I can see this having to wait until well into the new year.

It took me over 12 months to get my first usable shot of the Milky Way. When I processed the shot and brought it out, to say I was like a child at Christmas would be a huge understatement!

MNDec · 9 Dec 2014

Ive all but given up on astro photography for now because of the weather. So rare to get a clear moonless night.

keety · 9 Dec 2014

yes, the moon make sit imposisble to get a decent shot of the milky way. To get the milky way you need high iso 3200+ and a long exposure (20-30 seconds).. the light form the moon will ruin it...