photo request

Hi folks,

I'm putting together another presentation on light pollution, and I'd like to have a piece about how light polluted (or dark!) some places in the country are.

So could those of you with a digital camera please send me an image of the constellation of the Plough. This does not require an expensive camera or mount so I hope there will be lots of responses! Although it wont be a very scientific study there are some guidelines to ensure that all images are fairly similar.

* The main 7 stars should take up most of the image.
* The exposure should be for 15 seconds.
* Use your lowest f stop.
* Set the ISO frating to 200.
* Fine resolution/ Large image. Raw mode images are not required, but send the best quality image you can (I appreciate dialup users will find sending large images inconvienient, but please send what you can).
* Take the image when the moon is not in the sky! (I just want artificial light pollution!)

Send the image, along with details of where it was taken from and what if any cities/towns/ESB stations etc. are nearby and the exposure details to albert.white@gmail.com.

If you camera is not able to take that long an exposure, please do the best you can, and send the image on explaining the settings you used.

Thanks in advance.

Cheers,
~Al

No problem Albert. at least that I can do well …
Also another important factor in you equation might depend be at which alt the target and relative to the light pollution sources? I presume at azimuth will be "objective" enough to be used as a good reference? In fact, I think the target itself is less relevant then the altitude of it.

Also a quick note of the humidity levels (from any irish weather web site) when the picture was taken might help you to decide about the relevance. And, also make sure you are in new moon.



Larry

Albert,
I got images of the plough last month from the city, I'll send them onn later today, they are of differing exposures.
I also have 2 pics of Cygnus, one in light pollution and outside light pollution, will send them on also.

Hi folks,

Just a gentle reminder to any of you who have not yet sent me a picture of the plough. The more I can cet the better to highlight the differences of light pollution in the country.

Cheers,
~Al

ooops sorry, they're sent now.
Let me know if you get them, my email is acting up a bit.

The problem I'm having is that every evening I think I can take a photo, its raining. Then I go to work, and when I come back around 5am, its really clear... and I don't have the camera!

But I'll work on it!