Category Archives: Astrophotography

The Northern Lights, or aurora as they are also known, most recently lit up the sky in North Yorkshire last week on February 27.

Nicole Carr, who runs Scarborough based astronomy/astrophotography business Astro Dog with her partner, Simon Scott, is regularly on the lookout for these displays.

She has been a dedicated ‘aurora hunter’ for eight years.

The couple, who live in Scarborough, travel to the Yorkshire coast in search of the aurora joined by their trusted dog, Luna.

Fascinated by space and night sky

Nicole said she has always had a fascination with space.

“For as long as I remember, I’ve been trying to capture photographs of the moon and night sky,” she said.

Nicole first spotted the aurora in 2015 from Scalby Mills cliffs, in Scarborough.

The first aurora Nicole seen in 2015 from Scalby Mills cliffs, in Scarborough (Image: Astro Dog)

“For so long it had been a dream of mine to witness the aurora, and I would have never thought I’d be able to see those beautiful lights dancing in the night sky, let alone above the shores of our hometown, Scarborough, which made it all the more special,” she said.

“It was a truly exciting, memorable and magical experience – and an absolutely incredible sight to behold.”

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Now, Astro Dog regularly hosts stargazing experiences in Dalby Forrest.

The Milkyway captured by Nicole from Flamborough (Image: Astro Dog)

These events include guided tours, and the chance for visitors to use the team’s telescopes for a closer look at the night sky.

There is also an immersive 360 degree planetarium dome used to teach guests about the history of astronomy.

How do aurora displays happen?

Nicole explained that aurora displays happen when the sun releases streams of charged particles known as ‘solar wind’, which interact with the Earth’s magnetic field and different elements in its atmosphere.

During this interaction, the charged particles meet gases in our atmosphere, energise them, and cause them to emit photons of light.

Nicole said seeing the aurora as south as North Yorkshire is a rare event, with the chances growing even thinner the further south you go – but she added that many people would be surprised at how often they can be seen in the county.

Her favourite locations to catch the displays include Scalby Mills cliffs, Scarborough; the cliffs in Burniston Nab, Scarborough; and the coastal areas around Whitby.

Top tips for catching the aurora

Nicole shared some of her top tips for catching the aurora.

1. Look out for a clear sky and find a good view

Firstly, she said you need clear skies (or at least partially clear skies) to the north to be able to see the aurora.

Although, this is not a guarantee as the aurora has been seen when the sky is cloudy between gaps.

“Perseverance can pay on cloudy nights,” said Nicole.

She added that you also need to find a good view of the northern horizon with as little light pollution as possible to compliment this.

2. Let your eyes adjust

An important step is letting your eyes adjust to the darkness so you can see the displays.

The aurora on September 27 in Scarborough (Image: Astro Dog)

Nicole said you can adjust your eyes to the night sky by not looking at any source of light for around 15-20 minutes.

3. Bring a camera (your phone will do)

Even if you can’t see the aurora after adjusting your eyes, a camera can reveal the lights when they are active.

Camera sensors are much more sensitive to the low light, with even a phone camera able to capture the displays.

The aurora captured on Nicole’s mobile phone (Image: Astro Dog)

They can also capture light over extended periods of time with long exposure times, which is typically the way most professional images of the aurora are taken.

4. Monitor solar activity

For a heads up on when displays are likely to occur, Nicole said it’s important to monitor social activity.

You can monitor solar activity and satellites using apps, but Nicole said the information can be difficult to understand at first.

The andromeda galaxy taken by Nicole (Image: Astro Dog)

Given this, Astro Dog issues ‘aurora alerts’ from its Facebook page.

“We always do our best to try and help people understand the Northern Lights and alert people if the Aurora is visible in Scarborough,” she said.

5. Wrap up warm!

When chasing the aurora, you might be in for a long wait so it’s important to wrap up warm.

Nicole said it took six hours for her to capture the aurora display on February 27 from Scarborough, so you need to be prepared to stay outside for long enough to catch a show.

More information about Astro Dog can be found at: https://astro-dog.co.uk/

© Photo by Lorenzo Di Cola/NurPhoto via Getty Images
The full moon setting behind Rocca Calascio castle and village in Italy.

March’s full moon also known as the “Worm Moon” peaked on Mar. 7 and thrilled skywatchers worldwide. 

A full moon occurs whenever the moon is on the opposite side of Earth from the sun. The next full moon will be on Thursday, April 6, at 12:34 a.m. EST (0534 GMT), and is known as the “Pink Moon.”

From Italian fortresses to San Fransico’s Golden Gate Bridge, we take a look at some of the best March full moon photographs captured around the world.

Related: Night sky, March 2023: What you can see tonight [maps] 

See the Moon phases in 2023 in epic time-lapsed animation

Click to expand

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The name “Worm Moon” is thought to relate to the emergence of earthworms from the thawing soils. 

March’s full moon has several other alternative names, including the Full Crow Moon, the Full Crust Moon and the Full Sap Moon.

The names for many of the full moons throughout the year are related to seasonal happenings in in the months in which they occur, such December’s Cold Moon named for winter’s low temperatures. March’s full moon has what is perhaps one of the more unusual names from the catalog of full moon titles. 

