Page 38 - BBC Sky at Night - September 2017 UK

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Heading into the wilderness can
give you a fresh perspective on
the skies and new options for
composing your astrophotos

a Palma, the Australian While the UK might not have the to a rural spot to observe or image
Outback, the Namibian Desert, night skies to rival Down Under or the – for a few hours – away from urban
the icy Arctic; for many of us climate of the Canary Islands, there lights, under darker skies than those
Ljust hearing names like those are still adventures to be had closer to you have at home. Many observers and
conjures up visions of pristine dark home. Journeys where breathtaking astrophotographers do this on a regular
skies and awe-inspiring phenomena astronomical sights or transient events basis as part of their local astronomical
all mixed with an intoxicating sense of can be seen and chased, alongside the society’s activities or on nights when
STUART MCINTYRE, ISTOCK of our dreams, of our bucket lists. But or a beautiful landscape. We like to or a display of aurora anticipated.
excitement of exploring a new place
wanderlust. They are the destinations
there’s a decent meteor shower peaking
Although it may sound like overkill,
think of it as ‘wild’ astronomy.
these beautiful locations, and the thrill
A ‘wild’ astronomy adventure, then,
if you’ve never observed or imaged from
of exploring them, needn’t be the only
a remote location before, planning your
subjects for such wistful imaginings.
could be as simple as an evening drive
skyatnightmagazine.com 2017