Category Archives: Astrophotography

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — A new exhibition at the Division Avenue Arts Collective is showcasing the struggles of ADHD and autism through astrophotography.

Artist Kae Pershon started the collection over a year ago as a continuation of her ongoing series entitled “(less).”

“Each of these exhibits deals with different symptoms or experiences (of) someone who has ADHD or who has a neurodivergence” including time blindness, emotional dysregulation, and memory, she said.

The portion of Pershon’s series on display at DAAC, entitled “End(less),” speaks to executive dysfunction, described by the Cleveland Clinic as “a behavioral symptom that disrupts a person’s ability to manage their own thoughts, emotions and actions.”

“A lot of times it’s looked at like a paralysis because you become so overwhelmed and you freeze. You know you’re supposed to be doing something but you can’t really put it together in your mind to actually get started,” Pershon said.

The exhibit consists of 33 photos of nightscapes in a variety of sizes.

“I knew that when I started this, I wanted astrophotography for executive dysfunction just because I remember growing up, I grew up in a very rural area in Michigan, and getting those big moments of awe and overwhelming feeling when you’re looking at the night sky. It can feel very similar in that kind of vein,” Pershon, who has ADHD, said.

© Provided by WOOD Grand Rapids
“Nebulous” part of the End(less) exhibition. (Courtesy of Kae Pershon)

“My hope is that when someone looks at this exhibit either if they themselves have a neurodivergency can feel some sort of relation and know that they are not alone in their struggle … or if it’s someone who may not experience those things can look at it through a new lens and go ‘Oh, OK. I didn’t realize this is what it’s like to experience that.’ And it can kind of help break down those stereotypes or stigmas,” she explained.

The opening reception is being held Friday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at DAAC, located at 1553 Plainfield Ave NE near Lafayette Avenue. Pershon will be there to answer any questions or talk about ADHD and autism.

The exhibition will be on display until July 7. It can be viewed during events at the DAAC. Anyone who is interested in viewing the exhibition outside of those times or would like Pershon there is asked to reach out on Facebook or Instagram.

A closing reception will be held on July 7 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

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Ronkonkoma, NY –News Direct– SIGMA CORPORATION OF AMERICA

SIGMA Corporation of America, the US subsidiary of SIGMA Corporation (CEO: Kazuto Yamaki. Headquarters: Asao-ku, Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa, Japan) is pleased to announce the SIGMA 14mm F1.4 DG DN | Art lens. This is the world’s widest F1.4 single focal length lens*, born from our engineers’ passion for capturing the widest, brightest, highest-resolution, and most captivating starry sky images possible.

Designed specifically for astrophotography, the 14mm F1.4 DG DN | Art lens is a full-frame, ultra wide-angle prime designed exclusively for mirrorless camera systems, and is available in Sony E-mount and Leica L-Mount.

This lens offers a full set of features designed for astrophotography including a removable tripod socket, MFL switch (Manual Focus Lock function), lens heater retainer, rear filter holder, and a specially-designed front cap including a NEW locking mechanism and NEW filter storage slots. All this, plus thorough aberration correction make this possibly the best lens ever made for astrophotography. Its ultra-wide 14mm angle of view that captures wide starry skies and bright F1.4 aperture that minimizes exposure time are ideal specifications for astrophotography. Incredibly sharp from corner to corner with splash and dust-resistant construction, this lens retains the same high performance and quality standards found within the SIGMA F1.4 Art lens lineup.

The astrophotography-focused feature set and total optical performance make this an excellent lens for high-end architecture, real estate, and landscape photography as well.

The lens will retail for $1,599 through authorized US retailers and will be available in late June 2023.

* Excluding fisheye lenses, as interchangeable lenses for mirrorless cameras and SLR cameras (as of June, 2023 by SIGMA)

Learn more about the SIGMA 14mm F1.4 DG DN | Art lens: https://www.sigmaphoto.com/14mm-f1-4-dg-dn-a

#SIGMA #SIGMA14mmF14Art #SIGMAArt #SIGMAArtPrime #SIGMADGDN

Exclusively designed for full-frame mirrorless cameras

A | Art

SIGMA 14mm F1.4 DG DN

New vision. Expanding possibilities.

1. Ultra wide-angle 14mm with a maximum aperture of F1.4 and outstanding optical performance

2. Abundant functions and accessories to support starscape photography

3. Signature Art line features and high build quality

Story continues

Supplied accessories: Case, COVER LENS CAP LC1014-01, REAR CAP LCR II, TRIPOD SOCKET TS-141, PROTECTIVE COVER PT-41, GUIDE PLATE GP-11

Available mounts: L-Mount, Sony E-mount

* The appearance and specifications of the product are subject to change.

* This product is developed, manufactured and sold based on the specifications of E-mount which was disclosed by Sony Corporation under the license agreement with Sony Corporation.

* L-Mount is a registered trademark of Leica Camera AG.

The world’s first and only* lens that combines an ultra-wide angle of 14mm with a maximum aperture of F1.4.

All for the best starscape photography.

The stars in the sky are a source of inspiration for viewers. On the other hand, the starry sky is a very demanding subject for a wide-angle lens, with its numerous tiny point light sources spread over the entire image. The 14mm F1.4 DG DN | Art is the world’s widest F1.4 single focal length lens*, born from our engineers’ passion for capturing the widest, brightest, highest-resolution, and most captivating starry sky possible. Thanks to SIGMA’s latest technology, the lens combines an ultra-wide angle of 14mm with a maximum aperture of F1.4. In addition, SIGMA’s lens technology has achieved high optical performance with thorough correction of sagittal coma flare, specialized functions to support starry landscape photography, and high-speed AF with the HLA (High-response Linear Actuator) linear motor.

