NJspots is a community based around lovers of sunrises, sunsets, blue hours, and the night. So, we’re going to teach you a thing or two you might not have known about New Jersey’s night sky.
First of all, what the heck even is astrophotography?
Astrophotography is the photography of stars, planets, galaxies, and nebulae.
WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO PRACTICE ASTROPHOTOGRAPHY?
Knowing that it is the photography of stars, and planets, sunrise definitely is not the time to do it. The best time to practice is at night. Just because the sun has set does not mean you should set your
WHERE CAN WE SEE STARS?
Unfortunately, New Jersey is flooded with light pollution; making it very difficult to catch some stars outside of your doorstep. However, you can see TONS of stars on a clear night in Ocean City, NJ, as well as the Barnegat area. Stars, the milky way, and even planets are able to be seen in areas with VERY low light pollution, and on nights when a new moon has just started. The best way to find out where there is little low pollution and if it is a new moon is to do a quick Google search.
WHAT IF IT’S CLOUDY OUT?
Alright, so you waited all month for the new moon, here it is; it’s finally come. You step outside your house, look up and see that it’s cloudy as can be! Sitting by your car in despair you grab your
WRONG!!!
Get back in your car!! Phone a friend, and grab a flashlight.
As we mentioned earlier SOME OF THE MOST CREATIVE SHOTS ARE TAKEN AT NIGHT.
Lower your shutter speed, and work on creating some magical shots with that flashlight or even your cars headlights. The results you may get are amazing!
RECAP!
- Low light pollution, Ocean City, or Barnegat.
- New moon, no clouds.
- Cloudy? Work on painting with that flashlight!
Interested in learning more?
Read about more in Part 2
Sign up to our mailing list to stay informed on other parts of our Astrophotography Guide, as we teach you what equipment you will need, how to take those milky way shots, and, of course, how to post process them.
