This session of imaging the Milky Way is probably my last of the season. As soon as the sun sets, the galactic arm is already vertical and the core is close to the horizon. Antares ( the bright yellow orange star ) along with the Rho Ophiuchi complex drops out of sight within a couple of hours.

The rotational speed of the earth at Utah's latitude is 753 mph/1211kmph. Add to that the seasonal changes in the course of a year's orbit around the Sun and we have a Milky Way viewing "season" at night much like our garden growing season during the day. Both seasons for us Northerners happens from spring to fall - April to September. Whereas the Southern Hemisphere folks begin their viewing and growing seasons in our fall.

Point being, September's new moon phase makes for a very short 2-3 hour Milky Way capturing session versus June's peak 5+ hours of imaging time. This year half of the new moon phases in Utah were cloud obscured, leaving 3 with clear skies. I can hardly wait for next summer!

Canon T3i with Rokinon 14mm lens, tripod.

Contrast, color enhanced.