Dark Sky Astrophotography Camping - Explore The Far Side Of The Galaxy!

Shadow and I travel to and camp at a Bortle 2 Dark Sky Zone to do Astrophotography. There we imageThe Omega Nebula, The Eagle Nebula with its iconic Pillars of Creation, and The Cat's Paw Nebula. The location is 5,000 feet in elevation and the skies are crystal clear: a perfect night for astrophotography and camping.
Topics covered: Astrophotography Camping; Astrophotography for Beginners; Facts about the Omega Nebula (M17), The Eagle Nebula (M16), and The Cat's Paw Nebula (NGC 6334).
Equipment Used: Orion Maksutov-Newtonian Telescope; Orion G24 CMOS full color camera; Orion EQ-G Mount; Orion 60mm Guide Scope; ZWO ASI 1678 Guide Camera.
Software Used: SharpCap, PHD2, Deep Sky Stacker, and Photoshop
Location: Next to Pipe Springs National Monument, about 80 miles North of the Grand Canyon. Camped at the Kaibab Paiute Indian Reservation Camp Site.
#adventuresofshadow #astrophotographycamping #astrophotographyadventures #astrophotography

[@dbakker7219]

As a fellow astrophotographer I really appreciate the way you show us your adventures ! Not only focused on the images and processing but the whole experience, and I can only be in awe of your skies and scenery from a rainy Netherlands right now .

[@robvandenwijngaart988]

Hello fellow Dutch man. I live in Galicia Spain, last two night I had the first clear skies in a month, so rainy in the Netherlands, clouds in Spain.

[@adventuresofshadowdog]

Thank you for the kind words. Sometimes this heat makes me wish I were in the Netherlands! Lol. I am truly grateful though for the wonderful clear skies here. Hope the clouds clear up for you soon. 😎

[@janketza0206]

Another great Video, Lance. You are a great educator. Just amazing you do this all yourself!

[@adventuresofshadowdog]

Thanks as always Jan!

[@collenemeeks5212]

I am really enjoying your videos. Thank you for sharing. Just fun and incredible

[@adventuresofshadowdog]

Thank you so very much! Comments like yours keep Shadow and me motivated.

[@billwright9518]

Great video, heat here in England is not a problem like you have to contend with, great images 👍

[@adventuresofshadowdog]

Thanks Bill! At times I wish I were in the cool weather of lovely England. This time of year in particular. But the skies are mostly clear here and I do appreciate that. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@Zealor365]

Well produced video. I appreciate the time you put in to making this for those of us who don't have access to the sky.

[@adventuresofshadowdog]

Thank you so much Mark! I enjoy making these videos, but it is a lot to keep up. Encouraging comments like yours keeps me going and gives purpose to it all. Shadow appreciates your comment too!

[@AstroAF]

What a great rv camp area! Lot of room for Shadow!! Nice that the neighbors kept it dark! Beautiful result images!! Cheers! Doug

[@adventuresofshadowdog]

Thanks Doug!

[@alandyer910]

Great images! Thanks for bringing us along! Clear skies!

[@adventuresofshadowdog]

Thanks Alan! Shadow and I are happy you came along with us. 😎

[@kylecduncan]

Thank you for showing us the incredible beauty of the Omega Nebula. I often marvel at how God created earth and sky with not dissimilar patterns: when one stares into the incredible colors of a sunstone, or the swirls of banding in a colorful agate, the forms and flows mimic the beauty of the galaxies, stars, and nebulae. Just so calming and wondrous. But admittedly, my favorite part of this video, Lance, is watching Shadow get the zoomies!

[@adventuresofshadowdog]

Hi Kyle! You are so right about the amazing similarities in the patterns within rocks and out in the cosmos. When I shine a light through into an agate, it looks amazingly like what I see out in the universe. It’s really cool! And as always, Shadow is the star! Good to hear from you and thanks for the comment!

[@EndgameCampers]

I’m amazed every time. Great images my friend

[@adventuresofshadowdog]

Thanks Dave! Really love your channel!

[@jayscot4235]

Outstanding. Y’all are awesome !

[@adventuresofshadowdog]

Thanks Jay! As are you!

[@jimkaletaBuffalo]

WOW Those are beautiful.

[@adventuresofshadowdog]

Thanks Jim!

[@ozzielfc1568]

Hi Lance, greetings from Australia. love the video and fantastic images. Was due to go to Grand Canyon back in 2020 but Covid made sure I had to cancel. Looks a great RV site and I’m gonna try and get over there soon. I know how you feel with the 100+ temps. But worth the hassle or our love of astronomy and the results that come with it. Looking forward to more videos. Take care my friends

[@adventuresofshadowdog]

Hello @ozzielfc! I hope you make it to the Grand Canyon and this area. That campsite is close to the Grand Canyon and other great places to see incredible scenery and to find dark skies. And it’s cheap! They also have a couple of cabins. Don’t hesitate to reach out when you are making your plans. Happy to help out or answer questions or provide info. Thanks for watching and commenting! Love to Australia!.

