Shooting stars

PLAN YOUR NIGHT-TIME SHOOT TO ENSURE A CLEAR VIEW OF THE MILKY WAY

Bring a tripod 1

Tiny vibrations can ruin star sharpness, which is why it’s vital to have a sturdy tripod. Prevent camera shake by setting mirror lockup or a two-second delay, so that (for DSLRS) the mirror doesn’t cause vibrations. A wireless shutter release can also help to prevent shake caused by touching the camera.

The galactic core 2

The Milky Way appears as a band of stars across the night sky. The core is clustered around the Sagittarius A black hole, and it’s this that looks most impressive in Milky Way photos. The core is visible during March-october in the northern hemisphere, and February-october in the southern hemisphere.

Clear skies 3

Cloud cover will ruin your chances of seeing the stars, so check the weather to make sure it’s a clear night before you head out. The website https://clearoutside.com is great for planning stargazing or astrophotography. It tells you the chances of a clear sky, as well as the moon phase and moon set.

Maximum darkness 4

The darker the surroundings, the more visible the Milky Way will be. Seek out a place away from cities, towns and other areas with light pollution. We went to Butser Hill in the South Downs National Park, which is one of seven designated dark sky reserves in the UK. See www.nationalparks.uk/dark-skies for more.

Fast lens 5

The most important kit item for Milky Way photography is a fast (wide-aperture) lens. Ideally you’ll need a lens with an aperture of f/2.8 or wider to ensure the faint light from distant stars is captured on your camera’s sensor. However, you can still get perfectly good results at f/4.

Head torch 6

A head torch is essential for moving around safely in the dark. Use one that has a red lamp as well as a white lamp: the red light will allow you to see in the dark without spoiling your night shots. Ideally, find a lamp that allows you to switch the red on without having to cycle through the white lamp modes.