Milky Way imaging between sunset and moonrise during a full moon phase... Possible?

[Brushman]

I'm traveling through Death Valley in early August this year and desperate to observe and image the Milky Way, however as chances have it I'm bang in the middle of a full moon cycle. 

From what I've read, a full moon - or anything near a full moon - is pretty much game over for milky way photography. 
So I'm clinging onto hope that there will be time slots when it's possible to get a glimpse... between astronomical dusk and the moon rising. 

There's not a huge amount of info out there on this so I'm hoping someone can help me out here with a confirmation of sorts... Will the Milky Way be visible between astronomical dusk and moonrise?

I've calculated the [astro dusk and moonrise] times using sunrisesunset.com : (These may be an hour off with daylight savings confusion)

1/08/20 - 3.44-4.14am (30mins)
2/08/20 - No astro dusk
3/08/20 - No astro dusk (*full moon*)
4/08/20 - No astro dusk
5/08/20 - No astro dusk                 
6/08/20 - 9.27-9.56pm (29mins)
7/08/20 - 9.26-10.22pm (56mins)
8/08/20 - 9.24-10.48pm (1hr 24mins)
9/08/20 - 9.23-11.14pm (1hr 51mins)
10/08/20 - 9.21-11.41pm (2hr 20mins)
11/08/20 - 9.20pm-12.12am (2hr 52mins)

I downloaded stellarium for the first time and have gingerly come to the conclusion that the Milky Way is out those times of night too. 

Can anyone put my mind at ease here? I only have one or two nights I'm allowed to go imaging in so I need to plan well! 
Also, anyone who's been out there around the same time have any tips/advice? 

My plan is to photograph around the mesquite flat sand dunes and Zabriskie Point regions - I'm thinking between the 8/9th due to trip logistics. 
Kit: A modest Nikon D5300 (unmodded) with a 14mm 2.0 Samyang lens. Tripod. Maybe even take my iOptron SkyGuider Pro if my luggage can take the weight hit. 

Appreciate any and all help.

[knobby]

Should be doable I reckon, I managed this (out of focus though 😒 ) in Lapalma. About 80% full moon. We had 2 nights where the sun set well before the moon rose.

Nothing special but sounds way darker where you're going. All the best of luck.

 

Edited March 7, 2020 by knobby

[MarkAR]

I think the SkyGuider will help.

[Spaced Out]

Yes if the gap betwen dusk and the moonrise is long enough then it is do-able, certainly for landscape astrophotography, done it many times. It is usually dark enough about 1.5 hours after sunset, then you start to notice about 45 mins before the moon rises that shots are getting lighter and the histogram is moving to the right.

Edited March 7, 2020 by Spaced Out

[Brushman]

17 minutes ago, Spaced Out said:

Yes if the gap betwen dusk and the moonrise is long enough then it is do-able, certainly for landscape astrophotography, done it many times. It is usually dark enough about 1.5 hours after sunset, then you start to notice about 45 mins before the moon rises that shots are getting lighter and the histogram is moving to the right.

Thanks, I wasn't sure if twilight from the moonrise would be an issue or not... Makes me think that I definitely need to wait for at least the 8th. 

[Brushman]

52 minutes ago, knobby said:

Should be doable I reckon, I managed this (out of focus though 😒 ) in Lapalma. About 80% full moon. We had 2 nights where the sun set well before the moon rose.

Nothing special but sounds way darker where you're going. All the best of luck.

 

Thanks for sharing. I was gutted when I saw how the moon phase had fallen but this gives me real hope!

[knobby]

I used this Android app to check the best times available.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=eu.distinct_solutions.aptcalc

[Spaced Out]

I use this fairly old app on iphone to work out moonrise and sunset times etc. It also shows you orientation of the MW in advance so you can wind things forward and plan in the daylight where the MW will appear when it gets dark, I find this really helpful when planning landscape astrophotography.

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/star-walk-2-night-sky-map/id892279069

I see its also on android

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.vitotechnology.StarWalk2Free&hl=en_GB