[@tott3457]

Mr. Lance Always love your adventures In N. Central Ca we hit 114 yesterday with about the same forecast for the next week 🥵 Stay cool and Hydrated everyone!

[@adventuresofshadowdog]

Ouch! That is hot! It’s hot everywhere right now. I’ll take your advice and stay hydrated. I hope you are doing okay in this heat. As always, thanks for watching and commenting!

[@matsonx]

Who would have guessed that I will subscribe after watching just one of your videos. There is a vibe to your videos that I can't quite put my finger on. Keep it up, can't wait to see more.

[@adventuresofshadowdog]

Well thank you! That is very kind of you. Shadow and I look forward to having you come along on future adventures. 😎

[@charleslupica]

Beautiful work.

[@adventuresofshadowdog]

Thank You Charles!

[@DouglasBarnum]

Very nice images! I’m going to try to get more data on M 16 tonight and tomorrow. This is from my driveway in central NY. This is the first time I’ve worked on the Eagle because the telescope can’t see Polaris and that part of the southern sky when I’m at home. Recently started using the ASIAir instead of a PC and they have experimental all-sky polar alignment so going to try that again. The first time I tried it the other night the guiding was pretty bad, worse than normal for my setup. After processing the few subs I had it still looked pretty good. Anyway another great video. And I’ll try to not be too jealous of your Bortle 2 skies. 😊

[@adventuresofshadowdog]

Thanks Douglas! I’m pretty old fashioned and I don’t know what I would do if I had to polar align without Polaris in view. I use SharpCap and it will do polar alignment using stars, but I’ve never actually done it. I should run through it and learn how so that if the time comes where I can’t see Polaris, I can still Polar Align. Goodluck on the Eagle Nebula! Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@marlaranney4883]

Always a fun adventure with you and Shadow, my friend! Richard and I are glad you beat the heat and had a great time!

[@adventuresofshadowdog]

Thanks Marla! Best to Richard!

[@EDDEBERRY]

Hey Lance Your Neighbor Ed Here. Another oustanding video, your Astrophotography is just amazing and crazy Shadow makes it so much fun to watch.

[@adventuresofshadowdog]

Hey thanks Ed! Shadow is truly the star! And a great little buddy. Let’s get together soon!

[@EDDEBERRY]

@@adventuresofshadowdog I would like that. I shared your latest video with a friend of mine who lives in Santa Clara. He also enjoys astrophotography and would like to meet you. Thanks

[@adventuresofshadowdog]

Let’s meet up for lunch!

[@thecampingastronomer8554]

Another great adventure Lance, with superb results to show for it.

[@adventuresofshadowdog]

Thanks John! I see you just posted a new video and I’m looking forward to watching it this afternoon. I love seeing the beautiful English countryside through your videos. Such a contrast to the harsh desert landscape here in the southwest US. This time of year makes me want to be in the lush green British Isles! Thanks so much for watching and commenting.

[@robvandenwijngaart988]

Love the Cat's Paw Nebula, unfortunately it just comes barely above the horizon at my place. Saludos from Spain, Rob.

[@adventuresofshadowdog]

Hi Rob! Great to hear from you! Yes, the Cat’s Paw is tough to capture from here too. I’m 37 degrees or so North. What is your latitude there? Thanks as always for watching and commenting!

[@robvandenwijngaart988]

@@adventuresofshadowdog Hi Lance, We live at 42 degrees North. Problem with things low above the horizon, is that seen from the south I live behind the mountain.

[@adventuresofshadowdog]

42 degrees North vs 37 degrees makes a difference. Then the mountains! Yeah, that makes it tough. Maybe you’ll have to climb the mountain! lol

[@CurrentlyRockhounding]

Honestly, I prefer seeing you doing this hobby vs me doing it because it would completely wreck my sleep schedule staying up this late. If I were to get into astrophotography, all I would ever be able to shoot images of would be the sun. Your images came out great.

[@adventuresofshadowdog]

Thanks Jared! Your CURRENTLY ROCKHOUNDING channel is the best one out there on the subject. To put out the volume and quality of videos you produce is mind boggling to me. I don’t know how you do it! Thanks so much for watching and commenting. 😎

[@morfoto]

Such a great area to image from. I fly from NYC to Cane Beds, AZ (20 minutes away from Pipe Spring NM) each summer for a week to do astrophotography. In fact, I'm here now! This whole week has been clear and beautiful, glad you had a similar experience!

[@adventuresofshadowdog]

Great to hear and so glad the skies have been clear and the seeing conditions good for you this past week. We were very close to each other! Which airport do you fly into, if I may ask?

