During the upcoming Milky Way season, I'm planning a trip outside of Florida within driving distance. The Smoky Mountain National Park is are one such place that is within driving distance for me. I've visited the area several times in the last two years. When looking for new places to photograph, if you can, it's best to stay there more than once, especially if you can visit the area at different times of the year. There are plenty of times after traveling that I wished I could take one more photo. Florida is pretty easy as most places are within four to six hours away. The Smoky Mountains are a little bit further but could be driven to within a day from home.
Depending on how the year unfolds, I might be able to squeeze a few trips up the mountains or maybe a bit farther out west.
Special Note: April and May also have two meteor showers occurring. The first up is The Lyrid Meteor showers from April 14th to the 30th. It'll peak around the 21st and 22nd. The Eta Aquariids showers are active from April 19th to May 28th and peaks around May 4th - 5th. The Eta Aquarids have a better show in the Southern hemisphere, or so I am told. Meteor shower names are tied to the constellations from which they appear to radiate. However, the meteors can appear all across the sky.
In the Milky Way photo of the Smoky Mountains, there is a meteor crossing my path. It's in between the Core and the bight spot, Jupiter. Keep in mind meteors hit the sky every day. These showers and few others are more famous because you can go from 6 to 20 meteors per hour. Also, not every spot on Earth has a great seat to see the show. The best thing to do is to have patience and enjoy the star-studded fireworks from space.
APRIL:
In April, I hope to be in the Smoky Mountain National Park, photographing the arrival of Spring, waterfalls, and the Milky Way. I've attempted photographing the Core before in the mountains with limited success. The trick is to find a view that's not blocked by mountains but has mountains in the composition. I will try for Clingman's Dome this year as the view on top allows you to see for miles around. Like the months before, the best capture times are before the Core's visibility sets. However, I should have anywhere from 60 to 90 minutes of capture time before that happens. Another challenge in shooting in the mountains is I have almost no reception up in the mountains. In most places I visit, I can get a signal that allows me to use apps to fine-tune the composition. I'll have to rely on experience and by a line of sight. I'm also hoping to take advantage of some early morning twilight for some help in creating composite compositions.
April 8th
Core Visibility - 1:42 AM to 5:43 AM
Capture Time - 4:13 AM to 5:43 AM
Moonrise - 5:50 AM - Waning Crescent
Blue Hour - 6:44 AM
Golden Hour - 6:55 AM
Sunrise - 7:11 AM
April 9th
Core Visibility - 1:38 AM to 5:41 AM
Capture Time - 4:11 AM to 5:41 AM
Moonrise 6:18 AM - Waning Crescent
Blue Hour - 6:43 AM
Golden Hour - 6:53 AM
Sunrise - 7:09 AM
April 10th
Core Visibility - 1:35 AM to 5:39 AM
Capture Time - 4:09 AM to 5:39 AM
Blue Hour - 6:41 AM
Moonrise 6:45 AM - Waning Crescent
Golden Hour 6:52 AM
Sunrise - 7:08 AM
April 11th
New Moon
Core Visibility - 1:31 AM to 5:38 AM
Capture Time - 4:08 AM to 5:38 AM
Blue Hour - 6:40 AM
Golden Hour - 6:40 AM
Sunrise - 7:11 AM
April 15th
Core Visibility - 1:51 AM to 5:31 AM
Capture Time - 4:01 AM to 5:31 AM
Blue Hour - 6:35 AM
Golden Hour - 6:45 AM
Sunrise - 7:01 AM
April 16th
Core Visibility - 1:11 AM to 5:30 AM
Capture Time - 4:00 AM to 5:30 AM
Blue Hour - 6:33 AM
Golden Hour - 6:44 AM
Sunrise - 7:00 AM
April 17th
Moonset 12:34 AM - Waxing Cresent
Core Visibility - 1:07 AM to 5:28 AM
Capture Time - 3:58 AM to 5:29 AM
Blue Hour - 6:32 AM
Golden Hour - 6:42 AM
Sunrise - 6:58 AM
April 18th
Core Visibility - 1:03 AM to 5:27 AM
Capture Time - 3:57 AM to 5:27 AM
Moonset 1:29 AM - Waxing Crescent
Blue Hour - 6:30 AM
Golden Hour 6:41 AM
Sunrise - 6:57 AM
MAY:
This is my favorite part of the Milky Way season. In May, the capture time is even longer as it begins to appear earlier in the night. The visibility starts before midnight most of the month, with its elevation just above the horizon. Capture times can last two to three hours, depending on the position of the Moon. The dates and times in May include both the Moonrise and Moonset times to plan my captures. I'm also looking to photograph the Milky Way for the first time at Cape San Blas, FL.
Earlier in May, from the 8th to 11th, the Moon is entering the New Moon phase. During this period, it would be a better time to head out into the dark. Unfortunately, it's in the middle of the workweek, and I'll have to settle for heading out on the Backside on the New Moon. Further along in May, the Full Moon is quickly approaching, and it will cut into the capture times. However, I can still use the Full Moon to help illuminate my landscapes before it sets.
May 12th/13th
May 12th Moonset - 9:25 PM - Waxing Crescent
Core Visibility - 11:13 PM to 5:20 AM
Capture Time - 12:13 AM to 5:20 AM
May 13th Moonrise - 8:02 AM
May 13th/14th
May 13th Moonset - 10:20 PM - Waxing Crescent
Core Visibility - 11:09 PM to 5:19 AM
Capture Time - 12:19 AM to 5:19 AM
May 14th Moonrise - 8:44 AM
May 14th/15th
May 14th Moonset - 11:15 PM - Waxing Crescent
Core Visibility - 11:05 PM to 5:18 AM
Capture Time - 12:18 AM to 5:18 AM
May 15th Moonrise - 9:31 AM
May 15th/16th
May 15th - Waxing Crescent Moon is already out.
Core Visibility - 11:01 PM to 5:18 AM
Capture Time - 12:10 AM to 5:18 AM
May 16th Moonset - 12:07 AM
May 19th/20th
May 19th Moonrise - 1:20 PM - First Quater
Core Visibility - 10:45 PM to 5:14 AM
Capture Time - 3 AM to 5:18 AM
May 20th Moonset - 2:59 AM
May 20th/21st
May 20th Moonrise - 2:21 PM - Waxing Gibbous
Core Visibility - 10:41 PM to 5:14 AM
Capture Time - 3:45 AM to 5:18 AM
May 21st Moonset - 3:35 AM
May 21st/22nd
May 21st Moonrise - 3:24 PM - Waxing Gibbous
Core Visibility - 10:37 PM to 5:14 AM
Capture Time - 4:15 AM to 5:13 AM
May 22nd Moonset - 4:09 AM
May 22nd/23rd
May 22nd Moonrise - 4:28 PM - Waxing Gibbous
Core Visibility - 10:33 PM to 5:12 AM
Capture Time - 4:45 AM to 5:12 AM
May 23rd Moonset - 4:43 AM