The Milky Way stretching across the night sky, twinkling stars emerging over ridgelines ― the 14mm F1.4 DG DN | Art can make this a reality as an image that surpasses the actual photographic experience. Its proven ability in shooting starscapes will provide new possibilities for visual expression and enjoyment in all scenes, including daytime landscapes, architecture, and indoor photography in dark and confined spaces.

* Excluding fisheye lenses, as interchangeable lenses for mirrorless cameras and SLR cameras (as of June, 2023 by SIGMA).

[ Key Features ]

1. Ultra wide-angle 14mm with a maximum aperture of F1.4 and outstanding optical performance

This world-first performance was achieved by applying the best of SIGMA’s optical technologies, from the design to the lens manufacturing process. 19 elements in 15 groups, including 1 SLD glass element, 3 FLD glass elements, and 4 aspherical lens elements, make up a luxurious lens configuration. This allows for advanced aberration correction and a high degree of precision in the lens construction. This allows both advanced aberration correction and F1.4 brightness. In particular, sagittal coma flare, which distorts the shape of stars, has been carefully corrected, and even at the widest aperture, the lens delivers high image reproducibility right to the periphery of the image. Ghosting and flare are also thoroughly addressed through both optical design and coatings. This allows for clear, crisp shooting of starry sky and night scenes. Optimized for starscapes, which require extremely high performance, this lens delivers images that exceed expectations in any scene, including landscapes, architecture snapshots, portraits, and indoor photography.

2. Abundant functions and accessories to support starscape photography

The 14mm F1.4 DG DN | Art is equipped with a wealth of features to support starscape photography. This fully backs up the fun of starscape photography.

Includes a detachable tripod mount compatible with Arca-Swiss type. The 14mm F1.4 DG DN | Art can be mounted on a tripod in a more stable condition, as it is heavier on the front side. The shape is designed to prevent interference even when using the lens heater.

A switch to lock the manual focus at a desired position. Prevents focus shift caused by unintentional operation of the focus ring. This is useful for long time exposure photography, etc., where the focus is fixed.

Steps around the front and lens heater retainers prevent the lens heater* from protruding into the front of the lens and causing vignetting on the periphery of the screen.

* A belt-shaped heater that is wrapped around the lens to prevent condensation from forming inside the lens when the temperature drops.

A rear filter holder is provided as standard equipment at the lens mount for attaching a sheet-type rear filter. A lock mechanism is also provided to prevent the filter from falling out.

Includes a cover-type front cap with locking mechanism. It also has a newly developed filter slot that can hold two rear filters depending on the application. The cap is specially designed for the 14mm F1.4 DG DN | Art to protect the sheet filters from scratches and dirt while ensuring that they are not mistakenly taken out or forgotten.

3. Signature Art line features and high build quality

In addition to functions specifically designed for shooting starscapes, the lens is equipped with various functions to assist in shooting, including an AFL button to which any function can be assigned and an aperture ring. The body is dust and splash resistant, and the frontmost surface of the lens is coated with a water- and stain-repellent coating, so you can shoot outdoors in harsh environments with peace of mind. The HLA (High-response Linear Actuator) enables high-speed, quiet, and highly accurate autofocusing.

In order to maintain performance while supporting a lens with a large aperture, the lens has a robust internal structure and uses lightweight materials such as polycarbonate TSC (Thermally Stable Composite), which has a thermal shrinkage rate equivalent to that of aluminum, and magnesium in appropriate locations to reduce weight while ensuring robustness. The lens body is built with the high build quality of the Art line specifications, allowing the user to fully enjoy the unique performance of the lens in any environment, including shooting starscapes.

[ Additional Features ]

• Lens construction: 19 elements in 15 groups (3 FLD,1 SLD, and 4 aspherical elements)

• Inner focus system

• Compatible with high-speed autofocus

• HLA (High-response Linear Actuator)

• Compatible with Lens Aberration Correction

  • Function available on supported cameras only. Available corrections and auto correction functionality may vary depending on the camera model.

  • On cameras where lens aberration correction is controlled with ‘ON’ or ‘OFF’ in the camera menu, please set all aberration correction functions to ‘ON’ (AUTO).

• Supports DMF and AF+MF

• Compatible with AF assist (Sony E-mount only)

• Super Multi-Layer Coating

• Water and Oil Repellent Coating (front element)

• Aperture ring

• Aperture ring click switch

• Aperture ring lock switch

• AFL button

• MFL switch

• Rear Filter Holder (compatible with GUIDE PLATE GP-11)

• Lens Heater Retainer

• Focus Mode Switch

• Support for switching between linear and non-linear focus ring settings (for L-Mount only)

• Dust and Splash Resistant Structure

• TRIPOD SOCKET TS-141 supplied

• Special front cap with locking mechanism and filter slot: COVER LENS CAP LC1014-01 (NEW)

• Compatible with SIGMA USB DOCK UD-11 (sold separately / for L-Mount only)

• Designed to minimize flare and ghosting

• Every single lens undergoes SIGMA’s proprietary MTF measuring system

• 11-blade rounded diaphragm

• High-precision, durable brass bayonet mount

• “Made in Japan” craftsmanship

Learn more about SIGMA’s craftsmanship here:

https://www.sigma-global.com/en/about/craftsmanship/

[ Key Specifications ]

The figures below are for the L-Mount version:

[ Product Barcode ]

[ Accessories: Supplied ]

[ Accessories: Optional ]

[ Contact ]

For further information, please contact your local authorized SIGMA Service Station listed here: https://www.sigma-global.com/en/world-network/

[ Information ]

SIGMA Corporation:

https://www.sigma-global.com/en/

Product information:

https://www.sigma-global.com/en/lenses/a023_14_14/

[ About SIGMA Corporation ]

Craftsmanship. Precision. Dedication. Since 1961, SIGMA has been devoted to the pursuit of advancing photographic technology. Unique to the industry, the family-owned business produces its high-quality, award-winning still photo and cinema camera lenses, DSLR and mirrorless cameras, flashes, filters and accessories from its state-of-the-art manufacturing facility located in Aizu, Japan.

