Astrophotographer Jason Kurth Captures Milky Way Over Manhattan from Top of the Rock
On Sunday, October 4, astrophotographer Jason Kurth successfully recorded a timelapse of the Milky Way over New York City from the Top of the Rock at Rockefeller Center, overcoming significant light pollution. He utilized a modified monochrome camera featuring a Sony IMX 585 sensor and an 850-nanometer infrared filter to minimize visible light while capturing the stars. His setup included a Kowa 8mm VIS-SWIR lens, valued at $5,000, which was compact due to the limitations at 30 Rockefeller Plaza. Kurth acknowledges the contributions of Ty Buckley and the importance of test runs. He carefully timed his shoot to coincide with favorable weather and Moon conditions. More of his photography can be found on Instagram and his website.
Key facts
- Photographer Jason Kurth captured a timelapse of the Milky Way above New York City.
- The video was shot on Sunday, October 4, from the Top of the Rock at Rockefeller Center.
- Kurth used a monochrome astronomy camera with an 850-nanometer infrared filter over the sensor.
- The camera features a 1/1.2-inch Sony IMX 585 sensor.
- He used a Kowa 8mm VIS-SWIR industrial lens, which costs $5,000 and transmits up to 2,000nm.
- The setup was mounted on cheese plates, a cinema rod-type setup, a wireless astronomy mini PC, and a V-mount battery holder, all on a small tabletop tripod.
- Normal tripods and large camera setups are prohibited at the top of 30 Rockefeller Plaza.
- Kurth received technical assistance from his friend Ty Buckley.
Entities
Artists
- Jason Kurth
- Ty Buckley
Institutions
- Top of the Rock
- Rockefeller Center
- 30 Rockefeller Plaza
- PetaPixel
- Sony
- Kowa
Locations
- Manhattan
- New York City
- New York
- United States
- Empire State Building