Fancy taking a more in-depth moonlit tour of our rocky companion? Our ultimate guide to observing the moon will help you plan your next skywatching venture, whether it be exploring the lunar seas, the moon’s mountainous terrain, or the many craters that blanket its landscape. You can also see where astronauts, rovers and landers have ventured with our Apollo landing sites observing guide.  

If you’re looking for a telescope or binoculars to observe the next full moon, our guides for the best binoculars deals and the best telescope deals now can help. Our best cameras for astrophotography and best lenses for astrophotography can also help you prepare to capture the next skywatching sight on your own. 

Skywatchers also turned to Twitter to share some of their spectacular shots of the Worm Moon. 

Editor’s Note: If you snap a photo of the Worm Moon and would like to share it with Space.com’s readers, send your photo(s), comments, and your name and location to [email protected]. 

Follow us on Twitter @Spacedotcom and Facebook.  

It’s new moon day and that season again. She double-checks her camera, carefully attaching the wide-angle lens. She keeps extra memory cards, batteries, a headlamp, a remote, and an intervalometer in the separate padded sections in the backpack, before slipping the tripod in the dedicated attachment. She’s all geared up to travel from Doha to a location with the least light pollution. She and her three friends have waited for this day and are excited to be under the stars, staying the whole night out in the desert, capturing the stars.

The moment her friends arrive, she hops into the car and heads straight out of the capital city of Qatar. The sun has already set and after a ride of nearly two hours, they reach the desired location, right before the Milky Way galaxy rises. There’s no light in sight, there’s no moon, and it’s doubly invisible. It is the best time to view other celestial objects. It’s that perfect time when astrophotographers eagerly wait for the whole month to view and capture the eternal beauty of the night sky.

“The serenity of being in a place where you’re one with nature is unexplainable. In Doha, you barely get to see any stars because of the city lights. From where we shoot, everything is visible. We get surprised every time we take the first step out of the car as we can immediately see the sky filled with stars, sometimes planets,” says Kryzelle Cane Collamar, an accountant by profession.

A native of Masbate in the Phillippines, the 29-year-old Cane started to capture the Milky Way galaxy two years after her arrival in Qatar in 2016. “It’s a rewarding experience. Not many people go to this length just to capture a photo. The outcome is worth it,” she tells Euronews Culture.

Pitch-dark spots in Qatar

When it comes to the night sky nothing can beat the different types of deserts of Qatar. They’re not only the best spots for some incredible views of the stars in the country, but also for taking photos of the Milky Way galaxy, star trails, and deep sky, or to simply sit at one of the many pitch-dark spots, watching the earth spin, making it look like the stars are moving through the night sky just above our head.

“It’s the experience, really. Seeing a night sky full of stars reminds me of my home country. I used to travel intensively and hike as much as possible before. Taking Milky Way photos is like taking postcards of the experience with me as I go back to city life,” says Ma Kristina Cuenca, a sonographer, residing in Qatar since 2018.

During those new moon days each month — from March to October — women photographers head out with friends or families to one of the pitch-dark places in Qatar such as Al-Aamriya, Al-Thuraya, Al-Kharrara, Al-Zubara, Zekreet, Khor Al-Udaid, Galactic Core Bay, and others to capture the core of the Milky Way.

Don’t click, make images

Often people say, ‘what’s the big deal in taking a Milky Way picture? You put a wide-angle lens to a camera, mount it on a tripod, point it at the sky and you have amazing images!’ They’re right, they’re wrong. In fact, it’s as easy as that and as difficult as that. Not many see that the night sky images are not clicked, but made. To make a picture of stars or planets as pleasing as one sees on the Internet, a lot of work goes behind – from scouting a good location to the right camera and lens, and most importantly, the composition.

“Taking Milky Way photos in itself is a process. And it involves a lot of patience and sometimes, luck. From planning to preparation to monitoring and execution… all steps are necessary if you really want to get a compelling one. Nevertheless, the output image is worth all the undertakings,” says 30-year-old Kristina, hailing from Cavite in the Philippines, who started taking night sky images on her smartphone in 2016.

Although it is interesting to take pictures at night, everything changes at that time — the landscape, the colours, and the light are all different from the daytime. Even though the place is the same, it looks very different at night. Settings used in the morning will not work at night. It goes without saying that astrophotography is not easy, it’s an Augean task. It needs everything to be faultless — neither the settings nor the camera or the telescope can shake.

However, these women stand ready for the battle, focusing on the sky to capture the stars. There’s nothing but only darkness around. After five to six minutes, not just the eyes but even the mind is all set for a new adventure in the dark. “The things you can’t see sometimes, your camera captures it well for you. So many unknown realities and scenes can be captured on a dark night,” says Manjari Saxena, a freelance photographer in Doha.

Male-dominated field

Even though the number of women in the field of astronomy has seen a rise gradually, the field still remains dominated by men and astrophotography is no exception. The award-winning landscape and astrophotographer, Isabella Tabacchi, based in Italy, feels “there are more and more women interested in this field”. She has noticed the ratio of women photographers consistently increasing over the past few years.

“I started to capture nocturnal landscapes because the night sky is more mysterious and with so many things to know about it. I think a lot of curious women like me would love astrophotography and I know several women that love astrophotography much more than normal landscape photography,” Isabella tells Euronews.

Unlike western countries, Qatar has not more than 4-5 women astrophotographers. This is not because women are less interested in this field, but because, “opportunities are less,” notes Manjari, the 44-year-old native of Delhi in India.

Most of the women photographers in Qatar like elsewhere feel safety is the major concern that stops them from pursuing their dream hobby. “Family responsibilities”, non-availability of “toilets”, unable to “drive 4×4” in the rocky terrain, “distance” from the place of living, and fear of “supernatural” elements are some common challenges they face. They have to heavily depend on fellow male photographers to reach the locations and be at their mercy to get back to the city.

“Being safe at night is probably the major concern and I have been invited to several panels discussing how we can approach this issue. Solutions that have been discussed include shooting in groups, attending female-oriented workshops, and ways to be more aware of your surroundings,” says Imma Barrera, the author, and astrophotographer based in New York, whose work ‘Under the Night Sky’ was shortlisted for the 2019 Sony World Photography Awards.

While men give lame excuses that women photographers can’t travel to remote and difficult-to-reach places to take night sky photos, women feel the other way around. They are more than brave and happy to take on such adventures and it is the reluctance of men to give them a chance that is stopping them.

“I know some male astrophotographers whose non-photographer girlfriends/wives will join them when they go out to shoot. I have met very few women astrophotographers whose partners will join them at night,” says Imma, who also runs educational programmes and workshops about astrophotography.

Fun and frustration

It’s no secret that the experience with night sky photography can be both fun and frustrating. One has to accept the truth that astrophotography is the most difficult form of photography, and going out at night without proper research can be frustrating. No amount of caution is enough as pictures have to be taken at night. There’s always the haunting fear of unwanted people, snakes, scorpions, spiders, insects, and foxes in desolate places.

“Once we climbed a big sand dune. It was pitch dark around. We had no idea where we were stepping into or how far we were. We just wanted a photo of the Milky Way with that sand dune in the foreground. Then suddenly, I almost fell on my face. I tumbled down as it was the edge of the dune. But my reflexes saved me,” adds Cane.

Some nights will be more successful than others, photographers get the images they want, and some nights no image comes out right. But every time the experience of seeing and capturing the night sky cannot be described in words, it has to be experienced. What could be more satisfying than capturing beautiful images of celestial bodies that most people overlook?

If it’s so difficult to capture the Milky Way, why do these women chase them month after month? There is a reason for this madness. Each picture they take becomes closer to the heart than any Hubble image seen on the Internet, making the stars shining bright in the vastness of the universe more real. Seeing the magnificence of the Milky Way captured on camera is no less than an awe-inspiring experience.

Chaitra Arjunpuri is an author and photographer based in Qatar. She is interested in long exposure and night photography and you can see more of her work here.

Key Facts

• With a subscriber count of 10.7 million, NASA’s channel is the largest there is. It is suitable for adults and children and covers space missions as well as interviews.
• Elon Musk’s SpaceX is next with 6.1 million subscribers. The main focus of the channel is space travel and exploration and clips from blockbusters covering similar themes are also featured as well.
• The Science Channel has 4.38 million subscribers and is a more varied affair compared to certain competitors. In addition to astrophysics, and space exploration, the channel also covers other subjects including paleontology and archeology.

The year 2022 is right here, and so are the best space YouTube channels. YouTube has become the go-to for a whole range of topics, and space is no exception. YouTube has everything from NASA documentaries to clips from your favorite sci-fi movies. It’s also a veritable goldmine of amazing fan videos that further expand the space experience.

With so many awesome channels to choose from, we put together a list of the best ones on there. These channels are the best out there as voted by viewers, so buckle up and get ready to be taken on a wonderful journey through the final frontier.

10. Space News Pod – 89.3k Subscribers

If you love space news and want to educate yourself while watching documentaries and listening to podcasts, then Space News Pod is the channel for you. For more than 5 years, they’ve been presenting some of the best space news on the net. From news about the Vesta Space Probe to the latest updates in space exploration, this channel is a must-see.

Space News Pod cover everything from NASA’s missions to happenings on the International Space Station. So, if there’s a new mission or announcement about space, this channel will be your first point of call. Indeed, this is the perfect channel for any kind of general news related to space and technology.

9. Space Googlevesaire – 324k Subscribers

Space Googlevesaire is dedicated to the most famous Google search for all things space. It’s a great idea and a pretty useful channel as well. Googlevesaire provides an up-to-date overview of all the latest news about space exploration using the Google search engine. This allows users to see all the latest news from different sources.

One cool thing about this channel is that it allows you to interact with other space fans, and Google even adds little Easter eggs for space enthusiasts. The channel is updated with almost 18 videos every month and will be your best source of information regarding the ISS.

This channel also posts some amazing videos about space exploration, especially NASA missions. If you need deep space background knowledge, this is where you want to go. Space Googlevesaire is also one of the best places to go when it comes to news relating to space exploration and technology.

