VLBA at Owens Valley Radio Observatory: A Surreal Milky Way Shot
The night sky offers some of the most awe-inspiring spectacles, and sometimes, you get a chance to capture them in a truly unforgettable way. I was recently granted special permission to be on-site overnight at the Owens Valley Radio Observatory for some photography, and seeing the Milky Way rise directly behind this incredible radio telescope was nothing short of surreal.
Standing Under Giants
The Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA) at Owens Valley is part of Caltech’s expansive network of radio astronomy dishes. Standing beneath these immense structures, with the vastness of the night sky stretching out behind them, was a profoundly humbling experience. It's moments like these that truly connect you to the cosmos.
The Power of a Single Shot
What's truly wild about this image is that it's a single exposure. No star tracker was used. The complexity of the foreground meant that blending multiple shots would have been a challenge, so the decision was made to focus on timing and simplicity. This photograph is a testament to the fact that you don't always need the most elaborate or specialized gear to capture the magic of the night sky.
Gear and Settings:
- Camera: Sony A7iii (astro modified)
- Lens: Sony 24mm f/1.4 GM
- Focal Length: 24mm
- Aperture: f/2.0
- Shutter Speed: 20 seconds
Location:
- Owens Valley Radio Observatory
- Big Pine, CA
This shot required careful planning and patience to get the timing just right, but the result speaks for itself. If you've ever been intimidated by astrophotography, remember that sometimes, simplicity and a keen eye are all you need.
