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Lunchtime Photo

It's Milky Way season again! I happened to be out in dark-sky country early Saturday morning and took this picture against the background of Interstate 15. It's not very good, though. I was a few miles south of Barstow, which means I was still too close to the hegemony of the Los Angeles light dome, as well as the smaller Barstow and Victorville light domes. Plus it was only a little more than an hour until sunrise, so the sky wasn't completely dark.

I'm certain to have better opportunities later in the summer. This is just the start.

April 17, 2021 — On Interstate 15 between Victorville and Barstow, California

11 thoughts on “Lunchtime Photo

  1. Steve_OH

    Drive east on I-10 to Desert Center, then north on CA 177. Continue on 177 for about twenty miles, to the junction with CA 62. This is the darkest spot you're going to find anywhere in southern California. You'd have to travel north of Death Valley to get to the closest place that's darker.

    See https://darksitefinder.com/

  2. Rattus Norvegicus

    Just over the mountains from me there is an area which rates a Bortle 1. I'm planning on going over there when it stops being in the low teens at night and give it a shot. The milky way over the Crazy Mountains should be pretty cool.

  3. Traveller

    EXIF if anyone wants or needs it...and I thank Kevin for leaving it there for us.

    Exposure time: 15/1
    Shutter speed: 15.00
    F-stop: 11.0
    ISO speed: 8000
    Focal length: 8.8000

  4. Vog46

    Kevin
    Don't apologize for the photo.
    I've taken so many bad ones I could spend the rest of my life apologizing for them

    It's a stunning view. Light pollution while taking a dark photo is a problem for all.

    I am not a photographer - I find the image beautiful. And thanks for leaving the info there
    What camera are you using? My daughter is buying a Sony a7iii today
    I don't understand a THING about it but she's excited

  5. Pingback: Lunchtime Photo – Kevin Drum

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