Where: Västerås, Västmanland
When: Best during clear, dark nights from late autumn to early spring
What: Stargazing and astrophotography
There’s something magical about gazing the stars in Sweden. The clear, crisp air and minimal light pollution make it a perfect place for experiencing and capturing the beauty of the night sky. If you’re new to astrophotography or just want to improve your skills—just like me—this blog post shares everything I've learned so far.
WHY PHOTOGRAPH THE NIGHT SKY?
Sweden’s remote forests and natural landscapes offer a stunning backdrop for stargazing and astrophotography. With minimal light pollution, you can enjoy breathtaking views of the Milky Way, the moon, meteor showers, and the Northern Lights. Photographing the night sky allows you to capture these celestial phenomena and create stunning images that reflect the beauty of the universe.

EQUIPMENT YOU’LL NEED
I've seen people capturing Northern Lights with their phone, so may be that's a possibility, but as far as I know to get started with night sky photography, you need some gear for quality images:
CAMERA: A DSLR or mirrorless camera with manual settings is ideal. Make sure it can handle long exposures and has good low-light performance. My Panasonic camera is not ideal for astrophotography, but I work with what I have.
LENS: A wide-angle lens (14mm to 24mm) with a large aperture (f/2.8 or lower) is best for capturing expansive views of the night sky. A telelens is you best fiend for a great shot of the moon
TRIPOD: A sturdy tripod is crucial for keeping your camera steady during long exposures.
REMOTE SHUTTER RELEASE: This helps to avoid camera shake when taking long exposure shots.
HEADLAMP: A red or dim white headlamp will help you see in the dark without ruining your night vision or affecting your camera settings.

BEST TIMES TO PHOTOGRAPH THE NIGHT SKY
1. CLEAR NIGHTS: Check the weather forecast and choose nights with clear skies. Clouds and humidity can obscure the stars and reduce the quality of your photos.
2. DARK MOON PHASES: The new moon phase is the best time for stargazing and astrophotography because the sky is darker and the stars are more visible. Avoid nights with a full moon as it can outshine faint stars and celestial objects.
3. WINTER MONTHS: Late autumn to early spring offers longer nights and clearer skies, making it an ideal time for capturing the night sky in Sweden.
4. ASTRO EVENTS: Keep an eye on upcoming astro events like meteor showers, eclipses and thsat kind of cool stuff for epic night photography.

LOCATIONS AROUND VÄSTERÅS WHERE I GO FOR NIGHT SKY PHOTOGRAPHY
1. STRÖMSHOLM
Located southwest of Västerås, Strömsholm offers expansive views of the night sky with minimal light pollution. The open fields and nearby lake provide a perfect setting for capturing celestial events.
2. ÄNGSÖ NATURE RESERVE
Situated northwest of Västerås, Ängsö features open landscapes and wooded areas that are ideal for night sky photography. The reserve’s lack of light pollution and clear vistas make it a great location for stargazing and capturing the Milky Way.
3. ANUNDSHÖG
Located just outside the city center of Västerås, Anundshög is a popular location for stargazing and astrophotography. This ancient burial site, with its large tumulus, offers a unique vantage point for night sky photography. By standing on the tumulus, you gain a clearer, elevated view of the horizon, making it ideal for observing and capturing celestial phenomena. The surroundings are dark and open, with minimal light pollution, creating perfect conditions for night photography. You might find some other photographers there during times of strong solar activity and clear nights.

HELPFUL RESOURCES FOR ASTROPHOTOGRAPHY
To make your night sky photography experience even better, consider using these resources (linked at the end of this blog post):
CLEAR DARK SKIES: Check weather conditions and moon phases for optimal stargazing.
LIGHT POLLUTION MAPS: Use this tool to find the darkest locations near you and avoid areas with high light pollution.
MOON PHASE CALENDAR: Plan your shoots around the new moon for the darkest skies.
ASTRO EVENTS CALENDAR: Stay updated on meteor showers, eclipses, and other celestial events.
PLANETS APP: This user-friendly app helps you locate planets and stars in real-time, making it easier to identify celestial objects in the night sky. There are many other apps available that offer similar features, so choose the one that best suits your needs.

THE 500 RULE: AVOIDING STAR TRAILS
When photographing the night sky, one common issue is star trails. These are caused by the Earth's rotation, making the stars appear to streak across the sky in long exposure shots. While star trails can be a creative choice, there are times when you want the stars to appear as sharp points of light.
This is where the 500 Rule comes in handy. The 500 Rule is a simple formula to help you determine the maximum exposure time you can use before star trails become noticeable. Here’s how it works:
500 / Focal Length (in mm) = Maximum Exposure Time (in seconds)
For example, if you’re using a 20mm lens, the formula would be:
500 / 20 = 25 seconds
This means you can expose your shot for up to 25 seconds without worrying about star trails. If you’re using a crop sensor camera, don’t forget to multiply the focal length by the crop factor before applying the rule.
Using the 500 Rule allows you to capture sharp, clear stars without the unwanted streaks, helping you achieve that beautiful starry sky effect in your photos.
OTHER TIPS FOR SUCCESSFUL NIGHT SKY PHOTOGRAPHY
SETTINGS: Use a low ISO setting (800-3200) to reduce noise, a wide aperture (f/2.8 or lower) to allow more light, and a long exposure time (15-30 seconds) to capture the stars.
FOCUS: Manually focus your lens to infinity before it gets dark. Autofocus might struggle in low light.
STAY WARM: It can get quite cold at night, especially during winter. Dress in layers and bring warm drinks to stay comfortable while you shoot.
EXPERIMENT: Don’t be afraid to try different compositions, exposures, and settings. Also very cool: make a timelaps! This is a great way to capture the Northern Lights and celestial bodies moving through the night sky due to the rotation of the earth. Night sky photography often involves some trial and error, just have fun with it .
EDITING: Post-processing can enhance your photos. Use software like Adobe Lightroom or Photoshop to adjust exposure, contrast, and color balance.
Stargazing and photographing the night sky in the Swedish woods is a cool experience. With the right equipment, timing, and techniques, you can capture stunning images of the cosmos and enjoy the tranquility of Sweden’s natural beauty after dark. So grab your camera, head out into the night, and let the sky guide your creative journey!
HELPFUL LINKS:
Clear dark sky: cleardarksky.com/
Astro events calendar:
Planets App in App Store:
Planets App in Google Play:
Light pollution map:
Moonfases:
Explanation 500 rule:
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