Sky views from plane in full flight

[skysurfer]

Did anyone see stars from an airliner flying at nighttime ?
What are your experences ?
In daylight the sky is darker blue but until now I didn't find bright stars yet.

I did last time was in Jan/Feb 2010.

Her an example shot of Orion and Sirius in full moonlight taken 4 sec @ ISO 3200 Canon 40d + Tamron 18-250 at 18mm :

http://sky.velp.info/extremeastro/IMG_8068.JPG

More in http://sky.velp.info/extremeastro.php .

[mithrandir (Andrew)]

Yes, I've seen stars out the plane windows - almost all the way from Sydney to Los Angeles and back. You might ask Peter Ward for his observations. He has a better view out the flight deck windows than passengers get from the cabin.

I have no photos since there was too much reflection from the "glass". You'd probably need someone to hold a coat or blanket over you and the window to shut out the cabin lights.

[Peter Ward]

Originally Posted by mithrandir

.........You might ask Peter Ward for his observations..........

You might

I've seen way too many stars ( and sun-rises ) in the one night

The rather thick triplex laminated screens we have up front does not help, but the limiting magnitude on a dark night is easily 6.5.

Also, stars (more than about 5 degrees above the horizon) don't twinkle at altitude.

Meteoric activity is very easy to spot, and I am sure I've seen more than one cosmic ray light up my retina (they look like faint, star-like flashes )

The coolest sight I have seen at night are blue jets that flash toward the zenith at the top of extremely active thunderstorms....very rare...(youtube link here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1xVThAFfP0E ) .... I should try to photograph it with a decent camera before I retire.

Attached is a point-and-shoot image of Orion I took somewhere over Europe.

[skysurfer]

Originally Posted by mithrandir

I have no photos since there was too much reflection from the "glass". You'd probably need someone to hold a coat or blanket over you and the window to shut out the cabin lights.

This is to be addressed by using blankets which are provided to the passengers. Wrap the camera in the blanket and keep only the lens uncovered. Place the camera firmly to the lower part of the window and take down the window shutter until it hits the camera. Put the blanket over the camera as well and shoot. No ghost images or reflecions anymore !
In a 747 or 777 you can use the exit door windows (assumed a calm flight: with turbulence it won't work and you are supposed to be seated with seatbelts on). In a 747 you can just let the camera (wrapped in blankets to p[revent the lights issue) rest behind the window without holding it.

Tomorrow I fly to Bali via Singapore (from Holland) and I'll try again.

[skysurfer]

I am in Bali now and during the flight I did some attempts to picture the skywith moderate success.
I added the best two on my website, see last two photos on

http://sky.velp.info/extremeastro.php .

[Peter Ward]

Originally Posted by skysurfer

......
I added the best two on my website, see last two photos on

http://sky.velp.info/extremeastro.php .

Just for correctness... your web page mentions a red wingtip due "red blinking starboard navigation lights"

Problem is, the starboard lights are green. I suspect its the upper beacon light that you've caught