Ideas for a Milky Way Shot

SuperChooch

SuperChooch

Explorer
Aug 26, 2011
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Hey all,

I've been planning on doing a shot of the Milky Way this weekend during the new moon. I use an app call PhotoPills which you can set the time and date and it will show which way the Milky Way will be oriented, overlayed on a satellite map. I've rented a 24mm, f1.4 lens, that if I like, I might buy.

The galactic center of the Milky Way will rise at around 230 degrees (roughly SW), so I am scouting out some interesting forground material for the picture, facing SW. A couple ideas I was looking at was this area in Friendship, at the bridge, looking west:

http://maps.njpinebarrens.com/#lat=39.75135770507683&lng=-74.58526868026735&z=16&type=hybrid&gpx=

or this spot off Mullica River Road, looking towards Lock's Bridge:

http://maps.njpinebarrens.com/#lat=39.7256584764558&lng=-74.69168800514223&z=17&type=hybrid&gpx=

Anyone have any other thoughts for good spots? Of course I'll post the fruits of my labor, wherever I wind up. :)
 
Gibby

Gibby

Piney
Apr 4, 2011
1,640
442
Trenton
The plains are a terrific location but you have to deal with the light domes from AC and Philly. The pines silhouetted against the Milky Way are beautiful if you can find a bowl in the area that suits your tastes. If the sky is clear you can see dark matter. The end of Seven Bridges is another location.

46er gave me a very good tip and I will pass it on to you. If you ask politely for permission you may be able to go into Island Beach State Park during the night.
 
46er

46er

Piney
Mar 24, 2004
8,837
2,143
Coastal NJ
SuperChooch said:
Anyone have any other thoughts for good spots? Of course I'll post the fruits of my labor, wherever I wind up.
Click to expand...

Where are you coming from and how far are you willing to travel?

A decent light pollution map;

http://www.lightpollutionmap.info/#zoom=8&lat=4825494&lon=-8286263&layers=0BTFFFF

Most photog's I know that are into astronomy pix head to a dark beach; as mentioned IBSP is good if they allow you in, Holgate is OK but AC light can be an issue. Cape May SP beach is another spot. Off Range Rd in Warren grove is also good, as is Wharton as the map link shows. It does not have to be absolutely dark. Just pick a night with little moon glow and remember the CO's are patrolling. Have fun :)
 
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SuperChooch

SuperChooch

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Aug 26, 2011
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bobpbx said:
If he has to look to the southwest, I'm not sure how IBSP will help since the mainland is heavily built up.
Click to expand...
Yes, that is the major limiting factor. With theses shots I've found that the foreground interest is important. So I was trying to think of bogs/water that has access on the eastern side so that I could face south west.
 
Jon Holcombe

Jon Holcombe

Explorer
Dec 1, 2015
967
1,934
Medford
SuperChooch said:
Yes, that is the major limiting factor. With theses shots I've found that the foreground interest is important. So I was trying to think of bogs/water that has access on the eastern side so that I could face south west.
Click to expand...
I have not done any night shooting yet, but for what it's worth:

This is one of my favorite spots, faces the right way, with water, logs and flora in the foreground. You can park on Hawkins Bridge and walk in straight in, about a five minute walk, and it is just south of your Friendship pin. Brush can be a bit dense though, and it will be at night.

EDIT pin drop:

http://maps.njpinebarrens.com/#lat=39.74069966963527&lng=-74.58580512207033&z=17&type=hybrid&gpx=

The Mullica location is great, but it is a few miles closer to Cherry Hill and Philly and with a long exposure you might pick up light.

If you don't mind driving, this is one of my favorite spots (which I'm still not done shooting). Park south of the Creek on RT 47, and walk up the road past the creek until you come to the RR tracks. it's a minute walk to the trestle.

http://maps.njpinebarrens.com/#lat=39.30021200808255&lng=-74.97625160615922&z=19&type=hybrid&gpx=
 
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46er

46er

Piney
Mar 24, 2004
8,837
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Coastal NJ
SuperChooch said:
Yes, that is the major limiting factor. With theses shots I've found that the foreground interest is important. So I was trying to think of bogs/water that has access on the eastern side so that I could face south west.
Click to expand...

You'd best hurry as Sept is the last month with good views, the spectacular views are probably gone by now. The best time for us in the northern hemisphere is March thru Sept. The best views will be in the SE and move as summer passes. If you have a smartphone there are good apps for timing it. Check out Jack Fusco's site, he is the man for night photography and holds workshops in Avalon during July. My son spent a night shooting with him.

http://www.jackfusco.com/

http://www.popphoto.com/photo-of-the-day-april-2015?image=5
 
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amf

amf

Explorer
May 20, 2006
152
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Swedesboro
Wow... Mr Fusco's shots are amazing! I was down on an island in the mid-Chesapeake Bay over the weekend and the view of the Milky Way was simply stunning. One of the few times I can recall seeing it directly overhead and horizon to horizon. Wish I had some way to capture it!
 
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