8. BPS.space – 463k Subscribers

If you’re looking for three things: astrophotography, space news, and loud space noises, then BPS.space is the channel for you. Indeed, this channel is the one that will answer your need for loud space noises. The channel has been up for a few years but only recently became popular.

BPS.space features a variety of videos from the most famous space programs, including NASA’s missions and discoveries. If you’re interested in space exploration, this is your channel. One of their most popular videos is a compilation of Earth from the International Space Station.

They also have a video showing star trails in the Atacama desert, and one of their most popular videos is a short but sweet clip about the Apollo 9 mission. Another one of the most popular videos on the channel is a compilation of Saturn and its moons.

BPS.space is owned by Joe Barnard, who’s obsessed with all things astrophotography and astronomy. He posts a wide range of content, from awesome pictures of the Milky Way to cool documentaries about NASA missions. He also posts space-related stories from other people and news websites.

7. Primal Space – 512k Subscribers

Primal Space is an excellent YouTube channel dedicated to all things space. From the latest updates in astronomy to some of the best documentaries and news, this channel covers the full range of space knowledge. It has a huge variety of videos, so no matter what you want to watch, you’re bound to find something awesome here.

Primal Space has a very active user base, with thousands of messages sent daily to the channel. They also post many videos about space and astronomy and space news, such as the latest updates from the International Space Station.

If you love space and want to learn more about it, this is definitely the channel for you. It’s updated almost every day, so it’s one of those channels that will always have something new and exciting for you to watch.

6. European Space Agency, ESA – 903k Subscribers

The European Space Agency (ESA) is one of the most famous space agencies in the world. This is their official YouTube channel, and it features a wide range of videos that you can access with just a click. They post a lot of space-related subjects, including trips to Mars, the International Space Station, and more modern topics, like how astronauts wash their hair in space.

Their videos cover all things space, so if you want to be up-to-date with what’s happening in space exploration, then this is the channel for you. The channel also posts many interesting interviews with astronauts who share their personal experiences.

The channel is updated regularly, and they have over 900,000 subscribers. So, if you’re interested in space and want to know more about some amazing discoveries, then ESA is a great channel.

© Provided by History Computer
There are tons of great space-related YouTube channels out there, covering everything you could possibly want to know on the topic. ©Dima Zel/Shutterstock.com

5. SciShow Space – 1.44M Subscribers

SciShow Space is the fifth most popular science channel on YouTube. It’s a channel filled with everything from space documentaries to astronaut interviews. The channel is updated with almost two videos a week and covers everything from outer space news to the latest discoveries in astronomy and space exploration. They also post a lot of cool photos of space, including the NASA image of the day. The channel features a wide range of videos, from NASA’s missions to the latest updates from space programs.

SciShow Space is a great channel for anyone interested in space exploration, with solid facts and background knowledge on just about every topic. They explain some pretty complicated things in a simple way, so you don’t have to worry about getting lost. This is another channel that posts amazing space-related videos, like the latest discoveries made by the Hubble telescope.

This channel is updated almost daily, so you’ll never have long to wait before finding something new. If you’re interested in space exploration, this is your channel.

4. VideoFromSpace – 1.63M Subscribers

VideoFromSpace is a YouTube channel that posts original documentaries and interviews with astronauts and NASA missions. It also features some amazing photos of space and an unusual collection of videos that are strange enough to keep you entertained.

This channel is updated often, so it’s one of those that you really need to check out at least once every few weeks or so. The channel even features astronauts and NASA missions that have never been released before so that you can learn more about different space missions.

This channel is unique because they also post videos about space news and facts about NASA missions, such as the latest updates on the International Space Station. If you love space exploration and want to learn more, this is definitely the channel for you.

3. Science Channel – 4.38M Subscribers

The Science Channel is the third most famous science channel on YouTube. This channel covers a wide variety of science-related topics, from astronomy and paleontology to biology and history. These channels feature the latest news, videos, and other activities from the Science Channel. If you are a science enthusiast or just like to know about a few facts about space, these channels are for you.

This channel features a series of videos that document the ISS and its progress, beginning with its inception. The channel also features many other amazing videos about space exploration and astrophysics. This channel is also one of the oldest on this list and one of the best-rated by its viewers.

2. SpaceX – 6.1M Subscribers

The latest addition to the famous SpaceX channel is none other than Elon Musk himself. This is the second best space YouTube channel out there, as it’s from a space company that just conducted their several crewed test flight and successfully deployed and landed a rocket booster. This channel is also home to some amazing clips from movies like Interstellar, Gravity, and The Martian, among many others.

With more than five videos posted every month, the channel is still growing and getting more and more popular. Videos from this channel include everything from SpaceX’s latest accomplishments in space to documentaries about life on Mars and other space exploration.

What this channel is famous for is its huge fan following, mainly comprised of Elon Musk’s supporters or fans. This channel also covers everything related to space exploration and space travel. In short, this channel is worth getting those views.

© Provided by History Computer
SpaceX has its own YouTube channel that is growing pretty quickly. ©Evgeniyqw/Shutterstock.com

1. NASA – 10.7M Subscribers

More than 10 million subscribers to this channel is pretty impressive, considering NASA has been around since 1958. The videos posted on the NASA channel are meticulously put together and typically feature some celebrity talking about space. The videos are often quite informational and can be scary when watching from a distance.

