Orion as Star Trails

Hi folks,

this is to get back at all those CCD loving camera people, think you're all fancy and high-tech with all your CCD imagery because you don't use film anymore...

Anyhoo, just to show that 35mm film still takes good pictures (well, that IS depending on who takes them of course! I'm still practising), I've uploaded a photo of Orion I took back in December, in a 31 minute exposure. There is alot of green/yellow wash over the photograph, thats because I had the camera pointing in the direction of Kilbeggan 2.5 miles away. I didn't think that so much glow would wash over the photo like it has:

www.irishastronomy.org/user_resources/fi...%20star%20trails.jpg

Still, M42 comes out as an orange line, as does Betelgeuse, so I know that the glow has not affected the colour of the stars. Can anyone shed any light (geddit?!?!) on how to minimise this kind of wash, and get a darker image without the need to go digital on it, or is that just the way it goes?

Can CCD make such long trails??

Thanks,

Seanie.

Hi,
If you got the recient issues of sky and telkescope, they talk about how to take "long exposure" images of star trails, AND get a jet black background with a digital camera.
As for how to do it with a 35mm film, all you can do is shorten the exposure and use fast film.,
I've seen that greenish glow with heat damaged or old film, ones that have been sitting in the cupboard for the last 2+ years or so.
I usually get tangerine/yellow background in my long exposure 35mm shots.
Here is a shot I got of Orion a number of years ago with my Practica 35MM camera, it was piggy backed on the LX200 in altaz mode.
Its only a 5 minute shot, I wouldn't go for such a long exposure next time, even tracking in altaz mode helps reduce the trailing.

The glow is Limerick city about 6 miles away.
Incase the link doesnt work, you can find it at
homepage.eircom.net/%7Esac/graphics/const/dl8.jpg

Thanks Dave,
of course, its all about experimenting.
The film itself was fine, none of the other photographs showed sign of storage degradation. I guess thats just the way it goes. What I'm going to try soon is either 800 or 1600 speed film, and even black and white.

Seanie.

Seanie, what film did you use exactly?, A word of advice - don't even think about ISO 800 or 1600 for star trails, you will get even worse!!!, these are too fast, better to get a 200, even a 100 like Kodak Elitechrome 100 or 200, Fuji Provia100/400 would also be good. These are slide films, they take a small while longer to process than prints, but should be worth the wait!.The fast films just take up too much light. Try pointing at the north star for starters, then you'll know what your favourite film will be!

And....if at all possible, try to go to a site with a town/city at you back while facing south, that should minimise the risk of all that horrible light pollution. Here's one I shot of the Sumer Milkyway rising over a lake last year, with a town nearby. The orange glow is not sunrise!, This is with Fuji Superia 800 print film, Best of Luck! Keith..
www.irishastronomy.org/user_resources/fi...luted%20Milkyway.jpg

P.S How do you insert images under the text???

Seanie, what film did you use exactly?, A word of advice - don't even think about ISO 800 or 1600 for star trails, you will get even worse!!!.....

....P.S How do you insert images under the text???

Hi Keith,
I just used Fujifilm200 36exp. Don't know about any extra letters after it, I don't have a roll to hand!
So you reckon slide film as that you suggested would be better? Of course they will develope as prints as well as slides right??

Also, what did you mean by how do you insert images under the text?

Cheers,

Seanie.

I think he means like this:


All you need to do is copy the URL into the message box when replying, highlight the text and press "Img" in the top right corner of the page just underneath the Subject line.

BTW, beautiful pic Keith. Really nice!

Michael