Colorful Starry Pencil – Stellar Color Class Written in the Stars and Revealed in the Earth Motion
When we first look at the night sky, we can barely distinguish the color of each star with our own naked eyes. Although, if we record them on very a long exposure sequence – due to the motion of rotating Earth and consequently the rotation of celestial sphere – a trailed path can reveal much information about our colorful sky. The wide angle scene is comprising 8h of consecutive long exposures captured from the Visual Observatory at Dark Sky® Alqueva, Portugal, and is revealing the light polar paths around northern star Polaris. Different color trails and shinning in blue, white, yellow or even orange. Each color is directly related to the type and temperature of each star. The hottest stars, are showing a blue color, but in opposition the coldest ones, can reveal an orange-reddish hues.
In astronomy, stellar classification is the classification of stars based on their spectral characteristics. Electromagnetic radiation from the star is analysed by splitting it with a prism or diffraction grating into a spectrum exhibiting the rainbow of colors interspersed with absorption lines. Each line indicates an ion of a certain chemical element, with the line strength indicating the abundance of that ion. The relative abundance of the different ions varies with the temperature of the photosphere. The spectral class of a star is a short code summarising the ionisation state, giving an objective measure of the photosphere’s temperature and density.
PT: Quando olhamos pela primeira vez para o céu nocturno, mal conseguimos distinguir a cor de cada estrela quando vistas a olho nu. No entanto, se registrarmos uma longa sequência de exposições – devido ao movimento de rotação da Terra e consequentemente, à rotação da esfera celeste – as trilhas dessa luz celeste podem revelar muitas informações sobre o nosso céu colorido. A imagem grande angular é composta por 8h de exposições consecutivas captadas ao longo de uma noite a partir do Observatório Visual do Dark Sky® Alqueva, Portugal, e revela os rastos de luz em torno da estrela Polar. Trilhas brilham em diferentes cores como o azul, branco, amarelo ou até laranja. Cada cor está directamente relacionada com o tipo e temperatura de cada estrela. As estrelas mais quentes apresentam uma cor azulada, mas em oposição, as mais frias podem revelar tonalidades de laranja-avermelhado.
Na astronomia, a classificação estelar é a classificação das estrelas com base nas suas características espectrais. A radiação eletromagnética da estrela é analisada dividindo-a com um prisma ou rede de difração, em um espectro que exibe o arco-íris de cores intercaladas com linhas de absorção. Cada linha indica um ião de um determinado elemento químico, com a intensidade da linha indicando a abundância desse ião. A abundância relativa dos diferentes iões varia com a temperatura da fotosfera. A classe espectral de uma estrela é um código curto que resume o estado de ionização, fornecendo uma medida objetiva da temperatura e densidade da fotosfera.
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An Over Extended Spring Shows Colorful Light Paths above Green Fields and White Flowers
Paths of colorful lights full-fill the unfocused background sky, remembering us that each star shines at different temperatures. The bluish stars are the warmest, while the coldest are shinning in orange-reddish hues. Violet paths belongs to emission nebulae, as the core of a dragged Milky Way is still visible in upper right corner. In the foreground, white flowers are still blooming in green fields spread all over the driest regions in Alentejo, due to a late Spring over extended, thanks to an unexpected raining time, which we hope will be a wet welcome, to the Summer season. Captured in Mértola region, at Dark Sky® Alqueva, Portugal.
PT: Caminhos de luz coloridos preenchem um céu de fundo desfocado, lembrando-nos que cada estrela brilha a diferentes temperaturas. As estrelas azuladas são as mais quentes, enquanto as mais frias brilham em tons de laranja-avermelhado. Os caminhos violetas pertencem às nebulosas de emissão, pois o núcleo de uma Via Láctea arrastada ainda é visível no canto superior direito. Em primeiro plano, flores brancas continuam a desabrochar por entre campos verdes que se espalham por todas as regiões mais secas do Alentejo, graças a um final de primavera prolongado, devido a um período de chuva inesperado. Esperemos que seja apenas uma “recepção molhada” à chegada deste Verão. Captada recentemente durante o meu workshop de astrofotografia nos ceús de Mértola, no Dark Sky® Alqueva.
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Colorful Stellar Paths Against the Silhouette of a Dark Tree
A night scene from Dark Sky® Vale do Tua territory, highlights the dark silhouette of a tree against the colourful stellar paths left behind during 20 minutes of movement from the celestial sphere. The light traces from winter constellations like Orion, or Canis Major are painting the background sky with different hues remind us from their different surface temperatures.
PT: Um cenário nocturno a partir dos céus do Dark Sky® Vale do Tua, destaca a silhueta escura de uma árvore contra os coloridos caminhos estelares deixados para trás durante 20 minutos de movimento da esfera celeste. São traços de luz de constelações de Inverno como Orion ou o Cão Maior, que pintam este céu mágico em pano de fundo, lembrando-nos que estas tonalidades estão associadas às diferentes temperaturas de cor de cada estrela. As mais quentes, “queimam” em azul, as mais frias em tons entre o laranja escuro e o vermelho.
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Light Traces Framed in the Gate of an Ancient Castle
The image shows the shadow shape from the entrance of Ansiães Castle, in Dark Sky® Vale do Tua, northern Portugal, acting like a black frame while in the background, stars from winter constellations like Orion are shining in different colours due to their temperatures. The scene highlights the bluish path of Sirius star, and the overall light traces left behind during one hour of movement from the celestial sphere.
PT: A imagem mostra a silhueta escura da entrada do Castelo de Ansiães, no Dark Sky® Vale do Tua, norte de Portugal, agindo como uma moldura negra, enquanto ao fundo, estrelas de constelações de inverno como Orion, brilham em cores diferentes devido às suas temperaturas. A cena destaca o caminho azulado da estrela Sirius e os traços de luz coloridos deixados para trás durante uma hora de movimento da esfera celestial.
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ISS Crossing the Entire Sky and the Moon in a Fish-eye Full Dome Scene
The image shows a fish-eye full dome sequence of the ISS – International Space Station – crossing the entire sky while transiting in front of the crescent moon over Borba region, in Alentejo, Portugal, on 18th January 2021 at UT 19h14m41s. In the background, a moonlight starry sky shows the path of the brightest winter constellations while in the top edge is visible the faint dragged light of Milky Way. In the foreground, shines my septup with telescope and cameras pointing high, while I was enjoying and registering in a close-up view, this rare transit of the ISS against the moon. Below is available a close-up sequence and a time lapse video captured during this event. Click on each image below to entering in each dedicated page.
PT: A imagem revela uma sequência captada com uma lente fish-eye circular (180º) da ISS – Estação Espacial Internacional – cruzando ao longo do céu enquanto transitou em frente à lua crescente sobre a região de Borba, no Alentejo, Portugal, a 18 de janeiro de 2021 pelas 19h14m41s UT. Em pano de fundo, um céu estrelado ao luar revela o caminho das constelações de inverno mais brilhantes, enquanto no topo é visível a luz fraca e arrastada da Via Láctea. Em primeiro plano, reluz o meu setup composto por um telescópio e uma câmara apontada para o alto, enquanto desfrutava e registava em close-up este raro trânsito da Estação Espacial em frente à lua. Em baixo é possível aceder a uma imagem close-up e a uma sequência video time lapse captada durante este evento. Click em cada imagem para aceder à respectiva página.
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How to Order – Simple and easy, just “copy and paste” the link of this page or the image you choosed and fill it in the form below, with the size you want and any detail you wish to include on the message, like your country, name and postal address. Free Shipping included to all prints (except frames). For US and Europe the delivery is 4-8 working days, while to Portugal and Spain is normally 2-6 working days. After submitting the order through the form, I will contact you for the payment method (Paypal available or bank transfer) and with other questions related to your print(s) or requests. Once payment is confirmed, your order is shipped within 24h. In case you wish, I can send you separtely with no additional cost, a postcard autographed and numbered of the same image you have just bought, as a seal and proof of art work authenticity from the author. Let me know what is your wish.
Archeoastronomy in Dark Sky Vale do Tua Shows the View from Inside the Dolmen of Anta de Zedes
Captured in the newest territory of Dark Sky® Vale do Tua, in northern part of Portugal – a new certified Starlight Tourist Destination – is one of the best spots to enjoy archeoastronomy. The image feature the view from inside a dolmen entitled Anta de Zedes, where in the background is possible to see the motion of a dragged starry sky. Against it, is my shadow representing the human presence of our ancestors while being the first ones enjoying and respecting the beauty of the night sky with pureness and wisdom.
PT: Captado no Dark Sky® Vale do Tua, o mais recente Destino Turístico Starlight certificado no Norte de Portugal, é um dos melhores locais para desfrutar da arqueoastronomia. A imagem revela a vista de dentro de um dolmen intitulado Anta de Zedes, onde ao fundo é possível ver o movimento de um céu estrelado arrastado. Contra ele, está minha sombra representando a presença humana dos nossos ancestrais, os primeiros a desfrutar e respeitar a beleza do céu noturno com pureza e sabedoria.
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You can choose the best style of print do you preffer to decorate in a fashion way your walls. Metal Prints with durable and vivid colors, Acrylic, Canvas or the highest quality Gallery Print – a 6 colour UV direct printing on acrylic glass (2mm) including light colours and reinforced by an aluminium dibond plate (3mm). Those type of Prints can highlight the final work in an artistic way, showing the photograph as a piece of art. I work with two high quality specialized Labs in US and in Europe, using Kodak Professional Endura Premier Metallic papers and Fujifilm Crystal Archive DP II Professional. You can select the image above or freely navigate to more than 800 photographs available in my gallery – each one with their own story and magic – and choose the photograph you would love to have in your home or office.
How to Order – Simple and easy, just “copy and paste” the link of this page or the image you choosed and fill it in the form below, with the size you want and any detail you wish to include on the message, like your country, name and postal address. Free Shipping included to all prints (except frames). For US and Europe the delivery is 4-8 working days, while to Portugal and Spain is normally 2-6 working days. After submitting the order through the form, I will contact you for the payment method (Paypal available or bank transfer) and with other questions related to your print(s) or requests. Once payment is confirmed, your order is shipped within 24h. In case you wish, I can send you separtely with no additional cost, a postcard autographed and numbered of the same image you have just bought, as a seal and proof of art work authenticity from the author. Let me know what is your wish.
La Mano Del Desierto in a Colorful Vortex of Light
STOP!! If you think you are going to the North, this is the wrong direction. On this startrail scene, the whole hand seems to point to the Southern Cross constellation, represented as the bluish star paths visible on the top edge of the image. Acrux star, is the one that seems to indicate the South Pole, a vortex of light with an “empty” hole visible on the left side of the hand. Located at about 70 km south of Antofagasta, the sculpture made of iron and concrete stands alone in the desert at an altitude of 1100 meters above the sea level. La Mano Del Desierto is a beautiful piece of art made by Chilean sculptor Mario Irarrázabal, of an 11 meters hand that stands above the desert and where the fingers seems to touch the stars
PT: STOP!! Se pensa que está a ir em direcção ao Norte, está na direcção errada. Neste startrail, a mão inteira parece apontar para a constelação do Cruzeiro do Sul, representado como os traços azulados visíveis no extremo superior da imagem. A estrela Acrux, é a que parece indicar o Pólo Sul, um vórtice de luz com um “aparente buraco vazio” visível no lado esquerdo da mão. Localizada a cerca de 70 km a sul de Antofagasta, a escultura feita de ferro e concreto, destaca-se como uma imponente presença solitária no meio do deserto, a uma altitude de 1100 metros acima do nível do mar. La Mano Del Desierto é uma bela obra de arte feita pelo escultor chileno Mario Irarrázabal, de uma Mão de 11 metros que se destaca acima do deserto e onde os dedos parecem tocar as estrelas.
Full Dome View from Saint Petersburg Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood
A fish-eye fulldome view shows one of the iconics landmarks of Saint Petersburg, in Russia, the Orthodox Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood, erected on the precise site where emperor Alexander II was fatally attacked. Featuring the largest collection of mosaics in Russia, during the war, the church had serious damages in the walls and a high-explosive bomb was stuck for a long period of about 20th years in one of the walls without being noticed and by miracle, without exploding. Even being captured in night time and under the street lights, it´s artistic beauty can not be hidden, like it was happening with most of the stars under the effect of light pollution. Only bright stars like Vega can be well visible from polluted skies, being the brightest path on the background sky, it represents the sideral motion of a star over the course of one hour, which is approximately 15º.
PT: Uma visão olho de peixe circular revela um dos marcos emblemáticos de São Petersburgo, na Rússia, a Igreja Ortodoxa do Salvador do Sangue Derramado, erguida no local exacto em que o imperador Alexandre II foi fatalmente atacado. Exibindo a maior coleção de mosaicos da Rússia, durante a guerra, a igreja sofreu sérios danos nas paredes e uma bomba altamente explosiva ficou presa por um longo período de 20 anos em uma das paredes, sem que ninguém notasse e por milagre, sem explodir. Mesmo tendo sido captada durante o periodo noctunro e sob a influência da iluminação pública, a sua beleza artística não pode ser apagada, tal como acontece com a maioria das estrelas que sob o efeito da poluição luminosa, parecem desvanecer. Somente estrelas mais brilhantes como Vega, podem ser visíveis em céus poluídos. Registada nesta imagem como o rasto mais brilhante no céu de fundo, representa assim o movimento sideral de uma estrela ao longo de uma hora, o equivalente a cerca de 15º.
Full Dome Startrail from Inside the Official Dark Sky® Alqueva Observatory in Cumeada
The official Dark Sky® Alqueva Observatory and headquarters, located in Cumeada – a small village near Reguengos de Monsaraz – is equipped with cutting-edge telescopes for solar and astronomical purposes. With a totally new design after being re-built and expanded in 2019, a roll-off roof observatory shows an open window to the Universe, providing a one life experience under the stars that you can´t skip! If you didn´t try it yet, you must include it as a priority on your bucket list. From observing the planets up to looking at the craters on the moon, everything is possible under an unpolluted sky with the guidance of a professional astronomer from Dark Sky® Alqueva. On moonless nights, you can dive deeper in the sky with your own eyes, embarking on a cosmic journey among nebulae, galaxies and the swarms of stars which rise above us in one of the finest skies in the world. The image features a startrail as result of a sequence of shots taken with a full dome fish-eye lens, from inside the Observatory, in Cumeada.
PT: O Observatório e Sede Oficial Dark Sky® Alqueva, localizado na Cumeada – uma pequena aldeia perto de Reguengos de Monsaraz – está equipado com telescópios de ponta para fins solares e astronómicos. Com um design totalmente novo, depois de ter sido reconstruído e expandido em 2019, um observatório de tecto retráctil mostra uma janela aberta para o Universo, proporcionando “a experiência de uma vida” sob um céu estrelado, algo que você não devia perder! Se ainda não tentou, inclua já esta experiência única como uma prioridade a realizar na sua “bucket list”. Desde observar os planetas até olhar as crateras na Lua, tudo é possível sob um céu não poluído, com a orientação de um astrónomo profissional do Dark Sky® Alqueva. Nas noites sem lua, você pode mergulhar mais fundo no céu com seus próprios olhos, embarcando em uma jornada cósmica entre nebulosas, galáxias e enxames de estrelas que se erguem acima de nós, num dos melhores céus do mundo. A imagem revela uma visão full dome de um startrail captado com uma lente fish-eye a partir do Observatório da Cumeada.