In 2012, the company introduced SIGMA Global Vision with three distinct lens lines: Art, Contemporary and Sports. Designed for industry camera mount systems including Canon, Fujifilm, Leica, Nikon, Olympus, Panasonic, Sony and SIGMA, each lens is handcrafted and tested in Japan to ensure a high-performance, premium product that is purpose-built to last. In 2016, the SIGMA Cine lens lineup was launched, further cementing SIGMA as an innovator in imaging engineering. Embodying the core optical DNA that has defined the SIGMA benchmark of excellence, SIGMA Cine lenses meet the needs of advanced 6k and 8k cinema production.

Forming the landmark L-Mount alliance alongside Leica and Panasonic in 2018, SIGMA continues its storied tradition of imaging excellence through groundbreaking innovations such as the native L-mount SIGMA fp and fp L full-frame mirrorless digital cameras, announced in July 2019 and March 2021 respectively. These products, along with over 30 award-winning SIGMA Global Vision lenses available in native L-Mount format, demonstrate SIGMA’s continued commitment to the creative community through expanded product offerings. With the fp, fp L and these lenses, even more users can now leverage SIGMA’s renowned optical formula to achieve their creative vision with ease.

For information about SIGMA America, please visit sigmaphoto.com and SIGMA Blog for helpful information about our products.

Follow SIGMA America (Photo):

Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

Follow SIGMA Ameica (Cine):

Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

Contact Details

SIGMA

Jack Howard

+1 631-201-7381

SIGMA.PR@Sigmaphoto.com

Company Website

https://www.sigma-global.com/en/

View source version on newsdirect.com: https://newsdirect.com/news/sigma-announces-14mm-f1-4-dg-dn-art-the-worlds-first-14mm-f1-4-lens-designed-especially-for-astrophotography-867410684

© NASA / ESA
Artist’s Concept of Comet 238P/Read which shows the main belt comet sublimating—its water ice vaporizing as its orbit approaches the Sun.

The latest science reports and imagery from NASA reveal that the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) might have stumbled onto something very interesting during a galactic treasure hunt. Solar system scientists took the telescope for a spin in the main asteroid belt, and what they didn’t find was as perplexing as what they did. 

According to NASA, the presence of water vapor on the comet known as 238P/Read is usually a cosmic clue into the origins of Earth’s ancient water source and how it got there. However, Read seems to be one of the only comets that are missing carbon dioxide, as detected by the NIRCam, which is another mystery in itself. 

• Take a look at the best cameras for astrophotography!

The James Webb Telescope’s NIRSpec (Near-Infrared Spectrograph) instrument, as well as the NIRCam (Near-Infrared Camera) instrument have been used by solar system scientists in studying the origins of Earth’s abundant water – and detected a mystery in the form of a Rare Main Belt Cometthat contained water vapor! 

Although, rather unusually, carbon dioxide was missing from the spectrum of possible chemical compounds comprising this comet (referred to as Comet 238P/Read) which was discovered in 2005, and is situated within the main asteroid belt. Don’t worry, it’s safe enough away from our Earth to not be a threat, as its orbit brings it closer to the sun than Jupiter. 

The image below is able to communicate a lot of data to scientists and researchers, but it primarily indicates that water ice from the primordial (early) solar system is able to be preserved in that specific region within the asteroid belt. 

As for the lack of carbon dioxide, NASA says there are two plausible explanations. Firstly, Comet Read may have had carbon dioxide when it originally formed, but has since lost it because of warmer temperatures from being in the asteroid belt for an extended time. 

Secondly, scientists propose that Comet Read may have formed in an especially warm area of the solar system, where there would be no carbon dioxide available due to the fact that it vaporizes much more easily than water ice does. 

So why is this such a big deal? it’s just a comet, right?

“Understanding the history of water distribution in the solar system will help us to understand other planetary systems, and if they could be on their way to hosting an Earth-like planet,” shares Stefanie Milam, Webb deputy project scientist for planetary science.

“Our water-soaked world, teeming with life and unique in the universe as far as we know, is something of a mystery – we’re not sure how all this water got here,” she explains.  

In other NASA news, JWST also found another unusual trace of water vapor last month on a rocky exoplanet known as GJ 486 b. This planet is said to be 30% larger than our Earth and three times as massive, plus, it’s also pretty closely orbited around its red dwarf star, meaning that it’s very much inhabitable given the surface temperature of around 800 degrees Fahrenheit (430 degrees Celsius). 

Webb’s observations from the NIRSpec instrument show traces of water vapor on this scorching hot exoplanet, so how is this possible? Astronomers believe that the rocky planet would have likely had its atmosphere depleted by x-ray radiation and ultraviolet rays that have been emitted from the red dwarf star of which the planet snuggly orbits. 

However, the small presence of water vapor suggests that the rocky exoplanet might still have an atmosphere if the water is associated with it. Although, it’s also unclear if the water vapor could actually be on the star itself in what’s referred to as cool starspots, and not actually from the planet at all.

“Water vapor in an atmosphere on a hot rocky planet would represent a major breakthrough for exoplanet science. But we must be careful and make sure that the star is not the culprit,” shares principal investigator Kevin Stevenson from the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory in Laurel, Maryland. 

For more updates on what’s happening in the universe, and if you want to keep up with the latest image releases, head over to the James Webb Space Telescope gallery, where you can see all of Webb’s first images and learn more about what they depict. NASA will be launching new images at least every other week.

• You might also be interested in the best lenses for astrophotography, as well as the best astrophotography software, and not forgetting the best CCD cameras for astrophotography and the best light pollution filters for night photography.

