[Dark Sky Places] Submission 142120 – Ladi Svoboda

Location: Wairarapa

Cape Palliser Lighthouse Panorama & Space X Falcon 9 Rocket launch. STACKED / TRACKED / BLEND Why \'& Space X\'? I had been planning this shot for weeks. I wanted to capture the perfect photograph of the Milky Way core arching above the lighthouse, its beam cutting through the darkness, while the stars illuminated the sky like scattered diamonds. I found the ideal spot, set up my tripod, and began the long exposure sequence needed for a perfect panorama. As the night unfolded, the Milky Way stretched across the sky in all its brilliance. The lighthouse stood stoically beneath it, creating a contrast between human achievement and the infinite universe. I knew this was going to be my best night sky panorama yet. Then, something unexpected happened. While reviewing my shots, my friend and I noticed a strange, glowing object moving steadily across the sky. It wasn’t a plane—it was far too high. A sudden realization hit me: I had just captured a rocket launch! But not just any rocket—it was the SpaceX Falcon 9 carrying the third batch of NROL-113 reconnaissance satellites for the National Reconnaissance Office. The launch had taken place from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, on the other side of the world! The liftoff happened at 15:20 GMT +12 on September 6th, and the Falcon 9 soared into the sky with a massive thrust of 7,607 kN, carrying a payload of 22,800 kg. I couldn’t believe my luck—capturing the SpaceX launch, alongside the Milky Way core, added an unexpected layer of excitement to my night. It was a 70-meter rocket, blazing across the sky as it delivered its precious cargo of satellites, a testament to human ingenuity and exploration. The fact that I had managed to capture this rare, once-in-a-lifetime combination of celestial beauty and human technological triumph made the photo even more special. As I packed up my gear, I couldn’t stop smiling. What started as a night of star photography turned into one of the most memorable moments of my life. The lighthouse, the Milky Way, and the Falcon 9—all perfectly aligned in one magical frame.