A Sky Without Religious Boundaries Shows the ISS Above the Historic Old City of Jerusalem
The image shows the path of International Space Station (ISS) crossing a sky free of any religious, cultural or ethnic boundaries above the beautiful and historial old city of Jerusalem. Added to the UNESCO World Heritage Site list in 1981, it is one of the oldest cities in the world, and is considered holy to the three major Abrahamic religions, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, and where several key events in the life of Jesus took place. The Old City of Jerusalem is divided into four quarters; The Jewish Quarter, The Armenian Quarter, The Christian Quarter, and The Muslim Quarter. During its long history, Jerusalem has been destroyed at least twice, besieged 23 times, captured and recaptured 44 times, and attacked 52 time. On the image, the crane seen in the foreground also reminds us of our capacity as a mankind in recovering or building major things, specially when a teamwork between different countries can be achieved in the name of science, progress and peace. As an example is the most complex and advanced machine ever built and that is orbiting our planet Earth, the International Space Station, featured on upper left corner of the image, between the trails of Cassiopeia and Ursa Major constellation.
On the ground, the right side of the image shows the only part that survived to all attacks along the history and stills partially intact until today, is the Western Wall, (aka Wailing Walland or in Hebrew Kotel), being the most religious site in the world for the Jewish people. Thousands of people journey to the wall every year to visit and recite prayers. These prayers are either spoken or written down and placed in the cracks of the wall. The wall is divided into two sections, the left side for males and the right side for females. It is also the western support wall of the Temple Mount and Temple Rock, visible above the horizon as a blue base and a golden dome. The Temple Mount is a holy site within the Old City for Jewish, Christian and Muslim people, the walls were built around the summit of Mount Moriah, where biblically, Abraham offered his son, Isaac, as a sacrifice. In Muslim tradition, this is where the Prophet Mohammed made his “Night Journey” to the throne of God from the rock located at the center of the structure. The Foundation Stone in the temple, was built over bears great significance in Judaism as the place where God created the world and the first human, Adam.
PT: A imagem mostra o rasto da Estação Espacial Internacional (ISS) cruzando um céu livre de quaisquer fronteiras religiosas, culturais ou étnicas acima da bela e histórica cidade velha de Jerusalém. Adicionado à lista de Património Mundial da UNESCO em 1981, é uma das cidades mais antigas do mundo, e é considerada sagrada para as três principais religiões abraâmica, judaísmo, cristianismo e islamismo, e onde vários eventos importantes na vida de Jesus tiveram lugar. A Cidade Velha de Jerusalém é dividida em quatro quadrantes; O bairro judeu, o bairro armênio, o bairro cristão e o bairro muçulmano. Durante sua longa história, Jerusalém foi destruída pelo menos duas vezes, sitiada 23 vezes, capturada e recapturada 44 vezes e atacada 52 vezes. Na imagem, o guindaste visto em primeiro plano também nos lembra da nossa capacidade como humanidade em recuperar ou construir coisas importantes, especialmente quando um trabalho em equipe entre diferentes países pode ser alcançado em nome da ciência, do progresso e da paz. Como exemplo, é a máquina mais complexa e avançada já construída até hoje e que orbita o nosso planeta Terra, a Estação Espacial Internacional, visível no canto superior esquerdo da imagem, entre os rastos luminosos da constelação de Cassiopeia e Ursa Maior.
No solo, o lado direito da imagem mostra a única parte que sobreviveu a todos os ataques ao longo da história e ainda está parcialmente intacta até hoje, é o Muro das Lamentações, (Wailing Walland ou em hebraico Kotel), sendo o local mais religioso do mundo para o povo judeu. Milhares de pessoas viajam para a parede todos os anos para visitar e recitar orações. Essas orações são ditas ou escritas e colocadas nas fendas da parede. A parede é dividida em duas seções, o lado esquerdo para os homens e o lado direito para as mulheres. É também a parede de sustentação ocidental do Monte do Templo e da Rocha do Templo, visível acima do horizonte como uma base azul e uma cúpula dourada. O Monte do Templo é um local sagrado dentro da Cidade Velha para judeus, cristãos e muçulmanos, as paredes foram construídas em torno do cume do Monte Moriah, onde biblicamente, Abraão ofereceu seu filho, Isaac, como um sacrifício. Na tradição muçulmana, é aqui que o Profeta Maomé fez sua “Viagem Noturna” até o trono de Deus a partir da rocha localizada no centro da estrutura. A Pedra Fundamental no templo foi construída com grande significado no judaísmo como o lugar onde Deus criou o mundo e o primeiro ser humano, Adão.
Technical details | Detalhes Técnicos
A sequence of 52 single shots with a Canon 6D | 14mm lens at f/8 | ISO500 | Exp. 2 secs.
A Startrail from Mitzpe Ramom
Captured from inside of Ramon Crater or “Makhtesh Ramon” in Israel’s Negev Desert, is the world’s largest “erosion cirque” – a landform which are only found in the Negev and its extension into Egypt’s Sinai desert created 220 million years ago when oceans covered the area. Located in the southern of Israel, Negev is a rocky desert with clay hills known for their fantastic red and yellowish colors, and cover more than half of the country. Nomadic life in the Negev dates back at least 4,000 years, and perhaps as much as 7,000 years according to some books, featuring a number of small Bedouin cities. The image is featuring a colorful starry trailed sky, being the color directly related to the type and temperature of each star in a range that could features blue, white, yellow or even orange hues. The hottest stars, are showing a blue color, but in opposition, the coolest can reveal an orange-reddish color.
Biliblically and according to the Book of Genesis chapter 13, Abraham lived for a while in the Negev desert after being banished from Egypt. During the Exodus journey to the promised land, Moses sent twelve scouts into the Negev to assess the land and population. Later the northern part of biblical Negev was inhabited by the Tribe of Judah and the southern part of biblical Negev by the Tribe of Simeon. The Negev was later part of the Kingdom of Solomon (in its entirety, all the way to the Red Sea), and then, with varied extension to the south, part of the Kingdom of Judah. Source from wikipedia.
PT: Captada a partir da Cratera Ramon ou “Makhtesh Ramon” no Deserto de Negev, é o maior “cirque de erosão” do mundo – uma forma que só é encontrada no Negev e na sua extensão até ao deserto do Sinai, no Egipto – criado há 220 milhões de anos atrás. Localizado no sul de Israel, o Negev é um deserto rochoso com colinas de argila conhecidas por suas fantásticas cores vermelhas e amareladas, e cobre mais da metade do país. A vida nómade no Negev remonta pelo menos a 4.000 anos atrás, e talvez até 7.000 anos, de acordo com alguns livros, apresentando uma série de pequenas cidades beduínas. A imagem revela um startrail colorido, sendo que cada cor está diretamente relacionada com o tipo e temperatura de cada estrela em um intervalo que pode apresentar tonalidades de azul, branco, amarelo ou até laranja. As estrelas mais quentes revelam uma cor azul, mas em oposição, as estrelas mais frias podem revelar uma cor laranja-avermelhada.
Biblicamente e de acordo com o capítulo 13 do Livro de Gênesis, Abraão viveu por um tempo no deserto de Negev após ser banido do Egipto. Durante a viagem do Êxodo à terra prometida, Moisés enviou doze exploradores ao Negev para avaliar a terra e a população. Mais tarde, a parte norte do Negev bíblico foi habitada pela Tribo de Judá e a parte sul do Negev bíblico, pela Tribo de Simeão. O Negev foi mais tarde parte do Reino de Salomão (na sua totalidade, todo o caminho para o Mar Vermelho), e depois, com extensão variada para o sul, parte do Reino de Judá. Fonte da wikipedia.
Technical details | Detalhes Técnicos
A startrail captured with a Canon 6D | 14mm at f/4 | ISO4000 | Exp. 40 secs.
Light Trails in Israel Desert
Captured from inside of Ramon Crater or “Makhtesh Ramon” in Israel’s Negev Desert, is the world’s largest “erosion cirque” – a landform which are only found in the Negev and its extension into Egypt’s Sinai desert created 220 million years ago when oceans covered the area. Located in the southern of Israel, Negev is a rocky desert with clay hills known for their fantastic red and yellowish colors, and cover more than half of the country. Nomadic life in the Negev dates back at least 4,000 years, and perhaps as much as 7,000 years according to some books, featuring a number of small Bedouin cities. While the light is travelling so fast in the universe at its maximum speed of 300 000km/second, our planet is rotating very slowly when compared to the speed of light, a roughly speed of 465 meters/second, even though, fast enough to our human notion of velocity. Rotating at a speed of 1675 km/h, during the day our perception of movement is only given by the notion of a sideral day with 23h56 minutes, but during a long exposure taken in night time, we can capture a startrail, which is the star motion against the background sky or even better, the perception of speed from our own planet Earth. The image is featuring a colorful starry trailed sky, being the color directly related to the type and temperature of each star in a range that could features blue, white, yellow or even orange hues. The hottest stars, are showing a blue color, but in opposition, the coolest can reveal an orange-reddish color.
Biliblically and according to the Book of Genesis chapter 13, Abraham lived for a while in the Negev desert after being banished from Egypt. During the Exodus journey to the promised land, Moses sent twelve scouts into the Negev to assess the land and population. Later the northern part of biblical Negev was inhabited by the Tribe of Judah and the southern part of biblical Negev by the Tribe of Simeon. The Negev was later part of the Kingdom of Solomon (in its entirety, all the way to the Red Sea), and then, with varied extension to the south, part of the Kingdom of Judah. Source from wikipedia.
PT: Captada a partir da Cratera Ramon ou “Makhtesh Ramon” no Deserto de Negev, é o maior “cirque de erosão” do mundo – uma forma que só é encontrada no Negev e na sua extensão até ao deserto do Sinai, no Egipto – criado há 220 milhões de anos atrás. Localizado no sul de Israel, o Negev é um deserto rochoso com colinas de argila conhecidas por suas fantásticas cores vermelhas e amareladas, e cobre mais da metade do país. A vida nómade no Negev remonta pelo menos a 4.000 anos atrás, e talvez até 7.000 anos, de acordo com alguns livros, apresentando uma série de pequenas cidades beduínas. Enquanto a luz viaja rápido pelo universo à sua velocidade máxima de 300 000 km/segundo, o nosso planeta está a rodar relativamente devagar quando comparado à velocidade da luz, uma velocidade aproximada de 465 metros/segundo, ainda assim, rápido o suficiente para a nossa humana de velocidade. Rodando a uma velocidade de 1675 km/h, durante o dia a nossa percepção de movimento é dada apenas pela noção de um dia sideral composto por 23h56 minutos, mas durante uma longa exposição feita à noite, podemos captar um startrail, que é o movimento estelar contra o céu de fundo ou melhor ainda, a percepção de velocidade que temos do nosso próprio planeta Terra. A imagem revela um startrail colorido, sendo que cada cor está diretamente relacionada com o tipo e temperatura de cada estrela em um intervalo que pode apresentar tonalidades de azul, branco, amarelo ou até laranja. As estrelas mais quentes revelam uma cor azul, mas em oposição, as estrelas mais frias podem revelar uma cor laranja-avermelhada.
Biblicamente e de acordo com o capítulo 13 do Livro de Gênesis, Abraão viveu por um tempo no deserto de Negev após ser banido do Egipto. Durante a viagem do Êxodo à terra prometida, Moisés enviou doze exploradores ao Negev para avaliar a terra e a população. Mais tarde, a parte norte do Negev bíblico foi habitada pela Tribo de Judá e a parte sul do Negev bíblico, pela Tribo de Simeão. O Negev foi mais tarde parte do Reino de Salomão (na sua totalidade, todo o caminho para o Mar Vermelho), e depois, com extensão variada para o sul, parte do Reino de Judá. Fonte da wikipedia.
Technical details | Detalhes Técnicos
A startrail captured with a Nikon D810a | 14mm at f/2,8 | ISO2500 | Exp. 25 secs.
Lunar Eclipse Trails
A startrail sequence shows the path of totality during the Total Lunar Eclipse of 2019, on 21th January, as seen from Mina de São Domingos in Dark Sky® Alqueva Mértola, Portugal. During a lunar eclipse, the moon passes through Earth’s shadow, giving the natural satellite a blood-red hue. For being near the closest point to our planet Earth, this Moon was also called a “Super Moon”. The next total lunar eclipse will be in 2021. During a celestial event like that, is incredible to notice huge changes on the reflected light that illuminates the ground. Some stars are also reflected in a small puddle of acid water from Achada do Gamo, that was – since the beginning of modern mining activities in the São Domingos Mine – the center of metallurgical activities on extracted minerals. The areas of heaps, slag and channels of water, give the landscape a “lunar” aspect. The heaps are composed of different materials with high levels of metals, such as slag and ash, whose leaching through the rainwater leads to the production of acid mine drainage, usually with an ocher or reddish color
PT: A imagem mostra um startrail onde é possível ver o caminho da Lua percorrido durante a fase da totalidade durante o Eclipse Total Lunar ocorrido a 21 de Janeiro de 2019, captado a partir do complexo da Mina de São Domingos, no Dark Sky® Alqueva Mértola, em Portugal. Durante um eclipse lunar, a lua passa pela sombra da Terra, dando ao nosso satélite natural uma tonalidade vermelho-sangue. Por se encontrar no ponto orbital mais próximo da Terra, esta Lua é também apelidada de Super Lua. O próximo Eclipse Total da Lua ocorrerá em 2021. Durante um evento celestial como este, é incrível como se notam grandes mudanças na luz refletida que ilumina o solo. Algumas estrelas reflectem-se também nas águas ácidas da Achada do Gamo, que foi desde o início das atividades modernas de mineração na Mina de São Domingos, o centro das atividades metalúrgicas sobre os minérios extraídos. As áreas de escombreiras, escórias e canais de água, dão à paisagem um aspecto “lunar”. As escombreiras são constituídas por diferentes materiais com teores elevados em metais, como escórias e cinzas, cuja lixiviação através das águas das chuvas leva à produção de águas ácidas (‘acid mine drainage’), geralmente com uma cor ocre ou avermelhada.
A Colorful Universe Revealed in the Earth Motion
When we first look at the night sky, we can not distinguish the color of each star with our own eyes, although, if we record in a long exposure sequence the path of each star, due to the motion of rotating Earth and consequently the rotation of celestial sphere, a starry trailed sky can reveal much of our colorful Universe. In the image above, captured in Noudar Park, Alqueva Dark Sky® Reserve, Portugal, we can see a lot of different color paths, like: blue, white, yellow or even orange. Each color is directly related to the type and temperature of each star. The hottest stars, are showing a blue color, but in opposition the coolest, can reveal an orange-reddish color.
In astronomy, stellar classification is the classification of stars based on their spectral characteristics. Electromagnetic radiation from the star is analyzed by splitting it with a prism or diffraction grating into a spectrum exhibiting the rainbow of colors interspersed with absorption lines. Each line indicates an ion of a certain chemical element, with the line strength indicating the abundance of that ion. The relative abundance of the different ions varies with the temperature of the photosphere. The spectral class of a star is a short code summarizing the ionization state, giving an objective measure of the photosphere’s temperature and density.
Most stars are currently classified under the Morgan–Keenan (MK) system using the letters O, B, A, F, G, K, and M, a sequence from the hottest (O type – blue stars) to the coolest (M type – red stars). Each letter class is then subdivided using a numeric digit with 0 being hottest and 9 being coolest (e.g. A8, A9, F0, F1 form a sequence from hotter to cooler). The sequence has been expanded with classes for other stars and star-like objects that do not fit in the classical system, such as class D for white dwarfs and class C for carbon stars.
In the MK system, a luminosity class is added to the spectral class using Roman numerals. This is based on the width of certain absorption lines in the star’s spectrum, which vary with the density of the atmosphere and so distinguish giant stars from dwarfs. Luminosity class 0 or Ia+ stars for hypergiants, class I stars for supergiants, class II for bright giants, class III for regular giants, class IV for sub-giants, class V for main-sequence stars, class sd for sub-dwarfs, and class D for white dwarfs. The full spectral class for the Sun is then G2V, indicating a main-sequence star with a temperature around 5,800 K. Source and more info: click here.
