I finally got a clear night to shoot the Milky Way and my neighbor's security light ruined everything

Last Thursday was supposed to be perfect, no moon and a forecast of clear skies, so I drove an hour out to Joshua Tree to set up. I spent 45 minutes framing my shot and getting the focus just right on my star tracker. Right as I started a 3-minute exposure, a bright motion sensor light from a nearby cabin flashed on and stayed on, washing out the whole frame. The owner came out and said, 'Oh, that thing's been broken for weeks, comes on whenever a rabbit runs by.' Has anyone else had a perfect astro night wrecked by something totally stupid like that?

3 comments

3 Comments

linda_ward2mo ago

That "broken for weeks" light is the worst. I just pack up and find a new spot.

matthew8642mo ago

Wait, you pack up your whole spot, @linda_ward?

seanjohnson1mo ago

Went to a dark sky park in New Mexico once, spent an hour getting my telescope dialed in, and some guy pulled up in a lifted truck with those blinding LED light bars and just left it running for twenty minutes while he "checked his tire pressure." I just sat there in my chair staring at him until he got the hint.