Star Trails

[steve1840]

Stepped out last night to watch the Leonids meteor shower. Well, as far as meteors go, (at least between midnight and 3am) it was a bust. But at least I got to try out shooting star trails. This is my first attempt, so let me know what you think.



The water in the lake was lit up when a state trooper came up behind me and shined both his headlights and his spot light on me while the camera was doing its thing. At the time I thought the trooper had ruined those few shots, but I actually think it adds something to the photo.

[Zee71]

Very nice Steve! How many exposures and what were your typically settings? Don't think we can get anything like that here in NYC ...... to much light pollution!

[steve1840]

Thanks Mark. That image was created from 266 images. I set up at ISO 400, 30 sec @ f4 and then just locked the remote shutter in the on position and sat in my truck for the next 2.5 hours.

[wunaladreamin]

Steve that's pretty damn near perfect even as a first attempt! Once life is put back in order for myself, I'm going to get my stargazers permit and pull a few all nighters at the beach. Great work man!

[steve1840]

Steve that's pretty damn near perfect even as a first attempt! Once life is put back in order for myself, I'm going to get my stargazers permit and pull a few all nighters at the beach. Great work man!

Thanks Kenny! Let me know when you go do that, and I'll head down.

[wunaladreamin]

Definitely! I've heard one can shoot the Milky Way from there. I've seen pics to prove it as well!

[steve1840]

What beach do you shoot your star trails at?

[wunaladreamin]

I've seen Milky Way shots pulled off rather nicely from Robert Moses.

[Joe]

Hello Guys,
Nice star trails Steve, I don't know if you are aware, but if you face North, you will get circles. Kenny, you can see the Milky Way faintly from Robert Moses on a clear, moonless night, it is best viewed in the summer months.

Here is a shot from Robert Moses:


and my attempt at star trails:

[Joe]

My star trails shot was one long exposure, with lots of aircraft flying by. The Milky Way is also visible in the star trails shot, just left of center towards the top. I will try again someday using software combining multiple shots, such as startrails.de when I get a chance to go somewhere dark again.

[lijk604]

Not sure when Robert Moses will be open to the public again. Right now you can only go as far south as Captree.
Drove around on Sunday, and the bridge to RM is blocked off with barricades, as well as police presence to stop any two-wheeled wanderers.