PT: Quando de noite olhamos para o céu não conseguimos percepcionar com os nossos próprios olhos a cor de cada estrela, no entanto, se registarmos numa sequência de longa exposição o rasto de cada estrela, devido ao movimento de rotação da Terra e à consequente rotação da esfera celeste, uma imagem startrail poderá revelar um Universo colorido e rico em informação. Na imagem acima captada no Parque de Natureza de Noudar, Reserva Dark Sky® Alqueva, em Barrancos, podemos ver uma grande diversidade de cores desde o azul, ao amarelo, branco ou laranja. Cada cor está directamente relacionada com o tipo e temperatura de cada estrela. Algumas delas são mais quentes e por isso apresentam uma cor mais azulada, outras por sua vez são mais frias apresentando uma cor mais alaranjada.
All Sky – Light Trails in Pulo do Lobo
A fish-eye “full dome” scene captured in Pulo do Lobo, Dark Sky® Alqueva Mértola, shows a starry sky trailed in a long exposure sequence with some bright and colourful light trails from the winter constellations that are surrounding Polaris, the northern star, remembering us that Earth Rotation never stops. In the landscape is visible a dramatic stretch of Guadiana River located about 18 kms north of Mértola, where the Guadiana river bed is reduced to a narrow strait a few meters wide, followed by a small waterfall with about 4m high. The margins on this site are tall and stony, and so tight that they have given rise to a legend that says that a wolf in hunting could transports them in a jump.
PT: Uma visão fish-eye “full-dome” de 180º captada no Pulo do Lobo, Dark Sky® Alqueva Mértola, mostra os rastos de estrelas brilhantes e coloridas das constelações de inverno que circundam a estrela Polar. Em baixo, a paisagem revela o mais dramático trecho do rio Guadiana, situado a cerca de 18 kms a Norte de Mértola, onde o leito do rio Guadiana fica reduzido a um estreito rápido com poucos metros de largura, seguido de uma pequena queda de água com cerca de 4m de altura. As margens neste local apresentam-se altas e pedregosas, e tão apertadas que deram origem a uma lenda que afirma que um lobo em caça as transpõe em um salto.
A Portrait Startrail above Pulo do Lobo
A scene captured in Pulo do Lobo, Dark Sky® Alqueva Mértola, shows a starry sky trailed in a long exposure sequence with some colourful light trails shinning bright, from the winter constellations like Orion while in the background a faint path of light from Milky Way is still noticeable. In the landscape is visible a dramatic stretch of Guadiana River located about 18 kms north of Mértola, where the Guadiana river bed is reduced to a narrow strait a few meters wide, followed by a small waterfall with about 4m high. The margins on this site are tall and stony, and so tight that they have given rise to a legend that says that a wolf in hunting could transports them in a jump. A faint reflection of the Milky Way seems to be visible in the water.
PT: Um cenário nocturno captado no Pulo do Lobo, Dark Sky® Alqueva Mértola, mostra os rastos de estrelas brilhantes e coloridas das constelações de inverno como Orion, enquanto em pano de fundo, ainda é possível percepcionar a ténue presença arrastada da Via láctea. Em baixo, a paisagem revela o mais dramático trecho do rio Guadiana, situado a cerca de 18 kms a Norte de Mértola, onde o leito do rio Guadiana fica reduzido a um estreito rápido com poucos metros de largura, seguido de uma pequena queda de água com cerca de 4m de altura. As margens neste local apresentam-se altas e pedregosas, e tão apertadas que deram origem a uma lenda que afirma que um lobo em caça as transpõe em um salto. O suave reflexo da Via Láctea parece ainda perceptível no espelho de água.
A Starry Trailed Sky above Pulo do Lobo Cascade
A scene captured in Pulo do Lobo, Dark Sky® Alqueva Mértola, shows a wide angle view of a starry sky trailed in a long exposure sequence with some bright and colourful light trails from the winter constellations, that are surrounding Polaris, the northern star. In the landscape is visible a dramatic stretch of Guadiana River located about 18 kms north of Mértola, where the Guadiana river bed is reduced to a narrow strait a few meters wide, followed by a small waterfall with about 4m high. The margins on this site are tall and stony, and so tight that they have given rise to a legend that says that a wolf in hunting could transports them in a jump.
PT: Uma visão grande-angular captada no Pulo do Lobo, Dark Sky® Alqueva Mértola, mostra-nos os rastos de estrelas brilhantes e coloridas das constelações de inverno que circundam a estrela Polar. Em baixo, a paisagem revela o mais dramático trecho do rio Guadiana, situado a cerca de 18 kms a Norte de Mértola, onde o leito do rio Guadiana fica reduzido a um estreito rápido com poucos metros de largura, seguido de uma pequena queda de água com cerca de 4m de altura. As margens neste local apresentam-se altas e pedregosas, e tão apertadas que deram origem a uma lenda que afirma que um lobo em caça as transpõe em um salto.
A Vortex of Light from the Winter Sky
A fish-eye “full dome” scene captured in Pulo do Lobo, Dark Sky® Alqueva Mértola, shows a starry sky trailed in a long exposure sequence with some bright and colourful light trails from the winter constellations that are surrounding Polaris, the northern star, remembering us that Earth Rotation never stops. In the landscape is visible a dramatic stretch of Guadiana River located about 18 kms north of Mértola, where the Guadiana river bed is reduced to a narrow strait a few meters wide, followed by a small waterfall with about 4m high. The margins on this site are tall and stony, and so tight that they have given rise to a legend that says that a wolf in hunting could transports them in a jump.
PT: Uma visão fish-eye “full-dome” de 180º captada no Pulo do Lobo, Dark Sky® Alqueva Mértola, mostra os rastos de estrelas brilhantes e coloridas das constelações de inverno que circundam a estrela Polar. Em baixo, a paisagem revela o mais dramático trecho do rio Guadiana, situado a cerca de 18 kms a Norte de Mértola, onde o leito do rio Guadiana fica reduzido a um estreito rápido com poucos metros de largura, seguido de uma pequena queda de água com cerca de 4m de altura. As margens neste local apresentam-se altas e pedregosas, e tão apertadas que deram origem a uma lenda que afirma que um lobo em caça as transpõe em um salto.
A Startrail in Ursa Major
A scene captured in Pulo do Lobo, Dark Sky® Alqueva Mértola, shows a sky trailed in a long exposure sequence with some bright and colourful light trails in the region around Ursa Major, the Big Dipper. In the foreground is visible part of the landscape of Pulo do Lobo, the most dramatic stretch of Guadiana River, located about 18 kms north of Mértola, is where the Guadiana river bed is reduced to a narrow strait a few meters wide, followed by a small waterfall with about 4m high. The margins on this site are tall and stony, and so tight that they have given rise to a legend that says that a wolf in hunting could transports them in a jump..
PT: Uma visão captada no Pulo do Lobo, Dark Sky® Alqueva Mértola, mostra-nos os rastos de estrelas brilhantes e coloridas das constelações ao redor da Ursa Maior. Em primeiro plano, é visível parte da paisagem do Pulo do Lobo, o troço mais dramático do rio Guadiana. Localizado a cerca de 18 kms a norte de Mértola, é onde o leito do rio Guadiana é reduzido a um estreito de poucos metros de largura, seguido de uma pequena queda de água com cerca de 4m de altura. As margens deste local são altas e pedregosas, e tão estreitas que deram origem a uma lenda que diz que um lobo em caça poderia transpô-las em apenas um único salto.
A Colourful Startrail above São Domingos Mine
In the image above we can see a startrail sequence captured in the region of the sky where appears in the background, the diffuse path of Milky Way, rising above Achada do Gamo, that was – since the beginning of modern mining activities in the São Domingos Mine – the center of metallurgical activities on extracted minerals. Already during the 20th century, between the 30s and 40s, a new direction of industrial exploration took place: the sulfur, however much valued, began to be extracted from the copper pyrites through furnaces (Orkla process) in two plants installed in the Achada do Gamo during the years of 1934 and 1943.
São Domingos Mine is located in Baixo Alentejo, about 240 km from Lisbon, in the municipality of Mértola, which recently joined the Dark Sky® Alqueva Route for the great quality of the night sky. The São Domingos mining area is part of the Iberian Pyrite Range and is a decisive source of basic metals (S, Zn, Pb, Sn, Ag, Au, Fe, Co, Cd, etc.) and other elements such as sulfur (S). It has been a sought after place for the extraction of ores since antiquity, with evidence of gold, silver and copper mining in the pre-Roman and Roman times. The pyritic deposit of São Domingos (St. Dominic) was explored in various historical periods, namely: for several centuries of the first millennium BC (Eastern period), during the period between 14 BC and 395 AD (Roman period), during the Islamic period and during the modern period that was initiated in 1858 for the extraction of copper, gold and silver and was maintained until 1966, the year in which the reserves were considered exhausted. During this period, the work was done in the open air up to 120 meters deep, with work continued through wells and galleries up to 400 meters. Over 108 years of regular exploration, more than 20 million tons of materials were removed from the site, producing about 14.7 million tons of waste accumulated in heaps up to 14 meters high with a dozen different materials such as pyrite , gossan, slag, ash, iron oxides, barren rock, sludge, debris, etc. The areas of heaps, slag and channels of water, give the landscape a “lunar” aspect. The heaps are composed of different materials with high levels of metals, such as slag and ash, whose leaching through the rainwater leads to the production of acid mine drainage, usually with an ocher or reddish color.
PT: Na imagem acima é possível ver um rasto de estrelas na região do céu onde se encontra em pano de fundo a Via Láctea, captada acima da Achada do Gamo, que foi desde o início das atividades modernas de mineração na Mina de São Domingos, o centro das atividades metalúrgicas sobre os minérios extraídos. Já durante o século XX, entre as décadas de 30 e 40, uma nova direção de exploração industrial tomou lugar: o enxofre, entretanto muito valorizado, passou a ser extraído das pirites cupríferas através de fornos (processo Orkla) em duas unidades fabris instaladas na Achada do Gamo durante os anos de 1934 e 1943.
A Mina de São Domingos, situa-se no Baixo Alentejo, a cerca de 240 km de Lisboa, no concelho de Mértola, que passou a integrar recentemente a Rota Dark Sky® Alqueva pela grande qualidade do seu céu escuro. A área mineira de São Domingos, está inserida na Faixa Piritosa Ibérica e constitui uma fonte decisiva de metais básicos (Cu, Zn, Pb, Sn, Ag, Au, Fe, Co, Cd, etc.) e de outros elementos como o enxofre (S). Foi desde a Antiguidade um local procurado para a extracção de minérios, existindo indícios de trabalhos de extracção de ouro, prata e cobre no período pré-romano e romano. O depósito pirítico de São Domingos foi explorado em diversos períodos históricos, nomeadamente: durante vários séculos do primeiro milénio a.C. (período Oriental), durante o período que mediou entre o ano 14 a.C. e o ano de 395 d.C. (período romano), durante o período islâmico e durante o período moderno que se iniciou em 1858 para a extracção de cobre, ouro e prata e manteve-se até 1966, ano em que as reservas foram consideradas esgotadas. Neste período, a lavra foi feita a céu aberto até aos 120 metros de profundidade, tendo os trabalhos continuado por meio de poços e galerias até aos 400 metros. Ao longo de 108 anos de exploração regular, foram retirados do local mais de 20 milhões de toneladas de materiais, tendo produzido cerca 14,7 milhões de toneladas de resíduos acumulados em escombreiras de até 14 metros de altura, com uma dezena de materiais diferentes como pirite, gossan, escórias, cinzas, óxidos de ferro, rocha estéril, lamas, entulhos, etc. As áreas de escombreiras, escórias e canais de água, dão à paisagem um aspecto “lunar”. As escombreiras são constituídas por diferentes materiais com teores elevados em metais, como escórias e cinzas, cuja lixiviação através das águas das chuvas leva à produção de águas ácidas (‘acid mine drainage’), geralmente com uma cor ocre ou avermelhada.
London, a Busy Night City
London is a very busy city since morning until mid night. This time lapse scene shows the Moonpath passing behind “The Shard” tower, where it is also visible beside some bright stars, lots of aerial traffic as well the motion of a busy river while the cranes above the soil are still working all night long. Also referred as the Shard of Glass and formerly London Bridge Tower, is a 95-storey skyscraper in Southwark, London, that forms part of the London Bridge Quarter development. Standing 309.6 metres (1,016 ft) high, the Shard is the tallest building in the United Kingdom, the 105th tallest building in the world, and the fourth tallest building in Europe.
PT: Esta imagem Cityscape da cidade de Londres captada durante uma sequência startrail mostra a agitação que se vive ao longo da noite no centro da cidade. Barcos atravessam o rio, gruas se movimentam freneticamente e a cada minuto aviões cruzam os céus londrinos. Tudo isto acontece a um ritmo alucinante, enquanto que pacificamente a lua se põe por detrás do gigantesco edifício de 300 metros “The Shard”. Também conhecido como “Shard of Glass” e anteriormente London Bridge Tower, o “The Shard” é um arranha-céu de 95 andares em Southwark, Londres, que faz parte do Quarter London Bridge. Atingindo 309,6 metros (1.016 pés) de altura, o Shard é o edifício mais alto do Reino Unido, o edifício 105º entre os mais altos do mundo, e o quarto edifício mais alto da Europa.
Startrail above chapel of Saint Kevin at Glendalough
Glendalough (meaning “Valley of two lakes”) is a glacial valley in County Wicklow, Ireland, renowned for an Early Medieval monastic settlement founded in the 6th century by St Kevin. It combines extensive monastic ruins with a stunning natural setting in the Wicklow Mountains. The beauty and tranquility of the lakes and glacial-carved valley no doubt appealed to St Kevin, a hermit monk, who founded the monastic site near the Lower Lake in the 6th Century. Most of the buildings that survive today date from the 10th through 12th centuries. Despite attacks by Vikings over the years, Glendalough thrived as one of Irelands great ecclesiastical foundations and schools of learning until the Normans destroyed the monastery in 1214 and the dioceses of Glendalough and Dublin were united. The settlement was destroyed by English forces in 1398. A reconstruction program was started in 1878 and today the valley boasts a visitor centre, wooded trails, walkways and rock climbing. The monastic ruins include a round tower, seven churches, a gateway into the settlement with a Sanctuary Stone, two High Crosses, the priest’s house, a graveyard, Reeferts Church, St. Kevin’s Bed (Cave) and St. Kevin’s Cell (hermitage hut). More about.
In the image we can see a startrail above the celtic church of St. Kevin’s. This church is unusual, it has a round tower or belfry with conical cap integrated with the church. Perhaps because of its small size, or the tower resembling a chimney, it is frequently called “St. Kevin’s kitchen.” The tower is three stories high. Some sources suggest that it was part of the original structure, others claim it originally had a nave only with an entrance at the west end. The upper part of the gable window can be seen above what became the chancel arch, when the chancel (now missing) and the sacristy were added later. The steep roof has corbelled stones, similar to that atSt.Doolagh’s Church in Dublin and St. Columb’s Housein Kells. It is supported internally by a semi-circular vault. The church had a wooden upper floor and access to the roof chamber was through an opening at the western end of the vault.
PT: Na imagem podemos ver um startrail acima da igreja celta de St. Kevin, em Glendalough, Irlanda. Esta incomum igreja tem uma torre redonda ou campanário com o tampão cónico integrado, sendo frequentemente apelidada de “cozinha de St. Kevin.
Colorful Night Sky – A Stellar Spectrum
When we first look at the night sky, we can not distinguish the color of each star with our own eyes, although, if we record in a long exposure sequence the path of each star, due to the motion of rotating Earth and consequently the rotation of celestial sphere, a starry trailed sky can reveal much of our colorful Universe. In the image above, captured in Noudar Park, Alqueva Dark Sky® Reserve, Portugal, we can see a lot of different color paths, like: blue, yellow, white or orange. Each color is directly related to the type and temperature of each star. Some of them are hottest, like Alfirk, in Cepheus constellation, and some are coolest like Eltanin, in Draco.
