Andromeda Above Slovenia's Highest Peak: A 2.5 Million Light-Year Deepscape
Debunking Deepscape Myths
Have you ever looked at a breathtaking astrophotograph and thought, "That can't be real"? One common misconception in the world of deepscape photography is that celestial objects appear unnaturally large. This incredible image of the Andromeda galaxy, positioned directly above Slovenia's highest peak, Mt. Triglav, challenges that notion.
Captured at a focal length of 200mm, both the majestic landscape and the distant galaxy were photographed without any cropping or artificial manipulation of proportions in post-processing. This technique, known as a "deepscape," beautifully marries the terrestrial with the cosmic.
The Art of the Capture
Achieving such a precise alignment and clarity involved meticulous planning and advanced astrophotography techniques. The landscape component of this deepscape is a stack of 5 images, with each individual shot taken at 60 seconds, f/2.8, ISO 1250, and 200mm.
For the sky, a staggering 90 images were stacked. Each of these exposures was also captured at 60 seconds, f/2.8, ISO 1250, and 200mm. To enhance the ethereal glow of the stars, an additional image was taken with the same settings but utilizing a starglow filter.
Gear Used:
- Camera: Nikon Z6
- Lens: Tamron 70-200mm F2.8 G2
- Tracker: Fornax Lightrack ii
Behind the Scenes
Curious about how this shot was brought to life? The photographer has shared a detailed vlog documenting the entire process, including how the star tracking system was utilized to keep the distant Andromeda galaxy perfectly aligned throughout the lengthy exposures. You can catch the vlog for an in-depth look at the challenges and triumphs of capturing this extraordinary image.
This image is a testament to the dedication and skill of the astrophotographer, proving that with the right gear and technique, the wonders of the universe can be brought closer than ever before, even right above our own planet's peaks.