In early June three years ago, waiting in line for a table at Flyers Bar and Grill on a marina in St. Croix, I looked on in amazement as a group of kayakers gathered at the waterfront for a tour. Watching them paddle off into the dusk, I wondered what was so interesting that people would skip dinner in exchange for insect bites and navigating barely visible waters. Bioluminescence was not yet a word in my vocabulary.

I’ve since warmed right up to nighttime sights outdoors, having witnessed the Northern Lights dancing in Iceland or the Milky Way above a remote cabin in New Hampshire. While I had begun experimenting with astrophotography during a 2018 trip to Virgin Islands National Park, these once haphazard sessions have now become a full-fledged hobby.

If my growing fascination with the natural world after sundown has taught me anything, it’s that the night sky offers endless adventure. Our national and state parks and other organizations are working to protect dark skies and host events to engage people of all ages and abilities to see nighttime landscapes, nocturnal critters, and to stargaze and contemplate UFOs.

The park nighttime activities below offer curious minds a chance to explore moonlit paths and bays that glow.

1. Stargazing and UFOs

Trade an evening of Netflix for a chance to gaze at galaxies and be reminded that, like those stars above you, earth is just a tiny dot. The big question is: could it really be the only life-supporting dot?

Learn About the Cosmos—and UFOs—at Joshua Tree National Park, California

There’s a lot to marvel about in Joshua Tree National Park, known for its lunar landscapes and energy vortices. Located in the Morongo Basin, a hotbed for claims of UFO sightings, and a certified International Dark Sky Park site, Joshua Tree regularly attracts stargazers and truth seekers. In fact, it’s the 2013 birthplace of the annual Contact in the Desert Conference, the “Woodstock of UFO conferences,” which draws thousands of attendees.

Though the conference has since moved to Indian Wells, California, you can still seek signs of extraterrestrial life while in Joshua Tree by joining a 90-minute Stargazing and UFO Tour run by Addicted2Wonder ($150) using Gen 3 military-grade night-vision binoculars. This technology delivers an even more captivating stargazing experience than is available to the naked eye, so you can see stars, nebulas, planets, and distant galaxies in a way that far surpasses what was observable even to our ancestors gazing at pitch-black skies a thousand years ago.

Attend a Star Party at Glacier National Park, Montana

Far from the brightness of big cities, Glacier is a go-to destination for visitors who not only want to see the Milky Way but also the elusive northern lights, visible any time of year but especially September through April. Also an International Dark Sky Park, Glacier embraces its role as a steward of the night sky. Events like Logan Pass Star Parties are held every year to make visitors aware of the ecological and cultural importance of dark skies, offering a chance to gaze at our galaxies through high-powered telescopes while learning about the solar system from park rangers, astronomers, and members of the Big Sky Astronomy Club.

Star parties are held on select summer nights from 10 P.M. until midnight and cost $5 per vehicle (in addition to the park entrance fee). Unable to attend? See the above link for other astronomy programs in the park throughout the year.

2. Bioluminescence

If you don’t believe in magic, you’ve never witnessed the blue-green glow of microorganisms in a dark saltwater bay.

Paddle a See-Through Kayak in the Salt River Bay, St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands

Enjoy one of nature’s most wondrous displays with a glass-bottom kayak tour of one of St. Croix’s bioluminescent bays. Salt River Bay National Historic Site and Ecological Preserve, which for two millennia served as an entry point for Indigenous people and colonizers, is home to one of just seven full-time bioluminescent bays in the world. Sea Thru Kayaks’ tour ($55) sets out at dusk and heads about three-quarters of a mile past the mangroves to Salt River Bay, where kayakers paddle around in amazement, watching as the water disturbance triggers a chemical reaction in plankton known as dinoflagellates, which light up beneath them. Children ages eight and up (who must be accompanied by an adult) are welcome to explore these rare ecosystems. No prior kayaking experience is necessary.

Paddle the Magical Waters of Castine Harbor, Maine

Combine time in the quaint seaside town of Castine with an epic evening adventure exploring what local tour operator Castine Kayak Adventures refers to as a “floating planetarium”—a bioluminescent bay located just one hour from Acadia National Park. These waters—located between the Penobscot and Bagaduce waterways—are off the radar for most tourists, and offer an awe-inspiring glow, thanks to the nutrient-rich silt floor of Castine Harbor.

An hour after sundown, visitors can join Castine Kayak Adventures on a tour ($90) that leaves from the harbor to watch these waters come to life. Children ages ten and older are welcome (and must be accompanied by an adult), and prior kayaking experience is recommended as tidal currents can be strong. For first-timers, the company offers a day-and-night kayak package ($155) from May through mid-October for those who would prefer to learn paddling basics in the daylight.

Note: To protect these fragile ecosystems for future generations, participants are asked to avoid the use of bug spray, deodorant, perfume, or sunscreen out of an abundance of caution, as they often contain harmful chemicals that kill the bioluminescence.

3. Night Hikes

Whether you’re interested in a moonlit stroll or one in the darkness of the new moon, exploring at night affords a different experience of landscape viewss.

Follow the Ram Head Trail in Virgin Islands National Park, St. John

This 2.3-mile out-and-back trail on a peninsula in Virgin Islands National Park covers mostly exposed terrain, with the sound of crashing waves. You’ll have expansive views across sea and sky as you approach the Ram Head, a rocky abutment at the trail terminus, to watch the moonrise over the endless horizon. This hike is self-guided and does not require prior registration, so take extra precautions. The peninsula has some small rocky cliffs, so stay on the trail, bring a headlamp or flashlight, and consider a daytime familiarization hike.