In astronomy, stellar classification is the classification of stars based on their spectral characteristics. Electromagnetic radiation from the star is analyzed by splitting it with a prism or diffraction grating into a spectrum exhibiting the rainbow of colors interspersed with absorption lines. Each line indicates an ion of a certain chemical element, with the line strength indicating the abundance of that ion. The relative abundance of the different ions varies with the temperature of the photosphere. The spectral class of a star is a short code summarizing the ionization state, giving an objective measure of the photosphere’s temperature and density.
Most stars are currently classified under the Morgan–Keenan (MK) system using the letters O, B, A, F, G, K, and M, a sequence from the hottest (O type – blue stars) to the coolest (M type – red stars). Each letter class is then subdivided using a numeric digit with 0 being hottest and 9 being coolest (e.g. A8, A9, F0, F1 form a sequence from hotter to cooler). The sequence has been expanded with classes for other stars and star-like objects that do not fit in the classical system, such as class D for white dwarfs and class C for carbon stars.
In the MK system, a luminosity class is added to the spectral class using Roman numerals. This is based on the width of certain absorption lines in the star’s spectrum, which vary with the density of the atmosphere and so distinguish giant stars from dwarfs. Luminosity class 0 or Ia+ stars for hypergiants, class I stars for supergiants, class II for bright giants, class III for regular giants, class IV for sub-giants, class V for main-sequence stars, class sd for sub-dwarfs, and class D for white dwarfs. The full spectral class for the Sun is then G2V, indicating a main-sequence star with a temperature around 5,800 K. Source and more info: click here.
PT: Quando de noite olhamos para o céu não conseguimos percepcionar com os nossos próprios olhos a cor de cada estrela, no entanto, se registarmos numa sequência de longa exposição o rasto de cada estrela, devido ao movimento de rotação da Terra e à consequente rotação da esfera celeste, uma imagem startrail poderá revelar um Universo colorido e rico em informação. Na imagem acima captada no Parque de Natureza de Noudar, Reserva Dark Sky® Alqueva, em Barrancos, podemos ver uma grande diversidade de cores desde o azul, ao amarelo, branco ou laranja. Cada cor está directamente relacionada com o tipo e temperatura de cada estrela. Algumas delas são mais quentes, como Alfirk, na constelação do Cefeu, e outras são mais frias como Eltanin, no Dragão.
Coconut Trails in Punta Cana
For many people on Earth enjoying the night sky is an holiday experience, although, the artificial lights coming from the neighbor cities can disturb this experience, but a long exposure photo can register more stars than your own eyes can see at a glance. Surrounded by coconut trees spread along Punta Cana beach, in Dominican Republic, a partly cloudy sky reflects the light of neighbor resorts, while above the path of each star can reveal their own true color.
PT: Para muitas pessoas na Terra, observar o céu noturno é uma experiência de férias. Contudo, as luzes artificiais das cidades vizinhas podem perturbar esta experiência, mas uma foto de longa exposição pode registrar mais estrelas do que seus próprios olhos podem ver num relance. Cercado por coqueiros espalhados ao longo da praia em Punta Cana, na República Dominicana, um céu parcialmente nublado reflete a luz dos resorts vizinhos, enquanto que no céu o caminho de cada estrela pode revelar a sua verdadeira cor.
Explosion of Light in Punta Cana
A partly cloudy sky reflects the lights of Punta Cana beach, Dominican Republic, in what seems to be an explosion of light while in the background sky, a starry vortex surrounding Polaris remember us that Earth Rotation never ends.
PT: Um céu parcialmente nublado reflete as luzes de praia de Punta Cana, República Dominicana, naquilo que parece ser “uma explosão de luz”, contrastando em pano de fundo com o vórtice de luz estelar que rodeia a Polaris, lembrando-nos que a Terra nunca pára de rodar.
Coconut Vortex
A vortex of light coming from the stars that are surrounding Polaris, the Northen Star, lying here only 18º above the horizon, is a well spotted dot in the middle of two Coconut trees from Punta Cana beach, Dominican Republic.
PT: Um vórtice de luz estelar circunda a estrela Polaris, que se encontra apenas 18º acima do horizonte, tratando-se de um ponto visível no meio de dois coqueiros da praia de Punta Cana, na República Dominicana.
Coconut Tree Startrail
A startrail captured over the region of Scorpius constellation above the coconut trees spread along Punta Cana beach, in Dominican Republic.
PT: Rastos de estrelas na região da constelação do Escorpião captados acima dos coqueiros espalhados ao longo da praia de Punta Cana, na República Dominicana.
A Northern Starry Trail from inside the Southern Gate of the Roman City of Ammaia
EN: A Polar Startrail from inside the remaining ruins of the Southern Gate Tower of the Roman City of Ammaia.
The Gradual consolidation of Roman power led to the establishment of a substantial Roman town in the 1st century. Ammaia occupied up to 25 hectares, and with a population exceeding modern-day Marvão (5000-6000 inhabitants) Ammaia occupied the site of the present-day parish of São Salvador da Aramenha. The town flourished between the 1st century BCE and the collapse of the Roman Empire in the 5th century CE. Roman Ammaia saw the development of improved irrigation and terracing across the Marvão mountain. Chestnut cultivation – Replacing the place dominance of oak is likely to have been introduced at this time. Much of the terracing and ancient watercourses on the mountain Marvão date from this era.
Limited excavations at Ammaia in the past two decades covering a mere 3,000 m2 (32.292 sq ft) of the town’s area – have revealed the success, provincial expanding town that included running water, a forum, baths, the bridge over the river Sever (near today’s ‘Old Bridge’), and monumental gates (one gate was removed to Castelo de Vide in the 18th century, yet sadly dynamited in 1890). The Alentejo region, meanwhile, was criss-crossed with efficient Roman roads, providing links to the wider Empire. Fine wares found at the site Ammaia suggest que Ammaia nobility had access to luxury glassware and jewelery, while archeology has Revealed that marble for the forum was imported from across the Empire. The high quality, for example, of the ‘Mosaic of the Muses’ from a Roman villa in nearby Monforte (4th century BCE) points to the abundant riches to be made to an Alentejo landowner in the Roman era. Sadly, many artifacts from Ammaia in particular the series of marble sculptures were removed during the 19th and 20th centuries, notably by the Anglo-Portuguese Robinson family. These items are now in collections such as those of the British Museum..
Many of the excavations were concentrated over the obvious ruins or where there was evidence of subterranean structures associated with a Roman presence. Discoveries include parts of a Roman city wall with towers and a gate on the south side, with residenctial buildings; a road; a monumental paved square; remains of a house in the location Quinta do Deão; parts of a public bath building; and a centrally-located forum with well-preserved temple podium, walls of a porticus and cryptoporticus. The town plan follows a regular rectangular layout organized along two main perpendicular street axes, linking the central forum to its main gates. A city wall surrounds a roughly rectangular area of some 20 hectares. Several extramural buildings, cemeteries and roads constitute the suburban area.
PT: Um vórtice de luz estrelar em torno da estrela Polar, a partir das imponentes ruínas da Porta Sul da cidade Romana da Ammaia. A Cidade de Ammaia é indubitavelmente o mais importante vestígio da sua época existente na região do norte alentejano. Localizada em pleno Parque Natural da Serra de São Mamede, em São Salvador de Aramenha, no concelho de Marvão, a sua área central é constituída pela Quinta do Deão e pela Tapada da Aramenha, possuindo uma área de aproximadamente 25 ha.
Embora as suas ruínas tivessem sido classificadas como Monumento Nacional em 1949, estiveram abandonadas até finais de 1994. A partir desta data e com o aparecimento da Fundação Cidade de Ammaia vêm-se desenvolvendo todos os esforços no sentido de estudar e preservar o que resta desta importante cidade. Ammaia foi elevada a Civitas por volta do ano 44/45 d.C. tendo obtido o estatuto de Mvnicipivm ainda durante o séc. I d.C., no entanto apenas temos dados sobre o mesmo no reinado de Lúcio Vero, no ano de 166 d.C.
The Starry Sky from Roman City of Ammaia
EN: One of the remaining ruins from the Southern Gate Tower of the Roman City of Ammaia, in a cloudy moonlight scene.
The Gradual consolidation of Roman power led to the establishment of a substantial Roman town in the 1st century. Ammaia occupied up to 25 hectares, and with a population exceeding modern-day Marvão (5000-6000 inhabitants) Ammaia occupied the site of the present-day parish of São Salvador da Aramenha. The town flourished between the 1st century BCE and the collapse of the Roman Empire in the 5th century CE. Roman Ammaia saw the development of improved irrigation and terracing across the Marvão mountain. Chestnut cultivation – Replacing the place dominance of oak is likely to have been introduced at this time. Much of the terracing and ancient watercourses on the mountain Marvão date from this era.
Limited excavations at Ammaia in the past two decades covering a mere 3,000 m2 (32.292 sq ft) of the town’s area – have revealed the success, provincial expanding town that included running water, a forum, baths, the bridge over the river Sever (near today’s ‘Old Bridge’), and monumental gates (one gate was removed to Castelo de Vide in the 18th century, yet sadly dynamited in 1890). The Alentejo region, meanwhile, was criss-crossed with efficient Roman roads, providing links to the wider Empire. Fine wares found at the site Ammaia suggest que Ammaia nobility had access to luxury glassware and jewelery, while archeology has Revealed that marble for the forum was imported from across the Empire. The high quality, for example, of the ‘Mosaic of the Muses’ from a Roman villa in nearby Monforte (4th century BCE) points to the abundant riches to be made to an Alentejo landowner in the Roman era. Sadly, many artifacts from Ammaia in particular the series of marble sculptures were removed during the 19th and 20th centuries, notably by the Anglo-Portuguese Robinson family. These items are now in collections such as those of the British Museum..
Many of the excavations were concentrated over the obvious ruins or where there was evidence of subterranean structures associated with a Roman presence. Discoveries include parts of a Roman city wall with towers and a gate on the south side, with residenctial buildings; a road; a monumental paved square; remains of a house in the location Quinta do Deão; parts of a public bath building; and a centrally-located forum with well-preserved temple podium, walls of a porticus and cryptoporticus. The town plan follows a regular rectangular layout organized along two main perpendicular street axes, linking the central forum to its main gates. A city wall surrounds a roughly rectangular area of some 20 hectares. Several extramural buildings, cemeteries and roads constitute the suburban area.
PT: Uma noite de luar envolta na neblina que circunda as importantes e imponentes ruínas da Porta Sul da cidade Romana da Ammaia. A Cidade de Ammaia é indubitavelmente o mais importante vestígio da sua época existente na região do norte alentejano. Localizada em pleno Parque Natural da Serra de São Mamede, em São Salvador de Aramenha, no concelho de Marvão, a sua área central é constituída pela Quinta do Deão e pela Tapada da Aramenha, possuindo uma área de aproximadamente 25 ha.
Embora as suas ruínas tivessem sido classificadas como Monumento Nacional em 1949, estiveram abandonadas até finais de 1994. A partir desta data e com o aparecimento da Fundação Cidade de Ammaia vêm-se desenvolvendo todos os esforços no sentido de estudar e preservar o que resta desta importante cidade. Ammaia foi elevada a Civitas por volta do ano 44/45 d.C. tendo obtido o estatuto de Mvnicipivm ainda durante o séc. I d.C., no entanto apenas temos dados sobre o mesmo no reinado de Lúcio Vero, no ano de 166 d.C.
ISS Crossing the Skies of the Roman City Ammaia
EN: One of the remaining ruins from the Southern Gate Tower of the Roman City of Ammaia, in a cloudy moonlight scene, during the passage of the International Space Station above the skies. At the right side of the moon it is visible the planet Venus.
The Gradual consolidation of Roman power led to the establishment of a substantial Roman town in the 1st century. Ammaia occupied up to 25 hectares, and with a population exceeding modern-day Marvão (5000-6000 inhabitants) Ammaia occupied the site of the present-day parish of São Salvador da Aramenha. The town flourished between the 1st century BCE and the collapse of the Roman Empire in the 5th century CE. Roman Ammaia saw the development of improved irrigation and terracing across the Marvão mountain. Chestnut cultivation – Replacing the place dominance of oak is likely to have been introduced at this time. Much of the terracing and ancient watercourses on the mountain Marvão date from this era.
Limited excavations at Ammaia in the past two decades covering a mere 3,000 m2 (32.292 sq ft) of the town’s area – have revealed the success, provincial expanding town that included running water, a forum, baths, the bridge over the river Sever (near today’s ‘Old Bridge’), and monumental gates (one gate was removed to Castelo de Vide in the 18th century, yet sadly dynamited in 1890). The Alentejo region, meanwhile, was criss-crossed with efficient Roman roads, providing links to the wider Empire. Fine wares found at the site Ammaia suggest que Ammaia nobility had access to luxury glassware and jewelery, while archeology has Revealed that marble for the forum was imported from across the Empire. The high quality, for example, of the ‘Mosaic of the Muses’ from a Roman villa in nearby Monforte (4th century BCE) points to the abundant riches to be made to an Alentejo landowner in the Roman era. Sadly, many artifacts from Ammaia in particular the series of marble sculptures were removed during the 19th and 20th centuries, notably by the Anglo-Portuguese Robinson family. These items are now in collections such as those of the British Museum..
Many of the excavations were concentrated over the obvious ruins or where there was evidence of subterranean structures associated with a Roman presence. Discoveries include parts of a Roman city wall with towers and a gate on the south side, with residenctial buildings; a road; a monumental paved square; remains of a house in the location Quinta do Deão; parts of a public bath building; and a centrally-located forum with well-preserved temple podium, walls of a porticus and cryptoporticus. The town plan follows a regular rectangular layout organized along two main perpendicular street axes, linking the central forum to its main gates. A city wall surrounds a roughly rectangular area of some 20 hectares. Several extramural buildings, cemeteries and roads constitute the suburban area.
PT: Uma noite de luar envolta na neblina que circunda as importantes e imponentes ruínas da Porta Sul da cidade Romana da Ammaia, enquanto a Estação Espacial Internacional atravessa os céus da região. Logo abaixo da Lua, é ainda possível ver o brilho arrastado do planeta Vénus. A Cidade de Ammaia é indubitavelmente o mais importante vestígio da sua época existente na região do norte alentejano. Localizada em pleno Parque Natural da Serra de São Mamede, em São Salvador de Aramenha, no concelho de Marvão, a sua área central é constituída pela Quinta do Deão e pela Tapada da Aramenha, possuindo uma área de aproximadamente 25 ha.
Embora as suas ruínas tivessem sido classificadas como Monumento Nacional em 1949, estiveram abandonadas até finais de 1994. A partir desta data e com o aparecimento da Fundação Cidade de Ammaia vêm-se desenvolvendo todos os esforços no sentido de estudar e preservar o que resta desta importante cidade. Ammaia foi elevada a Civitas por volta do ano 44/45 d.C. tendo obtido o estatuto de Mvnicipivm ainda durante o séc. I d.C., no entanto apenas temos dados sobre o mesmo no reinado de Lúcio Vero, no ano de 166 d.C.
Dragged Milky Way above the Historical Tower of Esporão
EN: Milky Way from the Esporão Tower, considered one of the most important towers built during the transition from the Middle Ages to the Modern Age | Sky of Reguengos de Monsaraz
PT: A Via Láctea a partir da Torre do Esporão, considerada como uma das mais importantes torres construídas na passagem da Idade Média para a Idade Moderna | Céu de Reguengos de Monsaraz
Endovelicus Startrail
EN: Endovelicus sanctuary of Rocha da Mina, in a winter sky by the moonlight, which highlights the constellation of Orion and the star Sirius, the brightest of the celestial sphere (left image) and a startrail pointing north (right image). Endovelicus was a solar healing supreme god, thus a god of Medicine.
