Photographing the Christmas Star (aka Star of Bethlehem)

---

With having visited Bethlehem back on 24-Sep-2019, we couldn't miss a glimpse of the Star of Bethlehem. But, not just a glimpse... took the extra step in photographing this rare great conjunction of the two planets - Jupiter and Saturn. The two worlds aligned to form a super-bright point of light some call the Christmas Star. Forbes and Live Science had great articles on the topic.

PHOTOGRAPHING THE NIGHT SKY: STAR OF BETHLEHEM

About 3,455 feet above sea level along Old Route 66 near Oatman, AZ. Images have been edited somewhat in Adobe Lightroom.

• Camera: Nikon D7000
• Lens: Tamron 11-16mm, f/2.8
• Image quality: 14-bit RAW (NEF)
• Exposure: [M] mode, 16mm, 3 seconds, f/2.8
• High ISO NR/Long exposure NR: High/Off
• Sensitivity: ISO 800
• Sunset/Snapshot: 5:31PM/6:04PM

• Camera: Nikon D7000
• Lens: Tamron 11-16mm, f/2.8
• Image quality: 14-bit RAW (NEF)
• Exposure: [M] mode, 16mm, 4 seconds, f/2.8
• High ISO NR/Long exposure NR: High/Off
• Sensitivity: ISO 800
• Sunset/Snapshot: 5:31PM/6:06PM

• Camera: Nikon D7000
• Lens: Tamron 11-16mm, f/2.8
• Image quality: 14-bit RAW (NEF)
• Exposure: [M] mode, 11mm, 6 seconds, f/2.8
• High ISO NR/Long exposure NR: High/Off
• Sensitivity: ISO 1250
• Sunset/Snapshot: 5:31PM/5:48PM

THIS EVENING'S MOONLIGHT

• Camera: Coolpix P900
• Focal Length: 321
• Focal Length (35mm Film Equiv): 1,800mm
• Sunset/Snapshot: 5:31PM/6:34PM

PHOTOGRAPHING THE NIGHT SKY: ORION'S BELT

Orion's Belt or the Belt of Orion, also known as the Three Kings or Three Sisters... is just starting to rise from behind the mountain to the right of the truck.

• Camera: Nikon D7000
• Lens: Tamron 11-16mm, f/2.8
• Image quality: 14-bit RAW (NEF)
• Exposure: [M] mode, 16mm, 15 seconds, f/2.8
• High ISO NR/Long exposure NR: High/Off
• Sensitivity: ISO 800
• Sunset/Snapshot: 5:31PM/6:10PM

---