Cape Palliser & SpaceX Rocket Launch

1. About the Photo

For months, I had been planning this shot—a perfect composition featuring the Milky Way core arcing above the Cape Palliser Lighthouse, its beam piercing the darkness, with the stars illuminating the sky like scattered diamonds. The location, the timing, and the conditions all had to align for this one moment.

Little did I know that this night would turn into something even more extraordinary. What began as a meticulously planned astrophotography session became a once-in-a-lifetime event when an unexpected element entered my frame—a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launch.

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2. About the Place

What’s in the Photo?

Cape Palliser Lighthouse stands against the coastal winds as the Milky Way core forms a perfect arch above it. The lighthouse beam cuts through the darkness, and in the distance, an unexpected guest appears—the glowing streak of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launch.

Information about the Space X Rocket in the photo -

LINK 1, LINK 2, LINK 3

Time & Location:

• Date: September 6th, 2024
• Season: Late winter, approaching spring
• Location: Cape Palliser, New Zealand
• Bortle Scale: 1 (Dark Sky Reserve)

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Interesting Fact:

‍Cape Palliser is home to the largest fur seal colony in the North Island of New Zealand, making it a unique destination for both wildlife and astrophotography enthusiasts.

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3. The Journey to Photograph the Place

‍Planning Process

‍I used Google Maps and PhotoPills extensively to determine the best angles for capturing the Milky Way arch over the lighthouse. Everything had to be precise—from my tripod’s placement to the exact time the core would be in the right position. I also checked weather forecasts, moon phases, and cloud cover predictions to ensure optimal conditions.

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‍Travel to the Location

‍After a long drive along the rugged coastline, my and my friend reached Cape Palliser. The lighthouse sits atop a steep hill, requiring a climb up 253 steps with my gear. The effort was worth it—the dark sky conditions were ideal, and the lighthouse provided a stunning foreground for my composition.

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4. The Actual Photographing Process

‍Setting Up the Shot

‍With my star tracker aligned and cameras set up, I began capturing both the sky and foreground separately for later blending. The lighthouse's steady glow added an extra challenge, requiring careful exposure balancing.

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‍On-Location Techniques

• Used a star tracker for long-exposure sky shots without star trails
• Captured multiple exposures for noise reduction and dynamic range
• Carefully adjusted focus to ensure both the stars and lighthouse were sharp

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Environmental Challenges

• Strong coastal winds made keeping the setup steady difficult
• The lighthouse beam required careful exposure handling to avoid overexposure
• The unexpected SpaceX rocket streak required a quick adjustment to my shot planning

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5. Technical Details of the Photo

‍Camera & Gear Used

• Sky Camera: Sony A7III (astro-modified for Hydrogen Alpha)
• Lens (Sky): Sony 24mm f/1.4 GM
• Tracker: Benro Polaris
• Foreground Camera: Sony A7RV
• Lens (Foreground): Sony 14mm f/1.8 GM
• Tripod: Leofoto LS-324C + LH-40
• Filters: None

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Settings / EXIF

Sky:

• 10 images stacked
• f/2.8
• 123 sec exposure
• ISO 1250

Foreground:

• 5 images stacked
• f/2.2
• 13 sec exposure
• ISO 3200

Software Used

• PixInsight, Photoshop, PhotoPills

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6. Editing Process

‍Stacking & Pre-Processing

• Stacked sky images in PixInsight to reduce noise and the improve galactic core details
• Foreground images were stacked and blended separately for improved dynamic range

Color Grading & Adjustments

• Fine-tuned colors in Photoshop to enhance natural star colors and contrast
• Balanced the lighthouse illumination with the sky for a realistic effect

Final Touches

• Adjusted sharpness and clarity to highlight the fine details of the Milky Way
• Blended the final image seamlessly for a natural, stunning result.

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7. Closing Thoughts

This image is truly my best astrophotography work yet. The Milky Way arch aligns perfectly with the lighthouse, and the SpaceX Falcon 9 launch added an unplanned but incredible layer of depth—a perfect blend of human ingenuity and the natural wonders of the cosmos.

Seeing the final image, I couldn’t believe my luck. It’s a testament to patience, planning.

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Awards & Publications

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Winning Second Place in the New Zealand Landscape Photography Competition hosted by Auckland Camera Store

Blog Post: HERE

More details: https://aucklandcamera.co.nz/photo-competition/2024-photo-competition/

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Shortlisted & Winning third place as the most commented photo in New Zealand Astrophotography Competition

People's Choice category - Highly Commended

More details: nzastrocompetition.com/winners-2024/

Blog post: HERE

Entry: nzastrocompetition.com

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Looking ahead, I’ll be doing more lighthouses across New Zealand with the Milky Way in the background—but I’ll leave that surprise for another time!

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8. Print & Digital Copy

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