Chasing Stars and a Comet: Milky Way Photography at Bodie Island Lighthouse, Fall 2024

 Photographing the Milky Way is always a thrill—but capturing it alongside a rare bright comet makes the experience unforgettable. In Fall 2024, I headed to Bodie Island Lighthouse on North Carolina’s Outer Banks to photograph the Milky Way, timed perfectly with the appearance of Comet C/2023 A3 Tsuchinshan-ATLAS.



Why Bodie Island Lighthouse?

This location is one of my favorite dark sky sites on the East Coast. With its distinctive lighthouse, minimal light pollution, and reflective marshes, Bodie Island offers a unique blend of atmosphere and composition opportunities for night photography.

As always, I scouted dark sky conditions in advance, looking for a new moon window and the best alignment between the lighthouse, the Milky Way core, and the predicted comet trajectory.

Gear I Used

  • Nikon D850 — unmatched detail and dynamic range in low light, plus a built-in intervalometer I use for time-lapses and star trails
    24-70 mm f/2.8 wide-angle lens
    Sturdy tripod
    Headlamp with red light
    Apps: Sky Guide, Stellarium, and Dark Site Finder

A Night to Remember: Milky Way + Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS

Just after astronomical twilight, the Milky Way core arced above the southern horizon. I positioned myself behind the lighthouse (and there isn't much room between the lighthouse and the marsh) to get the lighthouse, Milky Way, and comet all in the same shot.

By around 7:30 p.m., Comet C/2023 A3 appeared just above the western horizon. It was bright enough for a long exposure to reveal a visible green coma and faint tail—just enough to create a surreal pairing with the galactic core.

Exposure:

  • 15 sec | ISO 3200 | f/2.8

  • White balance: 4000K

  • Focus: manual 

Tips for Capturing a Similar Shot

  1. Use PhotoPills or Stellarium to visualize comet position relative to your location.

  2. Time your trip around the new moon and clear weather.

  3. Avoid the lighthouse beam directly in frame—use it as side-lighting or silhouette.

  4. Bring lens warmers—coastal humidity is no joke.  The last thing you want is your lens to fog up and ruin your shot.

  5. Use your D850’s dynamic range to recover detail from low-lit foregrounds without blowing out the stars.

Final Thoughts

There are moments as a photographer where preparation meets magic—and this was one of them. Capturing both the Milky Way and Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS in one frame felt like a once-in-a-decade experience.

If you’re planning your own night sky shoot, I highly recommend Bodie Island in the shoulder seasons. Its quiet skies, marshland reflections, and iconic structure make it ideal for both beginners and serious astrophotographers.

Happy shooting—and clear skies!


🌌 2025 Milky Way Photography Calendar (Northern Hemisphere)

📸 Best Viewing Months

The Galactic Core is visible in the early morning from March, peaks in visibility at night from May to August, and fades from view by October.

MonthCore Visible?Best Time (Local)Notes
January❌—Not visible
February❌—Not visible
March🌅 Early AM4:00 a.m. – 5:30 a.m.Low on horizon before dawn
April🌅 Early AM3:00 a.m. – 5:00 a.m.Core gets brighter, still low
May🌃 Night2:00 a.m. – 4:30 a.m.Excellent time for night photos
June🌌 Peak Season10:30 p.m. – 2:30 a.m.High in sky—prime shooting
July🌌 Peak Season10:00 p.m. – 2:00 a.m.Best time of the year
August🌌 Peak Season9:30 p.m. – 12:30 a.m.Core sets earlier each night
September🌄 Early Night8:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.Low on horizon after sunset
October🌇 Sunset Only~7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.Core very low, last chance shots
November❌—Not visible
December❌—Not visible

🌑 Best New Moon Weekends for Milky Way in 2025

To maximize your Milky Way photos, shoot within ±3 days of the new moon for the darkest skies:

MonthNew Moon DateIdeal Shooting Window
JanuaryJan 29Jan 26 – Feb 1
FebruaryFeb 27Feb 24 – Mar 2
MarchMar 29Mar 26 – Apr 1
AprilApr 27Apr 24 – Apr 30
MayMay 26May 23 – May 29
JuneJun 25Jun 22 – Jun 28
JulyJul 24Jul 21 – Jul 27
AugustAug 23Aug 20 – Aug 26
SeptemberSep 21Sep 18 – Sep 24
OctoberOct 20Oct 17 – Oct 23
NovemberNov 18Nov 15 – Nov 21
DecemberDec 17Dec 14 – Dec 20

🛠 Pro Tips for 2025

  • Best Months for the Core: Late May through August

  • Use apps like Stellarium or Sky Guide to plan angles and alignment

  • Always check for moonrise/moonset times to avoid moonlight interference

  • Scout dark sky sites and plan foreground compositions in daylight


Location: Bodie Island, Nags Head, NC 27959, USA

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