[@NikonJax]

Like your Capri Camper. I have a Bundutec and plan to do the same thing :) Will have to check out that spot. Nice job on the pics!

[@adventuresofshadowdog]

I’ve heard good things about the Bundutec. Do you like it? I can recommend that campsite. Clean. Never crowded when I’ve been there. Feels safe. I like it a lot. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@Tp_astro]

Nice

[@adventuresofshadowdog]

Thanks!

[@AstroSoundscape]

Hey you did a great job of catching these objects that we take for granted down here in Australia. Nice setup too especially having the car to cool down.

[@adventuresofshadowdog]

Thanks @AstroSoundscape! We may be on different hemispheres, but we share the same hot weather! Love to Australia!

[@AstroSoundscape]

@adventuresofshadowdog Sure do luckily down here in Victoria we're in Winter now so chance to cool off although it's also all clouds too! Cheers Ollie.

[@chlrsnj326]

I live at 7000ft Elevation. Clears night and bad seeing.... Never heard of it! 😂

[@adventuresofshadowdog]

Wow! 7,000 feet. What part of the world?

[@scorpianspirit5124]

Greetings from Spanish Valley (SE of Moab), I just came across your video and wouldn't you know I just imaged M16 and M20 last night (July 7th) from my observatory outside of Moab. Fun stuff for sure and both images were outstanding, but I think I will see where the cats paw nebula is located and if it's going to be high enough above the horizon for my location. The canyon walls to my south sit almost 20 degrees off the horizon so that anything below 25 degrees is on the skinny edge from my observatory. (I'm rambling ;-) ) Anyhow you have a new sub, you look to be of my generation and if you ever want to get out my way you would have a place to park and setup camp. I'm on 5 acres with plenty of room and I would enjoy the company of another enthusiast of AP ! The weather has been good so far for July and over nite temps are in the low 60's, so not to bad. ;-) Anyhow I'm glad to have come across your channel and take in the adventures of you and Shadow ! Cheers and clear sky's 😅BTW, I just checked and the Cats Paw is defiantly way to low at 13 degrees so off to the Crescent nebula instead... ;-)

[@adventuresofshadowdog]

Thanks so much for watching and the awesome offer to visit sometime. Please send me an email and we can establish a channel of communication. My email address is: [e-mail] Thanks again!

[@BearandMimi]

Awesome captures Lance. Would it be possible to do this from a boat due to the clear skies above lakes? What would be a good beginner telescope? Shadow loves to run like my Pom used to. I could see the namesake in each nebula except the Omega. The Eagle one was so clear. Great job.

[@adventuresofshadowdog]

Thanks! @BearandMimi! Good questions. Astrophotography requires taking long exposures, so the scope must be on very steady ground and tracking of the object must be very accurate. Thus a boat is ruled out. Now an island out on the lake or out to see would be ideal! As for beginning telescopes, opinions range all over the board. But in my opinion, a 6” to 8” aperture Dobsonian Telescope makes a great beginners scope and they don’t break the bank. That’s how I started anyway. Ease into it. There is lots to learn, and I’m still learning everyday. But it’s tremendously rewarding and the journey is a lot of fun. Good luck!

[@apreviousseagle836]

That's like a giant version of the Taco Bell dog, lol

[@adventuresofshadowdog]

Now that you mentioned it . . . 😂

[@apreviousseagle836]

@@adventuresofshadowdog He looks so lovable!

[@angelogarciajr5356]

well I am in northern California no where near a desert and it is 111. I wish I was shooting milky ways....perfect time Those are pretty amazing. I wish I knew how to do that but I dont have the gear. How do you find the nebulas. Can I shoot a nebula, single stacked images without a telescope? I can try after a milky way shoot.

[@adventuresofshadowdog]

Hi Angelo! You can actually do a lot with just a smart phone. If you set the phone on something to hold it steady, or better yet use a tripod, you can capture amazing images of the Milky Way. Now, you can also pair a smart phone to a telescope and image the moon and planets. And sometimes even a Nebulae. I’m going to do a video on how to do that soon. You don’t need an expensive scope. I’ll cover that too. As for finding the Nebulae, there are several apps that will help you. I personally like Sky Guide. It makes it real easy to find them. Thanks for watching and leaving a comment!

[@angelogarciajr5356]

@@adventuresofshadowdog Thank you. I would not use a phone. I have plenty of cameras and lenses. I always shoot milky ways, no problems there. I was thinking of trying a Nebula if I can find one. I remember how frustrated I was trying to see and locate the recent comets. I have a couple apps maybe even sky guide. I will check it out next time in dark skies. Thx

[@adventuresofshadowdog]

Comets are REALLY HARD to track and photograph. You will find Nebulae much easier. Try a big one like The North America Nebula. In the fall try The Orion Nebula. Can’t miss that one! Super bright core.