The YouTube channel’s reach is massive, and it is the most popular YouTube channel overall. NASA has also featured a number of famous faces, including Bill Nye, George Takei, and James Earl Jones.

NASA’s YouTube channel entertainment videos consist of numerous space programs. They include missions to the moon, Mars, and other planets, as well as space shuttles and even a walk on the moon. What’s great about the channel is that you can watch it with your kids, but you’ll learn something new yourself.

© Provided by History Computer
NASA’s YouTube channel often features interviews with celebrities speaking about space and space exploration. ©Everett Collection/Shutterstock.com

Summary of the Best Space YouTube Channels in 2022

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The post The 10 Best Space YouTube Channels in 2022 appeared first on History-Computer.

Want to enter the 2023 Reader’s Digest photo competition but aren’t sure where to start? Try looking up! Capturing the cosmos from the palm of your hand—better yet, from a tripod—may feel daunting, but you don’t have to have expensive equipment to get started. With a bit of patience and a clear night, you can take lovely photos of the moon, stars, and beyond. 

Get your gear 

They say the best camera is the one you have with you, and for the most part, it’s true.  

“The phones are so good today; I’ve seen people capture auroras with an iPhone 13 almost perfectly,” says Sara Lindström, a travel and outdoor photographer based in Boden, Sweden. From the northern reaches of Lapland, Lindström hosts photography workshops and retreats to help fellow enthusiasts connect with wild places—and there’s no untamed environment quite like the night sky. 

You’ll be surprised by the quality of images you can capture on your phone

“If you want to get really high-quality shots, you’ll need a DSLR or a mirrorless camera,” she says, adding that “the main thing is to have a lens with a wide aperture—ideally like a 2.8, but at least below 4.”  

Aperture, measured in f-stops, is one of the three main functions of a camera that controls the amount of light allowed into the sensor. Aperture works with ISO and shutter speed to form what’s referred to as the exposure triangle, and for astrophotography, you’ll need a wide opening to maximise light input. 

“That’s really the main thing when it comes to equipment,” says Lindström. “Oh, and a sturdy, sturdy tripod. That’s essential.”  

Switch up your settings 

Exposure is key when it comes to night sky photography—and so is your camera’s focus. What a letdown to think you’ve captured a series of great shots only to pull them up on your computer and find that they’re actually blurry. 

“Setting the focus is step one, which can be the tricky part,” Lindström cautions. “You need contrast to be able to find the focus. If you have a moon, that’s great; you can use the moon as a light source because you’ll have the contrast between the night sky and the bright moon.” 

“Exposure is key when it comes to night sky photography—and so is your camera’s focus”

If there’s no moon, Lindström suggests using a bright star, a distant street light, or, if you’re shooting with company, send your companion out at least 10 metres with a torch or headlamp and use that beam as a light source. 

“There are different ways of doing this, but what I do is put my camera on autofocus to find that initial focus, then I switch it to manual focus to lock it in. This way, when I press the shutter later, the camera won’t be searching.” Of course, if you’re out shooting for some time, you’ll likely need to check on and redo your focus setup. “Just keep an eye on that,” says Lindström. She also recommends setting a two-second timer to avoid camera shake from pressing the shutter button. 

Get to know your camera settings

Once your focus is locked in and your aperture is wide open, it’s time to set your ISO and shutter speed. This is where you’ll want to take a few test shots and see how things are coming together. Generally, keeping a low ISO is favourable to avoid unwanted grain—but this setting will vary depending on lighting conditions and your camera’s capability.  

According to Lindström, it’s best to experiment with shutter speed and leave any changes to the ISO as your last step. She recommends starting with a shutter speed of five seconds and seeing what happens. Too dark? Try increasing it to 10 seconds. Just play around and adjust as you go. “But be careful if you go above 30 seconds,” she says, warning that with such a slow shutter speed, you may see movement in the stars. If you’re shooting dancing auroras, you’ll definitely need a faster shutter to freeze the movement.  

“Just keep checking the shots throughout your shoot and adjust accordingly.” 

Bring backups  

Lindström’s final tip is simply to be prepared. Long exposures tend to drain camera batteries, so bring extras. Keep a soft cleaning cloth handy to wipe condensation from your lens or screen.

“You won’t want to call it quits on a shoot due to cold fingers or toes”

If it’s cold out, bring a pair of gloves and dress accordingly—you won’t want to call it quits on a shoot due to cold fingers or toes.  

Discover a Dark Sky   

You might be surprised to learn that the UK has 17 official International Dark Sky Places—perfect for exploring the “Beautiful Britain” theme of our photo competition. 

“These are undoubtedly the most reliable places to experience the natural night in the UK, because the quality of the darkness is protected by laws and policies that limit light pollution in those areas,” explains Megan Eaves, DarkSky UK Media Relations Manager. “They include a number of certified Dark Sky Parks and Reserves, including our newest location, Europe’s first Dark Sky Sanctuary in Ynys Enlli (Bardsey Island), Wales.”    

