Star Trails from My Backyard

[Matty P]

I didn't feel like setting up the scope last night but I did feel like taking a star trail image.

I looked for an interesting object to include in the frame but I couldn't find any. So I decided to keep it simple and include the top in the roof. :rolleyes:

200 x 30 second subs at ISO 400. Stacked in StarTrail.de and processed in PS CS3.

I'm thinking about taking a star trail image at Lostock over the Imaging or Observing field. Will make a nice image. :D

Thanks for looking. :thumbsup:

[leon]

That's a beauty Matty, something different other than those boring Galaxies and Nebulas, :lol: :whistle: nice shooting.

Leon :thumbsup:

[Kevnool]

At least it looked like a cloudless night there Matt.......Good for something different , Nice trails there always a croud pleaser....cheers Kev.

[leon]

Matt, I'm a bit puzzled, why so many subs, would one not get the same effect with an exposure at say 20 minutes, at 100 ISO in a dark location, just wondering.

And also Matty, the program Star Trail.de is this one a free download, or can it be purchased somewhere.

Cheers Leon

[Matty P]

Hi Leon,

You are correct. A 20 minute sub will have the exact same result as 40 x 30 second subs.

I was going to use 10 minute subs but decided against it. 30 second subs work just fine.

You can download it here for free. http://www.startrails.de/

:thumbsup:

[Matty P]

Thanks Kev.

It was a beautiful night, however the half moon washed out most of the sky. :sadeyes:

:thumbsup:

[RB]

Matt that's a beauty, well done indeed.

Leon you're better off doing shorter subs with startrails instead of a long single because you avoid reaching the sky glow limit.
With shorter subs you get a smoother sky.
The trick is not to leave too long a gap between subs.

:thumbsup:

[leon]

Ah Andrew, so If i were to take a number of subs, say 1 minute each and then a second or two in between take another, and so on, I wont get a gap, so to speak.

Leon

[Matty P]

Leon, There was a 3-4 second gap between my subs for this image. There are no visible gaps.

:thumbsup:

[strongmanmike]

Excellent image Matt, circumpolar star trails are usually pretty spectacular and yours is no exception!

Here is one I did over my observatory in 2004 with film:

http://www.pbase.com/strongmanmike2002/image/66402294/original

Mike

[leon]

Well thanks guys that has fixed that up, and I seriously intend to have a shot at one of these amazing star trails when at the dark site of the Vic/South star party this month.

Leon

[cookie8]

Matt,Good trial run at home before heading to Lostock. I plan to do the same as well. Two questions.
1. Was that a tiny meteor or two recorded on that shot?
2. Did you programmed it on 30sec continuous mode so you can went inside and have a cup of tea instead?

[Ric]

Lovely trails Matty.:thumbsup:

It looks like a giant wormhole opened up above your house.:lol:

[RB]

That's right Leon and as Matty said, he has no visible gaps.
This way you'll end up with a smoother sky background.

Just make sure you don't have ICNR on or you will end up with gaps.
Best to apply darks instead.

[h0ughy]

hey this is great, I love what you were able to achieve Matty

[Matty P]

Thanks Vincent. :)

You are right Vincent, I did manage to capture a meteor. Thanks for spotting it. ;)

I forgot to mention that I setup my laptop and connected the camera via USB cable. I then used the Canon Utility software to program 200 30 second subs at a four second interval.

:thumbsup:



Thanks Ric,

It is amazing how easy star trail images are to take. :)



Thanks Dave.

Glad you liked it. :thumbsup:

[Quark]

Very pleasant image indeed Matty.
Can't wait to have a decent go with my new 450D.

Have been putting it off, was going to wait until I got Images Plus, I was thinking prime focus with my scope.

Your most excellent image has reminded me of the versatility if this camera, thanks for posting it.

Regards
Trevor

[Matty P]

Thanks Trevor.

The 450D is certainly a great camera for both terrestrail and Astro imaging. I really happy that I waited a month for the 450D instead of going for another model.

Looking forward to see what you can produce with your 450D Trevor.

:thumbsup:

[Jen]

:thumbsup::thumbsup: very nice Matty :thumbsup::thumbsup:
i cant get it in my head on how the hell you guys get this pic but it looks really cool cheers :thumbsup: