By Widhibek
Published July 1, 2017 | Adapted for NightSkyIndonesia.com
Dieng that afternoon was unfriendly. Since 3 PM, light rain had blanketed the Dieng valley. Thin fog hung low, completely obscuring what should have been a starry sky. Late June 2017 clearly wasn’t ideal for Dieng Milky Way hunting.
This Dieng trip was brief—just one night for a big family vacation. No high expectations for Milky Way photography. Weather forecast predicted clouds or drizzle. So I packed minimally: wide lens camera, tripod, shutter release, headlamp. If skies cleared and time allowed, hunt Milky Way. Otherwise, enjoy family vacation time.
We left Solo early morning around 5 AM to avoid Lebaran holiday traffic. The route through Boyolali – Salatiga – Kopeng – Temanggung – Tembi tea plantation – Dieng went smoothly. About 4 hours later, we arrived.
![Sikidang Crater]
![Sikidang Crater from Above]
Weather was clear upon arrival. Quick visit to Sikidang Crater, lunch at Bu Jono’s warung, then to Arjuna Temple.
![Arjuna Temple]
At Arjuna Temple, skies turned cloudy with rain. The rest of the afternoon was relaxed family time at our rented house.
![Foggy Afternoon]
By 7:30 PM, weather remained unchanged. Thick fog covered parts of the Dieng plateau. Wet roads from afternoon drizzle intensified the chill. Exhausted and sleepy from the cold around 8 PM, I fell deeply asleep. Before bed, I stored camera gear under blankets to prevent extreme cold damage. Camera batteries wrapped in t-shirts to avoid cold-induced drain.
Midnight Awakening
Woke around midnight, checked phone: 12:30 AM. Fixed hat and gloves, stepped out of bed. Exited accommodation to check weather.
Brrrr… The freezing temperature hit immediately. Nose felt ice-cold. Stepped into yard, looked up. Stars! Though Milky Way direction was blocked by the roof from the front yard.
Walked further seeking southern sky view. There it was—white Milky Way haze clearly visible through thin fog.
Rushed back inside: prepared camera, tripod, shutter release, spare batteries, headlamps. Locked front door (family still sleeping soundly in Dieng’s chill). Carried keys carefully.
Quick Location Scout
Sought spot shielded from house lights along Dieng’s main road. No time for distant locations—Dieng’s high elevation, clear skies, and low light pollution should suffice. Forgot to warm headlamp under blanket last night; battery drained despite full charge pre-trip.
Stopped at footpath toward gardens, shadowed by houses, protected from streetlights. Mounted tripod, set camera: manual 30s, f/4, ISO 6400. Composed with hills and Dieng Milky Way.
![Ready to Capture Milky Way]
Bottom frame disturbed by yellow streetlights. Sky reasonably clear, though white clouds slowly drifted.
Locked shutter release for continuous frames—perfect for future star trails or timelapse.
![Milky Way Vertical over Dieng]
360° Panorama
Rotate left, right, up, down to explore surroundings.
Cold Night Challenges
Weather bitterly cold. Forgot long pants for Dieng—double socks barely sufficed. No nearby open coffee stalls for warm drinks to fuel all-nighter.
After ~100 frames, clouds covered Milky Way core. Phone showed past 2 AM. Increasing chill, more clouds gathering. No knowing when skies would clear.
Camera lens fogged after ~1 hour on tripod. Dieng Milky Way hunt time to end.
Packed gear carefully, double-checked nothing left behind, walked back to accommodation. Returned to thick warm blankets for sleep.
NightSkyIndonesia.com Dieng Milky Way Tips
Essential Cold Weather Prep:
- Warm batteries under clothing overnight
- Extra gloves, hats, thermal layers
- Dew heaters or lens warmers for fog prevention
- Hot drinks thermos for energy
Dieng Advantages:
- High elevation = clearer skies
- Low light pollution vs. cities
- Dramatic foregrounds (temples, craters)
Optimal Timing: Late May–early September. Check Stellarium for vertical core positioning post-sunset.
Join our Discord for Dieng Milky Way group hunts and cold-weather gear recommendations!bloggers.feedspot+1
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