Alone with the Milky Way above La Palma

Milky Way above La Palma

During a recent astrophotography trip to the Canary Islands, I had the incredible opportunity to visit La Palma. This island truly lives up to its reputation for boasting some of the most spectacular night skies on Earth!

The Quest for the Perfect Shot

The chosen location was along a trail near Mirador de Los Andenes, perched high on the island's rim. Having scouted this spot online, it was a must-see on my itinerary. My first attempt involved a 50mm lens, but I felt the results could be even better. On my second-to-last night, I returned with a 35mm lens, and thankfully, the gamble paid off – the shots were significantly improved.

Walking alone at night along the caldera's edge is an unparalleled experience. It's a private, awe-inspiring display of the cosmos, where the sheer beauty of the night sky can make any apprehension melt away.

Crafting the Image

The final image is a testament to patience and technique, a panorama meticulously stitched together from 12 sky exposures and 18 foreground shots. To enhance the celestial spectacle, I also captured additional frames using a star glow filter for luminous stars and an H-alpha filter to reveal the subtle red hues of nebulae within our galaxy.

What You're Seeing

In this captured panorama, you can clearly see the vibrant core of the Milky Way, illuminated by the multicolored Rho Ophiuchi nebula. Look closely, and you'll also spot Zeta Ophiuchi, a star enveloped by a vast red cloud, along with the Lagoon, Cat's Paw, Eagle, and other red nebulae nestled in the galactic center. Below, a breathtaking sea of clouds rolls gracefully over the mountains.

A Note on Visibility: While the Milky Way is indeed visible to the naked eye from La Palma, it appears with far fewer details and without the vibrant colors showcased in this photograph. The use of an H-alpha filter was crucial in bringing out the intricate red structures within our galaxy.

Technical Details: