By Widhibek
Published June 1, 2017 | Adapted for NightSkyIndonesia.com
The Milky Way stretches over Mount Merapi, nearly perpendicular—a pillar of light in the night sky. Just a few hours earlier, we almost gave up hope. Before arriving at Selo, rain greeted our journey. Pausing at a corner angkringan in Selo, the rain intensified. We thought about relocating for the night. But nature sometimes surprises us. The unexpected often becomes delightful. Merapi, mercy, and the Milky Way—last night we shutter-pulsed in a starry celebration.
360° Panorama Photo
Rotate left, right, up, and down to explore the surroundings.
The Idea: A Mercy Tiger and the Milky Way
The idea originated with Adit, wanting to photograph his vintage Mercedes Tiger. Several attempts failed for various reasons. Yesterday, he invited friends, but most were busy. So it was just Adit and me tonight.
The weather for three days was poor, with heavy rain nearly every evening and night—even at 7 PM in Solo. We hesitated but decided, “When else can we hunt with the Mercy Tiger?” Though just two and a bad forecast prediction, we set out anyway—our backup plan was mountain air and seeking shelter if needed.
Full Gear Setup
With an empty car, we packed heavily: two DSLR cameras, two tripods, a pocket camera, a 360 camera, and a drone. Also, underwater cases, raincoats, and a change of clothes—preparing for possible rain, which can sometimes make great photos. Adit brought two DSLRs and one tripod.
The Ride to Selo
Just before passing Cepogo market, skies shifted from cloudy to drizzling. Rain droplets wet the car. Windows once open to catch fresh air had to be closed to keep dry. The road from Cepogo market to Selo was freshly paved, expediting access (previously ongoing construction near the bridge).
Arrival at Selo
Selo felt quiet; most roadside shops closed, only a few food vendors and quick eateries remained open. The rain continued, and the usually commanding silhouettes of Merapi and Merbabu were obscured by mist.
We stopped for warm drinks in an angkringan, waiting for better weather. At least if rain persisted, I could write about drinking coffee in the rain at Selo! The fried snacks weren’t appealing—I wished for warm fried bananas. Chatting with the owner, I learned rain had persisted three days running. Most shops prepared to close early, protecting stalls from rain splash. Locals noted yesterday’s rain had even caused flooding.
Midnight Near Merapi
Just before midnight, rain lightened to drizzle. I peeked outside—Merapi’s silhouette was visible despite the dark sky, sparking hope. There was still time before dawn. Sipping unsweetened local coffee to fight sleepiness.
Milky Way and Merapi
One by one, pinpoints of light appeared overhead, intermittently veiled by clouds. The unstable conditions prompted a move near the police office in Selo, seeking proximity to the angkringan open until 2 AM—as a safety net against sleepiness needing caffeine.
Yellow streetlights cast glow; one lamp reflected off Adit’s white Mercy Tiger, filling the camera frame with golden hues. With Adit ready on tripod and folding chair, it was a smart setup—maybe to be emulated on future car-based hunts.
The Milky Way Arc
The Milky Way stretched perfectly above Merapi’s silhouette. Few climbers disturbed the night—only one light flickered on a Merapi ridge. Four cameras documented this session:
- Canon 6D with Canon 16-35mm f/4
- Canon 450D with Sigma fisheye 8mm
- Canon G15 pocket camera
- A discreet 360 camera away from stray light
A Milky Way hunt with four cameras—quite the gear haul!
Challenge: Lens Fogging
A major issue was rapid lens fogging, likely due to atmospheric moisture and fog. Everything outside soon became coated with condensation. Initially, some frames returned blurry; fog was the culprit. Even after wiping lenses multiple times, fog would quickly return. This is a serious concern for mountain night photography.
The Overnight Vigil
Around 2 AM, Adit, cold and running low on battery, planned to save it for sunrise shots, then retreated to the car for sleep.
The hunt lasted until about 3:30 AM when clouds reclaimed the sky. Sleepiness and the biting mountain chill grew stronger, prompting me to pack up and follow him indoors, locking the car—a safety habit during deep sleep for both gear and personal security.
Sunrise at Selo
An alarm set for 5 AM woke me early. The sky had cleared, and the Milky Way lay stretched westward. Tripod and camera reassembled for dawn frames before daylight took over and locals returned from the mosque.
Sunrise at Irung Petruk
We headed next to Irung Petruk, a popular sunrise viewpoint on the way back to Solo. Though hopeful, thick western clouds obscured a perfect sun disk. Still, the dawn light was beautiful after the night’s vigil.
Behind clouds, the orange sun peeked as if nature smiled behind the gray.
Drone Morning Flight and Journey Home
After capturing sunrise shots, I flew the drone briefly over Irung Petruk, then we headed home—closing another memorable Merapi Mercy Milky Way session. We hope to return for future episodes.
This story with stunning Milky Way scenes and heartfelt moments illustrates the blend of patience, perseverance, and friendship central to Indonesian astrophotography adventures. Join NightSkyIndonesia.com for more inspiring journeys and tips for your own night sky hunts.
Leave a Reply