How to Capture the Night Sky and Milky Way With Your Smartphone

Why Our Skies Are Special

Big Bend is the gateway to some of the darkest skies in the continental United States and the world. In 2022 the Greater Big Bend International Dark Sky Reserve was certified as the world’s largest dark-sky reserve. This reserve spans more than 9 million acres and over 15,000 square miles in Texas and Mexico. Our remote location inside this reserve means virtually zero light pollution, so the Milky Way arches overhead like a luminous river on clear nights. When you stay with us, you don’t need to hike for miles to find dark skies – you can step out from your dome or cave and look up!

We often share some of the most brilliant night photography from The Summit at Big Bend, and while some of those images are captured with professional gear, the truth is the phone in your pocket is more powerful than you think. Modern smartphones can collect light for 15 to 30 seconds at a time, revealing color, structure, and detail in the Milky Way that the human eye simply cannot detect. Our eyes are incredible, but in very dark conditions they shift into a mode that favors brightness over color, which is why the Milky Way may look soft and silvery instead of vibrant and richly detailed. When you use your phone in Night Mode on a tripod, it gathers more light than your eyes can in a single glance, allowing you to see beyond what feels possible.

That said, you don’t need a camera to be blown away here. Give your eyes 15 to 30 minutes away from any artificial light, let them fully adjust to the darkness, and then simply look up. On a clear, moonless night at The Summit, the Milky Way stretches overhead in a way that feels almost unreal. Whether you capture it on your phone or just stand quietly under it, the experience of the Big Bend night sky is nothing short of spectacular.

Essentials for Phone Astrophotography

Anyone with a modern smartphone can photograph the Milky Way. Follow these simple guidelines:

1. Time it right. The bright core of the Milky Way is visible from roughly mid-March through late October. For the best conditions, plan your trip around the new moon, when moonlight doesn’t wash out the stars. At other phases the moon rises and sets; choose a time when it’s below the horizon.
2. Use a tripod or solid support. To take long exposures, your phone must stay completely still. A basic smartphone tripod or a makeshift stand (resting the phone against a rock or backpack) works well. When the phone is steady, you can use longer exposure times.
3. Enable a timer or remote shutter. Tap the timer icon (often 3s or 10s) so you can press the shutter and step away. This prevents vibrations that could blur your photo.
4. Turn off flash. Flash and HDR modes can ruin night-sky photos; make sure they are disabled.
5. Fully charge your phone. Long exposures and cold nights drain batteries quickly. Charge your phone beforehand and bring a power bank if possible.

Step-by-Step Guide for iPhone Users

• Mount your iPhone securely. Place the phone on a tripod or rest it on a solid surface. Keeping the phone motionless is the single most important factor for clear night-sky photos and Night Mode won’t activate if it’s not still.
• Open the Camera app. Select Photo mode. In low-light conditions the Night Mode icon (a moon) will appear in the top-right corner of the viewfinder when the phone is motionless. When you see the yellow moon, you’re ready to get started.
• Let Night Mode activate automatically. Your iPhone chooses an appropriate exposure time based on the scene. Tap the arrow or six-dots icon to reveal the Night Mode settings.

• Tap or drag it to the maximum value – up to 30 seconds on recent Pro models when the phone is steady. The phone will handle the rest!

• Start the timer and step away. Use the timer to trigger the shot. Align any crosshairs that appear on the screen; they help you correct leveling issues. When the countdown finishes, hold still or leave the phone alone until the capture completes.
• Review and tweak. After the photo saves, zoom in and check the stars. If they appear streaked, shorten the exposure time slightly. If they are faint, increase the time or try again under darker skies.

Because the phone manages settings automatically, you don’t need to worry about technical jargon. Let the iPhone’s Night Mode work its magic while you enjoy the moment.

General Guide for Android Users

Android phones have a variety of names for their low-light modes (Night Mode, Night Sight, Nightography or Astro Mode). The process is the same.

1. Stabilize your device. Use a tripod or rest the phone on a rock or table so it doesn’t move during the exposure.
2. Open the camera’s low-light mode. In Samsung’s latest models the built-in camera app includes a Night or Astro feature. Google Pixel phones activate Night Sight automatically in dark scenes. Other brands may call it Nightography or Low-Light.
3. Adjust the exposure duration. Swipe up or tap the exposure icon and move the slider to the longest available setting (often 10–30 seconds).
4. Use a timer. Set a 3 or 10 second timer so you aren’t touching the phone when the exposure starts.
5. Take your shot and wait. Once the shutter closes, the phone will process the image.

Advanced Tips (Optional)

If you’re curious to push your phone a bit further, consider these optional techniques:

• Manual focusing. Set focus to infinity for sharper stars.
• Pro/Manual mode. Manually set ISO and shutter speed for more control.
• RAW capture. Shoot in RAW format for better editing flexibility.
• Experiment with composition. Include cactus, the landsacpe, or your dome for depth.

Ready to See for Yourself?

The Summit at Big Bend offers an unparalleled blend of comfort and cosmic wonder. With 1,000 acres of private land, luxurious domes and caves, and access to the world’s largest dark-sky reserve, you’re perfectly positioned to capture the Milky Way with nothing more than your smartphone and a little patience. Plan your visit during a new moon, bring a small tripod, and follow the simple steps above. You’ll return home not only with stunning photos but with unforgettable memories of nights under a sea of stars.