PT: Santuário Endovélico Rocha da Mina num céu de inverno ao luar, de onde se destaca a constelação de Orion e a estrela Sirius, a mais brilhante da esfera celeste (imagens esquerda) e um rasto de estrelas a norte (imagem direita). Endovélico é uma divindade da Idade do Ferro venerada na Lusitânia pré-romana, deus da medicina, tinha um carácter simultaneamente solar | Céu do Alandroal
Feeling the power of being in contact with the wild side of nature
EN: Feeling the power of being in contact with the wild side of nature, in the middle of cows, bulls, hay, cork oaks and olive trees, under a shy starry sky on a clear moonlit night | Sky of Telheiro.
PT: Sentindo o poder de estar em contato com o lado mais puro e selvagem da natureza, no meio de vacas, touros, feno, sobreiros e oliveiras, sob um tímido céu estrelado numa clara noite de luar | Céu do Telheiro.
A moonlit scene where stone, sand, and water merge into a perfect combination
EN: The beauty of inhospitable landscape, a scene in the moonlight where stone, sand, and water merge into a perfect combination to celebrate the union between the starry Sky and the damp Earth of Alqueva Lake | Sky of Mourão
PT: Paisagem inospitamente bela, num cenário à luz do luar onde pedra, ar e água, se fundem numa combinação perfeita para celebrar a união entre o Céu estrelado e a Terra húmida do lago Alqueva | Céu de Mourão
ISS above the lake of Dark Sky Alqueva
EN: The Earth is surrounded by satellites, which appear” as apparent stars fixed in brightness” transiting the sky of dawn and dusk. But one of these stars is really special, for having humans on board at all times, is this the International Space Station (ISS), the more evident by its intensity, moving at a speed of 28.000 km/h, gives a complete turn around earth every 90 minutes | Nautical Center, Sky of Monsaraz.
PT: A Terra está cercada de satélites, que se revelam como “estrelas aparentes de brilho fixo” e que ao entardecer ou amanhecer aparecem transitando o céu. Mas uma dessas estrelas é realmente especial, por levar seres humanos a bordo em permanência, é a Estação Espacial Internacional (ISS), a mais evidente pela sua intensidade, deslocando-se a uma velocidade de 28,000 km/h, dá uma volta completa à terra a cada 90 minutos | Centro Náutico, Céu de Monsraz.
Milky Way dragged above the historical chapel of Esporão
EN:A milky dragged in the sky that rises above the chapel of Nossa Senhora dos Remédios, in the historic part of Esporão homestead | Sky of Reguengos de Monsaraz
PT: Uma via láctea arrastada no céu que se ergue acima da Ermida de Nossa Senhora dos Remédios, na zona histórica da Herdade do Esporão | Céu de Reguengos de Monsaraz
The evolution of man from prehistoric times
View from inside the Dolmen of Olival da Pega, a human silhouette represents the evolution of man from prehistoric times, the heavens contemplation and the importance of astronomy, as the oldest science in the world. 21/04/2015. Telheiro | Alqueva Dark Sky Reserve – Portugal
ISS above the vineyards
The Earth is surrounded by satellites, which appear” as apparent stars fixed in brightness” transiting the sky of dawn and dusk. But one of these stars is really special, for having humans on board at all times, is this the International Space Station (ISS), the more evident by its intensity, moving at a speed of 28.000 km/h, gives a complete turn around earth every 90 minutes. 18/06/2015. Reguengos de Monsaraz | Alqueva Dark Sky Reserve – Portugal
Startrail of Yepun VLT Telescope
In the background, at the left side of Yepun VLT Telescope, we can see the Large and Small Magellanic Clouds draged, while in center right of the image, the Zodiacal Light is coming up above the Milky Way that lies behind the horizon of this startrail sky.
The Very Large Telescope (VLT) is a telescope operated by the ESO – European Southern Observatory on Cerro Paranal in the Atacama Desert of northern Chile. The VLT is the world’s most advanced optical instrument, consisting of four Unit Telescopes with main mirrors of 8.2m diameter, which are generally used separately but can be used together to achieve very high angular resolution. The four separate optical telescopes are known as Antu, Kueyen, Melipal and Yepun, which are all words for astronomical objects in the Mapuche language, with optical elements that can combine them into an astronomical interferometer (VLTI), which is used to resolve small objects. The interferometer is complemented by four movable Auxiliary Telescopes (ATs) of 1.8 m aperture. The 8.2m diameter Unit Telescopes can also be used individually. With one such telescope, images of celestial objects as faint as magnitude 30 can be obtained in a one-hour exposure. This corresponds to seeing objects that are four billion (four thousand million) times fainter than what can be seen with the unaided eye. The telescopes can work together, to form a giant ‘interferometer’, the ESO Very Large Telescope Interferometer, allowing astronomers to see details up to 25 times finer than with the individual telescopes. The light beams are combined in the VLTI using a complex system of mirrors in underground tunnels where the light paths must be kept equal to distances less than 1/1000 mm over a hundred metres. With this kind of precision the VLTI can reconstruct images with an angular resolution of milliarcseconds, equivalent to distinguishing the two headlights of a car at the distance of the Moon.
Image taken taken in 15/10/2015 from Cerro Paranal, Atacama desert, Chile.
A startrail of Magellanic Clouds around the South Pole
In the left side of the sky we can see the trail of Sirius star. Moving to the right in the center of the image, is located the Canopus startrail, as well the draged motion of Large and Small Magellanic Clouds. Below them, the rotational motion of Earth helped to find with precision the right position of the South Pole in the sky. In the ground, we can see the white dome of Residencia where astronomers from ESO working daily on VLT complex, are hosted.
The Very Large Telescope (VLT) is a telescope operated by the ESO – European Southern Observatory on Cerro Paranal in the Atacama Desert of northern Chile. The VLT is the world’s most advanced optical instrument, consisting of four Unit Telescopes with main mirrors of 8.2m diameter, which are generally used separately but can be used together to achieve very high angular resolution. The four separate optical telescopes are known as Antu, Kueyen, Melipal and Yepun, which are all words for astronomical objects in the Mapuche language, with optical elements that can combine them into an astronomical interferometer (VLTI), which is used to resolve small objects. The interferometer is complemented by four movable Auxiliary Telescopes (ATs) of 1.8 m aperture. The 8.2m diameter Unit Telescopes can also be used individually. With one such telescope, images of celestial objects as faint as magnitude 30 can be obtained in a one-hour exposure. This corresponds to seeing objects that are four billion (four thousand million) times fainter than what can be seen with the unaided eye. The telescopes can work together, to form a giant ‘interferometer’, the ESO Very Large Telescope Interferometer, allowing astronomers to see details up to 25 times finer than with the individual telescopes. The light beams are combined in the VLTI using a complex system of mirrors in underground tunnels where the light paths must be kept equal to distances less than 1/1000 mm over a hundred metres. With this kind of precision the VLTI can reconstruct images with an angular resolution of milliarcseconds, equivalent to distinguishing the two headlights of a car at the distance of the Moon.
Image taken taken in 17/10/2015 from Cerro Paranal, Atacama desert, Chile.
A Startrail Fish-Eye View Above VLT Telescopes
A startrail fish-eye view of a draged Milky Way behind a cloudy sky, above the VLT Unit Telescopes in Cerro Paranal. At left, we also can see the light coming from the moonset. The Very Large Telescope (VLT) is a telescope operated by the ESO – European Southern Observatory on Cerro Paranal in the Atacama Desert of northern Chile. The VLT is the world’s most advanced optical instrument, consisting of four Unit Telescopes with main mirrors of 8.2m diameter, which are generally used separately but can be used together to achieve very high angular resolution. The four separate optical telescopes are known as Antu, Kueyen, Melipal and Yepun, which are all words for astronomical objects in the Mapuche language, with optical elements that can combine them into an astronomical interferometer (VLTI), which is used to resolve small objects. The interferometer is complemented by four movable Auxiliary Telescopes (ATs) of 1.8 m aperture.
The 8.2m diameter Unit Telescopes can also be used individually. With one such telescope, images of celestial objects as faint as magnitude 30 can be obtained in a one-hour exposure. This corresponds to seeing objects that are four billion (four thousand million) times fainter than what can be seen with the unaided eye. The telescopes can work together, to form a giant ‘interferometer’, the ESO Very Large Telescope Interferometer, allowing astronomers to see details up to 25 times finer than with the individual telescopes. The light beams are combined in the VLTI using a complex system of mirrors in underground tunnels where the light paths must be kept equal to distances less than 1/1000 mm over a hundred metres. With this kind of precision the VLTI can reconstruct images with an angular resolution of milliarcseconds, equivalent to distinguishing the two headlights of a car at the distance of the Moon.
Image taken taken in 17/10/2015 from Cerro Paranal, Atacama desert, Chile.
VISTA Telescope Startrail
A startrail in a cloudy sky as seen above the VISTA telescope in Paranal. VISTA ― the Visible and Infrared Survey Telescope for Astronomy ― is part of ESO’s Paranal Observatory. VISTA works at near-infrared wavelengths and is the world’s largest survey telescope. Its large mirror, wide field of view and very sensitive detectors are revealing a completely new view of the southern sky. The telescope is housed on the peak adjacent to the one hosting the ESO Very Large Telescope (VLT) and shares the same exceptional observing conditions. VISTA has a main mirror that is 4.1 meters across. In photographic terms it can be thought of as a 67 megapixel digital camera with a 13 000 mm f/3.25 mirror lens. At the heart of the telescope is a huge three-tonne camera with 16 state-of-the-art infrared-sensitive detectors.
Imagem taken in 17/10/2015 from Cerro Paranal, Atacama desert, Chile.
The Precession of Earth – New Photo Technique showing a Vega Polar Startrail.
Featured as NASA´s Astronomy Picture of the Day (APOD).
Since the very first moment I read and learned about the Precession of Earth that I was fascinated with the possibility of having a different star than Polaris, pointing to north, although in that time, few years ago, I didn’t had the right technology and even the chance to could show in a real image how it would be…how would be the sky of my land if I had another star in the place of the well known, Polaris ?
After a long time of burning my mind with some new ideias, I figured out how I could do it, developing what I think is, a totally new astrophotographic technique never applied before, and where I can show in real time the sky rotating around another star, simulating the shifting of Earth Axis even being inside our Earth.
In astronomy, axial precession is a gravity-induced, slow, and continuous change in the orientation of an astronomical body’s rotational axis. In particular, it refers to the gradual shift in the orientation of Earth’s axis of rotation, which, similar to a wobbling top, traces out a pair of cones joined at their apices in a cycle of approximately 26,000 years.
A consequence of the precession is a changing pole star. Currently, Polaris is extremely well suited to mark the position, as Polaris is a moderately bright star located about 0,7º degrees from the pole. But with the crescent light pollution is Increasingly difficult to distinguish the few bright stars in the middle of cities, so near the year 14 000, the brilliant Vega in the constellation Lyra, is touted as the best north star. Although, it never comes closer than 5° to the celestial pole.
When Polaris becomes the north star again around 27,800, due to its proper motion it then will be farther away from the pole than it is now, while in 23,600 BC it came closer to the pole.
What I did to create the both startrails and time lapse images, was to use 2 mountings Vixen Polarie, one to pointing to the actual Polaris Axis and making all the stars staying fixed, but using another Polarie attached to the first one, I could simulate again the Earth Axis Rotation using the sideral motion inverted (I mean, like if I was in the south pole, near the batteries you can switch the button to (N) north or (S) south motion).
But I had special carefully with some things. I have waited until Vega star reach the same altitude I had in my observing latitude, in my case 38º, to have the same distance to the horizon that I have when looking to Polaris.
Very Important: The second condition to give the right movement, was to align carefully the star Vega near the center of the image (my new Earth Axis – now a Vixen Polarie Axis), to create the axis rotation simulating the 5º separation of the celestial north in +14000 (year). I also used the Live View magnifier with the grid option to have a more precise result.
*Important Note: Precession changes the direction of the Earth axis from Polaris to Vega on the celestial sphere, but the positions where the axis crosses the surface of Earth will not change by precession. So the north on the Earth from the observation point will not change, and the latitude of the observation point will not change too. Although, I choose the option that includes “apparently” almost the same landscape field view and where fits both Polaris (at left) and Vega (center), because if I had putting the Polaris in the same central framing position, as I did with Vega ( remembering that is the only possible way – as a condition – to simulating the Earth Axis rotation using the Vixen Polarie sideral motion, and show nowadays, the motion of the stars around Vega in a real Time Lapse movie sequence), I would loose the same landscape field of view with the Castle Tower, and this was also important to give people the notion that the image was really made in the same place. Vega is about 51º away from Polaris, so it means a big change in the field of view towards another position in the sky and consequently, in the landscape, in this case towards left, to Azimuth 0º – North, where stand the Polaris star.
As this technique induces movement, the landscape will move a bit from the first frame to the last one, but in the final startrail “still image”, I made a mask merging the landscape with the first frame again to have a more pleasant result.
All the images were taken from inside the Mourão Castle, in the Dark Sky Alqueva Reserve, the First Starlight Tourism Destination in the world, in Alentejo, Portugal.
Technical info:
Polaris Startrail starts in 19/04/2015 at 23h48 and Vega startrail starts in 20/04/2015 at 1:07
Canon EOS 6D – Canon EF 8-15 f/ 4L Fishseye USM at 8mm (All Sky). Exp. 30 sec. ISO 2500
A Starsphere in Alqueva Dark Sky Reserve
In this “starsphere” we can see the movement of celestial sphere around the northen star Polaris, as it seen from our Earth during a long exposure shot (the perception of this star trails is not visible in real time with our own eyes). The image also shows a dragged part of the winter Milky Way captured from the Rural Hotel Naveterra, in the Alqueva Dark Sky reserve.
Colorful paths around Polaris in Juromenha
EN: A long and colorful startrail pointing to north, above the Rural Hotel Herdade Naveterra | Sky of Alandroal.
PT: Longo e colorido rasto de estrelas apontando a norte, acima do Hotel Rural Herdade Naveterra | Céu do Alandroal
Polar Startrail in the Arms of a Noudar Tree
EN: Tracking deeply the stars simultaneously revealing the different brightness intensity and color of each star that lies around the North Star Polaris, which is 0.7 degrees fom the true north. If our ancestors who braved storms in uncharted waters to prove that the earth was really round, had the opportunity to make a simple photograph like that, then would have the living proof that the Earth was round without having run that risk, thus prove the curvature of stellar trails | Sky of Barrancos
Included in the great Alqueva Dark Sky Reserve – first site in the world to receive the “Starlight Tourism Destination” certification – Noudar Natural Park is located in a farm estate called Herdade da Coitadinha spreads across 1000 hectare, ‘over-the-hills’ between the winding rivers Ardila and Múrtega and lodged among hills and summits near the town of Barrancos (Alentejo, Portugal) and in the border with Spain. The road from the Park’s entrance to the Noudar Castle goes through an extensive holm oak grove (‘montado’) area, ending with a majestic view over the water lines. In Noudar, life presents itself in a state of wilderness and absolute purity.
More about Alqueva Dark Sky Reserve: Alqueva is the first site in the world to receive the “Starlight Tourism Destination” certification. This certification, awarded by the Starlight Foundation is supported by UNESCO, UNWTO and IAC. Starlight destinations are visitable places characterized by excellent quality for the contemplation of starry skies, and the practice of tourist activities based on this resource. www.darkskyalqueva.com
PT: Rasto de estrelas profundo, revelando simultaneamente as diferentes intensidades de brilho e cor de cada uma das estrelas que se encontra a circundar a Estrela Polar, que se encontra a 0,7 graus do Norte real. Se os nossos antepassados que enfrentaram intempéries nos mares nunca dantes navegados para provar que a terra era redonda, tivessem a oportunidade de fazer uma simples fotografia destas nessa altura, teriam a prova viva que a Terra era redonda sem precisar de ter corrido esse risco, assim comprova a curvatura dos traços estelares | Céu de Barrancos
Dragged Milky Way in the Church of Noudar
A dragged Milky Way behind the Church of Noudar Castle, called: Igreja Nossa Senhora do Desterro.
