Light pollution images around the world

[A.S.I.G.N. Observatory]

Hi all, some time ago I asked for pictures from people all over the world to capture the light pollution in major cities.

Many people responded, and quite a few followed through. An article was written and the images were posted here (http://www.asignobservatory.com/world_light_pollution.aspx).
It is with humble grattitude I truly thank all those who submitted images.

I would like to extend the request for more images from anyone here who can comply with the capture parameters listed in the article.

Would love to hear from you,

Baz.

ASIGN Observatory.

[A.S.I.G.N. Observatory]

Back to the top........

Any takers?

All that is required is a 30 second exposure at night.

Your name will be credited to the image.:cool:

Baz.

[Ianfp]

I will try and take a shot at the weekend if the weather is ok!
Ian

[gregrocco]

I'm still learning on my first DSLR camera (XSi), so forgive me for asking what is undoubtedly a "noobish" question, but how, exactly, does one take a picture with a 30 second exposure? I've done some experimenting taking pics at night of cars driving down my street where you end up with those neat streams of light, but nothing approaching 30 seconds. I'd be happy to submit a pic, what settings would you reccomend?

[DragonDan]

Sorry, you do not have the specified camera. He needs the exact settings/ parameters duplicated for his study.

Although, basically you'd need a tripod and remote switch. The camera's shutter is set to Bulb, which means the shutter is open until you tell it to close. My wired remote switch has a lock feature, so it's easy to keep the contact closed. On my XTi there is a timer that shows up when you trip the shutter. The kit lens used here is set to Manual focus. I had to snap a few trials to get the focus as clear as I could. I also went into the custom functions and told the camera to flip up the mirror, to stay any vibrations that might have shown up when the shutter was tripped.

[timescapes.org]

I have quite a few examples of light pollution in California.

Here is one:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/digitallion/2672029279/

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3163/2672029279_88ec4bbbc1.jpg

This is after very careful RAW processing. A lot of that pollution is coming from 50 miles away. I understand that the lights of Las Vegas can be seen on the horizon for up to 200 miles!

BTW, on a related note, I have searched the internet up and down looking for detailed maps or articles mapping the DARKEST places in the USA. Does anyone know a good source for finding dark spots?

I think the northwest corner of "Area 51" in Nevada (near Tonopah) is considered to be one of the darkest in the USA. But dust and particles in the air can be an issue, because it's all desert in the surrounding areas.

[NeoTokyo]

I meant to loan a pic to you last time but didn't have good weather at the time.

Is it ok if I use my 40D and 24~105mm or do you need a differnt setup?

~Eric~

[chauncey]

Any deep canyon will meet your needs, no reflected light from a hole.

[A.S.I.G.N. Observatory]

I meant to loan a pic to you last time but didn't have good weather at the time.

Is it ok if I use my 40D and 24~105mm or do you need a differnt setup?

~Eric~
Eric,

The 40D should be fine, I think the chip sensitivity is the same as the 400D(XTi). If you are going to use the 24-105mm, then shoot at 24mm and as close to F3.5 as you can get.

Look at the other examples to see what sort of shot I am after.

The idea is to see how bad the normal light pollution is. NO enhanced processing.

For everyone else, look at the link in the first post and you will find the capture details. Try not to stray too far from them.

Baz.

[A.S.I.G.N. Observatory]

I will try and take a shot at the weekend if the weather is ok!
Ian
Thanks Ian, I will keep an eye out for you.

Cheers,

Baz.

[NeoTokyo]

Gotcha, I have a set aperture of no larger than 4.0 so that's what I will have to shoot at.

I also have a 50mm 1.8 that I could stop down to 3.5 if you prefer that.

[A.S.I.G.N. Observatory]

Gotcha, I have a set aperture of no larger than 4.0 so that's what I will have to shoot at.

I also have a 50mm 1.8 that I could stop down to 3.5 if you prefer that.
Have a go at both if you like and send them. You may as well if you are out there anyway.

Cheers,

Barry.

[Adrena1in]

Have a go at both if you like and send them. You may as well if you are out there anyway.

Cheers,

Barry.

How bizarre, I was only out last night, taking a few shots in hopeless conditions, and thought to myself, "How about starting a thread for people to show me photos of what sort of light pollution they have to contend with?". And here the thread is!

I'll take some soon.

In the mean time, here's a small idea of what I have to contend with sometimes. About 300 yards south of my house is an Army Camp, with a floodlit football pitch. It's not normally in view, but I was out on the fields last night and took this 10mm, f/3.5, 2s wide-angle of the moon and Jupiter, with the stadium just noticeable towards the left.

http://img517.imageshack.us/img517/6591/stadiummoonjupiter10mmfnq3.th.jpg (http://img517.imageshack.us/my.php?image=stadiummoonjupiter10mmfnq3.jpg)http://img517.imageshack.us/images/thpix.gif (http://g.imageshack.us/thpix.php)

Then this 50mm. f/1.8, 1/4s shot of the Stadium under attack by celestial jellyfish! (I wish!)

http://img527.imageshack.us/img527/2395/stadiumattack50mmf1825sef0.th.jpg (http://img527.imageshack.us/my.php?image=stadiumattack50mmf1825sef0.jpg)

[A.S.I.G.N. Observatory]

How bizarre, I was only out last night, taking a few shots in hopeless conditions, and thought to myself, "How about starting a thread for people to show me photos of what sort of light pollution they have to contend with?". And here the thread is!