Ynys Enlli (Bardsey Island), Wales, is Europe’s first Dark Sky Sanctuary

Eaves says that the International Dark Sky Places (IDSP) programme was founded by DarkSky International in 2001 to encourage the care and keeping of dark places. “IDSPs exist because of the communities and people who live in them and want to protect and restore the natural nighttime environment for the health of people and the planet.”  

Many of Britain’s designated Dark Sky Places are accessible by train or bus, so why not keep an eye on the forecast and plan a shoot on the next clear evening? The Reader’s Digest photo competition is open for submissions until 5pm on May 12, 2023. 

Enter the Reader’s Digest photo competition 2023

Keep up with the top stories from Reader’s Digest by subscribing to our weekly newsletter

Hadlee Simons / Android Authority

About this Vivo X90 Pro review: I tested the Vivo X90 Pro (12GB/256GB) over a period of 10 days. It was running Android 13 (build number PD2242F_EX_A_13.1.11.3.W20) on the January 2023 security patch. The unit was provided by Vivo for this review.

What you need to know about the Vivo X90 Pro

Hadlee Simons / Android Authority

What’s good?

Hadlee Simons / Android Authority

The Vivo X90 Pro’s OLED screen is a step above typical FHD+ displays.

Geekbench 5Geekbench 63DMark Wild Life ExtremeGFXBench

What’s not so good?

Hadlee Simons / Android Authority

Funtouch OS is a solid Android skin that’s once again blighted by plenty of bloatware.

Hadlee Simons / Android Authority

Vivo X90 Pro camera review

Hadlee Simons / Android Authority

The Vivo X90 Pro’s giant 50MP main camera is capable of some class-leading low-light snaps.

A handheld astro mode sampleA handheld astro shot in front of a picture frameThe handheld astro mode sampleThe tripod astro mode shot

Vivo X90 Pro specs

Vivo X90 Pro review: The verdict

Hadlee Simons / Android Authority

The X90 Pro ticks plenty of boxes, but Vivo still isn’t learning from past mistakes.

Vivo X90 Pro

Vivo X90 Pro

Elegant design • Great display • 120W charging

Premium look and feel on a solid Android phone

The Vivo X90 Pro is a welcome upgrade in the Vivo X line. Look for fast charging, a nice display, big cameras, IP68 rating, and a new premium look and feel.

Top Vivo X90 Pro questions and answers

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© Starry Night Education
The Full Worm Moon will reach its peak on March 7, 2023.

You can catch the Full Worm Moon rise in a free webcast.

The full moon of March will peak in the eastern U.S. at 7:40 p.m. (1240 UTC) on March 7, according to the U.S. Naval Observatory. The moon will be in the constellation Virgo and will be visible in the webcast via a robotic telescope.

Joining the moon in the night sky will be Venus, Jupiter, and Mars. Venus and Jupiter just completed their closest approach in a decade, but are still within very close quarters of each other in our night sky. Jupiter will be in the west with brighter Venus above, while Mars will glow red-orange in the southwest.

The Virtual Telescope project will show the Full Worm Moon shining over Rome on Tuesday (March 7) at 1:30 p.m. EST (1830 GMT). You can watch live via the project’s website or YouTube channel.

Related: March full moon 2023: The Worm Moon shares the sky with Venus, Jupiter and Mars

See the Moon phases in 2023 in epic time-lapsed animation

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The Worm Moon is so-called in the Old Farmer’s Almanac and is said to be because earthworms are starting to emerge in March. However, numerous other cultures in the Americas and around the world have other names for it; you can see a selection of other cultures’ monikers and meanings in our Worm Moon story.

If you’re looking for a telescope or binoculars to observe the moon, our guides for the best binoculars deals and the best telescope deals now can help. Our best cameras for astrophotography and best lenses for astrophotography can also help you prepare to capture the next skywatching sight on your own. 

Fancy taking a more in-depth moonlit tour of our rocky companion? Our ultimate guide to observing the moon will help you plan your next skywatching venture whether it be exploring the lunar seas, mountainous terrain, or the many craters that blanket the landscape. You can also see where astronauts, rovers and landers have ventured with our Apollo landing sites observing guide. 

Editor’s Note: If you snap a photo of the Full Worm Moon and would like to share it with Space.com’s readers, send your photo(s), comments, and your name and location to [email protected]. 

Elizabeth Howell is the co-author of “Why Am I Taller?” (ECW Press, 2022; with Canadian astronaut Dave Williams), a book about space medicine. Follow her on Twitter @howellspace. Follow us on Twitter @Spacedotcom or Facebook.

For the past few weeks, I’ve been using a Galaxy S23 Ultra as my primary Android phone. It’s not a whole lot different from last year’s Galaxy S22 Ultra, which I thought was the most capable phone I had ever used; but the camera system has gotten noticeably better, especially in low light, and as you would expect, it has a new, faster processor. The result is a terrific phone that keeps Samsung on top, particularly in some areas of photography, and that continues to have a number of unique features such as pen support.

