When we first moved to Happy Valley two years ago, the last thing we expected was the ability to do astrophotography in the back yard. Everything was against us - our postage stamp yard, the roofline blocking the south, neighboring trees and the ambient light pollution. But to our amazement, we were in luck. A confluence of weather and targets allowed Robert to get some stunning images - no RGB of course, but some brilliant narrow band.
It wasn’t easy. There was the door to the garage that was opened to create a light shield, soon followed by tarps on the inside of the fences, culminating in an extensive tarp to prevent bleed from some festive outdoor lights a neighbor two houses over strung under a patio cover and were set on a timer. The timer only turned the lights off few hours in the middle of the night, decreasing the already narrow window he was working with.
On clear nights, equipment was set, tarps where hung, and beverages consumed - waiting for those few hours of clear skies and darkness.
The first image captured was the Eastern Veil —
Eastern Veil - Robert Collins, Jr.
The last image captured was the Wizard Nebula.
The Wizard Nebula - Robert Collins, Jr.
This winter we discovered the run of luck was over.
A letter went out to the neighborhood regarding a number of lights in the alley behind our homes, that were burned out. Our neighbors replaced the dead lights with bright full spectrum LEDs that shine into our backyard and home. They are so bright we can read by them.
This week there were some lovely clear skies - but no longer much seeing for us. We never thought it was possible so we enjoyed it while it lasted, and mourn it now it is gone.
Dark-ish skies… you will be missed.
T & R