Capturing The Galactic Core. By Geoff Murray

The Galactic Core, the most spectacular part of the Milky Way is not visible during the whole year. It first becomes visible in mid February and stays in our skies until October. There are apps that can predict where and when the Core will rise and my plan was to capture it rising over the Sentinel Range in SW Tasmania.

I left my home at midnight and headed west, joining the Gordon River Road after awhile. This is an isolated road and runs through some wild and magnificent country. One of the downsides of its isolation is the number of animals that are seen when driving it and as a result, my trip west was carried out at 60kph. Hitting wild animals is something I avoid at all costs.

I stopped for a quick sleep on the way, having had no sleep that night then continued on. I had two locations in mind and parked the car at the start of a rough track and walked up to a viewpoint that looked across to the range. In the cool night air my Mont Guide Hoodie Primaloft jacket kept me totally warm.

Satisfied with what I had captured I then drove down a side road to the second viewpoint.

I had to be quick with this one as it was around 4-4.30 am and the sky was becoming lighter in the east.

Images captured, it was into the car and head for home. I pulled up outside my house at 7am and slipped into bed for a rather late sleep.

Geoff Murray - Mont Ambassador