These images are composites of multiple frames: 25, 53, 76, and 157, so at 30 seconds per exposure, the images capture 12, 25, 38, and 78 minutes of star movement. I use free software called StarStaX to blend them all together.
Archive for the Astrophotography Category
Star Trails
Posted in Astrophotography, Composite, interval exposure, Long exposures, sky, Wide Angle on May 14, 2016 by budbranchNight Sky
Posted in 5DMII, Astrophotography, interval exposure, Long exposures, sky on May 7, 2016 by budbranchProspecting for Eta Aquarids meteors – none in this frame. Looking southeast, thirty second exposures f/4.0, 17MM ISO 6400. I set the camera up at 10:30 and set a self-timer delay for 3-1/2 hours, so it would start making exposures around 2AM. Mars is low at right.
These next two are consecutive 30 second frames showing an aircraft (given away by the strobing beacon lights), and a satellite that brightened and dimmed during the 60 seconds it took to make these images.
There are meteors in both of these images:
Twin satellites – interesting:
Meteor and aircraft:
As dawn was breaking, a classic Iridium flare, top right:
The Peak of the Perseids: No Moon, Plenty of Clouds
Posted in 5DMII, Astrophotography, Available Light, Long exposures, sky, Time Lapse on August 16, 2015 by budbranchPerseid Clouds from Bud Branch on Vimeo.
A Perseid Meteor
Posted in 5DMII, Astrophotography, Long exposures on August 13, 2015 by budbranchf/2.8
19 sec
ISO1600
Comet Lovejoy
Posted in 5DMII, Astrophotography, Long exposures on January 19, 2015 by budbranch30 second exposure, f/2.8 ISO 3200
Partial Solar Eclipse
Posted in 5DMII, Astrophotography on October 24, 2014 by budbranchThis was shot off a tripod at 200mm, with a 10-stop neutral-density filter taped on. Live-View for focus, 10sec self timer. 1/8,000 f/11 ISO 100.
Sunspots are obvious, and a Blue Ridge cloud made an appearance. 
Lunar Eclipse
Posted in 5DMII, Astrophotography, Available Light, Long exposures on October 9, 2014 by budbranch
This Weekend, In Taos
Posted in 5DMII, Astrophotography, Long exposures on August 30, 2014 by budbranchI made this 15 second exposure shooting straight up off Julie’s picnic table (since I didn’t pack a tripod). The clouds are lit by nearby Taos. And of course, that’s the Milky Way beyond. Way beyond.
Windy Night Sky
Posted in 5DMII, Astrophotography, Available Light, Long exposures, sky on December 30, 2013 by budbranch15 seconds, using the roof of my car as a tripod 14mm f/2.8 ISO6400
Panorama Farm Barn
Posted in 5DMII, Architectural, Astrophotography, Available Light, Long exposures, sky on June 5, 2013 by budbranch30 second exposure from Saturday night at Panorama Farms
Bud Branch 