Hike Under the Full Moon in White Sands National Park, New Mexico

This monthly ranger-led hike shows off the park’s famous white sands illuminated under the light of the moon. Hikers cast shadows onto the bright landscape as they follow the 1.3-long, moderately difficult Dune Life Nature Trail loop, an adventure that can last up to two hours round trip. The path is initially flat but then ascends up the steep sand dunes—a boost in difficulty eased by listening to the guide’s tales about the park. Guests must preregister, and ticket sales open up two months before each scheduled hike. Cost is $8 (or $4 for children under 15), not including the park-entry fee.

Hike Under the New Moon in the Valley of Fire, Nevada

Valley of Fire State Park offers monthly guided or self-guided new-moon hikes (see the guided events here, although hikes may not be published until about a week ahead, or check Facebook) on a rotating array of trails. Located an hour northeast of Las Vegas, the park’s red-rock landscapes are obscured at night, but the setting offers a reprieve from the bright lights of the Strip in exchange for a wander under the Milky Way. Hikes start at 6:30 P.M. and distances range from one to two and a half miles. These excursions are family-friendly and open to all ages. A red-light flashlight is suggested to safely navigate the trails without impairing your night vision, and expect to pay a $15 park fee ($10 for Nevada residents).

See Twilight in Shenandoah National Park, Virginia

This guided three-hour mountaintop amble through Shenandoah National Park’s Big Meadow sets out at the golden hour and ends under the stars. Watch the colors of sunset erupt across the sky as an expert guide identifies signs of wildlife and points out seasonal plants. Twilight hikes ($25) run from May through August and are scheduled in advance. Each covers about one mile round trip, with frequent stops for discussions of unique flora and fauna. All ages and abilities are welcome. Preregistration is required, and the fee does not include park admission.

Stay safe on nighttime hikes with Gaia GPS maps for Ram Head Trail, White Sands, and Valley of Fire (recent excursions include Fire Wave and White Domes Loop).

4. Nighttime Nature Tours

Discover creatures that roam the night and other wonders that otherwise lie hidden.

Tour El Yunque Rainforest, Puerto Rico

While many visitors to the island are heading out for dinner and drinks to wrap the day, the nocturnal residents of the El Yunque Rainforest are only just starting up. For the richest wildlife experience here, visit in the evening, as 60 percent of its inhabitants are nocturnal. A guided evening walk with El Yunque Tours ($55) departs close to sunset and ends just after dark. With expert help, you’ll be able to identify various species of tree frogs, glimpse screech owls, and see scorpions and tarantulas just before they scurry into the shadows. Expect to be out for two and a half hours and cover minimal ground (about three-quarters of a mile out-and-back).

Go Yooperlite Hunting in the Upper Peninsula, Michigan

What in the world is a Yooperlite, and why should you care? Two words: glowing rocks.  Discovered by Erik Rintamaki in 2017, Yooperlites are syenite rocks rich in the fluorescent mineral sodalite, which causes them to glow neon shades of orange and yellow at night when subjected to UV light. No two rocks are the same. Some are merely speckled with the luminescent mineral, while others display brilliant patterns or emit an all-over radiance. Rintamaki offers tours on select dates from July through October along Lake Superior to hunt for Yooperlites, which you otherwise might overlook as eemingly ordinary gray rocks.

Watch Synchronous Fireflies at Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee and North Carolina

These magical summertime creatures come in a variety of species, some of which even have the ability to synchronize their flashing patterns. One of the few viewing spots on earth to observe synchronous fireflies is Great Smoky Mountains National Park in the Elkmont area near the Little River and Jakes Creek Trailheads, which are temporarily closed off to ordinary visitation. An annual lottery is held in April for permits for people in 960 cars over eight nights to witness the only American species of synchronous firefly during its brief annual appearance. The lottery costs $1 and allows applicants to select two potential viewing dates. Those people selected are automatically charged $24 and assigned a specific evening to view the fireflies between late May and mid-June.

Search for Scorpions in Maricopa County, Arizona

Scorpions are known as fearsome, venomous creatures to avoid. So it might come as a surprise that various parks around this county, which contains the state capital of Phoenix, hold summertime events where families can go looking for the pincered predators. Sound unsettling? Rest assured that scorpions are far more likely to run from humans than sting them, and that people are unlikely to die from scorpion venom.

To take part in these outings, join rangers at Lost Dutchman State Park, in Apache Junction, or McDowell Mountain Regional Park, in Fountain Hills, on select summer nights ($5). Bring your own flashlight to illuminate the path, as well as a black light to spot the tiny scorpions scurrying through the dirt (the UV light gives them a fluorescent green glow). To find an upcoming scorpion hunt, check the Lost Dutchman State Park Facebook page, or head to the Maricopa County Regional Parks events page and select the Animals filter on the events calendar.

Author Bio: Always a lover of quiet and fresh evening air, Theresa McKinney (see Fueled by Wanderlust) has a growing appreciation for the night sky. In annual trips to Virgin Islands National Park, she has expanded her adventure repertoire from snorkeling and hiking to include late-night astrophotography sessions and pitch-black beach walks. On her second visit to Iceland, she proudly achieved her bucket-list goal of seeing the northern lights.

Astronomía y astrología no son lo mismo. La astronomía es una ciencia que estudia el origen, naturaleza y evolución de los objetos del Universo tales como estrellas, planetas, galaxias o nebulosas mientras que la astrología es una pseudociencia que se sustenta sobre creencias y tradiciones y que intenta encontrar una influencia de la posición de los planetas en el devenir de las personas o en eventos.

Es bastante habitual que la gente confunda ambos términos y hay que tener cuidado porque hay pocas cosas que molesten tanto a un astrónomo como que le llamen astrólogo o que le hablen de signos zodiacales.