Included in the great Alqueva Dark Sky Reserve – first site in the world to receive the “Starlight Tourism Destination” certification – Noudar Natural Park is located in a farm estate called Herdade da Coitadinha spreads across 1000 hectare, ‘over-the-hills’ between the winding rivers Ardila and Múrtega and lodged among hills and summits near the town of Barrancos (Alentejo, Portugal) and in the border with Spain. The road from the Park’s entrance to the Noudar Castle goes through an extensive holm oak grove (‘montado’) area, ending with a majestic view over the water lines. In Noudar, life presents itself in a state of wilderness and absolute purity.
The Castle of Noudar and the church of Nossa Senhora do Desterro is located between the Múrtega and the Ardila rivers which flow towards the West. Its construction was finished in 1307, during the reign of Don Dinis. The place was chosen because of its natural defenses, easy access and the closeness of a water spring of excellent quality – Fonte da Figueira, located roughly 250 meters to the East of the castle, under the hilltop known as Forca (“the Gallows”). Good and plentiful farming land and cattle grazing fields can also be found near the castle. This medieval fortress was very important for border defense against the kingdom of Castile during the early 14th Century.
More about Alqueva Dark Sky Reserve: Alqueva is the first site in the world to receive the “Starlight Tourism Destination” certification. This certification, awarded by the Starlight Foundation is supported by UNESCO, UNWTO and IAC. Starlight destinations are visitable places characterized by excellent quality for the contemplation of starry skies, and the practice of tourist activities based on this resource. www.darkskyalqueva.com
* This “comet effect” in the stars is not natural and not visible in the sky and it is only showed here for an artistic purpose.
PT: O arrasto da Via Láctea na igreja de Noudar, numa última aparição em forma de despedida antes de dar início o inverno | Céu de Barrancos
Moon and Fireworks 2015 – All Sky 360º
In this 360º all sky view, captured in the midnight of the new year’s celebrations to give Welcome to 2015, we can see the Moon as a strong white tail. Below are the northern constellations, and the trail of a red Very Light which seems to describe the imaginary axis of this “photo sphere”, pointing to Polaris. Above the Moon, stands the celestial equator, with the stars of Orion. Following this “line”, we will find the bright path of planet Jupiter near the TV antenna. This shot was captured from the top of a building in Almada, so we can see around the horizon, the city lights from Lisbon, Almada and Seixal (Portugal), where we can see the smoke of fireworks and the Very Lights that were fired during the celebrations of the New Year!
Canon 6D – f/6.3 ISO 800 Exp. 10 Secs. 8mm Canon L circular fisheye. Taken in 31-12-2014 between 22:42 and 00:10 Sum of 474 images with a total time integration of 1h20.
Around the Tower of Noudar Castle
A northen startrail around the Tower of Noudar Castle. The Polaris is hiden behind the walls of the Castle.
Included in the great Alqueva Dark Sky Reserve – first site in the world to receive the “Starlight Tourism Destination” certification – Noudar Natural Park is located in a farm estate called Herdade da Coitadinha spreads across 1000 hectare, ‘over-the-hills’ between the winding rivers Ardila and Múrtega and lodged among hills and summits near the town of Barrancos (Alentejo, Portugal) and in the border with Spain. The road from the Park’s entrance to the Noudar Castle goes through an extensive holm oak grove (‘montado’) area, ending with a majestic view over the water lines. In Noudar, life presents itself in a state of wilderness and absolute purity.
The Castle of Noudar and the church of Nossa Senhora do Desterro is located between the Múrtega and the Ardila rivers which flow towards the West. Its construction was finished in 1307, during the reign of Don Dinis. The place was chosen because of its natural defenses, easy access and the closeness of a water spring of excellent quality – Fonte da Figueira, located roughly 250 meters to the East of the castle, under the hilltop known as Forca (“the Gallows”). Good and plentiful farming land and cattle grazing fields can also be found near the castle. This medieval fortress was very important for border defense against the kingdom of Castile during the early 14th Century.
More about Alqueva Dark Sky Reserve:
Alqueva is the first site in the world to receive the “Starlight Tourism Destination” certification. This certification, awarded by the Starlight Foundation is supported by UNESCO, UNWTO and IAC. Starlight destinations are visitable places characterized by excellent quality for the contemplation of starry skies, and the practice of tourist activities based on this resource. www.darkskyalqueva.com
Starry Sky in the Backyard of Casa do Monte in Noudar
Startrail from Orion sky region in the Backyard of Casa do Monte in Noudar
Included in the great Alqueva Dark Sky Reserve – first site in the world to receive the “Starlight Tourism Destination” certification – Noudar Natural Park is located in a farm estate called Herdade da Coitadinha spreads across 1000 hectare, ‘over-the-hills’ between the winding rivers Ardila and Múrtega and lodged among hills and summits near the town of Barrancos (Alentejo, Portugal) and in the border with Spain. The road from the Park’s entrance to the Noudar Castle goes through an extensive holm oak grove (‘montado’) area, ending with a majestic view over the water lines. In Noudar, life presents itself in a state of wilderness and absolute purity.
The Castle of Noudar and the church of Nossa Senhora do Desterro is located between the Múrtega and the Ardila rivers which flow towards the West. Its construction was finished in 1307, during the reign of Don Dinis. The place was chosen because of its natural defenses, easy access and the closeness of a water spring of excellent quality – Fonte da Figueira, located roughly 250 meters to the East of the castle, under the hilltop known as Forca (“the Gallows”). Good and plentiful farming land and cattle grazing fields can also be found near the castle. This medieval fortress was very important for border defense against the kingdom of Castile during the early 14th Century.
More about Alqueva Dark Sky Reserve:
Alqueva is the first site in the world to receive the “Starlight Tourism Destination” certification. This certification, awarded by the Starlight Foundation is supported by UNESCO, UNWTO and IAC. Starlight destinations are visitable places characterized by excellent quality for the contemplation of starry skies, and the practice of tourist activities based on this resource. www.darkskyalqueva.com
Silhouette of Noudar Church in a Starry Trail Background
Silhouette of Noudar Church in a Starry Trail Background
Included in the great Alqueva Dark Sky Reserve – first site in the world to receive the “Starlight Tourism Destination” certification – Noudar Natural Park is located in a farm estate called Herdade da Coitadinha spreads across 1000 hectare, ‘over-the-hills’ between the winding rivers Ardila and Múrtega and lodged among hills and summits near the town of Barrancos (Alentejo, Portugal) and in the border with Spain. The road from the Park’s entrance to the Noudar Castle goes through an extensive holm oak grove (‘montado’) area, ending with a majestic view over the water lines. In Noudar, life presents itself in a state of wilderness and absolute purity.
The Castle of Noudar and the church of Nossa Senhora do Desterro is located between the Múrtega and the Ardila rivers which flow towards the West. Its construction was finished in 1307, during the reign of Don Dinis. The place was chosen because of its natural defenses, easy access and the closeness of a water spring of excellent quality – Fonte da Figueira, located roughly 250 meters to the East of the castle, under the hilltop known as Forca (“the Gallows”). Good and plentiful farming land and cattle grazing fields can also be found near the castle. This medieval fortress was very important for border defense against the kingdom of Castile during the early 14th Century.
More about Alqueva Dark Sky Reserve:
Alqueva is the first site in the world to receive the “Starlight Tourism Destination” certification. This certification, awarded by the Starlight Foundation is supported by UNESCO, UNWTO and IAC. Starlight destinations are visitable places characterized by excellent quality for the contemplation of starry skies, and the practice of tourist activities based on this resource. www.darkskyalqueva.com
Startrails Reflected in the Calm Water of Múrtega Creek
Startrails reflected in the calm water of Múrtega Creek
Included in the great Alqueva Dark Sky Reserve – first site in the world to receive the “Starlight Tourism Destination” certification – Noudar Natural Park is located in a farm estate called Herdade da Coitadinha spreads across 1000 hectare, ‘over-the-hills’ between the winding rivers Ardila and Múrtega and lodged among hills and summits near the town of Barrancos (Alentejo, Portugal) and in the border with Spain. The road from the Park’s entrance to the Noudar Castle goes through an extensive holm oak grove (‘montado’) area, ending with a majestic view over the water lines. In Noudar, life presents itself in a state of wilderness and absolute purity.
The Castle of Noudar and the church of Nossa Senhora do Desterro is located between the Múrtega and the Ardila rivers which flow towards the West. Its construction was finished in 1307, during the reign of Don Dinis. The place was chosen because of its natural defenses, easy access and the closeness of a water spring of excellent quality – Fonte da Figueira, located roughly 250 meters to the East of the castle, under the hilltop known as Forca (“the Gallows”). Good and plentiful farming land and cattle grazing fields can also be found near the castle. This medieval fortress was very important for border defense against the kingdom of Castile during the early 14th Century.
More about Alqueva Dark Sky Reserve:
Alqueva is the first site in the world to receive the “Starlight Tourism Destination” certification. This certification, awarded by the Starlight Foundation is supported by UNESCO, UNWTO and IAC. Starlight destinations are visitable places characterized by excellent quality for the contemplation of starry skies, and the practice of tourist activities based on this resource. www.darkskyalqueva.com
Startrail Tree in Noudar Park
Startrail with a Milky Way dragged behind an Olive Tree in Noudar Park
Included in the great Alqueva Dark Sky Reserve – first site in the world to receive the “Starlight Tourism Destination” certification – Noudar Natural Park is located in a farm estate called Herdade da Coitadinha spreads across 1000 hectare, ‘over-the-hills’ between the winding rivers Ardila and Múrtega and lodged among hills and summits near the town of Barrancos (Alentejo, Portugal) and in the border with Spain. The road from the Park’s entrance to the Noudar Castle goes through an extensive holm oak grove (‘montado’) area, ending with a majestic view over the water lines. In Noudar, life presents itself in a state of wilderness and absolute purity.
The Castle of Noudar and the church of Nossa Senhora do Desterro is located between the Múrtega and the Ardila rivers which flow towards the West. Its construction was finished in 1307, during the reign of Don Dinis. The place was chosen because of its natural defenses, easy access and the closeness of a water spring of excellent quality – Fonte da Figueira, located roughly 250 meters to the East of the castle, under the hilltop known as Forca (“the Gallows”). Good and plentiful farming land and cattle grazing fields can also be found near the castle. This medieval fortress was very important for border defense against the kingdom of Castile during the early 14th Century.
More about Alqueva Dark Sky Reserve:
Alqueva is the first site in the world to receive the “Starlight Tourism Destination” certification. This certification, awarded by the Starlight Foundation is supported by UNESCO, UNWTO and IAC. Starlight destinations are visitable places characterized by excellent quality for the contemplation of starry skies, and the practice of tourist activities based on this resource. www.darkskyalqueva.com
Orion Startrail above the Noudar Castle
Orion Startrail above the Noudar Castle
Included in the great Alqueva Dark Sky Reserve – first site in the world to receive the “Starlight Tourism Destination” certification – Noudar Natural Park is located in a farm estate called Herdade da Coitadinha spreads across 1000 hectare, ‘over-the-hills’ between the winding rivers Ardila and Múrtega and lodged among hills and summits near the town of Barrancos (Alentejo, Portugal) and in the border with Spain. The road from the Park’s entrance to the Noudar Castle goes through an extensive holm oak grove (‘montado’) area, ending with a majestic view over the water lines. In Noudar, life presents itself in a state of wilderness and absolute purity.
The Castle of Noudar and the church of Nossa Senhora do Desterro is located between the Múrtega and the Ardila rivers which flow towards the West. Its construction was finished in 1307, during the reign of Don Dinis. The place was chosen because of its natural defenses, easy access and the closeness of a water spring of excellent quality – Fonte da Figueira, located roughly 250 meters to the East of the castle, under the hilltop known as Forca (“the Gallows”). Good and plentiful farming land and cattle grazing fields can also be found near the castle. This medieval fortress was very important for border defense against the kingdom of Castile during the early 14th Century.
More about Alqueva Dark Sky Reserve:
Alqueva is the first site in the world to receive the “Starlight Tourism Destination” certification. This certification, awarded by the Starlight Foundation is supported by UNESCO, UNWTO and IAC. Starlight destinations are visitable places characterized by excellent quality for the contemplation of starry skies, and the practice of tourist activities based on this resource. www.darkskyalqueva.com
Startrail in the Church of Noudar
A startrail with comet effect* in the sky region of Milky Way behind the Church of Noudar Castle, called: Igreja Nossa Senhora do Desterro.
Included in the great Alqueva Dark Sky Reserve – first site in the world to receive the “Starlight Tourism Destination” certification – Noudar Natural Park is located in a farm estate called Herdade da Coitadinha spreads across 1000 hectare, ‘over-the-hills’ between the winding rivers Ardila and Múrtega and lodged among hills and summits near the town of Barrancos (Alentejo, Portugal) and in the border with Spain. The road from the Park’s entrance to the Noudar Castle goes through an extensive holm oak grove (‘montado’) area, ending with a majestic view over the water lines. In Noudar, life presents itself in a state of wilderness and absolute purity.
The Castle of Noudar and the church of Nossa Senhora do Desterro is located between the Múrtega and the Ardila rivers which flow towards the West. Its construction was finished in 1307, during the reign of Don Dinis. The place was chosen because of its natural defenses, easy access and the closeness of a water spring of excellent quality – Fonte da Figueira, located roughly 250 meters to the East of the castle, under the hilltop known as Forca (“the Gallows”). Good and plentiful farming land and cattle grazing fields can also be found near the castle. This medieval fortress was very important for border defense against the kingdom of Castile during the early 14th Century.
More about Alqueva Dark Sky Reserve:
Alqueva is the first site in the world to receive the “Starlight Tourism Destination” certification. This certification, awarded by the Starlight Foundation is supported by UNESCO, UNWTO and IAC. Starlight destinations are visitable places characterized by excellent quality for the contemplation of starry skies, and the practice of tourist activities based on this resource. www.darkskyalqueva.com
* This “comet effect” in the stars is not natural and not visible in the sky and it is only showed here for an artistic purpose.
Lodging Gate to the Noudar Starry Sky
A startrail in the Orion sky region, above the Lodging gate of the Noudar starry sky Park.
Included in the great Alqueva Dark Sky Reserve – first site in the world to receive the “Starlight Tourism Destination” certification – Noudar Natural Park is located in a farm estate called Herdade da Coitadinha spreads across 1000 hectare, ‘over-the-hills’ between the winding rivers Ardila and Múrtega and lodged among hills and summits near the town of Barrancos (Alentejo, Portugal) and in the border with Spain. The road from the Park’s entrance to the Noudar Castle goes through an extensive holm oak grove (‘montado’) area, ending with a majestic view over the water lines. In Noudar, life presents itself in a state of wilderness and absolute purity.
The Castle of Noudar and the church of Nossa Senhora do Desterro is located between the Múrtega and the Ardila rivers which flow towards the West. Its construction was finished in 1307, during the reign of Don Dinis. The place was chosen because of its natural defenses, easy access and the closeness of a water spring of excellent quality – Fonte da Figueira, located roughly 250 meters to the East of the castle, under the hilltop known as Forca (“the Gallows”). Good and plentiful farming land and cattle grazing fields can also be found near the castle. This medieval fortress was very important for border defense against the kingdom of Castile during the early 14th Century.
More about Alqueva Dark Sky Reserve:
Alqueva is the first site in the world to receive the “Starlight Tourism Destination” certification. This certification, awarded by the Starlight Foundation is supported by UNESCO, UNWTO and IAC. Starlight destinations are visitable places characterized by excellent quality for the contemplation of starry skies, and the practice of tourist activities based on this resource. www.darkskyalqueva.com
A Startrail from Pico do Arieiro
Captured in the top of Madeira island, in Pico do Arieiro, at about 1810 meters high, from left to right, is visible above the horizon and between the passing clouds, the lights coming from neighboring island of Porto Santo. At the right and in the top of the mountain, above the white/yellow dome – a military radar – we can see the region of Celestial Equator, with the dragged stars of the well known constellation of Orion!
