Tried to photograph the Milky Way from my backyard - got 47 pictures of my neighbor's floodlight instead

I spent $30 on a used star tracker and set everything up at 2am, only to realize his motion sensor light was pointing right at my lens every 5 minutes. Learn from me - check your local light pollution before you buy equipment. Anyone else have a neighbor sabotage their astrophotography?

3 comments

3 Comments

beth27610d ago

I used to roll my eyes at people complaining about light pollution, honestly thought it was just a convenience thing. But after I dragged my gear out to what I thought was a decent spot and got back nothing but orange glow, yeah, I get it now. Your neighbor's floodlight is basically the same problem but way more personal.

leehall8d ago

My neighbor's security light hits my bedroom window like a prison searchlight from 10 feet away. I tried talking to him about it once and he just said "its for safety." I bought a blackout curtain that cost me 60 bucks and it still leaks light around the edges. The worst part is he's got motion sensors that pick up every cat and squirrel in the neighborhood. So its not even a steady light, its this annoying flickering all night long. Makes me want to buy a BB gun and take it out myself.

the_parker9d ago

At least your neighbor didn't charge you rent for the light show.