Is it possible to capture the milky way on 8/12/11?

I am going to attempt to capture the Milky Way on 8/12/11. The location is 1 1/2 hours from Seattle so hopefully light pollution is not going to be a problem. My only concern is that the moon is going to be full that night. Is that going to be a problem?

vinunleaded wrote in post #12837452
I am going to attempt to capture the Milky Way on 8/12/11. The location is 1 1/2 hours from Seattle so hopefully light pollution is not going to be a problem. My only concern is that the moon is going to be full that night. Is that going to be a problem?

iPad app (Star Walk) shows for Seatle area the Moon won't rise till after 10:30pm yet the sun won't set till around 11:30pm

If the moon IS full, which by the middle of the month it is getting there, the moon MAY cause you some trouble trying to get som good shots of the fainter stars. go for it anyhow, and good luck! Post your results.......

Justin

You may have some luck shortly after dusk, or before dawn when the moon is furthest from the Milky Way. I don't think you'll really get anything when the moon is close to the milky way in the sky. The full moon is a good opportunity to try some other night shots. On a few occasions, I've taken pictures of mountains or other interesting landscapes lit by the moon with a starry sky in the background. Good luck.

Laserlight wrote in post #12837797
iPad app (Star Walk) shows for Seatle area the Moon won't rise till after 10:30pm yet the sun won't set till around 11:30pm

This seemed off, so I checked via http://www.usno.navy.m​il …ta-services/rs-one-day-us

Based on above - moon rise before sun set - I say the 99% full moon will wash out your dark skies, it is what it is.

Thanks for the replies guys.
mtbdudex, what did you google to find that website?

vinunleaded wrote in post #12838155
Thanks for the replies guys.
mtbdudex, what did you google to find that website?

link is in my post above, I found it 2 years ago when first getting into astrophotos.
I use it to plan around.
good luck

mtbdudex wrote in post #12838145
This seemed off, so I checked via http://www.usno.navy.m​il …ta-services/rs-one-day-us


Based on above - moon rise before sun set - I say the 99% full moon will wash out your dark skies, it is what it is.

Wow, so much for a $4.99 app.

The only thing I'll add is for truly dark skies you wait approx 45+ minutes on either side of civil twilight for the sun to be 18 degrees below the horizon (in my memory).

Its called astronomical(sp) twilight.

Then, the skies are not affected by sunlight.

Can anyone give me any guidance on how to capture the milky way?

use your widest lens, and widest aperture. Crank your ISO up pretty high. On the 5DII, you should be able to get away with at least 3200 without too much noise. Focus using a bright star, and Live View at max zoom. Based on your equipment listed, I'd say to use the 24-70 at F2.8. On the 5DII, you should be able to get around 25 seconds before the stars start to leave trails. Also, use a cable release or set the timer, so that you don't jiggle it on the tripod.

vinunleaded, Paul is right:
Use your widest lens and shoot in a dark moonless location with a tripod at the largest aperture. 8/12 will probably be close to the full moon so I don't know how well things will work out for you.

A 30 sec exposure with a 14mm lens will not leave a perceptible star trail. A 24mm lens will be pushing it but depends on how finicky you are.

Here is an example of a milky way shot with a 14mm lens with a cropped frame body.

http://www.flickr.com …/in/set-72157627136712042

and another with a fixed tripod and a 5d mark II with the same 14mm lens for 1 min. Star trailing is visible.

http://www.flickr.com/​photos/ramv/5999801873​/

ramv wrote in post #12860161
vinunleaded, Paul is right:
Use your widest lens and shoot in a dark moonless location with a tripod at the largest aperture. 8/12 will probably be close to the full moon so I don't know how well things will work out for you.

A 30 sec exposure with a 14mm lens will not leave a perceptible star trail. A 24mm lens will be pushing it but depends on how finicky you are.

Here is an example of a milky way shot with a 14mm lens with a cropped frame body.

http://www.flickr.com …/in/set-72157627136712042

and another with a fixed tripod and a 5d mark II with the same 14mm lens for 1 min. Star trailing is visible.

http://www.flickr.com/​photos/ramv/5999801873​/

my god your work is amazing!

vinunleaded wrote in post #12844350
Can anyone give me any guidance on how to capture the milky way?

+1 on other advice plus.... Dark site, dark site, dark site, dark site.........
Guess what? I don't have a dark site!!!!!! Without one, capturing stars is possible, but not nebulosity.

martyn_bannister wrote in post #12921430
+1 on other advice plus.... Dark site, dark site, dark site, dark site.........
Guess what? I don't have a dark site!!!!!! Without one, capturing stars is possible, but not nebulosity.

Take your next vacation martyn at a dark site....

In past 9 years where I live light pollution is starting to creep up.

The only good thing about this recession is it halted Menards (DIY palce like Home Depot/Lowes) and some others from building 2.5 miles away North/East of me......