Image: Andrew Stawarz
A star trail is a star’s movement photographed over time. It is not visible to the human eye so getting a picture right requires expertise, skill and patience. The following stunning pictures of star trails reveal the hidden paintings created by the movement of the stars, night after night.
When taking pictures of stars, the regular point-and-shoot method (i.e. a short exposure time) will result in a static picture of stars as points of light – the ones we see with the naked eye. The longer the exposure of the picture, the longer the star trail will be. This is because stars appear to move after 15 seconds, though actually it’s the Earth’s rotation that makes them seem to move. A good camera lens is also important as the longer the focal length, the more movement one will catch.
Amazing star trails captured in Hokkaido, Japan:
Image: Daita Saru
Freelance photographer Dan Heller offers a good explanation of why star trails are special phenomena:
“What most people don’t understand about light is that the human eye doesn’t discern between the chemical compounds that make up light. Humans view a very narrow spectrum. Cameras, on the other hand, can pick up light wavelengths that is composed of chemical compounds like helium, hydrogen, and so on. These chemicals change the “color” of light that that we can’t easily see, but cameras can. … Stars in the sky are different—they are made up of gasses that are comprised of these chemical compounds that emit colors that we can’t see, but cameras can. So, the “hues” you may see in photos of stars may appear vivid, but that does not mean it’s been artificially altered.”
There are two options for taking pictures of star trails: Either taking one long-exposure photograph or taking dozens of pictures and merging them into one. Regardless of what method one chooses, a lot of patience and some photographic experience is required. The better the camera, the better the long exposure facility should be. Even though taking individual shots sounds like a lot of work, it is made a bit easier with software or plug-ins that automate the process.
Here’s a great example of multiple short-exposure shots. Only nine photographs of 30 seconds each were taken to capture these short star trails. Notice how well the car lights on the road got captured.
Road to Nowhere?
Image: Aitor Escauriaza
Star trails appear concentric because rather than being a reflection of their own movement, they are a reflection of the Earth’s daily rotation around its axis.
Perfect circles in Big Bear, CA:
Image: Bill S.
Star trails photographed at the mission in San Miguel, CA:
Image: Kevin Cole
The next shot was taken from the Matsell Natural Bridge Area in Linn County, IA. What looks like the early morning sun rising are actually the city lights from Cedar Rapids and Iowa City.
Amazing star trails over a snowy landscape close to Stone City, IA:
Image: Robert Wolterman
Star trails over the Walpurgis Church close to Forchheim in southern Germany:
Image: Udo Kügel
The stunning image of star trails below is actually the result of 102 individual long-exposure photographs merged into one. Wow! Taken in Thurston, England, on a frosty night.
Like a celestial whirlpool:
Image: Andrew Stawarz
The photograph below is the result of a 52-minute exposure coupled with the scenic beauty of Jalama Beach in Santa Barbara County, CA. Don’t miss the face in the rock on the left!
Suck me into the vortex:
Image: Andrew Livingston
The terrific image below is the result of 57 photographs, taken within 1 hour and 15 minutes at Cascade Lock, OR, and then merged into one.
A true beauty – don’t miss the two shooting stars:
Star trails over the Gemini Observatory at Oxford University:
Image: Gemini Science UK
Star trails over Duchesne, UT:
One night at the Gemini South Observatory, Chile:
Image: Elke Schulz
Most likely two different pictures merged with Photoshop but still pretty:
There are tons of tutorials and helpful websites out there on the Net, so if you’re inspired, get your gear, a scenic spot and a hot thermos. Who knows, your picture might be featured next.
We’ll even throw in a free album.