Happy International Dark Sky Week! Did you know that northern Minnesota has some of the darkest skies on Earth and that the BWCA (Boundary Waters Canoe Area) has been designated one of only 17 International Dark Sky Sanctuaries on the planet?

#astronomy
#darksky
#darkskyweek
#darkskypreserve

Recent photo from my local FB Lake Superior Birding Photography Group for you to enjoy 😎

(By the way, this is not a photograph taken in the BWCA, but taken on Lake Superior’s north shore, but does give a nice representation somewhat of the clear dark skies with this capture of the Milky Way.)

Big moon over Lion’s Head #lunarbeauty #moon #astrophotography #p1000 #opticalzoom #125x #lunarphotography #nightsky #darkskypreserve #clearnight #nofilter #brucepeninsula #lionsheadontario https://instagr.am/p/CoWCoR_NMto/

As with most targets of the back yard observatory this year, 🔭 this M101 galaxy and Lion nebula were captured using Esprit 150, QHY128C and 5 minute subs. Processed in PixInsight. Have been trying for longer multi-hour total integration times, to improve signal-to-noise characteristics.

May also marks the start of camping season. Lucky this year to have had a seasonal site at my local #DarkSkyPreserve 🔭 🌃

#astrophotography #astrodon #astronomy #nlskies2022 #TerraNovaNP #ParksCanada

Tried the new Spectrophotometric colour calibration routine in #PixInsight. Not sure it made much difference vs Photometric Colour Calibration. I might very well have used it incorrectly 🤪 Need more time with it.

Here's resultant re-work of wide field #Cassiopeia constellation & #MilkyWay. From early September at #TerraNovaNP #DarkSkyPreserve.

Andromeda Galaxy is lower right. Heart & Soul nebulae (red) lower left. Elephant's Trunk Nebula (red) is upper right.

#astrophotography
#astrodon

Yet another wide angle shot of the #MilkyWay from this past camping season. So many stars make it difficult to identify constellations!

Much joy working on this as it reminds me of warm summer nights under clear #DarkSkyPreserve skies. Once gear is set up, I can recline on my "anti gravity meteor chair" & soak it in. A form of #StarBathing I guess.

30 x 1min 6400iso
35mm lens @ f2.5
Canon 6D & star tracker.

#astrophotography
#astrodon
#TerraNovaNP

Here's another wide field shot - centered on Cassiopeia constellation. This is from images captured in early September. Stacked 51 images from a 35mm lens and Canon 6D on a star tracker.

Andromeda Galaxy is lower right. Annotated version identifies some of the interesting objects such as Heart and Soul nebulae (lower left in Milky Way).

Already miss being in the park under clear, dark and warm(er) skies.

#MilkyWay #astrophotography
#astrodon
#TerraNovaNP #DarkSkyPreserve

Finally got my sh-t together. 🤪 Namely, finished generating flats/darks calibration files for Cygnus Milky Way images I captured at #TerraNovaNP #DarkSkyPreserve in August.

The 35mm lens is wide enough to show other constellations around Cygnus (Lyra, Delphinius). Lots of 🤩 stars/star clouds from the Milky Way are visible as well as some familiar nebulous regions & dark nebulae. Highlighted a few in the annotated version.

63x1m
Canon 6D
iOptron SkyGuider tracker

#astrophotography #astrodon

The galactic core region of the Milky Way hanging over the Exmoor landscape - with vehicle light trails on the Porlock to Exford road near Lucott Cross. Part of the #Exmoor Dark Sky Reserve. #exmoornationalpark #photography #landscapephotography #astronomy #astrophotography #darkskypreserve #darkskyreserve

Finally got my sh-t together. 🤪 Namely, finished generating flats/darks calibration files for Cygnus Milky Way images I captured at #TerraNovaNP #DarkSkyPreserve in August.

The 35mm lens is wide enough to show other constellations around Cygnus (Lyra, Delphinius). Lots of 🤩 stars/star clouds from the Milky Way are visible as well as some familiar nebulous regions & dark nebulae. Highlighted a few in the annotated version.

63x1m
Canon 6D
iOptron SkyGuider tracker

#astrophotography #astrodon

#Introduction

On "social media" since dial-up BBS! Mech Engineer. IT/IM/IS. Married & dad of adult children (& dogs). Nearing retirement (maybe?). Occasional ice hockey player. #GoHabs :=)

Fortunate to have some #astronomy & #astrophotography toys. Finding my way through the wonders of our universe, via our night sky. Will share images/video from time to time.

Our night skies need protection from #LightPollution. So will occasionally post about #DarkSkyPreserve etc initiatives.

#astrodon

Still in a long stretch of crappy weather 😒. Winter is on the way for us "northerners". Not much #astrophotography or star gazing for me I'm afraid.

Wishing I was here right now (I mean right ACTUAL now 🤪)

#astronomy
#astrodon
#starbathing
#darkskypreserve
#TerraNovaNP