1. Announcements
After a short lecture we will adjourn to the Farm. We will try making star trails tonight.
Tomorrow night is a 1st Quarter Observing Night. Set-up will start around 6:30pm.
Class will not meet Thursday.

2. Making Star Trails

3. Basic Requirements Camera with wide-angle lens Remote Sturdy tripod
Extra memory

4. Making Star Trails requires patients
A good star trail can require several hours of imaging. Much of it can be automated, but…

5. Star trails with film was easy
Step 1: load film
Step 2: mount camera on tripod
Step 3: point and focus
Step 4: lock shutter open.
Step 5: close shutter
Step 6: develop film

6. Star trails with digital cameras requires multiple exposures

7. Star Trail images require calibration
At a minimum, use dark frames
If possible, use flat frames, too.
Calibration and image stacking can be done with MaxIm or similar programs

8. You can do just star trails

9. The best star trails are composed

10. Sometimes it’s all about timing

11. Star trails are a good way to capture meteor showers

12. Star trails are easy to do on vacation

13. More vacation Star Trails