Canon 60Da – ISO2000 Exp. 30 Secs. 11mm at f/2.8. Sum of 46 images. Total time integration of 77 minutes.
Tracking the Night Sky
Tracking the trails of the night sky with the Telescope. Image taken in Alentejo. Canon 50D – ISO1600; f/2.8 at 11mm; Exp. 30 sec. Taken in 05/08/2014 at 4h49m AM.
A colorful life, full of stars!
In this picture captured in Alentejo, we can see the main stars of Big Dipper, Ursa Minor and Cassiopeia, scratching the colorful skies of a celestial blue in a twilight of moonlight. In the land, a house full of life, space and water, is the ideal spot for a skygazer who loves to appreciate the beauty of Alentejo skies.
Canon 50D – f/4 ISO 800 Exp. 20 Secs 11mm. Taken in 07-08-2014 between 22:17 and 1:04 Sum of 466 images with a total time of 2.6h.
A Sky Full of Stars in a Land Full of Olive Trees
A short black and white startrail showing the earth rotation, above the land full of olive trees, captured in front of the Dark Sky Alqueva advertising outdoor, in Monsaraz. Alqueva is the first site in the world to receive the “Starlight Tourism Destination” certification. This certification, awarded by the Starlight Foundation is supported by UNESCO, UNWTO and IAC. Starlight destinations are visitable places characterized by excellent quality for the contemplation of starry skies, and the practice of tourist activities based on this resource.
The region of the Great Lake Alqueva in Alentejo, Portugal is a wonderful place to see the stars, constellations and distant galaxies such as the Milky Way. The unique characteristics of the night sky with a very low rate of light pollution, in the municipalities of Alandroal, Reguengos, Monsaraz, Mourão, Barrancos, Portel and Moura ensure the ideal conditions for an excellent observation of the dark sky. In Alqueva the sky has good atmospheric conditions for stargazing most of the year. Such skies are disappearing in Europe, where most of the population has no longer the privilege to observe an unpolluted sky.
Canon 60Da – ISO1600; 11mm at f/3.2; Exp. 30 secs. Taken in 29-06-2014 at 21:45 Sum of 24 images.
Startrail in the moonlight
A short startrail taken in the top of Alvão mountain range, Vila Real, Portugal. The full moon and the light of a transiting car, helped to light up all the rocky scene in the landscape. Canon 60D – ISO1600; 11mm at f/2.8; Exp. 10 secs. Taken in 8-06-2014 at 23:14
The Trails of North Pole in Lisbon Planetarium
Nowadays we can listen many talks around the word “startrails” and today, we can see thousands of pictures of startrails made in many different latitudes of the planet, facing to East, West, South and around the Polar Star, but have you ever thought how it would be a startrail captured from the North Pole? This kind of startrail is less often.
The height of the Polaris star varies with the latitude of each location. In Portugal for example, in average, the polar star is near 40 ° above the horizon, but at the North Pole, the Polaris is at the Zenith (90º), the point just above our heads, which makes – in a long photo exposure – that the track of each star near the horizon, is it shown as a parallel line, where those star never sets. But to realize this, nothing better than to see this long exposure of 25 seconds captured inside the 21 meters dome of our Lisbon Planetarium, Portugal, during a session where it simulates the rotation of Earth in the North Pole.
Canon 50D – ISO1250; Exp. 25 secs. f/4 at 10mm. In 17/05/2014 at 13:49.
Crescent Moon and Jupiter in the Twilight of Fonte-de-Telha
Sequence of a Crescent Moon Earthshine, captured in the nautical twilight until the moon sets behind the trees of a small pine forest in Fonte-de-Telha, Almada. Portugal, facing to the Atlantic Ocean. Above the Moon and the treetop, is visible the disc of planet Jupiter, accompanied with two of its main moons (Ganymede and Europa).
Canon 50D – ISO640; Exp. 4 secs. f/3.5 at 70mm. In 31/05/2014 at 21:37. Sequence of 858 images.
Moonlit Startrail above Waterfall of Agarez – Vila Real.
In the image we can see a dramatic black and white moonlight scene, with a north short startrail above the beautiful waterfall of Agarez, in Alvão mountain range, Vila Real, north of Portugal. Canon 50D – ISO1600; 11mm at f/2.8; Exp. 30 secs. Sum of 38 images. Taken in 8-06-2014 at 1:28 AM.
Milky Trails – Azores
This short startrail sequence shows the colorful path of main stars from the central region of Milky Way, but also the “blurred trail” of gas and dust from the emissions nebulae in the background, above the cloudy yellow band in the Lake of Fire – Lagoa do Fogo. Doubtlessly, one of the grandest nature attractions of this S. Miguel island, located in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. This huge blue lake 575 meters above the sea level – it is about 2 km long and 1 km wide – fills the ground of an extinct crater, whose caldera was formed during an eruption in 1563.
Canon 60Da – ISO2500; 24mm at f/2; Exp. 20 secs. in 04/05/2014 at 4:20 AM.
Skywatching Against the Lights
There are milions of sky enthusiasts and amateur astronomers in the entire world, fighting against the growing problem of light pollution and trying to find some dark places that could revealing more stars as well, the beautiful presence of Milky Way. Skygazing is more then a passion…becoming a life style. The image were captured in Miradouro de Santa Iria, S. Miguel, Azores, facing to East, where the lights from Porto Formoso e São Brás, are even stronger.
Azores, is one of the two autonomous regions of Portugal, composed of nine volcanic islands situated in the North Atlantic Ocean, is located about 1,360 km west of continental Portugal, about 880 km (550 mi) northwest of Madeira, and about 1,925 km southeast of Newfoundland.There are nine major Azorean islands and an islet cluster, in three main groups. These are Flores and Corvo, to the west; Graciosa, Terceira, São Jorge, Pico, and Faial in the centre; and São Miguel, Santa Maria, and the Formigas Reef to the east. They extend for more than 600 km and lie in a northwest-southeast direction.
Canon 60Da – ISO1250; 24mm at f/4; Exp. 20 secs. in 03/05/2014 at 00:44 AM.
A colorful Moontrail above S. Miguel island – Azores
In this full star/moon trail, we can see the different colors from each type of star. This scene captured in Miradouro de Santa Iria – Azores, shows a long exposure (integration) starting at the nautical twilgiht until the moonset behind a the cloudy sky, reflecting the light pollution coming from Ribeira Grande, as well from Lagoa and Ponta Delgada. The strong small path near the moon in the top edge of the image, belongs to planet Jupiter.
Azores, is one of the two autonomous regions of Portugal, composed of nine volcanic islands situated in the North Atlantic Ocean, is located about 1,360 km west of continental Portugal, about 880 km (550 mi) northwest of Madeira, and about 1,925 km southeast of Newfoundland.There are nine major Azorean islands and an islet cluster, in three main groups. These are Flores and Corvo, to the west; Graciosa, Terceira, São Jorge, Pico, and Faial in the centre; and São Miguel, Santa Maria, and the Formigas Reef to the east. They extend for more than 600 km and lie in a northwest-southeast direction.
The vast extent of the islands defines an immense exclusive economic zone of 1,100,000 km2 (420,000 sq mi). The westernmost point of this area is 3,380 km (2,100 mi) from the North American continent. All the islands have volcanic origins, although some, such as Santa Maria, have had no recorded activity since the islands were settled. Mount Pico, on the island of Pico, is the highest point in Portugal, at 2,351 m. The Azores are actually some of the tallest mountains on the planet, measured from their base at the bottom of the ocean to their peaks, which thrust high above the surface of the Atlantic.
Canon 60Da – ISO1000; 24mm at f/2.8; Exp. 15 secs. in 02/05/2014. Sum of 314 images taken between 22:47 and 00:17 AM. Total time integration of 79 minutes.
MAGIC Telescope against the Startrail
Above is the MAGIC against a startrail background where is also visible the Milky Way dragged, and clearly distinguishable the different colors of each star. | Canon 60Da – ISO2500; 24mm at f/2; Exp. 15 secs. Sum of 23 images taken in 30/09/2013 at 22:44
In the foreground we can see the MAGIC I telescope (Major Atmospheric Gamma-ray Imaging Cherenkov Telescopes) in front of the Milky Way, with many of colorful stars mirrored in its surface of 236 m2. MAGIC is a system of two Imaging Atmospheric Cherenkov telescopes situated at the Roque de los Muchachos Observatory on La Palma, one of the Canary Islands, at about 2200 m above sea level. MAGIC detects particle showers released by gamma rays, using the Cherenkov radiation, i.e., faint light radiated by the charged particles in the showers. With a diameter of 17 meters and 236 m2 reflective surface, it was the largest in the world before the construction of H.E.S.S. II. MAGIC is not only huge, but also pioneers a number of technical developments that had never been applied to Cherenkov telescopes before. The mirror is extremely light and can be moved to any position in the sky in less than thirty seconds. It is made up of 270 individual mirror panels that can be independently focussed using an active mirror control system equipped with lasers.
The cosmos and its evolution are studied using all radiation, in particular electromagnetic waves. The observable spectrum extends from radio waves to infrared, visible, ultraviolet, X-ray, gamma-rays and finally very high energy gamma rays (starting at energies of 10 GeV). Observations at visible wavelengths (.5 to 1 micrometer) have a history of centuries, gamma astronomy by satellites (keV to few GeV) and ground-based telescopes (above 300 GeV) are end-of-20th century newcomers. The MAGIC telescope can detect very high energy gamma rays in a range of energies where no other telescope in the world can operate, so it opens up a brand new window into the universe.
| Canon 60Da – ISO2500; 24mm at f/4; Exp. 1/80 secs. in 30/09/2013 at: 22h43 AM
Startrails with Galileu and Grantecan
In this colorful startrail, captured near the mountain top of the Roque de los Muchachos on the Canary island of La Palma, from left to right, we can see the Telescopio Nazionale Galileo (TNG), that is a 3.6m alt-azimuth telescope with a Ritchey-Chretien optical configuration and a flat tertiary mirror feeding two opposite Nasmyth foci and represents the largest Italian optical/infrared telescope. On the right edge of the picture – in the foreground – stands the Gran Telescope Canarias (GTC) with a 10,4 meters primary mirror reflecting telescope was designed to incorporate the most up-to-date technology and it is one of the most advanced telescopes in the world, actually, the largest one until now in the optical-infrared system.
| Canon 50D – ISO2000; 35mm at f/2; Exp. 15 secs. Sum of 37 images taken in 01/10/2013 between 00:32 and 00:42.
The MAGIC Gamma-ray Cherenkov Telescope full of Stars
In the foreground we can see the great MAGIC I telescope (Major Atmospheric Gamma-ray Imaging Cherenkov Telescopes) with it´s gigantic structure in front of a colorful startrail background, also mirrored on its impressive brilliant surface of 236 m2.
MAGIC is a system of two Imaging Atmospheric Cherenkov telescopes situated at the Roque de los Muchachos Observatory on La Palma, one of the Canary Islands, at about 2200 m above sea level. MAGIC detects particle showers released by gamma rays, using the Cherenkov radiation, i.e., faint light radiated by the charged particles in the showers. With a diameter of 17 meters and 236 m2 reflective surface, it was the largest in the world before the construction of H.E.S.S. II. MAGIC is not only huge, but also pioneers a number of technical developments that had never been applied to Cherenkov telescopes before. The mirror is extremely light and can be moved to any position in the sky in less than thirty seconds. It is made up of 270 individual mirror panels that can be independently focussed using an active mirror control system equipped with lasers.
The cosmos and its evolution are studied using all radiation, in particular electromagnetic waves. The observable spectrum extends from radio waves to infrared, visible, ultraviolet, X-ray, gamma-rays and finally very high energy gamma rays (starting at energies of 10 GeV). Observations at visible wavelengths (.5 to 1 micrometer) have a history of centuries, gamma astronomy by satellites (keV to few GeV) and ground-based telescopes (above 300 GeV) are end-of-20th century newcomers. The MAGIC telescope can detect very high energy gamma rays in a range of energies where no other telescope in the world can operate, so it opens up a brand new window into the universe.
Below we can see a time lapse with the MAGIC in motion and a sky full of stars reflected in its impressive mirrored surface.
Below we can see the MAGIC with a sky full of “steady” stars (without trail), and lighted by the Milky Way presence in the background.
Canon 60Da – ISO2500; 24mm at f/2; Exp. 15 secs. Sum of 53 images taken in 01/10/2013 at 00:22.
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The MAGIC I Telescope Profile
In the foreground we can see the profile of MAGIC I telescope (Major Atmospheric Gamma-ray Imaging Cherenkov Telescopes) with it´s gigantic structure in front a startrail background, where is also visible the Milky Way dragged, and clearly distinguishable the different colors of each star and the deep sky objects, as viewed in the violet paths in the center of the picture.
MAGIC is a system of two Imaging Atmospheric Cherenkov telescopes situated at the Roque de los Muchachos Observatory on La Palma, one of the Canary Islands, at about 2200 m above sea level. MAGIC detects particle showers released by gamma rays, using the Cherenkov radiation, i.e., faint light radiated by the charged particles in the showers. With a diameter of 17 meters and 236 m2 reflective surface, it was the largest in the world before the construction of H.E.S.S. II. MAGIC is not only huge, but also pioneers a number of technical developments that had never been applied to Cherenkov telescopes before. The mirror is extremely light and can be moved to any position in the sky in less than thirty seconds. It is made up of 270 individual mirror panels that can be independently focussed using an active mirror control system equipped with lasers.
The cosmos and its evolution are studied using all radiation, in particular electromagnetic waves. The observable spectrum extends from radio waves to infrared, visible, ultraviolet, X-ray, gamma-rays and finally very high energy gamma rays (starting at energies of 10 GeV). Observations at visible wavelengths (.5 to 1 micrometer) have a history of centuries, gamma astronomy by satellites (keV to few GeV) and ground-based telescopes (above 300 GeV) are end-of-20th century newcomers. The MAGIC telescope can detect very high energy gamma rays in a range of energies where no other telescope in the world can operate, so it opens up a brand new window into the universe.
| Canon 60Da – ISO2500; 24mm at f/2; Exp. 15 secs. Sum of 13 images taken in 30/09/2013 at 23:27
Double satellite flyby against FACT Telescope
In this colorful startrail captured facing to northwest region, we could see behind FACT Telescope silhouette, the trail of a double satellite flyby, possibly related to the Naval Ocean Surveillance System (NOSS) satellite formation, each having two or three satellites in close proximity to one another. Normally these satellites are relatively dim to the unaided eye, but on occasion they brighten sufficiently to be easily seen in a dark sky, like occured in the sky of Roque de Los Muchahos observatory, in La Palma, Canary Island.
The image was taken in Observatorio del Roque de los Muchachos (ORM) situated on the edge of the Caldera de Taburiente National Park, 2.400 m. above sea level, on the island of La Palma, Canarias, Spain. It is home to one of the most extensive fleets of telescopes to be found anywhere in the world, and where 15 telescopes from 19 nations use the best night sky in Europe to explore the cosmos.
| Canon 60Da – ISO2500; 24mm at f/2; Exp. 15 secs. Sum of 23 images taken in 30/09/2013 at 22:44
FACT Cherenkov Telescope with a dragged Milky Way
| Canon 60Da – ISO2500; 24mm at f/2; Exp. 15 secs. Sum of 23 images taken in 30/09/2013 at 22:44
Image of a startrail sequence taken at the same time of the image below, with the Milky Way dragged in the background.
