Astrophotography from the San Francisco Bay Area - Forums

Topic starter

Oct 18, 2022

Hi all!

I am very interested in meeting other astrophtographers who live near the San Francisco Bay Area to go out imaging with, hopefully 2 or 3 times a month. I am thinking of places like Lake Sonoma, Henry Coe State Park and other reasonably dark sites that are near, or fairly near San Francisco.

If this is of interest to you, please reply and we can talk! I am a member of the San Francisco Amateur Astronomers.

Sincerely,
Jerry

Well Written Respectful Engaging

Michael McNerney

Nov 9, 2022

Hi Jerry,

I left the bay area over 30 years ago, but if I find myself back there, I'll look you up! I work in various places around the country, and have found astronomy groups in areas I wouldn't have expected. I recently joined a group near Taos, NM, even though I'm only going to be working in the Albuquerque area for a couple of more months. I'd suggest reaching out to see if there are groups in outlying towns like Santa Rosa, Napa, or Livermore - a little farther from the city lights. I actually ran across a profile of someone from Livermore yesterday here on astrobin. It is interesting how, as popular as this hobby is right now, a lot of the groups are relatively inactive. The El Valle Astronomers (Taos group) has monthly events, and remains active. My other group, the Northwest Suburban Astronomers in the Chicago area, have standing observation gatherings every Friday and Saturday, except the week of the full moon (that's reserved for the monthly membership meeting). They also have an extremely active public outreach with schools, libraries, and the like. In contrast, the groups I've investigated in the Los Angeles area - where I actually live - seem complacent and less interested in gathering as a group. Perhaps that was just the time at which I hit them up, but it didn't leave a great impression. So, I've found heading to the boonies has been more rewarding…for me, at least.

Hope this gives some encouragement!

Clear skies,
Mike

Helpful Respectful Engaging Supportive

Jerry Gerber

Topic starter

Nov 9, 2022

Michael McNerney:
Hi Jerry,

I left the bay area over 30 years ago, but if I find myself back there, I'll look you up! I work in various places around the country, and have found astronomy groups in areas I wouldn't have expected. I recently joined a group near Taos, NM, even though I'm only going to be working in the Albuquerque area for a couple of more months. I'd suggest reaching out to see if there are groups in outlying towns like Santa Rosa, Napa, or Livermore - a little farther from the city lights. I actually ran across a profile of someone from Livermore yesterday here on astrobin. It is interesting how, as popular as this hobby is right now, a lot of the groups are relatively inactive. The El Valle Astronomers (Taos group) has monthly events, and remains active. My other group, the Northwest Suburban Astronomers in the Chicago area, have standing observation gatherings every Friday and Saturday, except the week of the full moon (that's reserved for the monthly membership meeting). They also have an extremely active public outreach with schools, libraries, and the like. In contrast, the groups I've investigated in the Los Angeles area - where I actually live - seem complacent and less interested in gathering as a group. Perhaps that was just the time at which I hit them up, but it didn't leave a great impression. So, I've found heading to the boonies has been more rewarding...for me, at least.

Hope this gives some encouragement!

Clear skies,
Mike

Thanks Mike for taking the time to reply! I have found some people near me that are interested in going out 2-3 times a month, probably up north, south is not as dark (from San Francisco) and the traffic is much worse. I just got in touch with a fellow from the Sonoma-Mendocino group and am talking to him about going imaging together. But first, I am awaiting all my new gear and have to set it up in the backyard for, I guess, 30 hours or more, to learn everything I need to learn.

Anyone else around the San Francisco Bay Area interested in imaging with me please get in touch!
[email]jerrygerber@sonic.net[/email]
www.jerrygerber.com

Engaging Supportive

Ioan Popa

Nov 9, 2022

hey Mike,

I live in fremont and it’s pretty good for the bay area

check my narrowband and ping me if you have questions;)

thanks,
ioan

Ioan Popa

Nov 9, 2022

there’s pinnacles national park and fremont peak

I personally go to lone pine and alabama hills

Michael McNerney

Nov 9, 2022

Ioan Popa:
there’s pinnacles national park and fremont peak

I personally go to lone pine and alabama hills

Thanks Ioan! When I get back that way, I’ll check them out.

Well Written Respectful

cougar1

Nov 13, 2022

What is the process for staying in the park overnight at Pinnacles National Park (for astronomy) and what location for astrophotography. Any tips would be useful ( late fall 2023, family in Berkeley)

Reg Pratt

Nov 13, 2022 · Edited: Nov 13, 2022

I live in Vallejo and do most of my imaging in Lower Lake (mag 21.5 sky). I've also imaged at Lake Berryessa a few times (mag 20.7). Not really close to you but its nice to have options.

Jerry Gerber

Topic starter

Nov 13, 2022

Reg Pratt:
I live in Vallejo and do most of my imaging in Lower Lake (mag 21.5 sky). I've also imaged at Lake Berryessa a few times (mag 20.7). Not really close to you but its nice to have options.

Hi Reg,

Do you know what the Bortle scale is for Lake Berryessa? It's actually not too far from San Francisco, only about 1.75 hours or so...

Jerry

Reg Pratt

Nov 13, 2022 · Edited: Nov 13, 2022

Jerry Gerber:
Reg Pratt:
I live in Vallejo and do most of my imaging in Lower Lake (mag 21.5 sky). I've also imaged at Lake Berryessa a few times (mag 20.7). Not really close to you but its nice to have options.

Hi Reg,

Do you know what the Bortle scale is for Lake Berryessa? It's actually not too far from San Francisco, only about 1.75 hours or so...

Jerry

Mag 20.5 is right at the boarder of b4 and b5. So it's a bright b4 or dark b5 depending on how you want to view it.

Jerry Gerber

Topic starter

Nov 13, 2022

Reg Pratt:
Jerry Gerber:
Reg Pratt:
I live in Vallejo and do most of my imaging in Lower Lake (mag 21.5 sky). I've also imaged at Lake Berryessa a few times (mag 20.7). Not really close to you but its nice to have options.

Hi Reg,

Do you know what the Bortle scale is for Lake Berryessa? It's actually not too far from San Francisco, only about 1.75 hours or so...

Jerry

Mag 20.5 is right at the boarder of b4 and b5. So it's a bright b4 or dark b5 depending on how you want to view it.

Not too bad considering how close it is to Vallejo!

Reg Pratt

Nov 13, 2022

Not at all. Mind you 20.5 was measured at the zenith. IIRC it drops as low as 19.5 at 30 degrees depending on what direction you're facing. I don't image below 30 degrees.

Thats why I make the extra drive to Lake County. It's significantly darker up there.