I'll take some soon.

In the mean time, here's a small idea of what I have to contend with sometimes. About 300 yards south of my house is an Army Camp, with a floodlit football pitch. It's not normally in view, but I was out on the fields last night and took this 10mm, f/3.5, 2s wide-angle of the moon and Jupiter, with the stadium just noticeable towards the left.

http://img517.imageshack.us/img517/6591/stadiummoonjupiter10mmfnq3.th.jpg (http://img517.imageshack.us/my.php?image=stadiummoonjupiter10mmfnq3.jpg)http://img517.imageshack.us/images/thpix.gif (http://g.imageshack.us/thpix.php)

Then this 50mm. f/1.8, 1/4s shot of the Stadium under attack by celestial jellyfish! (I wish!)

http://img527.imageshack.us/img527/2395/stadiumattack50mmf1825sef0.th.jpg (http://img527.imageshack.us/my.php?image=stadiumattack50mmf1825sef0.jpg)
Terrible that you have to contend with such.

Although, my request for LP photos is trying to avoid direct light and capture the ambient light in the sky itself.

Nice shots though.

Baz.

[A.S.I.G.N. Observatory]

Ok, the full moon is waning now and getting up later each night....start planning your shoot folks, and GET ME THOSE PHOTOS!;)

Baz.

[Adrena1in]

Once the crumby weather clears I'm going to take a few shots from my main site.

[Celestron]

Ok, the full moon is waning now and getting up later each night....start planning your shoot folks, and GET ME THOSE PHOTOS!;)

Baz.


Just sent you one in email from your website . Hope it's ok .

[A.S.I.G.N. Observatory]

Got it thanks Ron, sent you a return email.

Baz.

[Adrena1in]

Lovely clear night tonight, have just sent you an image.

[A.S.I.G.N. Observatory]

Lovely clear night tonight, have just sent you an image.
Got it, thanks mate. Will add it to the article soon.

http://www.asignobservatory.com/world_light_pollution.aspx

Cheers,

Baz.

[Celestron]

I sent you another email with another image .

[A.S.I.G.N. Observatory]

I sent you another email with another image .
Got it Ron.

[A.S.I.G.N. Observatory]

Calling for any more submissions.

There is a new moon coming up at the end of January. Should provide some very dark nights to get your LP images in to me.

Baz.

[A.S.I.G.N. Observatory]

Did anyone get any this new moon?

Send me those pics!

Baz.

[Joergen Geerds]

Ok, the full moon is waning now and getting up later each night....start planning your shoot folks, and GET ME THOSE PHOTOS!;)

Baz.

well, I don't know if it helps, but NYC is probably the most light polluted area in the world:
newyorkpanorama.com/category/nighttime (http://newyorkpanorama.com/category/nighttime/)

Let me know if this helps at all, or if you need additional info.

[A.S.I.G.N. Observatory]

well, I don't know if it helps, but NYC is probably the most light polluted area in the world:
newyorkpanorama.com/category/nighttime (http://newyorkpanorama.com/category/nighttime/)

Let me know if this helps at all, or if you need additional info.
Hi Joergen. THanks for that link. That's some pretty awesome panoramics in there. I love the fisheye sort of shot looking down on the buildings. You can really feel the cancer of construction spreading out over the land.

Unfortunately, the frame needs to be more like tohe ones on this page
http://www.asignobservatory.com/world_light_pollution.aspx

No direct light in the frame, looking up at the sky to where you can see the biggest concentration of stars (if any). It looks like there are non in NY.

Tell me, was it a clear night? Can you see any at all?

Baz.

[Joergen Geerds]

Hi Joergen. THanks for that link. That's some pretty awesome panoramics in there. I love the fisheye sort of shot looking down on the buildings. You can really feel the cancer of construction spreading out over the land.

Unfortunately, the frame needs to be more like tohe ones on this page
http://www.asignobservatory.com/world_light_pollution.aspx

No direct light in the frame, looking up at the sky to where you can see the biggest concentration of stars (if any). It looks like there are non in NY.

Tell me, was it a clear night? Can you see any at all?

Baz.

hi Baz,

if you go to my other website, luminous-newyork.com (http://luminous-newyork.com/), and click on the zoomify links, and zoom almost all the way in, you can see some stars, maybe 500-2000 of them. "Trump Tower and UN" is a good source (1.4 gigapixel, 270 degree view eastward). but yes, stars are somewhat subtle occurrence in the sky over NYC, but they are there.

[Rrdstarr]

The best place I found in the US is near Moab, UT on the White rim trail. No light on the horizon of any sort. I had some old film pictures of the stars that were awesome! Sadly I can't find them anymore?

A.S.I.G.N. Could I use my 18-200 Sigma, set at 18mm, to send you a sample of Victoria, BC area? I have the XTi but sold the kit lens.

[A.S.I.G.N. Observatory]

The best place I found in the US is near Moab, UT on the White rim trail. No light on the horizon of any sort. I had some old film pictures of the stars that were awesome! Sadly I can't find them anymore?

A.S.I.G.N. Could I use my 18-200 Sigma, set at 18mm, to send you a sample of Victoria, BC area? I have the XTi but sold the kit lens.

Thanks Rrdstarr, That would be fine mate, just make sure your aperture is set on 18.

Cheers,

Barry.