Si bien los astrólogos estudian la posición y movimiento de los astros su similitud con el trabajo de un astrónomo queda totalmente diferenciada desde hace siglos. En la antigüedad astronomía y astrología caminaban de la mano ya que ambas se fundamentaban en la observación de los objetos celestes. Pero mientras la astrología no ha avanzado desde hace siglos y sigue basándose en datos obsoletos e interpretaciones personales la astronomía ha sido una ciencia en constante cambio y evolución en la que su relación con otras ramas científicas como la química, la física o las matemáticas han dado a cabo una auténtica revolución que nos ha permitido estudiar objetos situados a miles de millones de años luz o incluso asomarnos al origen de nuestro propio Universo. A día de hoy la astronomía sigue planteando preguntas todavía sin respuesta.

La astrología carece de fundamento científico y por este motivo es considerada como un fraude. La difusión de cartas astrales y horóscopos solo contribuyen al fomento del irracionalismo y del oscurantismo. Promete algo que no cumple y en la mayoría de ocasiones a cambio de una contraprestación económica en la que el cliente resulta engañado.

Astrónomos

Actualmente el término «astrónomo» ha evolucionado a «astrofísico» ya que el estudio del cosmos se hace de acuerdo al estudio y aplicación de los métodos y leyes de la física. Entre las personas que practican la afición de observar los astros con telescopio o los que profesionalmente manejan instrumental astronómico con asiduidad si que se sigue utilizando el término «astrónomo» (en ocasiones entre los no profesionales se acompaña del complemento «amateur» o «aficionado» aunque este último no es aceptado por toda la comunidad por tener una posible interpretación peyorativa).

En cualquier caso, la observación y el estudio de los objetos celestes no puede estar nunca asociado a prácticas adivinatorias si quiere ser tomado con seriedad.

Tenga en cuenta que para llegar a ser astrofísico es necesario cursar una carrera universitaria (grado de Física) y realizar estudios de posgrado.

The Texas Star Party is held annually at Prude Ranch in the Davis Mountains during the new moon in May. The 3,500-acre ranch sits at 5,000 feet elevation and is located six miles northwest of Fort Davis, and only 12 miles (19 km) from the McDonald Observatory.

It started in 1979 as a weekend event at Davis Mountains State Park by Deborah Byrd, members of the Austin Astronomical Society and McDonald Observatory, before becoming a weeklong event at Prude Ranch in 1982.

We were invited to this event as guests of Sky-Watcher USA, and had the pleasure of using/demoing their gear on the field.

Texas Star Party Registration

Registration for the Texas Star Party opened in early January for the new moon May event. You will be asked to register everyone that plans to attend the star party with you, in addition to the following information: 

• Agree to their waiver, general liability release, and COVID mitigation protocols
• Dates/nights you will stay at the star party, even if you plan on staying off-site
• Arrival date and whether that date is flexible
• RV type and dimensions, sewer and water requirements (if applicable)
• Primary, secondary, and third housing preferences (if applicable)
• Your contact information, including your address

You will be required to create an account to complete registration and pay. In total, for both of us to register for the star party (with one person registered for a door prize ticket) it was $220 USD. 

You also have the option to add on other items during registration, such as group photos, t-shirts, and hats. 

The astronomy field at the Texas Star Party.

Arriving at Texas Star Party

We made arrangements to meet the Sky-Watcher team at the El Paso airport, after our connecting flight from Toronto to Denver. The team rented a large SUV for all of us (6 people total) to make the 3 hour drive to Fort Davis.

We went straight to the star party site when we arrived to check in at the front gate (get our name badges/wrist bands) and make sure that the gear Sky-Watcher had shipped down was covered in enough shrink wrap to be protected from the rain. After, we headed back to our hotel in Fort Davis to check in and get settled in. 

Arriving at the airport. Left to right: Jeff Simon (Sky-Watcher), Greg Bragg (Celestron), Trevor, Ashley, Jarred Donkersley (Sky-Watcher), Kevin LeGore (Sky-Watcher)

Travel Tips: 

• Depending on which airport you fly into, you will have at least a 3-hour drive ahead of you. Leave plenty of time to get to your destination before dark.
• The small town of Fort Davis, located near the star party site, has a grocery store, liqueur store, restaurants, gas station, etc. Unlike some other star parties (i.e. Okie-Tex), you will be able to get to these amenities within a 10-12 drive of the star party.

Harvard Hotel in Fort Davis

Where to Stay for the Texas Star Party

There are a variety of options for staying on-site: 

• Tent/Dry Camping: there are 75 dry camping sites (some with electricity) available on first come first serve basis. This includes access to showers and use of electrical hookups for telescopes and equipment. More info on tent/dry camping here. 
• Trailer/RV Site: assigned in advance near the north and south observing fields. They include water and electrical hookups. Those staying at the RV sites must arrive before 6 p.m. to allow enough time to setup before dark. 
• Bunkhouse: cabins accommodate 8 to 20 people with community bathrooms. You are required to bring your own bedding and pillows.
• Family Cabin: cabins accommodate 6 people max and include a bathroom and linen.

Map of Prude Ranch | Texas Star Party

They operate a random lottery system to assign attendees to one of their three housing requests (if available). Those who have selected tent/dry camping, or those staying offsite are exempt from the random housing lottery.

We stayed off-site at the Harvard Hotel, an 8-suite, rustic Texas-style hotel offering large rooms and a restaurant on-site.  It was only a short 10-12 minute drive from the star party. 

Our Hotel Room

There are several other lodging options in or nearby the town of Fort Davis: 

• Sproul Ranch
• Fort Davis Inn & RV
• Hotel Limpia 
• Mountainside Inn

FYI: If you are staying off-site, you will need to park outside the park gates and walk to your vehicle each night. This is when we noticed the size of the Prude Ranch, based on how long it took us to complete the walk each night. I would estimate a 15-minute walk from where we were on the upper field to the gates. 

