ASTROPHOTOGRAPHY

Astrophotography or astronomical imaging, is photography of astronomical objects, celestial events, and areas of the night sky. I made my first foray into astrophotography when a good friend, and fellow Vegas-tog, posted an open invitation to join him to shoot C/2020 F3 (NEOWISE) or Comet NEOWISE in July of 2020. Because we were locked down as a result of the 2020 COVID-19 Pandemic and I had been unable to shoot, I thought it was a great opportunity to be in nature and away from most people and try something new. Comet NEOWISE is a long period comet with a near-parabolic orbit discovered only a few months earlier on March 27, 2020. We found a great location with minimum “light pollution”, no small feat when you live in light and neon-centric Las Vegas! My friend provided some helpful advice and we shot for a few hours after sunset. The next day I reviewed my images and analyzed what I had done wrong. I decided to return on my own the next evening and spent about 4-hours shooting in the dark of night. Needless to say, I’m hooked! The beauty of the night sky, the majesty of our own galaxy the Milky Way, and the photographing of a new interstellar visitor, Comet NEOWISE. I hope you enjoy what I’ve captured and hope to shoot more!