Gemini, the Twins, features the bright stars Castor and Pollux marking the heads of the two brothers, who stand in the heavens with their arms about each other's shoulders. Other prominent winter constellations include Gemini and Taurus. Sirius is also known as the Dog Star and lies in the constellation Canis Major, the Great Dog. If you follow the line of Orion's belt down and to the left, you'll come to Sirius, the brightest star in the night sky. Use binoculars or a telescope to look at the Orion Nebula, a vast stellar cloud of dust and gas that appears in the sword. Below Orion's belt, three faint stars make up the great hunter's sword. The three stars that make up Orion's belt are easily seen in the southern sky. Winter's most famous constellation is almost certainly Orion, the Hunter. Campers in the national park at this time of year have plenty of opportunity to stargaze before going to bed for the night. In Joshua Tree, sunset in December can be as early as 4:30 pm, with full dark falling by 5 pm. The winter solstice is the shortest day of the year-and the longest night. Spotlighting wildlife and illuminating large areas with constant light is prohibited. Illuminate objects in the foreground to create more interesting compositions. While shooting long exposures, use a small flashlight or headlamp to draw letters and shapes.Change only one setting (f-stop, ISO, or shutter speed) at a time to achieve different effects. Be creative and try different settings.Shutter Speed - adjust your shutter speed as needed (try starting at 25 seconds.ISO - use the highest setting you can without the image becoming too grainy (ISO 1600 or higher results will vary by camera model).Aperture (or f-stop) - use the largest aperture your lens is capable of (f/2.8 is ideal).A sturdy tripod will help you create sharp photos with no vibration or shaking.These are just a few tips for beginners that will help you get started. There are many different ways to photograph the stars and Milky Way. You can pay upon exiting if the fee stations are open. If entrance fee stations are closed when you arrive, proceed and enjoy your visit. Watch your step in the darkness (use a red light flashlight or headlamp wear closed-toed shoes). Pets must be leashed at all times and are not allowed on trails or in the backcountry. Overnight camping is not allowed along roadsides or in parking lots.ĭay Use Only areas are closed from dusk to dawn in order to protect wildlife. The Pinto Basin Road between Cholla Cactus Garden and Cottonwood has the least traffic and darkest skies. Stay awake and alert within 20 feet (6 meters) of your vehicle. Park at any of the roadside pullouts and set up chairs to watch the stars overhead. For more information, check out our backpacking webpage. Backpacking should only be done by those with the skills and knowledge for an overnight backcountry trip. Get away from roads, cars, and people, and camp out under the stars in Joshua Tree's vast wilderness. Cottonwood Campground has the darkest skies. Pitch a tent, roast some marshmallows, and spend the night under the stars in one of Joshua Tree's nine campgrounds (additional camping fees apply). Stay awake and within 20 feet (6 meters) of your vehicle, and enjoy the show. They are the parking lots of Quail Springs, Hidden Valley, Cap Rock, and Ryan Mountain. There are four designated stargazing areas. However, light pollution from surrounding communities does impact Joshua Tree's night skies, so some areas of the park are darker than others. On a clear night and moonless, you should have no problem viewing the stars from anywhere in the park. Check the moon's phase and rise and set times to find the best time to stargaze. Avoid the Moonīright moonlight reduces the number of stars you'll see. Use a red light to check your viewing are for hazards. Watch Your StepĬacti, nocturnal animals, and uneven surfaces may be difficult to see at night. Do no trample vegetation and be aware of cacti in your area. A lightweight folding chair will help keep each person in your group comfortable and reduce strain. You may be on your feet and looking up for long periods of time. Temperatures drop quickly in the evening. There is no running water in most areas of the park. You can turn a regular flashlight into a red light by covering it with red cellophane, tape, fabric, paper, or similar materials. It takes 20-30 minutes for the human eye to fully adjust to very low light conditions. Do not use bright white flashlights, headlamps, or cell phones.
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