Rising Milky Way Core 🌌

The celestial spectacle of the Milky Way's core has returned, and I'm thrilled to share my first capture of the season! While time constraints meant I couldn't venture to the darkest skies, this shot was taken in a Bortle 4/5 region, and I'm quite pleased with how it turned out.

Overcoming Light Pollution with H-alpha

Even in areas with moderate light pollution, H-alpha filters prove to be incredibly effective. Especially when utilizing a longer focal length, the ability to extract fine details from the galaxy's nebulosity remains impressive. This technique allowed me to bring out the vibrant hydrogen-alpha emissions that often get washed out.

Technical Details

Here's a glimpse into how this image was created:

• Camera: Sony Alpha 7 III
• Lens: Sigma 28-45mm f/1.8 at 40mm
• Location: Bavaria, Germany (Bortle 4/5 region)

Sky:

• ISO 800 | f/1.8 | 8 x 35-second exposures per panel
• 2x2 Panel Panorama

Foreground:

• ISO 1600 | f/1.8 | 45-second exposure
• 2x1 Panel Panorama

H-alpha Data:

• Lens: Sigma 65mm f/2
• ISO 2500 | f/2 | 7 x 75-second exposures

This project was a fantastic reminder of the power of dedicated equipment and processing techniques to reveal the universe's wonders, even when faced with less-than-ideal conditions. I'm already eager for my next opportunity to shoot under darker skies!