Emerald Sky: Capturing Tenerife's Unique Celestial Display

This past week, I embarked on a trip to Tenerife, and on the very first night, I was met with an unforgettable sight: the sky was glowing with an intense, emerald green hue. It was a moment of surreal beauty, creating a striking harmony with the terrestrial landscape below. However, this vibrant celestial phenomenon also presented a unique challenge for capturing the true colors of the Milky Way, as the green light subtly influenced the final composition.

Despite the photographic hurdles, the memory of being under such a mesmerizing sky lingers, and I'm eager to share the experience and the results with you all.

Emerald Sky over Roques de Garcia, Tenerife

The Technique Behind the Magic

To bring this scene to life, I employed a multi-faceted approach, combining advanced astrophotography techniques:

HaRGB Mosaic: This technique involves capturing data in different color channels, including Hydrogen-alpha, to enhance the details and colors of nebulae and celestial objects.
Tracking and Stacking: Using a Skywatcher Star Adventurer 2i, I tracked the apparent movement of the stars to achieve sharp, detailed images. Stacking multiple exposures further reduces noise and brings out fainter details.
Composite Imaging: The final image is a composite, carefully blending different exposures and data sets to create a cohesive and impactful representation of the night sky.

Technical Details

Here's a breakdown of the equipment and settings used to capture this remarkable scene at Roques de Garcia, Tenerife:

Sky Capture:

Camera: Sony A7III
Lens: Sigma 28-45 f1.8
Mount: Skywatcher Star Adventurer 2i
Settings: ISO 1250 | f1.8 | 3x50s per Panel
Panorama: 2x2 Panel Mosaic

Foreground Capture:

Settings: ISO 3200 | f1.8 | 80s per Panel
Panorama: 2x2 Panel Mosaic

Halpha (45mm):

Settings: ISO 2500 | f2 | 10x120s

A Glimpse of Rho Ophiuchi

Looking closely at the captured image, one can appreciate the intricate details of celestial formations like Rho Ophiuchi, which appears beautifully rendered within the emerald glow. The combination of light pollution (potentially from distant sources or atmospheric conditions causing the green hue) and the natural emissions from nebulae create a truly unique canvas.

This experience has been a powerful reminder of the ever-changing beauty of our universe and the thrilling challenges that come with trying to document it. I'm already dreaming of my next opportunity to witness such a spectacular night sky.