Custer Observatory 🪐
Dark Skies on Long Island’s North Fork

I have several dark sky adventures planned given the new moon and my rental car. Firstly, a trip to Long Island’s Custer Observatory, a public observatory within the dark skies of Southold. Their Saturday program includes the opportunity of utilizing the observatory’s equipment, like the tremendous telescope housed in the main dome. Though Covid-19 safety precautions do not allow you to use the eye piece of their telescopes, screens were set up for focused views.

I arrived at 11 p.m. ready for the Milky Way rise. Admittedly I did not really make use of any of the facilities. After a quick tour, I set up my camera… the stars looked so impressive that it became priority.

I took a quick look at the displays inside, but the line to get a up close look at the massive telescope was long, especially given social distancing. The friendly staff were all about. These volunteers offer visitors quick tours of the sky and promote general astronomical nerdiness.

A couple of the screens outside. This is definitely an observatory more than a dark sky park. White light was all about, illuminating from property lights, visitor flashlights, headlights, etc. I was the only one shooting the sky, which had me chatting with curious folks who passed me. It was a really special place, one where all visitors share a kinship–an awe and appreciation of what’s above.

So when this is your first shot, you know it’s going to be a great shoot.

The Milky Way was large and in charge. I was ecstatic. Especially since I was at my apartment kind of beat two hours prior, unmotivated. As I drove out east from Brooklyn, it appeared to be overcast… and I was a little annoyed at myself for not checking the sky conditions. But as I lost more and more light pollution, I saw that it was a clear night…

Clearly I liked the composition of this shot.

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This was a nice family I chatted with. I wish I would have gotten an email address so I could have sent them this picture.

I am so pleased with my camera. So relieved I managed to successfully adjust the settings before I am in even darker skies at an altitude of 10K. Closer to the stars…

I have never shot Milky Way length like this.

They do this every Saturday. But a new moon Saturday? It was hopping. Many telescopes set up. Beach chairs… of course many were also hoping to see the comet Neowise. Apparently I had missed seeing it by a half hour.

But who can complain. With this in front of you…

Back to this shot!

I only stayed a little more than an hour. Considering my long trip back to Brooklyn and a family engagement tomorrow, I did not go to the second dark location I looked into. Next time. Thank you to the fine Custer folks who made my quick trip well worth it!

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