With its 6.8-inch screen, the S23 Ultra measures 6.43 by 3.07 by 0.35 inches and weighs 8.25 ounces, which makes it much larger than the regular S23 or S23+, and it has sharper edges. As such, the S23 Ultra does feel like a big phone; it fits in my pockets, but just barely. I’ve always liked big phones, but others may find it too large. It’s pretty much the same size as the S22 Ultra, though a little heavier. The unit I used came in the new green color which is, to my eyes, more of a grey-green sage; other options include cream, lavender, and “phantom black.” It runs Android 13 with Samsung One UI 5.1 software and is powered by a special version of Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2.

The standout feature of the S23 Ultra is the new 200-megapixel (MP) camera sensor with an aperture of f/1.7 on the main (wide) camera with what Samsung calls “adaptive pixel,” where it supports multiple layers of binning.

In most situations, when you use the 200MP sensor, the camera system will combine 16 pixels into one, creating a 12MP image. But by just clicking a button on the photo menu, you can switch to capturing 50MP photos (where four pixels are combined into one), or even 200MP photos. The downside is that 50MP and 200MP images take up a lot more storage. When I’ve tried this, I haven’t really been able to tell the difference—all general photos look great—so the default setting makes sense to me. The larger settings are probably only necessary if you intend to create very large prints or zoom very tightly into a picture.

(Credit: Eric Zeman)

One thing that has generally improved is night photography, where Samsung says the camera system has doubled the angles of optical image stabilization, which particularly allows for sharper, steadier videos at night, especially when you turn on the “super steady” mode. The system also includes a new method for faster auto-focusing, which was especially notable at night. With all of the recent top-end phones, it’s amazing how much better low-light photography has gotten in the past few years.

The improvements in optical image stabilization also seem to have helped in zoom. Like the previous year’s model, the S23 Ultra has two 10MP zoom lenses, one at 3x optical (with an aperture of f/2.4) and the other at 10x optical (with an aperture of f/4.9). I thought last year’s model showed a big improvement over the year before in image stabilization; this year’s is better as well. You can see the results of a variety of shots with the various rear cameras, ranging from a 12MP ultrawide camera to the main 200MP wide camera to the two zoom lenses to various levels of what Samsung calls “Space Zoom”—essentially digital zoom added to optical zoom. Samsung continues to offer what it calls 100X Zoom, though I still can’t say I’ve gotten great results at that zoom without a tripod. Still, the images with a long zoom were very impressive for a phone. It’s not going to replace a camera with a bigger sensor and a real telephoto lens, but for something you can carry in your pocket, it’s amazing.

For selfies, the front camera is a 12MP (f/2.2) model, and you can choose between a tighter or wider angle. It now gives you a single button to choose between natural and warm color tone, though you can choose from a variety of other settings, as well as a number of filters and smoothing options. Of course, you can take video selfies, this year at up to UHD at 60 frames per second.

It continues to have a lot of photo options, including portrait model, with varying degrees of bokeh distance, director’s view, slow motion and super-slow mode, portrait videos, and hyperlapse. This year’s model has more of a focus on astrophotography, though I didn’t really try this much. One feature that has become more buried in the menus over the years is the single-take feature, which takes a variety of shots at once—something I like but doesn’t seem to have found much of an audience.

For professionals, Samsung now offers Expert RAW (through a separate download), which now supports 50MP photos and the front camera; and a Camera Assistant app that gives you even more controls over things like how long the camera preview should be displayed before timing out and a way to get a faster shutter speed.

Of course, the camera is only one aspect of a smartphone, even if it is the one that gets the most attention. The S23 family this year is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 platform for Galaxy, which seems to mean a slightly faster version of the chip. The standard Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 includes an octa-core Kryo CPU with one Arm Cortex-X3 core at up to 3.2GHz, two Cortex-A715 performance cores at up to 2.8GHz, two Cortex-A710 performance cores at up to 2.8 GHz, and three Cortex-A510 efficiency cores at up to 2.0GHz, along with Adreno 740 graphics. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy boosts the top CPU clock speed to 3.36GHz and is also supposed to improve the graphics. The chip is built on TSMC’s 4-nanometer process technology. The S23 Ultra also has a larger cooling system, which should allow the processor to run faster for longer.

On PC Mag’s benchmarks, this tested out as the fastest Android phone to date, notably better than last year’s model, though its CPU performance still lagged behind the latest high-end iPhone. I’m not a gamer, but the phone certainly felt snappy to me.

It also includes a Qualcomm Snapdragon X70 modem, with support for additional 5G bands and Wi-Fi 6E. As usual, the speed of your connection will vary considerably depending on your location and carrier. In tests in New York City and the surrounding areas using the T-Mobile network, I saw 5G speeds with downloads ranging from 29 Mbps to 728 Mbps, and upload speeds between 3 and 106 Mbps, a huge swing.

One thing that seems to have noticeably improved is battery life. The S23 Ultra has a 5,000 mAh battery. It probably accounts for the additional weight in this year’s model, but it extends the battery life quite a bit. I could generally go for two days with normal usage, although of course, if you’re doing heavy-duty gaming or spend a lot of time scrolling through videos, you’ll get shorter battery life. Still, longer battery life is always good.