Meals and Food Options

All of the covered housing accommodations on the ranch include a meal plan. The full-week meal plan includes 13 meals (6 lunches and 7 dinners), starting Sunday evening through Saturday night (excluding breakfast).

There are meal plans available for those staying on-site, off-site, or those who are tent camping for an additional charge. There is also the option to sign up for individual meals (at least one day in advance) at the Ranch office. 

The Red Light Snack Shack is also available for those looking for late-night light eats or beverages. Visit the Shack to find out what types of snacks are available. 

If you are looking for alternative food options, you can visit Fort Davis for local restaurants or a grocery store to pick up some food/snacks. There are also additional options not far from the star party in the towns of Marfa (32 minutes) and Alpine (37 minutes). 

Sky-Watcher Telescopes set up on the upper astronomy field. 

Events at Texas Star Party

There are lots of events to participate in at the Texas Star Party, including:

• Speakers
• Swap Meet
• Vendor booths
• McDonald Observatory tours

As off-site attendees, it was more difficult to be around or involved in the other star party activities. With the changing weather forecast that wasn’t always favorable for astrophotography, we weren’t always at the ranch when these events were going on.  

We did get a chance to do some sightseeing on our own visiting the McDonald Observatory, the VLBA Radio Telescope, a private observatory, and Prada Marfa.

VLBA Radio Telescope 

The VLBA Radio telescope is a 10-minute drive from the star party site, located on the Sproul Ranch. This radio telescope is part of a network of 10 observing stations across the United States.

Similar to the other 10 observing stations, this radio telescope has a 25-meter radio antenna dish and a control building. It captures radio signals through each antenna which are then digitized and recorded. The data captured is used to map the universe, monitor changes on Earth, and track near-Earth asteroids.  

FYI: It is a rough road, so be prepared if you plan to take the dirt road up to the telescope. 

McDonald Observatory

We had a chance to visit the McDonald Observatory visitors center, and both sites on Mount Locke (Harlin J. Smith telescope and Otto Stuve Telescope) and Mount Fowlkes (Hobby-Eberly Telescope).

At the visitor’s center, we got a chance to see the ‘Protecting Dark Skies’ exhibit and its amazing outreach facilities. 

Light Pollution Exhibit

On Mount Locke, while doing our own self-guided tour, we saw (and asked) one of the operators if they wouldn’t mind letting us see the Harlin J. Smith telescope. He took us inside and gave us a full description of the telescope, and his work, and answered our questions. 

107″  (2.7m) Harlin J. Telescope

Prada Marfa

On our way back to El Paso, we stopped at Prada Marfa which is an art installation designed to resemble a Prada store. Though the front door does not open, it does include large windows displaying actual Prada shoes and handbags from the 2005 fall/winter collection. 

Prada Marfa

Rules at Texas Star Party

• Light Restrictions: only dim red light only after dark. This includes vehicle headlights/taillights/interior lights, RV trailer/camper interior lights without proper shielding etc. No laser pointers or any other form of lighting after dark. 
• No Driving at Night: driving a vehicle after dark is prohibited and the front gates close at 9:00 p.m. to restrict traffic. If you plan on leaving, park outside the gates and face your headlights away from the star party. 
• Electricity limited to Telescope Equipment: with the demand of electricity, only telescope drive equipment, anit-dew gear, laptop computers are to be connected to power outlets. 
• No smoking: starting in 2022, a smoking ban was instituted as a health and safety concern for all attendees. There is no smoking or vaping allowed on any of the observing fields and a 50-foot perimeter around all fields and building. 
• Tent camping in designated areas only: areas approved for setting up tents will be marked. Cars must be removed from the observing fields after you have loaded/unloaded your camping gear. 
• No Dogs: Dogs are no longer allowed at the star party due to past issues with barking, uncleaned messes and unpredictable behavior. The exception is anyone staying in an RV may bring dog, who must stay inside their camper
• Done restrictions: to fly a drone, the owner must obtain a permit from the head of security. Drones cannot be flown at night during the lighting restrictions or within 100-foot radius around the ham shack. 

Only dim red lights are permitted after dark at the Texas Star Party.

Items to Bring

Like most star parties, you will want to make sure you have all your imaging or observing gear, but you’ll also want to make sure you bring along some other helpful items:

• Anti-dew Device: our first clear night on the field was extremely dewy. You could hear the hair dryers being used on the larger Dob telescopes. If you’re imaging, be sure to bring your dew heaters just in case. 
• Tarp/Waterproof Cover: it nice to cover your equipment during the day to protect it from sunlight but if you have something waterproof, even better. Because the weather was so unpredictable during our trip and changed quickly, having a tarp or weatherproof cover to throw over your set up will be really helpful to avoid constantly tearing down.
• Tie-downs: we heard about this during the Okie-Tex star party, that high winds and dust devils can lift your heavy equipment. It was the same here at Texas Star Party, and we used stakes hammered into the ground with bungie cords to tie-down gear.  
• Extension Cords: Extra/long extension cords are never a bad idea. Maybe aim for at lease 25 to 30 feet in length to reach outlets. 
• Chair: Clear nights can make for long nights out on the field. If you are able, be sure to bring a chair to lounge in while you’re collecting data.

Bortle 2 Skies

The skies at the Texas Star Party are dark, coming in at a Bortle 2. 

To maintain the darkness of the skies in the area, the McDonald Observatory has collaborated with the surrounding communities to promote dark-sky-friendly lighting. It is also part of the Greater Big Bend International Dark Sky Reserve, covering 15,000 square miles, protecting the shared night sky through better outdoor lighting. It is also the largest IDA-certified reserve in the world.

The Texas Star Party continues to strongly support the protection of dark skies through funding public information, efficient lighting practices, and exterior lighting ordinances in western Texas. The star party was also part of a ‘Light Reduction Project’, where donors raised funds for the replacement of various street light fixtures in the nearby towns of Fort Davis, Valentine, Marfa and Alpine. 

