Strategy for Shooting from a Dark Site

[starfield]

So my cabin fever is getting pretty bad. Looking to escape out to Anza Borrego desert and grab some dark sky time next week. Since they're not currently allowing any camping, I figure I've got about 4 hours before I have to pack up and leave (and avoid falling asleep on the drive home). I really want to maximize my time out there and would love to capture a couple of targets. Keep in mind I currently shoot from my Bortle 8 backyard and will be dropping to about a Bortle 3 sky. An article I read in S&T would lead me to believe that what takes 10+ hours of exposure in my Bortle 8 skies could be equivalent to 1 hour at a dark site. If this is true, thinking of trying for a couple of 1.5 hours runs. M101 is definitely on the list. Haven't decided on the second.

Really curious if I'm approaching this the right way and how any of you other urban astronomers try and maximize your time out at a dark site.

Thanks,

--Steve

[JayTee]

So when I was at my dark site (for just a single night) and before I had a light panel I would use twilight just after sunset for my flats. I would then goto and polar align as soon as possible when visible stars were apparent. Then I would spend every other dark moment imaging. I didn't worry about bias or darks until I got home.

Cheers,
JT

[sdbodin]

Sounds right to me, I just did 54min at f6 with my 80 and it came out fine and your 294 is a notch above my 1600MC. But, I'd start with M100 then M101, and if time, M102, 30 min should be good on that one.

Clear skies,
Steve

P.S. My backyard is Bortle 3.

[Graeme1858]

So my cabin fever is getting pretty bad. Looking to escape out to Anza Borrego desert and grab some dark sky time next week. Since they're not currently allowing any camping, I figure I've got about 4 hours before I have to pack up and leave (and avoid falling asleep on the drive home).

Looking forward to seeing what you get Steve!

Drive safe.

Regards

Graeme

[Juno16]

Looking forward to hear how it goes for you. It sounds very exciting!

I’ve never been to a dark site. I don’t think that there is one anywhere close that isn’t heavily wooded.

Just curious, how are you going to power your rig?

My backyard skies are also poor (Bortle 7). Being at a dark site would be like the Sky was on steroids!

Best of success!

[JayTee]

Being at a dark site would be like the Sky was on steroids!

It is. Imagine seeing your shadow on the ground from just the light of the Milky Way!

JT

[yobbo89]

I don't go to a dark site regularly but have when i'm on holiday and i spend all my time on one target/area of the sky,i would want to get all that faint detail, detailed that can't obtained in an lp area and is usualy washed out .

[Baskevo]

I was thinking about heading to Anza myself next week! What part of SoCal are you in? I'm right on the border of LA county and Orange County

[DEnc]

Be careful where you set up. We called the rangers and learned that the Park is closed--even driving on dirt roads is off limits now.

Postscript: We also called the regional BLM office about Bradshaw Trail and Wiley's Well, and dispersed camping is allowed there. Perhaps this is true of BLM land in California in general?

[starfield]

Be careful where you set up. We called the rangers and learned that the Park is closed--even driving on dirt roads is off limits now.

Postscript: We also called the regional BLM office about Bradshaw Trail and Wiley's Well, and dispersed camping is allowed there. Perhaps this is true of BLM land in California in general?

Thanks, I had heard they were still allowing day use, but sounds like that changed. Suppose it's to help keep all of San Diego from flocking out there and to keep staff safe.

[DEnc]

Thanks, I had heard they were still allowing day use, but sounds like that changed. Suppose it's to help keep all of San Diego from flocking out there and to keep staff safe.

Give 'em a call to be sure! The context of our question was dispersed camping. The ranger said we could "park outside of the park and walk in" which sounded odd, but we had our answer for camping and left it at that. Maybe you'd be fine.

[starfield]

Looking forward to hear how it goes for you. It sounds very exciting!

I’ve never been to a dark site. I don’t think that there is one anywhere close that isn’t heavily wooded.

Just curious, how are you going to power your rig?

My backyard skies are also poor (Bortle 7). Being at a dark site would be like the Sky was on steroids!

Best of success!

For power I found a Beaudens 240 WH Lithium Iron power pack. Supposedly good for 2k charges, it's light and powers my mount and camera cooler fine. Based on backyard testing definitely seems good for 1 night at least. My laptop has solid state drive and if I make sure to let the screen sleep often I can run off the laptop battery all night. I think many here use Marine batteries or jump starters that you can buy from Harbor Freight.

You definitely should plan a vacation to a dark site once things get back to normal. Grand Canyon has a great star party. Bryce Canyon and Great Basin NP have pretty magical skies as well and offer stunning hiking during the day. Give you a chance to experience the Southwest!