The unit has a WQHD+ 3088-by-1440 display, although the default is FHD+ 2316-by-1080 (which saves on battery life.) This is the latest generation of Samsung’s AMOLED 2X Infinity-O display with a maximum brightness of 1,750 nits and a small cutout at the top for the front-facing camera. The screen offers adaptive motion smoothness up to 120 Hz and looked great. With a maximum brightness of 1,750 nits, it’s brighter than last year’s model and looked good even in bright sunlight. By default, it will run with adaptive brightness, so it won’t be that bright under typical lighting to save battery life.

Samsung continues to have some unusual features, such as its Knox security platform and its Dex system for attaching a monitor (or TV) and keyboard to create a desktop-like experience. These haven’t changed significantly this year.

There’s one other feature the S23 Ultra offers that remains very unusual: it includes an S-Pen stylus, and works with all of the features people who used the Galaxy Note phones became accustomed to, including freeform drawing, the ability to annotate screenshots or drawings, to translate sections of text, and the ability to take a quick Note just by pulling the S-Pen out of the bottom of the phone. For some reason, I needed to download a new version of the Notes application before that worked, but otherwise, it seemed identical to the S-Pen features for the past couple of years.

These S-Pen features remain the biggest differentiator of the Galaxy S Ultra series. I can see where someone who does a lot of drawing, or who needs to annotate documents such as floor plans or schematics, would find this feature alone a reason to pick the S23 Ultra over other devices.

The S23 Ultra offers several improvements over last year’s model, including a better main camera with improved image stabilization and low-light features and a faster processor. These changes still seem fairly incremental, something that’s been true of pretty much all phones in the past couple of years. With a list price of $1,199 for a base model with 8GB of RAM and 256 GB of storage, it’s an expensive phone, but if you’re looking for something with the best zoom I’ve seen in a phone and unique features such as S-pen support, along with great performance and battery life, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra may be the most capable phone on the market.

Here’s PCMag’s full review.

© (Raul Roa/Los Angeles Times)
Temporary waterfalls like this one now flow alongside Highway 39 after recent heavy rains in the Angeles National Forest. (Raul Roa/Los Angeles Times)

Recent storms have transformed Southern California’s usually bone-dry wildlands into brilliant green landscapes, snow-capped mountains and something even more breathtaking: seldom-seen waterfalls.

After heavy storm systems brought rain and snow to Angeles National Forest, drivers along Highway 39, north of Azusa, were gifted with the rare sight of temporary waterfalls cascading down the rocky cliffs.

On Wednesday morning a pair of spontaneous waterfalls, dozens of feet high could be seen just south of the San Gabriel Dam, cascading into the San Gabriel River. Drivers pulled over to take pictures, including a Times photographer who captured images of several waterfalls along the highway, which winds through the forest to Crystal Lake.

© (Raul Roa/Los Angeles Times)
A two-photo composition shows a tall waterfall at the entrance of San Gabriel Canyon. (Raul Roa/Los Angeles Times)

The road has since been closed to traffic north of Azusa as Caltrans workers clean up a rockslide, meaning these images may be the only way to see the waterfalls before they dry up.

Some places in Southern California have up to six feet of snow. The San Gabriel Dam has received more than 10 inches of rain over the past week, according to meteorologist Carol Smith of the National Weather Service in Los Angeles/Oxnard.

© (Raul Roa/Los Angeles Times)
Forest visitors take photos of a temporary waterfall along Highway 39. (Raul Roa/Los Angeles Times)

That was apparently enough to bring to life long-dry waterfalls, she added.

“We’ve had a lot of big storms, so it’s all kind of adding up,” Smith said.

The winter storms have dropped so much precipitation that some parts of California are no longer facing drought conditions. Some parks, including Yosemite National Park and the Mojave National Preserve, have closed indefinitely due to the extreme weather conditions and resulting damage.

Access to Angeles National Forest remains limited by several road closures due to mudslides and rockslides, said Dana Dierkes, a public affairs officer for the forest. On Wednesday, an avalanche occurred on Mt. Baldy. Residents in mountain communities are struggling under the heavy snowfall, with some trapped in their homes.

Dierkes cautioned visitors not to attempt to chase waterfalls.

© (Raul Roa/Los Angeles Times)
Highway 39 has since been closed to traffic north of Azusa. (Raul Roa/Los Angeles Times)

“There are still many roads into the forest that are closed or have very limited access at this time,” Dierkes said.

Times photographer Raul Roa, who photographed the waterfalls before the road closure, said he has never witnessed anything like them in more than 30 years visiting the forest. Waterfalls were pouring down in places where he’s only ever spotted faint water stains.

© (Raul Roa/Los Angeles Times)
A long waterfall meanders through heavy brush as it cascades hundreds of feet down a mountain in the Angeles National Forest on Wednesday. (Raul Roa/Los Angeles Times)

“Even from some 100 yards away, the sound of the water crashing onto the rocks as it tumbles down the hillside is loud and intense,” Roa said. He estimated that some of the waterfalls were at least 100 feet high.

“This was obviously a very rare year as far as the winter is concerned,” Dierkes said. “The amount of snowfall that we got and the repeated storms has brought a very unusual weather phenomenon to the Angeles National Forest and the surrounding mountains.”

© (Raul Roa/Los Angeles Times)
Two tall waterfalls appeared just south of the San Gabriel Reservoir. (Raul Roa/Los Angeles Times)

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.