Better lighting practices and commitment to preserving dark skies benefits both the star party, the viability of the McDonald Observatory, and anyone who enjoys natural dark skies.

Deep-Sky Astrophotography Setup

The Sky-Watcher team provided the telescopes and mounts for us to use/demo while at the star party. As a vendor, they had gear shipped down for the event, and we made arrangements with them ahead of time regarding what gear we would using. 

Trevor’s Set up

This meant that we could travel a lot lighter than we normally do while flying. We typically only bring what will fit in our carry-on luggage to avoid checked baggage with telescope gear. This means we usually bring a small, wide-field set up. For this trip, all we needed to bring was the camera, guide scope, and cords.

Trevor’s Setup

Trevor’s photo of the Trifid Nebula captured at the Texas Star Party.

Ashley’s Setup

Though Ashley shot four different targets, the Cat’s Paw was the one she really had her sights set on. She managed to get two hours of total exposure time on this target during our first clear night. She also shot M13, M101, and M83 – all new targets for her.

Take advantage of the dark skies at a star party. Select targets new targets not typically available to you, dark nebulae targets that are most difficult to shoot with light pollution, or smaller/dimmer targets.  

Ashley’s Cat’s Paw Nebula

Final Thoughts

The Texas Star Party is another great event where you can meet and connect with a lot of other amateur astronomers. There were loads of people willing to share their inventions, solar telescopes, and information about their gear.

Thankfully, the weather in the area was constantly changing day-to-day so we did end up getting a few clear nights. However, I think we experienced a far less populated event due to the predicted weather. 

As new attendees that were not familiar with the ranch layout, we noticed the buildings were not marked with signage. It was hard to tell where things were, especially in the dark. We attempted to find the snack shack at night but it was in a building that resembled a lot of the cabins, so we never did end up finding it.

Having signage to mark important buildings (i.e. bathrooms, snack shack, presentations building, etc.) would be beneficial for newcomers, or handing out a printed map during registration at the gate would help.

Related Content

DarkSky has announced its fourth annual ‘Capture the Dark’ astrophotography contest to highlight the importance of a dark sky to all living things – and to highlight light pollution. 

The anti-light pollution organization – fresh from a re-brand from International Dark-Sky Association – has an International Dark Sky Places program that encourages the protection of dark sites. Many of them are favourites with astrophotographers looking for compositions of the night sky. 

Its eight different categories – sponsored by the Utah Office of Tourism – are designed to celebrate the beauty and benefits of natural darkness – and it goes way beyond stargazing and astronomy. The deadline for entries is June 30, 2023. 

“The contest is designed to capture the importance of a dark sky to all living things,” says Ruskin Hartley, executive director for DarkSky, which is based in Tucson, Arizona. “As with past contests, the images help educate people about the serious impacts of light pollution and inspire all of us to protect the night sky.

Research published earlier this year in Science as part of the “Globe at Night” Citizen Science Project found that between 2011 and 2022 the brightness of the sky increased by 10.4% per year in North America and 6.5% in Europe.

There’s concern that the stars could be invisible within 20 years, but new categories within the ‘Capture The Dark’ contest aim to showcase examples of good lighting as well as bad. “A lot of people assume dark skies equals stargazing in remote parts of the world, but what we want to introduce the concept of both bad lighting and good quality lighting,” says Ruskin. He adds that although there are many astrophotographers who are skilled at capturing starry skies in dark places, photographing how places are lit is harder. “It’s tough to take a picture of either particularly bad or good lighting and show it up accurately as it as it would look at your eyes,” he says.  

Using photography to showcase nature adapted to natural light levels – whether it’s darkness, moonlight, starlight, or badly installed artificial light – is, thinks Ruskin, a continuation of a process that goes back 100 years to the founding of the National Park Service. “It was an intentional strategy in the early days of the NPS all the way through to the current day to have photographers show people places they might have never visited to build a national base of support for protecting these places,” he says. 

The contest is free and open to all, and photographers may submit one photo in each of these eight categories: 

1. Connecting to the Dark – Photos providing perspective and inspiration to reflect our humanity and place within the universe.
2. International Dark Sky Places – Photos capturing images from certified International Dark Sky Places.
3. The Impact of Light Pollution – Photos demonstrating light pollution’s impact on wildlife, ecosystems, climate, human health and night sky viewing including images of severe lighting and glare bombs.
4. The Bright Side of Lighting – Images of lighting using DarkSky’s Principles for Responsible Lighting, showing how outdoor light can be beautiful, healthy and functional.
5. Creatures of the Night – Photos showing light pollution’s adverse and deadly effects on wildlife and ecology.
6. Deep Sky – Photos capturing deep space objects like nebulae, galaxies, and star clusters.
7. The Mobile Photographer – Shots capturing dark sky imagery taken with a camera phone, tablet or GoPro. No DSLR, mirrorless camera or drone shots allowed.
8. Youth – Photos representing any of the contest categories taken by someone 17 or younger.

There’s also a People’s Choice award, which will come from a public vote for the best of the winners in the eight contest categories, beginning on July 3. 

Winners of each category will receive a prize package that includes feature coverage in DarkSky’s Nightscape publication, blog and social media posts, plus a DarkSky membership and swag. The People’s Choice award winner will receive a prize package including a $250 B&H gift card. All winning photos will also be featured in a special DarkSky exhibit in the Shanghai Astronomy Museum in late 2023.

Read more:

Astrophotography: How-to guides, tips and videos

Astrophotography tools: the best camera, lenses and gear

The best lenses for astrophotography

The best star tracker camera mounts

Best equatorial mounts

Best deep-space telescopes

The best light pollution filters

The best CCD cameras for astrophotography

The best spotting scopes

The best binoculars

The best microscopes

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