I Camped Under Dark Skies to Take My Best Space Pictures Ever

In this video I drive over 3 hours south into rural West Virginia to camp under some of the country's darkest skies with one goal in mind- to take my best and most detailed astrophotos ever.
My Instagram: / jackastrophotos

[@Wheeljack678]

Anyone with even a little bit of interest in astronomy should experience really dark skies at least once in their lives. It is, as you say, hard to describe just how beautiful it is to gaze upon.

[@rcpattaya230]

You are right. Well worth the travel. Very impressive pictures. ❤

[@bazpearce9993]

Cool trip. You should do a lot of that while you can. I've got a GTi too, but i put a 5" Maksutov on to image the Solar system stuff. It's a great little mount for the price. :)
Subbed!

[@stephy_spacesout]

Great setup and awesome final images! ❤

[@southbronxny5727]

1. Total darkness is scary to me. 2. IMO, you have better data than you think. Better processing could bring out even much more details. Great work👍

[@bobanderson413]

"Though my soul lies down in darkness it will rise in perfect light. I have loved the sky too fondly to be fearful of the night."

[@jesuschrist2284]

Great video and results ty

[@stefanschneider3681]

Beautiful images, really impressive! Isn't it just magic what comes out after stacking? It impresses me again and again. I took photos of both regions, but with much less integration time, I am too lazy ... but still horse head and flame are well visible. I actually did take pictures of Bodes and Cigarette that are almost like yours - about a year ago, when I was waiting for Super Bowl to start! We had perfectly clear skies and here in Europe Super Bowl usually starts around midnight, so plenty of time to spend outside trying to stay awake. They are beautiful! I did see the third easily visible galaxy in the upper right corner of your image, but I have to back to my picture, maybe I can find some of the ones you pointed out. One of the most impressive regions concerning galaxies is the Virgo Cluster, it will be up in a month or two, you'll love it. Thx for sharing!

[@jackastrophotos]

The Virgo Cluster/ Markarian's Chain will definitely be one of my spring targets!

[@SPAZIOASTRO]

Great work bro❤

[@travlon5101]

Great Final images !!! I never knew of this park. I will be stopping by this park in early April, after the eclipse to check it out.
Since you live in PA, have you been to Cherry Springs state park? It's bortle 2.4. I go there very often even though it's 256 miles from my home.
Thanks for your videos and Clear Skies.

[@jackastrophotos]

I have! I made one trip to Cherry Springs a few years ago for some visual observing. I will definitely be back now that I am doing some imaging as well.
It costs $10/night to camp at Calhoun, and $20 if you are using power. Quite the bargain if you ask me! The park staff at Calhoun are great- they are constantly making improvements. I'd recommend calling the number on their website and/or reading the Calhoun thread on Cloudynights before making a visit.

[@SpaceGamer04]

Good job these pictures are so cool

[@AstroBackyard]

Well done, Jack! Worth the drive and all the effort 👏

[@jackastrophotos]

Thank you Trevor- I appreciate you watching. Your videos were my introduction to the hobby back when I was in high school!

[@PafMedic]

These Are Gorgeous❤❤,Im 3 Hrs From Cherry Springs State Park In Pa😁But Live Under A Bortle 3/4 In Amish Territory…Literally…Sweet Video,And Enjoy The Astronomy Along With It❤️Great Job,and Clear Skies..I Havent Had Any,lol

[@Nottsboy24]

Super Cool 👍 🔭 greetings from the UK 🇬🇧

[@inquisitivesoul8978]

Well done. It would have been nice if you would have listed the gear you used other than the Red Cat. That just helps others see what you can get with what gear. (camera etc)

[@MountainFisher]

I live in New Mexico and am kind of spoiled, but you got some nice photos. You had an elliptical galaxy to the right that is gravitationally connected to M81 and M82.

[@marvinwhisman3333]

New subscriber. Enjoyed your video.

[@KarlKyhl]

Thank you for sharing. Calhoun has been on my list for awhile now. I see you used a PPS , those can get wonky in cold weather. Was there site power available?

[@jackastrophotos]

There are several power stations available. It costs $10/night to camp there without power, and $20 if you do use power. I've found that my power station can run my rig for probably 2-3 nights on one charge, even in the cold.
I did use the on-site power to charge my phone, however, so I paid $20 for the night. Still a bargain if you ask me!

[@icyxxxxx]

I wish I could have an opportunity like you insahallah soon

[@anata5127]

Could have taken Markaryan Chain as the second target. Bode’s and Cigar need a scope with FL 800-1000 mm

[@astro_benni]

what for a big akku do you use to power your skywatcher star adventurer gti? and what for a dc cable do you use?

[@jesuschrist2284]

What bortle was it in west Virginia compared to home?

[@AmatureAstronomer]

Nice.

[@davidletz9123]

Well done! What camera were you using?

[@jackastrophotos]

The ZWO ASI 533MC Pro

[@davidletz9123]

@@jackastrophotosThanks for the reply. I recently purchased the same camera, but yet to use it. How did you determine what the correct "Gain" would be for your images wit this camera? So far, I have used a mirrorless Nikon for shooting nebulae. I always used ISO 1600 and 3 minute exposures for decent results.

[@TheClassicWeebNo]

When he showed the black sky, the things flying are satellites?

[@reachforthestarchannel]

❤❤❤

[@user-pw4iw8gb5v]

Привет! Отличное видео! Успехов тебе и развития канала..!

[@user-cw4lu8no8o]

[@jesuschrist2284]

What bortle was it in west Virginia compared to home?

[@jackastrophotos]

This site is a good Bortle 3 location. My skies at home are Bortle 5-6 (depending on what direction I am shooting in)