Suitable place for viewing Milky Way

paleblue

paleblue

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Hi all,

I've been doing my research for where the dark skies are in the UK, as I'm really hoping to get some nice milky way shots.

I like in Milton Keynes, and although Northumberland has the darkest sky, I can't quite handle the 5+ hour drive. I'd like somewhere within 3.5 hours really.

So right now I'm trying to choose between North Norfolk, Brecon Beacons, and Exmoor National Park.

According to this map, mid wales is my best bet, but this map tells me there is a much lower chance of getting clear skies (cloud/rain) -- with white areas on the map being the most ideal for star gazing.

North Norfolk is white on the second map, but not sure if it will be dark enough due to surrounding light sources.

Anyway, I hope this all makes sense. Appreciate any help anyone can give.
 
Living in South Wales I can tell you although it may be considered a dark sky area in the Beacons it is still not the best for Milky Way shots. The problem is for what I consider a good shot it's best to include some earth based subject in the foreground but you will also then get light pollution from the distant cities down on the coast like Newport, Cardiff etc. as well as the towns in the valleys. They only really seem to be a dark sky area when looking up at the stars not out towards the horizon.

I've found it best to go to the coast where you can look out over the sea with your back to all the light pollution. This can restrict your options particularly with objects/scenes for the foreground, but at least there are no cities over the horizon which become quite noticeable with longer exposures.
 
Ah thanks mate, yes was worried about that. I would likely be aiming towards the horizon so that would be an issue.

You're right about the coast though. I remember going to the Pembrokeshire coast as a kid it's a lovely place. Will have to make a trip back out there at some point (a bit far for this coming trip though). Cheers :)
 
Another area in South Wales you could try is Rhosilli at the end of the Gower. The Worms Head, a partial island would make a great foreground feature if you can line the Milky Way up with it. Might give that a go myself in the near future as I visit it often for the paragliding and just need to wait for night fall and the right weather.
 
Wow, I just looked it up. Whether I'd see the milky way or not doesn't matter; that place looks beautiful
 
I shot the Milky Way at durdle door in dorset !

View attachment 37725

But looking at the South Coast of the Isle of Wight should be fantastic as there's no land to the south
 
Big Andy said:
This thread is the images from a TP meet I organised to the Worms Head a few years ago. https://www.talkphotography.co.uk/threads/worms-head-loony-meet-the-piccies.421476/ It was a daytime meet so no star shots unfortunately.
Click to expand...

Looks amazing mate. Definitely on my list of places to go now! Cheers for sharing

Mark twiglet said:
I shot the Milky Way at durdle door in dorset !

But looking at the South Coast of the Isle of Wight should be fantastic as there's no land to the south
Click to expand...

That's a lovely shot! Durdle door is a place I need to visit anyway, and a relatively straight forward drive. Thanks for the suggestion : )
 
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paleblue said:
Looks amazing mate. Definitely on my list of places to go now! Cheers for sharing



That's a lovely shot! Durdle door is a place I need to visit anyway, and a relatively straight forward drive. Thanks for the suggestion : )
Click to expand...


Pick me up on the way........
 
Mark!! I took your suggestion and went down to Durdle Door last night. It was stunning. Never seen so many stars. Being 6'3" and sleeping in my fiesta was not such a good idea however. Bit gutted with the first pic, as the focus was off slightly (manual focus f/1.4). Hard to gauge on 5D classic's small low res screen. Oh well!

17937670005_a54bf46863_c.jpg

https://www.flickr.com/photos/rickjeavons/17937670005/in/dateposted-public/ (link for Retina screens)

17934605712_f1afbb233f_c.jpg

https://www.flickr.com/photos/rickjeavons/17934605712/in/dateposted-public/ (link for Retina screens)

EDIT: Little bonus timelapse video. It's terrible and only a few frames so had to slow it down. Just to show some shooting stars though
View: https://youtu.be/L3TgLeLAylg
 
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WOW! Glad you had a successful nights shooting ! Great images
 
Great to read this thread and see your end result, cracking images. Im just planning an exmoor trip for end of May and hoping to try some night sky stuff....id love to come back with something like this!
 
Nice stuff!

The North Norfolk coast might work, I've seen the Milky Way from Overstrand before. It was in the opposite direction to the sea so foreground might be trickier than Durdle Door, there's some picturesque windmills to try and frame around though
 
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