Deep Space 5

Over the past two years, I've noticed more and more people going to Area 62 and the light pollution seems to be spreading to this dark sky site.  I have been using this location almost exclusively for astrophotography and a decent area to take Hercules for nearly 6 years.  I have determined that it's mostly the people that have driven me to find a new dark sky site.  Sometimes when you go out to the middle-of-nowhere, it's to get away from people and to enjoy the peace and quiet. 

I recently found a new dark site location that I have designated Deep Space 5.  Surprisingly, it's a little closer than Area 62 and it seems much darker.  I have only been there once and it was cloudy most of the night, so it will require another visit or two to determine.  The terrain is very similar to Area 62, which I like since there are plenty of flat, level places to set up Hercules and my astrophotography gear.

I have taken Hercules out once this year, just to a large parking lot in the city, to get reacquainted.  Unfortunately, I ran into some issues and have to replace most of the electronics, so Hercules is out of commission for a little while.  I hope to get it up and running by the end of June, but the way my luck goes.....

On June 16th, my wife and I drove to Deep Space 5 equipped with our chairs, snacks, and astrophotography equipment.  After driving along a washboard dirt road for 5 miles (each way) we have likely decided that our future visits to this area will be in an area before this long dirt road.  The bumpiness would likely wreak havoc on Hercules' delicate internals.

We took around 200 pictures, but will share the best 20, or so with my readers.  Be sure to click on each picture for a larger image and please let me know what you think!

Deep Space 5 with clouds

Cloud cover

Looking West:  Moon and Venus

Stars through the clouds

Jupiter:  Look closely to see a couple of moons

Moon and Venus

Looking Northwest:  clouds and stars

Stars, clouds, rain

Moon, Venus, M44 between them

Moon, Venus, M44, clouds

Moon, Venus, M44, clouds

Lots of stars!

Clouds, stars, jet trail

Silhouette and clouds

Looking Northeast:  jet trail, clouds

Big Dipper

More clouds

Looking West:  Venus, Moon behind clouds

Milky Way, stars, clouds

Stars, clouds

Milky Way and clouds

Peaking Moon

Milky Way

I have signed up for an astrophotography class which will hopefully help hone my skills so that I can take better pictures to share.  I hope to bring you a few more posts like this one throughout the summer.  Hopefully some of these future pictures will include my telescope, Hercules.     

Now get outside and look up!