Capturing Celestial Wonders: A Guide to Star Photography

There’s something remarkable about looking up at a sky adorned with stars — a reminder of our insignificance in the larger universe. From adventurous camping experiences to geodesic domes that let us gaze awestruck beneath a blanket of stars, numerous ways exist to appreciate the magnificence of the nocturnal sky. However, witnessing with your own eyes is just one aspect; attempting to capture an image of a dark sky can prove to be difficult. Grabbing your smartphone spontaneously on a clear night may excite some, but meticulous pre-planning is essential to enhance the chances of achieving an almost flawless capture. Once you become involved in astrophotography, it might evolve into your next passion — simply select a spot, monitor the weather, and you never know what stunning images you might attain.

Astrophotography advice you must be aware of

Similar to capturing the Northern Lights, keeping the camera stable, raising the ISO, extending the shutter time (usually a few seconds) and utilizing a wide aperture along with a lens that can embrace the vastness of the scene is crucial. Opting for a high-quality mirrorless or DSLR camera setup is ideal, although intuitive night modes and AI features on most current smartphones have simplified low-light photography significantly.

Utilizing a tripod
Regardless of your camera system, you’ll require something to minimize camera shake, whether that’s a tripod or alternative stabilization methods. If nothing is available, find a stable surface for your camera and use the timer to prevent blurry images.

Lens selections
A wider lens will encompass more of the sky; however, if you have a striking focal point like a perfect tree or mountain arch, framing the Milky Way above may necessitate something more narrow, so experiment with the equipment you possess — and don’t hesitate to shoot vertically. Arriving at your site early to scout the terrain is beneficial — composing scenes in pitch darkness can be difficult. If this isn’t feasible, use a head torch to illuminate the area while being considerate of other astrophotographers and stargazers.

Using your smartphone
While it’s the artificial light pollution prevalent in metropolitan areas that obstructs our full experience of the night sky, it’s technology that enables us to meaningfully document it. Activating night mode, the camera will automatically compensate for longer exposure and elevated ISO. Stargazing applications such as PhotoPills and Night Sky are ideal for pointing your smartphone at the heavenly bodies and figuring out where to be and at what time. Most smartphones additionally provide a ‘professional mode’ allowing you to modify the camera settings similarly to how one would on a DSLR.

Travel wisely and remain secure 
While capturing the stars doesn’t require an all-night expedition, you will probably need to head to an elevated, secluded, or isolated area, so prepare ahead and travel wisely. Once the sun sets in desert regions, temperatures plummet, thus ensure you’re equipped with warm clothing and suitable footwear. A head torch is recommended, particularly one that emits red light to help maintain your night vision while enabling you to read dials and light your path.

(A practical manual for stargazing.)

Best times and locations for astrophotography

The finest skies for astrophotography are the driest and clearest, making it unsurprising that deserts and secluded areas provide optimal conditions. The IDA — or International Dark-Sky Association — serves as an excellent resource, showcasing designated dark locations in 22 nations across six continents, while advocating for communities to preserve their surroundings through low-glow street lighting and various initiatives.

USA
The Great Western Starry Way across the US connects several significant sites, each offering the kind of dry climate and altitude that facilitates astrophotography. Utah undeniably stands out as a captivating destination characterized by its stunning landscapes, creating a remarkable focal point for your night sky photographs. Capture breathtaking images at the Natural Bridges National Monument, recognized as the first IDA Dark Sky Park in 2007, while stargazing and wishing for a shooting star.

Arizona, too, boasts some of the premier stargazing locations globally, featuring 20 designated areas, ranging from the Grand Canyon in the north to the southern Sonoran Desert. Notably, Flagstaff was designated as the first-ever Dark Sky City in 2001, and the Lowell Observatory is where Pluto was initially discovered. There’s a new astronomy center offering an open-air rooftop planetarium. Visitors can enjoy the night sky from the comfort of luxury eco-resorts with glass skylights and atriums — there’s even a dormitory option at the observatory near Tucson for those desiring to stay awake overnight.

Australia
Likewise, with its arid climate and lengthy summers, Western Australia offers exquisite stargazing opportunities and the clearest nocturnal skies. Venture into the Outback or organize a road trip with astrophotography as your compass. From the Kimberley region in the north (visit during the dry season) to the Coral Coast, you are always close to witnessing the Milky Way and the Southern Cross. Perth Observatory hosts unique astrophotography events, while the Gravity Discovery Centre, situated north of the capital, features guided star walks under an incredibly dark sky. 

Chile
The Elqui Valley in Chile, located north of Santiago, is renowned for its rain-free clear skies, minimal light pollution, and abundance of observatories — Observatorio Cerro Mamalluca offers telescopes and presentations to introduce enthusiastic stargazers to the wonders of the night sky. Using Vicuña as your focal point, venture out to explore vast landscapes and distant Andean mountains and formations.

Europe
Island locales are ideal for capturing photographs of the stars, with their surroundings enveloped by dark oceans.
“`and offering natural scenery and rugged formations to enhance your composition. The Isle of Wight located off the southern shore of the UK features low-rise buildings, lighthouses, and sea stacks such as the Needles to serve as foreground elements. La Palma in the Canary Islands boasts a specialized astrotourism initiative, along with the Roque de los Muchachos Observatory.  

Remote wilderness areas are also among the premier destinations for breathtaking photographs. Bodmin Moor in Cornwall, UK is recognized as a Dark Sky park and an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). This granite moorland is set aside for conservation and is the first AONB to gain IDA accreditation, while Dartmoor in Devon remains similarly pristine, offering moorland, forests, and geological formations that will contribute structure to your photographs.

(10 top locations for stargazing in the UK.)