Above the Alpine Veil

Last week, I finally had the chance to capture my first view of this year’s Spring Milky Way over Switzerland. Thanks to a weather phenomenon known as Alpine Foehn, conditions were ideal. This warm, dry wind forms when moist air from the south rises over the Alps, shedding its moisture as rain or snow on the southern slopes. As the drier air descends on the northern side, it warms up, often resulting in remarkably clear skies.

 

During such Foehn events, a dense cloud bank typically hugs the peaks of the main Alpine ridge - constantly forming and dissolving in a delicate balance.

 

In this image, the vivid hues of the Rho Ophiuchi cloud complex and the dark tendrils of the Pipe Nebula, part of the Dark Horse, ascend gracefully above the lingering wall of cloud cloaking the snowy Alpine summits.

 

EXIF

Canon EOS-R, astro-modified by EOS 4Astro

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8 L ll @ 70mm

Canon EF-EOS R drop-in adapter

IDAS NBZ filter

iOptron SkyTracker Pro

@Sunwayfoto T2840CK tripod

 

Sky:

Stack of 20x 90s @ ISO1600, clear filter & 5x 180s @ ISO6400, IDAS NBZ

 

Foreground:

Stack of 5x 90s @ ISO3200

Done