The Clear skies...Nope!

I had hoped for clear skies, so here's an attempt at Astro during the cloudy bits, a quick 10 minutes or so as the camera started displaying "unable to process" or summat. The Milky Way should have been in there, but not to be.

The first (of the same shot) is better with the clouds IMHO, the second I tried multiple settings in RT to try remove them which essentially just darkened the picture.
Single shot no stacking, K1 mkII with astro setting '3' SR. 20 secs ISO 800 f4 DA* 12-18mm at 18mm.
1.



2. Darker...

Repeat after me....

I will not.....

Go out.....

And try.....

Astrophotography....

While....

The Moon....

Is out!!!



Unless you have a dual narrow band filter!! Which to fit that lens will cost an arm, a leg, and your left testicle!

The moon is at about 70% brightness. It'll just wash everything out.

Also at present the core isn't visible. August/September is the best time to catch it. Have a look at Photopills. It's a payware app for a smart phone, but it is really usefull for planning core shots. It tells and shows you when the core is visible, as well as telling you the best times to shoot it.

Oh, I used a website that informed me the moonrise wasn't until 20:21 ( sunset 18:10'ish) but due to the cloud and rain I didn't venture out in the car to a remote spot, just the garden. I knew light pollution was a problem from experience before in the back garden, but I thought I would try again.
https://www.timeanddate.com/moon/uk/plymouth
As for core shots, I'm sure I've read that it's still visible during most of the winter? IIRC

I was joshing with you about the moon.... i know your not that daft!!

But.... your best chances are still when there is a new moon. Even tho the moon is below the horizon, it is still throwing of a huge amount of light. As you know, wide angle lenses are light hoovers. With a scope I am a lot more focused on a smaller area. So I will not get as much light in.

As for the core, yes it is there but it kind of isn't. During October its rapidly starting to fade. I've found through experience Aug/Sept are best.

Another good app is APT DC. It gives you all the timings for twilight, sunset, moon phase and strength. See image below.

Link to APT DC




DSD Time is your shooting time. It is the time between astro twilight end, and moon rise. Unless you have a narrow barrow band filter. As the moon fades this will lengthen.

Contrast enhanced image 1 which shows the extent of the clouds.

With the contrast that high, you can see Cygnus more clearly. It should also make out the core visible as well....

I am off tonight to hopefully capture the comet, while out I'll see if can get the core.

The 'Core' ?

Never heard of that in an astro photography context before...assume it refers to the bright spine of the visible Milky Way?

Yes.... the Galactic Core.

Thanks for the info Spad, I knew the new moon was the best time, hope all goes well tonight for you. As for Pay Apps, shock what me actually pay for owt!

Ffs.... it's cheap!!!

Have you got the Yorkshire gene???

nah, that's a myth created by the Lancashire people, but yes I have

I was born and dragged up Doncaster....

So I have a lot of the Yorkshire gene in me, but after having a two hour lecture from my old man about the virtues of saving money. I decided to suppress my Yorkshire gene.... it pops up now and again!

By the way.... the lecture was precipitated by me asking to borrow a fiver.....