Myth Busted: Capturing Deep-Sky Images in Bright Nights

Are you frustrated because bright summer nights make it seem impossible to capture stunning deep-sky images? You're not alone! Join me, Tim from Cosmic Captures, as I challenge the common belief that astrophotography can't be done during short, illuminated summer nights.
In this video, I'll share my journey of discovering whether you can still photograph deep-sky objects when the sky doesn't get completely dark. I'll cover:
The science of twilight and how it affects night photography
My personal experiences and techniques for shooting during twilight
Real examples of images taken during bright nights, including M13 and M27
Tips for managing light pollution and maximising your results
Whether you're an experienced astrophotographer or a curious beginner, this video will provide insights and inspiration to keep you shooting, even in the brightest of nights.
00:00 - Intro
00:45 - The "Impossible" Astrophotography Season
01:35 - Understanding Twilight
03:35 - The Twilight Astrophotography Experiment
05:20 - Imaging Techniques for Bright Nights
06:18 - Bright Night Imaging - Yes or No?
07:08 - Link to More Content about Deep-Sky Objects
07:18 - Time to Experiment
The video features an animated representation of the Earth during twilight, generated by an online simulator I came across during my research. This tool is incredibly impressive and practical. You can access it at drajmarsh.bitbucket.io/earths...
Don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell icon to stay updated with my latest astrophotography adventures!

[@CosmicCaptures]

This video is for all the astrophotographers who capture images from high-latitude locations and deal with bright and short summer nights, as well as those who confront light pollution from artificial or natural sources. Keep your telescopes and cameras running during clear skies and make the most of the available conditions. You might be surprised by what you can capture. Have you ever attempted deep-sky astrophotography during twilight? If so, how was your experience?

[@rinceart]

Another very high production quality video that is also very informative. Keep it up! You have the potential to one day become one of the premiere astrophotography channels on KZbin!

[@CosmicCaptures]

Thank you for saying that. I'll do my best to keep it up 😃

[@DR-fy7qy]

The animations and graphics provide great clarity to your lucid presentation. Well done.

[@CosmicCaptures]

Thank you 🙏🏻 I am very glad you like the animations and graphics 😃

[@StarScaperPhoto]

Just found your channel and glad I did! You are very talented and your production looks super professionel. Conpliments!

[@CosmicCaptures]

Hey Jeroen, welcome to Cosmic Captures. It's so lovely to see you here. I have been watching your videos for a while and enjoy your work a lot. And I have also learned quite a bit. 🙏🏻

[@StarScaperPhoto]

@@CosmicCaptures thanks! Super nice to hear you're also watching StarScaper 😃. Good luck with your next videos. I look forward to them!

[@CosmicCaptures]

Thank you :) I think you will like the next one.

[@deepskytrekkin9600]

Great video! The underlying message is don't throw in the towel just because someone says it can't be done. Maybe they aren't as good with thinking outside the box as your are. Be a rebel and prove things for yourself. Maybe you will open doors for yourself as CosmicCaptures did. Bravo Sir!

[@mariospenard5125]

Excellent information! ❤

[@CosmicCaptures]

Glad you think so!

[@TheSkilledballplaya]

The Earth/Sun OMG! Greatest thing since sliced bread!

[@CosmicCaptures]

You're absolutely right 👍🏻

[@bosseblomqvist2272]

Living in southern Sweden, dualband filter and shorter exposures like you recommend helps a lot here. I got quality data at summer solstice.

[@CosmicCaptures]

Hej! You are right; dual-band filters work well even when the sky is not completely dark. It's great to hear that you got some quality data during the summer solstice. I saw that the weather was nice, but I had to travel so I missed that chance. Thanks a lot for commenting 👍🏻

[@oryanastro]

The production value and depth of this video is amazing! Taking notes as I’m watching this haha

[@oryanastro]

Also - what do you use to get those orbiting timelapses?? They look incredible!

[@CosmicCaptures]

You are taking notes while watching the video 😁 Then I must have done something right 👍🏻 Thanks a lot for stopping by and taking the time to comment. By the way, I like your channel and your video style, especially the little sequences/transitions that you sometimes create. Keep up the good work.

[@CosmicCaptures]

I created the time-lapses with a motorised slider. It's the Shark Slider Nano from iFootage, and it's a great and versatile little product.

[@Planetreefastro]

Outstanding video Tim! I love in NY and the skies here are very light polluted so I have to travel 3-5 hours away to get dark skies. But your video gave me hopes of being to image from my daughters backyard. The weather has been bad here this year but hopefully I’ll get an imaging session in here or there. Best regards Luis from NY

[@CosmicCaptures]

Thanks, Louis. I can imagine that NY is a tough place to do astrophotography. My backyard is in a Bortle 6 zone, and I, too, have to travel to get dark skies. But hey, if it's clear, it's fun to do astrophotography even from light-polluted locations. We have a similar bad weather situation here in the south of Sweden. It's time for the clouds to go away. I wish you clear skies and a lot of fun imaging from your daughter's backyard 👍🏻

[@matej.mlakar]

Really interesting video and thanks for sharing your experience from Sweden. I always wondered how is up there... I guess it has its pluses and minuses (with longer winter nights and aurora). And I have to compliment the quality of your videos too, because the productions is great! Do you work in this field, because it is obvious you are no stranger to this?

