> 1: You can actually see the galactic core easily with the unaided eye if you get far enough away from the city. An app will help if there is too much light po

> 1: You can actually see the galactic core easily with the unaided eye if you get far enough away from the city. An app will help if there is too much light pollution, but light pollution will also put a cap on your exposure time. I always line up shots during the day, apps are useful so that you can frame things before it is dark (e.g. directly over a rock formation, mountain, old barn, whatever). You can see both place and time, so you'll know if it will be dark enough when it is where you want. Finding a good location for an interesting shot is the hardest part IMO.