"Photographing Perseid meteors this year won't be ruined by moonlight. Here's how to capture the best images from this year's show"
Photographing the Perseid Meteor Shower During a Full Moon
During this year's Perseid meteor shower peak on 12 August, capturing the celestial spectacle under a full moon presents a unique challenge for photographers. To minimize the effects of bright moonlight and enhance your chances of capturing the brightest meteors, follow these tips:
- Equipment Selection: Use a DSLR or mirrorless camera with manual mode, a wide-angle lens, and a sturdy tripod.
- Exposure Settings: Set your camera for a relatively short exposure (around 20-30 seconds) to avoid over-exposing the sky due to moonlight, while still capturing meteor trails. Increase ISO to a moderate to high value (e.g., ISO 800-3200) balanced against noise, to make meteors visible despite the bright sky.
- Aiming the Camera: Aim your camera away from the bright moon to avoid lens flare and overexposure near the Moon. Use a wide field of view aimed near the Perseid radiant but not too close to the moonlight.
- Timing: Start shooting when the moon is below the horizon, if possible—such as earlier in the evening before moonrise—to get darker skies and better meteor visibility. Be prepared to take many continuous shots or use an intervalometer to increase chances of catching bright meteors, since moonlight reduces the number of visible meteors.
- Post-processing: Post-processing can help enhance meteor trails and reduce sky brightness.
Moonlight mainly causes sky overexposure and limits exposure time, but bright meteors can still register as trails in short exposures because their light is brief and bright. For example, some recommend shooting the Perseids on the evening before the full moon rises (e.g., Aug 15 during the 2025 event) to exploit dark sky windows. When moonlight is present, patience and adaptability—including stopping exposures immediately upon seeing a meteor—can help optimize results.
An additional tip is to use two cameras with out-of-sync shooting sequences to ensure continuous coverage of the sky during the Perseid meteor shower under bright moonlight. With these strategies in mind, you'll be well-prepared to capture the beauty of the Perseid meteor shower under a full moon.
- Remember, environmental-science and space-and-astronomy are interconnected fields that involve the study of the night sky, including phenomena like the Perseid meteor shower.
- Advanced technology and equipment, such as DSLRs, mirrorless cameras, and binoculars, are crucial for astrophotography, especially when capturing meteors during a full moon.
- Using binoculars before setting up your camera can help you locate meteor trails more efficiently and improve your shot composition.
- For those interested in pursuing environmental-science or space-and-astronomy careers, astrophotography, especially during meteor showers, can provide valuable experiences and skills.
