Capturing the Cosmos from the Concrete Jungle: Edge of the Milky Way Under Bortle 9 Skies
Even in the heart of a bustling metropolis like São Paulo, Brazil, the wonders of the universe are still within reach. This stunning image, taken from a balcony under notorious Bortle 9 light pollution conditions, offers a remarkable glimpse of the edge of our Milky Way galaxy.
The Challenge of Urban Skies
Astrophotography in a Bortle 9 zone, characterized by extreme light pollution, presents a significant hurdle. The sheer brightness of city lights can easily overwhelm faint celestial objects. As the creator notes, the lack of specialized light pollution filters makes combating the pervasive noise a constant battle, especially when dealing with sensitive equipment and long exposures.
The Process Behind the Image
This captivating result was achieved through a dedicated processing workflow:
- Data Acquisition: The image is composed of 43 light frames and 15 dark frames, meticulously captured to gather as much detail as possible.
- Equipment: A modified Canon t2i (650D) camera paired with an 18mm f4 lens was used for the capture, showcasing accessible yet capable equipment.
- Stacking and Processing: The raw data was expertly aligned and stacked using Siril. Following this, the image underwent further refinement with StarNet for star removal, graXpert for advanced processing, and finally Adobe Lightroom for color correction and overall polish.
An Artistic Interpretation
While the intensity of the processing is a matter of personal taste, the resulting image possesses a unique, almost metallic, copper-like aesthetic that the creator finds particularly appealing. This artistic choice imbues the familiar celestial landscape with a fresh and striking character.
This image serves as an inspiring testament to what can be achieved in astrophotography, even when faced with less-than-ideal observing conditions. It highlights the power of dedicated effort, careful processing, and a unique artistic vision to bring the cosmos closer, even from the most unexpected locations. Céus limpos indeed!
