Capturing the Milky Way in Central Connecticut
Even in areas with moderate light pollution, it's still possible to capture the breathtaking beauty of our galaxy. This astrophotographer demonstrates just that, bringing the majestic Milky Way into focus from central Connecticut.
The Gear and the Setup
The impressive shot was made possible with a keen eye for detail and the right equipment:
- Camera: Nikon D7500
- Lens: Nikkor 20mm f/1.8
- Mount: MSM Nomad with laser polar alignment
The location, south-central Connecticut, is estimated to be around a Bortle 4 sky, indicating a relatively dark but not perfectly pristine environment.
The Imaging Process
Capturing the faint light of the Milky Way requires careful planning and execution. Here's a breakdown of the imaging sessions:
Sky Acquisition:
- Exposure: 10 frames of 30 seconds each, totaling 5 minutes.
- Settings: f/2.8 aperture, ISO 800.
Foreground Acquisition:
- Exposure: 6 frames of 60 seconds each, totaling 6 minutes.
- Settings: f/2.8 aperture, ISO 1600.
Calibration Frames:
To ensure the highest quality data and remove noise and sensor artifacts, a suite of calibration frames were captured:
- 50 Flats
- 10 Darks
- 50 Biases
Post-Processing Techniques
Bringing out the details of the Milky Way involves a multi-stage processing workflow:
- DSS (Deep Sky Stacker): Used for stacking the sky images to reduce noise and enhance faint details.
- Hugin: Employed for foreground stacking, utilizing a 'zero noise' script to seamlessly blend the foreground with the sky.
- Lightroom: Essential for initial curve and color adjustments, bringing out the vibrancy of the galactic core.
- GIMP: The final stage for blending and fine-tuning, ensuring a polished and impactful final image.
This effort showcases that with dedication and the right approach, even light-polluted skies can yield stunning views of our celestial neighbor.