Captured in the Observatorio del Roque de los Muchachos (ORM), situated on the edge of the Caldera de Taburiente National Park, 2.400 m. above sea level, on the island of La Palma, Canary, Spain, the image shows in the foreground, the First G-APD Cherenkov Telescope (FACT), that is the first imaging atmospheric Cherenkov telescope using Geiger-mode avalanche photodiods (G-APDs) as photo sensors. The rather small, low-cost telescope will not only serve as a test bench for this technology in Cherenkov astronomy, but also monitor bright active galactic nuclei (AGN) in the TeV energy range. The First G-APD Cherenkov Telescope is assembled in Roque de Los Muchachos on the MAGIC site, mounted in the focus of one of the former HEGRA telescopes (CT3). In the background, the beautiful light coming from the central region of Milky Way, where the main stars of Sagittarius constellation are shining behind the telescope structure and surrounded by a region rich in emission nebulae, like the Lagoon Nebula (M8) and the Trifid Nebula (M20), or even M23 and M24, Omega nebula (M17) and Eagle Nebula (M16) – seen in the right edge of the picture in violet color – working as an impressive backlight that even without the presence of any other source of light, allow us to show the imposing dark silhouette of the FACT Telescope, with some of these nebulae and stars, reflected in part of the 9.5 sqm mirror area. More info related: DWARF – Dedicated multiWavelength Agn Research Facility.
The excellent quality of the sky for astronomy in the Canaries is determined and protected by Law. As a result, the observatories of the Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC) are an “astronomy reserve” which has been available to the international community since 1979. Technical image details: Canon 60D – ISO2500; 24mm at f/4; Exp. 1/80 secs. in 30/09/2013 at: 22h43.
Colorful Twilight in Roque de Los Muchachos
In this colorful twilight view captured after the sunset from the top of El Roque de Los Muchachos, home to one of the most extensive fleets of telescopes to be found anywhere in the world, we can see a startrail with an amazing view of planet Venus (the brightest trail at left), reflected in the “ocean of clouds” below the land. On earth, the bright trail was left by the lights of a car that was moving inside the observatory area, where is visible from left to right, the Telescopio Nazionale Galileo. TNG is a 3.6m alt-azimuth telescope with a Ritchey-Chretien optical configuration and a flat tertiary mirror feeding two opposite Nasmyth foci and represents the largest Italian optical/infrared telescope. On the right edge of the picture stands the Gran Telescope Canarias (GTC) with a 10,4 meters primary mirror reflecting telescope was designed to incorporate the most up-to-date technology and it is one of the most advanced telescopes in the world, actually, the largest one until now in the optical-infrared system
| Canon 50D – ISO1600; 13mm at f/5; Exp. 30 secs. Sum of 14 images taken in 30/09/2013 between 20:59 and 21:06.
Startrail Above the Clouds
In this Starry sky full of trails we can see the different colors of each star, many of them from the Scorpius constellation, The strong path at the right side of the image, comes from the planet Venus. Below the horizon, we found an ocean of clouds, located inside the Caldera and blocking part of the small light pollution coming from Santa Cruz de La Palma. The rocky silhouette is part of Roque de Los Muchachos, where stands a huge complex with the some of the largest telescopes in the world.
| Canon 60Da – ISO1600; 24mm at f/2; Exp. 13 secs. Sum of 200 images taken in 29/09/2013 between 21:22 and 22:06.
Moontrail in Fuencaliente
In this startrail and moontrail captured in Los Canarios, Fuencaliente, Canary island, above the landscape full of pine trees, the strong path of moon shines side-by-side with planet Jupiter (the trail above moon), as well as the trails from Orion stars, Canis Major and Columba, near the cloudy horizon.
Canon 50D – ISO3200; 10mm at f/4; Exp. 30 secs. Sum 155 images taken in 28/09/2013 between: 3h19 AM and 4h43 AM.
Perseids Meteor shower in Black and White
Image of the meteor shower Perseids, taken from Fonte-de-Telha, Portugal. Canon 50D – ISO1000; f/4; Exp. 25 secs. with 10mm, in 12/08/2013 at 4h14 AM. Sum of 32 images.
The Sparrow, the Moon and the Awning
At first sight and due to this particular “comet” shape, we could imagine that the long “white to orange” tail in the left center of the image, would be from the century´s comet, the ISON. At least, all of us have already heard that the most optimistic predictions, seems to pointing to a comet with a brightness as strong as the Moon. Well, either or not, it will be a great sky show indeed, providing good opportunities for images like that.
In the left top corner – clearly visible in the still single shot picture – we could find in the arms of this dead tree, a sleepy sparrow, the perfect model for a night long exposure shot. Below right, the great trail with a “comet shape” isn´t from the ISON yet, but actually the path of the moon against a starry sky. As it goes down, the brightness drops below and the color of the moon stays more yellow and near the horizon, can even reach a red tone. At right, the strange white shape, is from a awning of the Monte Falperras rural hotel, in Mourão, one of the great places to rest in the Alqueva Dark Sky Reserve, in Portugal. This startrail image composed by 195 images from 30 seconds each, was capturing in 15th July 2013 at 23h11, during the moonset, as we could appreciate in this 13 seconds Time Lapse sequence.
Still image: Canon 50D – ISO640; 10mm f/4 Exp 30 secs. In 15/07/2013 at 23:11 AM
Below is the short time lapse sequence:
Finding Polaris Star in Falperras Hill
This “self portrait” startrail was taken in Falperras Hill, a rural hotel in Mourão, one of the regions covered by the Alqueva Dark sky Reserve, in Portugal. In this polar startrail we could easily identify the Polaris star – who indicates the North – not only because the “star vortex” seems to spin around this central star, but also due to the light path left by a satellite (not ISS), that seems to point to this same star. Below right in the sky picture, is also visible a strong flare left by satellite Iridium 66, with a magnitude of -4.5. In the land, we could see the Monte Falperras hotel, Myself enjoying this beautiful and peaceful moment – full of meaning – as well as two olive trees, the much typical tree available in the fields of Alentejo region. Canon 50D – ISO1600; 10mm f/4 Exp 30 secs. Sum of 344 images taken in 14/07/2013 between 22:53 and 01:59 AM.
The Startrails above Monte Alerta Trees
A deeply startrail above Monte Alerta trees. Canon 50D – ISO2000; 24mm f/2 Exp 15 secs. Sum of 120 images taken in 05/07/2013 at 03:14 AM
Alqueva Lake, a natural “Star Seismograph”
This startrail captured in a region of the sky facing south and where is present part of the Milky Way, thus causing a nuance of shades that blend background with well-marked trails of stars in the sky. These tracks, reflected in the lake as if they were “written” by a needle of a seismograph, also due to the effect of polarization, a characteristic effect of the water, allows accentuating the true color of the stars … well reported at the bottom of the image. The hottest stars are blue. The most blue pronounced reflection is caused by the Shaula star, which lies at the tip tail of the Scorpion, as we were able to confirm this “with the natural seismograph” better known as “Great Lake Alqueva” and part of Dark Sky Reserve.
Canon 50D – ISO1600 Exp 15 secs. 24mm f/2.8. Sum of 124 images taken between 03:32 and 15/06/2013 at 4:07 AM
Arrábida´s Vortex
A colorful startrail captured in the Arrábida´s mountain, Portugal, facing to North, creating a light vortex around the Polaris, well known as the Northen Star.
Canon 50D – ISO 1600; Exp.15 Ses; f/2.8; 35mm in 11/05/2013 at 04h50 AM.
Light Tracks in the Darkness
Silhouette of the Arrábida mountain with the sky full of “light tracks”, presenting the different colors of the stars, pointing to the region of the Milky Way where lies the Cygnus constellation.
Canon 60Da – ISO 1600; Exp.15 Sec; f/2.8; 24mm in 11/05/2013 at 03h35. Sum of 164 images.
A painting of Nature
In this starry cloudy moonlit, we could watch what actually seems to be a rainy night, but, indeed, it was not rain, but a short startrail in a cloudy and windy night, above the alqueva´s lake, in a region called Albufeira de Pedrogão. Thanks to light of the moon, wind and clouds, I´ve got this peculiar result, I´ve called: “the painting of nature”.
Canon 60Da – ISO640, f/2.8; Exp. 6s ; 24mm. 27/04/2013 23h35
Barroca Startrail
A black and white startrail captured in the house of Barroca´s mount, in the Contenda homestead. Canon 50D – ISO2000 ; f/4 ; Exp. 30s. ; 10mm. 26/04/2013 at 21h37
Startrails in a moonlit Spring field
The trails of some stars above the green spring field lighted by the full moon. Canon 50D – ISO640; f/4; Exp. 15s ; 10mm. Sum of 200 images – 26/04/2013 at 01h14 AM
Alqueva Polaris Startrail
A startrail around the polaris star, where we could see a lot of many trails with different colors, due to the real color of each star. The image was captured in Monsaraz, in the Dark Sky Reserve.
Canon 50D – ISO2000; 10mm; f/4, 30 secs. Sum of 157 images, with a total integration of 78.5 minutes. Taken in
Enjoying the Passing of a Bright Star
It´s amazing to watch the reaction of the people when for the first time, they could watch a special star moving over their heads, like happened with this small group of participants during a workshop I gave in the Dark Sky Reserve, here in Portugal. At the same time that the ISS was passing in the sky, I told the them, to watch, enjoy and imagine something fantastic, that is the fact that in this special and apparent “star”, there are humans living in permanence…
The image was taken with the ISS at a magnitude of -3.3, passing in the highest point of 77º SE.
Canon 50D – ISO2500 Exp. 30Sec. f/4 10mm. Sum of 8 images. Total time integration of 4 minutes. Taken in 13/01/2013 at 5:58 AM.
Alqueva´s Moon Landscape
This moontrail image was captured in the last 21 to 22th December. Actually, it could be the last moonset seen from planet Earth, if the world was really end on 21th Dec. But fortunately didn´t happen and I was still photographing the entire night until the sunrise, the begining of a New Era, surronded with a lot of lovely skyscapes like this one, in Monsaraz village, a region of the Alqueva´s Dark Sky Reserve, in Portugal, the world´s first “Starlight Tourism Destination”.
The Night Like a Paiting
Image of a colorful startrail captured in the Monsaraz region, inserted in the Alqueva Dark Sky Reserve.
Almendres Cromlech startra
In the sky image, is visible the startrails of Orion Constellation above the stone circle, and the shadows of the stones projected in the land, due to the light of the moon, which light up the landscape from the oposite site.
Canon 50D – ISO 2000; f/4; Exp.25s 10mm em 20/12/2012
Startrail in the Sunset
After the sunset, the sky takes fantastic colors and warm tones full of life. While waiting for the night fall to become the visible clouds of dust and gas in our galaxy, I registered a startrail a little different than usual, where are clearly distinguishable the different colors of different stars. In astronomy, the yellow/orange stars are more cold than the white/blue stars. A curiosity, is that the track nearest the rock and water, in the left area of the image, refers to the planet Mars, who was also visible when I started the session. In the atlantic ocean, the waves dragged the foam that was drawing the sand and reflecting a magnificent sky full of light and color .
Canon 50D – 16mm f/5.6 Exp. 30″ at ISO800. Sum of 70 images, taken in 02/12/2012 between 18h24 and 19h02.
Rocky Startrail
Trails in the north region of the Adraga´s beach sky, in Sintra, Portugal.
Canon 60Da – 35mm f/2.8 Exp. 15″ at ISO1600. Taken in 02/12/2012 at 19h00. Sum of 15 images.
Light trails in the Lake
This image was captured in the land of Juromenha, near Alandroal, one of the regions covered by the Alqueva´s Dark Sky Reserve (www.alquevadarksky.com), distinguished as the Worlds First Star Light Tourism Destination.However, during the two nights that I was shooting, I had the great presence of the moon to light up the landscape, creating many different blue sky tones and showing less stars than we usually see, with naked eye. The moon, let me capture the beauty of the place with incredible romantic views in a scenery full of quiet, peace and plenitude. Lakes, horses and millenar olive trees, is just an example of what we could find there…
Canon 50D – 10mm f/4 30″ ISO3200 taken in 05/10/2012 at 21h59. Sum of 11 images with a total integration of 6 minutes.
Stars around Casa Saramago
This image was captured in the land of Juromenha, near Alandroal, one of the regions covered by the Alqueva´s Dark Sky Reserve (www.alquevadarksky.com), distinguished as the Worlds First Star Light Tourism Destination.However, during the two nights that I was shooting, I had the great presence of the moon to light up the landscape, creating many different blue sky tones and showing less stars than we usually see, with naked eye. The moon, let me capture the beauty of the place with incredible romantic views in a scenery full of quiet, peace and plenitude. Lakes, horses and millenar olive trees, is just an example of what we could find there. Canon 50D – 11mm f/4.5 15″ ISO640 taken in 05/10/2012 at 1h03 Sum of 64 images with a total integration of 16 minutes.
Stars above the horses
This image was captured in the land of Juromenha, near Alandroal, one of the regions covered by the Alqueva´s Dark Sky Reserve (www.alquevadarksky.com), distinguished as the Worlds First Star Light Tourism Destination.However, during the two nights that I was shooting, I had the great presence of the moon to light up the landscape, creating many different blue sky tones and showing less stars than we usually see, with naked eye. The moon, let me capture the beauty of the place with incredible romantic views in a scenery full of quiet, peace and plenitude. Lakes, horses and millenar olive trees, is just an example of what we could find there…
Canon 50D – 35mm f/4 5″ ISO2000 taken in 06/10/2012 at 1h55 Sum of 131 images with a total integration of 11 minutes.
Hotel Nave Terra
This image was captured in the land of Juromenha, near Alandroal, one of the regions covered by the Alqueva´s Dark Sky Reserve (www.alquevadarksky.com), distinguished as the Worlds First Star Light Tourism Destination.However, during the two nights that I was shooting, I had the great presence of the moon to light up the landscape, creating many different blue sky tones and showing less stars than we usually see, with naked eye. The moon, let me capture the beauty of the place with incredible romantic views in a scenery full of quiet, peace and plenitude. Lakes, horses and millenar olive trees, is just an example of what we could find there…
Canon 50D – 10mm f/4 25″ ISO1000 taken in 05/10/2012 at 4h24 Sum of 46 images with a total integration of 19 minutes.
Behind the net
This image was captured in the land of Juromenha, near Alandroal, one of the regions covered by the Alqueva´s Dark Sky Reserve (www.alquevadarksky.com), distinguished as the Worlds First Star Light Tourism Destination.However, during the two nights that I was shooting, I had the great presence of the moon to light up the landscape, creating many different blue sky tones and showing less stars than we usually see, with naked eye. The moon, let me capture the beauty of the place with incredible romantic views in a scenery full of quiet, peace and plenitude. Lakes, horses and millenar olive trees, is just an example of what we could find there…
Canon 50D – 35mm f/4 5″ ISO1250 taken in 05/10/2012 at 2h44 Sum of 82 images with a total integration of 7 minutes.
Beatiful sky
This image was captured in the land of Juromenha, near Alandroal, one of the regions covered by the Alqueva´s Dark Sky Reserve (www.alquevadarksky.com), distinguished as the Worlds First Star Light Tourism Destination.However, during the two nights that I was shooting, I had the great presence of the moon to light up the landscape, creating many different blue sky tones and showing less stars than we usually see, with naked eye. The moon, let me capture the beauty of the place with incredible romantic views in a scenery full of quiet, peace and plenitude. Lakes, horses and millenar olive trees, is just an example of what we could find there…
Canon 50D – 10mm f/4 30″ ISO800 taken in 06/10/2012 at 2h48 Sum of 36 images with a total integration of 18 minutes.
Startrails in the templars ruins
Image taken in Vera Cruz, Portel, one of the regions inside de Alqueva Dark Sky Reserve, The world’s first certified “Starlight Tourism Destination”. The image shows a startrail in the ruins of the ancient Templars.
