Skip to main content

Starry, Starry Night

In this episode, Starry, Starry Night . . .


Welcome back to On the Fly! This week, we're exploring the basics of astrophotography. Have you ever looked up at the night sky and wondered what's really out there? I’ve discovered a way to explore distant galaxies–without a telescope–or leaving my backyard.


Consider this: each night, when the skies are clear, a breathtaking display unfolds above us—a cosmic dance of light and color. When you step outside, you notice the moon and perhaps a few stars. However, you can open a gateway to the universe with a camera, some adjustments, and a tripod.


Suddenly, faint whispers of light transform into vibrant galaxies, swirling nebulae, and star clusters that shimmer like diamonds scattered across black velvet. That fuzzy patch you thought was just a smudge becomes the Andromeda Galaxy, our closest galactic neighbor, an astonishing 2.5 million light-years away. You're capturing light that has traveled millions of years to reach your camera sensor. How amazing is that?


The best part? You don't need expensive equipment to get started. Even a basic DSLR camera (or your Smartphone) and a tripod can reveal wonders you'd never see with the naked eye.


Let me be honest—I have a secret advantage here in Southern California. While others bundle up in layers of winter gear to catch a glimpse of the stars, I'm in my backyard with a light jacket, enjoying the crisp, clear nights with temperatures in the high 40s. That's practically balmy weather for winter stargazing!


Ok, I get it–you can’t avoid light pollution; this poses a challenge, especially if you live in a city. Find a darker spot a bit further from town, or use a dark sky app to discover the best viewing areas near you. For me, it’s as simple as going out when my neighbors are tucked in for the night. I turn off all the lights in the house and enjoy a dark sky window from my backyard.


One word of caution, though. When you're ready to take your astrophotography to the next level, you'll discover some incredible tutorials online. Start by watching instructional videos created by astrophotography experts. Be prepared to be amazed–and possibly a little intimidated. The images they proudly showcase are often the result of years of experience and advanced equipment—telescopes and specialized cameras—and usually involve intricate post-processing using multiple software applications.


Don't be discouraged!


Now, let’s start by switching your camera to manual mode. Make these adjustments indoors; fumbling around in the dark can be frustrating. A wide-angle lens is ideal as it captures more of the sky–focus on infinity. Set the ISO between 800 and 1600; this will make your camera more sensitive to light, and use an aperture of f/4 (f/2.8 if possible). Limit exposures to no more than 10 to 15 seconds for the best results. Your camera can capture more than you ever imagined. Exceeding 15 seconds may produce star tracers, which could be your intention. Don’t hesitate to experiment!



I'm excited to share the photos in this blog post, which are my first attempts with my DSLM camera! After processing them in iPhoto, I felt an incredible rush of excitement. When Lori saw the pictures, she exclaimed, “It looks like that in our backyard?”


Start simple, experiment, and enjoy the journey of discovery. Tonight, before the moon gets too bright, grab your camera, put it on a tripod, and try a 10-second exposure pointed at the brightest star you can see. You might be surprised!


Imagine capturing the Big Dipper, the Orion Nebula—a stellar nursery where new stars are born—or the Pleiades, a cluster of sparkling young stars that looks like a dipper. Scan the sky with your phone's app, SkyView, free from the app store. You may be able to capture planets within the same frame. If lucky, you might catch a meteor (a falling star) streaking across the sky–fleeting moments of cosmic magic.


Astrophotography is a journey of discovery that lets you explore the universe. It is a humbling and awe-inspiring experience, allowing you to witness the breathtaking beauty of the night sky and—dare I say—add a touch of magic to your life.


I’m Patrick Ball, reminding you to stay curious, ask questions, and explore on this starry night.

Comments

Most Popular of All Time

Finding Our Place

In this episode,  Finding Our Place: Hope and Humanity in the Age of AI . . . Yesterday, I overheard a conversation that echoed a question many of us are quietly asking: In a world increasingly shaped by algorithms, where do we , as humans, truly fit in? My younger colleagues, sharp and driven, were "joking" about AI taking their jobs. Their concerns felt valid, prompting me to reflect. Will machines really replace us? My answer, unequivocally, is No . And here’s why. What makes us uniquely human isn't merely our ability to perform tasks. It's our innate capacity for creativity and our deep-seated need to serve others. These aren't just abstract ideas; they are the very essence of what gives meaning to our lives and work. While AI excels at processing data and automating tasks with incredible speed, it cannot replicate the spark of human ingenuity. It lacks the empathy to truly understand unspoken needs or the intuitive synergy that fosters breakthrough solutio...

Chasing the Magic

In this episode, Chasing the Magic: How the Summer of ’98 Inspired the 'Ball Boys' . . .  Do you remember that feeling? The late-summer air was thick with humidity, radios crackling on porches, the smell of fresh-cut grass and barbecue smoke in the backyard. Every evening carried a new kind of suspense—the country holding its collective breath after every pitch. “Did he hit one today?” became more than a question; it sparked a nationwide conversation.   For me, and millions of others, the summer of 1998 wasn’t just another baseball season. It was theater, a movement, a time when the game recaptured something sacred. As sportswriter Mike Lupica said so perfectly,   “No matter how old you are or how much you’ve seen, sports is still about memory and imagination. Never more than during the summer of ’98, when baseball made everyone feel like a kid again, when it felt important again.”    Just four years earlier, the 1994 players’ strike had left the sport bruised...

The Curious Crew

In today's special episode, The Curious Crew . . .  Oh, our young folks are ready, with AI so grand, A new era of wonders across every land! With curious minds, vast as Space, full of creative delight, And a zest for exploring, with all of their light! They welcome new tools, with a gleam in their eye, To learn and to grow, way up to the sky! Our thinking's a marvel, a clever design, We make new plans, so fantastically fine! With problem-space maps and memories, too, We build new ideas, quite fresh and quite new! With smiling faces, showing gratitude's grace, We find our own wonderful, human-filled place! Sharing a meal with generosity and love, A warm human spirit, a gift from above! We stand tall together, collaborate, and help with a grin, For with Agentic AI, together we win! Not machines all alone, but with us by their side, We'll create and serve, with nothing to hide! I'm Patrick Ball. Stay curious and ask questions. See you next time.

Beyond June Gloom

Beyond June Gloom: The Milky Way Awaits! ✨🌌 Has the seemingly endless marine layer got your telescope feeling neglected? For us sky-watchers on the beautiful California coast, May Gray and June Gloom have played a persistent game of hide-and-seek with our celestial views. But there's good news tonight: as summer officially arrives, a stunning cosmic spectacle is about to reveal itself, and you absolutely won't want to miss it! We know the drill: that persistent marine layer turning our sunny days into cool, misty ones. It's a hallmark of our coastal climate, and while it's kept our telescopes under wraps, consider it nature’s way of building epic anticipation for the celestial show that’s about to unfold The Return of the Galactic Core! (Photo courtesy of Gemini) As the days grow longer and the summer air warms, those stubborn clouds will begin to dissipate, revealing a breathtaking sight: the core of our very own Milky Way galaxy! That's right, the vibrant heart...