[@CosmicCaptures]

I'm glad you found the video informative. Sweden is a pretty long country, and I live in the very south of it. Still, the nights are much longer here during the winter, but usually we have tons of clouds. We are a bit too far south for the aurora, but it can happen. And yes, I am no stranger to video productions. I have worked in that field for the last 12 years.

[@matej.mlakar]

@@CosmicCaptures Ah yes, I am a bit familiar with Sweden. Was there once, in Uppsala and I do have a friend living near Malmo, well he will move to Jonstorp soon, hopefully I will visit him in the fall. Really great you are able to thansfer your knowledge to those videos.

[@ld1897]

Excellent video Tim, I learn so much, thank you! Sadly my neighbours spaceship lit house dumps too much light into my backyard, and it doesn't help I live in a borstal 8 zone. When I am able to, I travel to dark sites. Hasn't been a good year for me though, poor planing and weather have ruined my Astro trips. It's ok I watch your videos and feel better... 😁

[@CosmicCaptures]

I am happy to hear that my videos make you feel better. Bortle 8 and spaceship-lit houses in the neighbourhood are a challenge. I can also relate to your comment regarding the weather. But I keep hoping that it'll get better for all of us. Clear skies to you, and thanks a lot for commenting. It means a lot to me.

[@robvandenwijngaart988]

During full moon, go out with a DSLR camera and just take nice photos of moonlight nightscapes. If the moon is bothering you and your telescope, use the moon doing something else. Atleast that is what I sometimes do.

[@CosmicCaptures]

That's an excellent idea. Moonlight has a beautiful quality to it. Thanks for sharing 🙏🏻

[@Skylle68]

🤩✨

[@CosmicCaptures]

I'm glad you enjoyed the video :)

[@Wheeljack678]

I'm tempted to try, but I reckon this works better with mono and narrowband-filters, rather than OSC and broadband-filters? Traditionally, I've been able to get an hour-ish pr night on bright targets near Zenith (like Cygnus), but not until late july/early august I live at 59 North, and I am guessing that getting the guidecam to find and pick up stars will be a bigger challenge. I only base this upon difficulties I've experienced when I've tried to Polar Align a little too early in the evening.

[@CosmicCaptures]

Yes, it'll be challenging, but I don't think LRGB/RGB imaging on a mono camera is much different to imaging with an OSC camera. The results should be very comparable. Narrowband imaging is a different story. I still think dual narrowband filters can work great on colour cameras. On my setup at f7 with an off-axis guide, I had no issues finding guide stars, even during the summer solstice. But I am also a few degrees further south than you. Give it a try :)

[@alexandreastronomy8022]

Very nice video, just discovered your channel. Do you have a link where i can find the animation of the earth showing darkness relative to date?

[@CosmicCaptures]

Thanks, and welcome to Cosmic Captures. :) I have added the link to the Earth simulator to the video description. It's a handy tool.

[@alexandreastronomy8022]

@@CosmicCaptures Thanks, clear skies!

[@LORD_ASTRO_INDIA-OFFICIAL]

Can you make a full video on all frame we take

[@CosmicCaptures]

But I don't quite understand. Can you please explain what you would like to see one more time? Thank you 🙏🏼

[@LORD_ASTRO_INDIA-OFFICIAL]

@@CosmicCaptures can you make full video on how to use (bias frame, flat frame, light frame,dark frame) plz 💀

[@CosmicCaptures]

@@LORD_ASTRO_INDIA-OFFICIAL Now I understand. Thanks for explaining.

[@Tp_astro]

I'm from finland and its so much worser, cant see any star at all. Its not that dark, thank you for the video tho.

[@Tp_astro]

There is no twilight basically

[@CosmicCaptures]

Thanks for sharing. I understand that it's much more challenging for you guys up there and that the video doesn't help you right now. But you may be able to shorten your astrophotography pause once nautical twilight returns to your location. Give it a try and see if it works for you 👍🏻

[@anata5127]

Put your scopes in Namibia, Spain and the US. Then, there will not be problems. Alternatively, buy infrared camera.

[@Loopy01]

I think you might be missing the point of this video.

[@CosmicCaptures]

Thanks for expressing your thoughts. Not everyone has the resources to access a remote telescope, and even if everyone could afford one, there are people who enjoy being outdoors under the sky and embracing challenges and adverse situations.