Star trails stacking package for Mac/ Linux

[AndWhyNot]

So many times I've headed into a thread titled like this one and replied "there isn't one".

Well, no more.

Finally someone's combined the know-how and motivation to develop a star trails stacker that runs on Mac and Linux. It's free, it's called StarStaX and is now available for download from www.starstax.net.

The software is nothing to do with me but I have set up the flickr group for sharing results and as a forum for technical or inspiration queries at flickr.com/groups/starstax.

So, no more barriers for Apple fans to shoot star trails - let's see what you can do!

[HoHoHo]

AndWhyNot said:

So many times I've headed into a thread titled like this one and replied "there isn't one".

Well, no more.

Finally someone's combined the know-how and motivation to develop a star trails stacker that runs on Mac and Linux. It's free, it's called StarStaX and is now available for download from www.starstax.net.

The software is nothing to do with me but I have set up the flickr group for sharing results and as a forum for technical or inspiration queries at flickr.com/groups/starstax.

So, no more barriers for Apple fans to shoot star trails - let's see what you can do!

Good find - thanks

[markmullen]

Brilliant, thanks.

[curtisl]

about time!! good find.

[Fordo]

Thanks for posting the link, great find

[YorkshirePudding]

Thanks for that,

[AndWhyNot]

My first set of images run through StarStaX - it's sooo much faster than startrails.exe for Windows!

[HoHoHo]

AndWhyNot said:

My first set of images run through StarStaX - it's sooo much faster than startrails.exe for Windows!

Very good.

How many photos and what frequency?

[AndWhyNot]

HoHoHo said:

Very good.

How many photos and what frequency?

76 frames x 30 secs - ISO200 f/2.8, D300 w/ Sigma 20mm prime.

Was funny, as soon as I found the new freeware last night I packed up and went out to shoot something new. Normally I try to face opposite the pole star as your trails travel further for any given exposure duration. Also, from Southsea, facing north means shooting over the city and introducing light pollution as an issue to contend with. Once out last night I encountered an awful sea mist so I was forced to face north or go home. Time was pressing on so I went home but happened to spot this on the way. Stroke of luck!

[HoHoHo]

AndWhyNot said:

HoHoHo said:

Very good.

How many photos and what frequency?

76 frames x 30 secs - ISO200 f/2.8, D300 w/ Sigma 20mm prime.

Was funny, as soon as I found the new freeware last night I packed up and went out to shoot something new. Normally I try to face opposite the pole star as your trails travel further for any given exposure duration. Also, from Southsea, facing north means shooting over the city and introducing light pollution as an issue to contend with. Once out last night I encountered an awful sea mist so I was forced to face north or go home. Time was pressing on so I went home but happened to spot this on the way. Stroke of luck!

Thanks.

Hmm........30 second shutter speeds and Interesting that you face away from North.

My theory of 1 second intervals and a 5 second shutter speed facing north wouldn't produce similar results then.......

[AndWhyNot]

HoHoHo said:

Thanks.

Hmm........30 second shutter speeds and Interesting that you face away from North.

My theory of 1 second intervals and a 5 second shutter speed facing north wouldn't produce similar results then.......

You *can* shoot shorter exposures if you're using longer focal lengths and up against conditions such as ambient light. Think my shortest frames have been 6 or 8 or 10 seconds. Obviously it takes a toll on the camera (3-5 times as many frames as per 30sec) and it takes 3-5 times as long to stack. No major detrimental effect on the trails though.

[HoHoHo]

AndWhyNot said:

You *can* shoot shorter exposures if you're using longer focal lengths and up against conditions such as ambient light. Think my shortest frames have been 6 or 8 or 10 seconds. Obviously it takes a toll on the camera (3-5 times as many frames as per 30sec) and it takes 3-5 times as long to stack. No major detrimental effect on the trails though.

I thought tonight might be worth a go, but there's a lot of crap in the air and can't see any stars

[markmullen]

I'm looking forward to shooting some star trails on my new medium format camera and not having to worry about sensor noise.

[AndWhyNot]

markmullen said:

I'm looking forward to shooting some star trails on my new medium format camera and not having to worry about sensor noise.

Film, or the £10k Pentax digital?

Assuming film, remember to allow for reciprocity failure when calculating your exposure duration.

[Simpo Two]

HoHoHo said:

Interesting that you face away from North.

I'm no astronomer but to get the 'wheel' effect you'd have to have the Pole Star in shot, no?

[AndWhyNot]

Simpo Two said:

I'm no astronomer but to get the 'wheel' effect you'd have to have the Pole Star in shot, no?

Yes, in the shot I posted but I normally prefer to face t'other direction to give straighter trails which a) travel further through the frame and b) make the frame look more full as there are fewer visible stars around Polaris

Below: same lens, opposite geographical direction, about half the exposure duration of the Rose Gardens shot above (37 frames x 25 seconds at f/2.8).



For interest, compare the two pics: Rose Gardens - big variance across shortest to longest trails/ Lifeboat station - all trails pretty equal in length. Also the length of the trails in the lifeboat station pic is greater than most of the trails in the Rose Gardens pic despite half the exposure time.

[HoHoHo]

First attempt


Startrails by Martin_Bennett, on Flickr

Only 80 shots, 30 second shutter speeds, f2.8

[Simpo Two]

AndWhyNot said:

For interest, compare the two pics: Rose Gardens - big variance across shortest to longest trails/ Lifeboat station - all trails pretty equal in length. Also the length of the trails in the lifeboat station pic is greater than most of the trails in the Rose Gardens pic despite half the exposure time.

Actually I prefer the Rose Gardens photo - to me it's more striking and I like the way the circle matches the archway.

[HoHoHo]

Started earlier this evening...........half of the images were much lighter than I would have liked and didn't end up using them.

103 Photos

Canin 5D MKII + Canon 24-70 f.28

30 second exposure f2.8

Graduated grey filter to try and reduce glare from the house


25 April V1 by Martin_Bennett, on Flickr

[CVP]

HoHoHo said:

Good find - thanks

Echoed. Brilliant find, thank you. I hope to put it to good use in a few weeks time.

Chris