Query re best time to view/photograph the milkway

[Tamsy]

Hi,
I was wondering if anyone might be able to please help me. So far I think I have found out that in August the milky way core will be visible in the Kruger Park if I look South East. (Please do correct me if I am wrong). I was wondering if there is a specific time or window of time in the night that is best to take a photo of the milky way, in Mopani at the beginning of August.

I know nothing about this, so any advice/guidance would be wonderful. Thank you




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[Elsa]

Tamsy, I like you do not know much about milk way photography.

I looked at this site which might or might not be useful, it seems to have an app that one can download for your particular location tho to help with more info.

https://capturetheatlas.com/best-time-t ... milky-way/

[Tamsy]

Thanks Elsa - thanks so much for taking the time to look for an App. I will look at that App and ask on the forum you suggested.

many thanks

[Tamsy]

I am wanting to photograph the milky way at Mopani Rest camp on the 3rd of August 2022.
And I was wondering if anyone had advice on when would be the best time to do this?

I have been doing my research, and I think I have been able to find out the following. It will be visible from Mopani in August - if I look South East. Obviously it will be taken after sunset which is 17:33. I also know that an illumination from the moon over 30% is not great for photos (and unfortunately the illumination is at 30.6% on the 3rd of August). But still worth a try I think - as I also know nothing about photography :-).

However, what I don't know are:
1) What are the start and end hours where the milkyway would be visible (if weather conditions are right) from Mopani.
2) What time would be the Galactic centre visibility - and what position is the milky way in on this day.
3) Does the moon illumination change over the night e.g. as the moon sets at 22:40 - Would there be less than 30% illumination at around 9pm.

Hopefully once I know all this I will be able to identify the best time to take a picture of the milkyway.

If anyone does have any advice I would really appreciate it. Many thanks Tamsy


Update: I have been helped on Facebook, FYI apparently the best time is just after the moon has set. So in this case it would be 10.30-11.30.

[fu-manchu]

If you want an app for milky way photography, I recommend you Photopills. It will tell you when the galactic core is visible, position and elevation of the core etc. etc.
Look at their website, lot of tips and information about photographing the night sky. Don't miss photopills youtube channel.

[Tamsy]

Thanks very much Fu-manchu

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[ChristineS]

Hi Tamsy

I enjoy taking Milky Way photos, I am no expert, but here is my two cents worth.

In August the Milky Way rises in the South Western sky. The Milky Way is high in the sky between 21h30 - 23h30 then it starts to drop down below the horizon. The best days for photos are the first three days of August and then from the 20th August. Between these dates the moon is also up in the sky and washes out the stars in any photo. I use the "sky safari" app, it's worth a look.

As far as the camera setting go,

I use a wide angle zoom lens, usually set at a focal length of around 24mm

The wider the better as far as aperture is concerned, my lens has a maximum aperture of f4.0, a f2.8 would be better.

As far as ISO setting go I take many photos and vary the ISO between 2000 - 4000.

My exposure time is usually between 20 - 25 seconds, any longer and you will start to see blurring caused by the movement of the stars.

Obviously a tripod id required to get sharp photos. Be careful of light pollution from the camp lights.

Attached are a couple of Milky Way photos.

Christine

[ChristineS]

Just to clarify the two photos on my previous post, that is not what comes out of the camera. Both photos were post processed in Lightroom. I have attached a photo out of the camera without any post processing, gives you some idea of what to expect.

Christine

[Tamsy]

Just to clarify the two photos on my previous post, that is not what comes out of the camera. Both photos were post processed in Lightroom. I have attached a photo out of the camera without any post processing, gives you some idea of what to expect.

Christine

ISO 3200.jpg

Thanks Christine, this is so helpful! Your photos look great.

And I am so lucky as will be there right at the beginning of August. So just fit in that window.

Thank you so much for taking the time to share all of this information.

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[Ouma Biskuit]

Those are very good photos.