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Babak Tafreshi | Photographer, Explorer, Speaker

National Geographic photojournalist, founder of The World at Night (TWAN), preserving natural night skies, bridging art & science

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Why “supermoon” is a misleading term? What is moon illusion? How to photograph the moon above interesting landmarks? A part of my 2022 webinar on celestial events. The complete set of lessons on night sky photography (10 classes) are available to purchase on babaktafreshi.com/webinar, tap the link in bio. #supermoon #moon #astrophotography
During one of my recent photo workshops I walked down the hill from the group and used a telephoto lens to create this video. Some of the latest digital cameras are sensitive enough to reveal such details of the Milky Way in exposures less than 1 second. This closeup view shows the tail of constellation Scorpius, home to two bright star clusters. Under dark skies, they are both visible to unaided eyes as tiny clouds and with binoculars you can see a similar view to the end of this video, truly beautiful but without much color due to our eyes limit.
A falling star. Most meteors are made from sand-sized particles to pebbles that create brighter streaks. It’s incredible that we see such bright lights made from these tiny objects, burning about 100 km above us, due to their high speed and kinetic energy. Every August stargazers around the world anticipate the Perseids, one of the best annual meteor showers. The peak time this year is from midnight of Aug 12 to the morning of the 13th. The almost full moon hides away many of the meteors but the dazzling fireballs (bright meteors made by will be still boldly visible. The meteors can appear anywhere, and ness essay near the shower’s radiant in constellation Perseus. Wishing you clear skies!
I will be on @nasa Instagram live on Tuesday 4:15 pm Eastern Time (20:15 GMT). Join me as we will talk for 30 minutes about moon photography from Earth and space, on the occasion of Artemis I mission that is planned to launch on Aug 29; the beginning of @nasaartemis return to the moon program. Also learn how to join #NASAMoonSnap campaign with your photos, paintings, and other art forms. @natgeo @ingallsimages @bdenevi @twanight
About 150 miles north of my home city of Boston. I look forward to return to this dark sky paradise in late August. Join me if you are in the northeastern US. A few cabins are still available. Swipe for more images. Tap the link in my bio or message for details.
A dry streambed resembles a tree shadow, in a remote spot of Death Valley National Park, California, an international dark sky park—where the natural night environment is protected from light pollution, both for wildlife and stargazers. The yellow glow on the horizon originates from a distance of 150 miles (250 km) away—it's light from Los Angeles that was faintly visible to the naked eye but more revealed in this 15-second exposure. Sirius, the brightest star in our night sky, is visible above it, as well as other bright winter stars. This place is also home to the mysterious Sailing Stones. Originated from the nearby mountains, these rocks naturally move along this smooth plain on very thin ice sheets that form in cold nights. Strong wind move the ice sheets and the rocks sail on them at speeds up to 5 meters (15 ft) per minute!
Each time you open the National Geographic app to read the news and or the link electronic version of the magazine, it starts with this image. Let me share you the story of this night in Capitol Reef, Utah. At night it is one of the darkest places to enjoy the starry sky and it is designated an International Dark Sky Park by @idadarksky. Photographed here under the Milky Way and stars of the Summer Triangle, is the Capitol Gorge, a popular trail by day but at night you are alone with striking sounds of nocturnal species. My colleague @mikeshawphotography is in the foreground. We were using dim red light which preserves our night vision and does not disturb nearby animals. This is why in some National parks light painting technique, using bright light to illuminate landscape at night, is forbidden. This helps keeping the night environment natural for the precious inhabitants.
It’s been a pleasure to send hundreds of signed and personalized copies of The World at Night book. If you have the book please share thoughts in the comments. If you wish to have one tap the shop icon on the video or the link in my bio.
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