skypointer2000
Linear Motion
Many people are astonished that it is possible to capture the Milky Way from a fast moving airplane without star trails. What they are not aware of, is the fact that the speed of the aircraft (linear motion) is irrelevant, due to the huge distance of the stars. Not even the much faster velocity of earth moving through space has an impact.
It is earth rotation (angular motion) that causes star trails. When flying westward, star trailing is even reduced by roughly 50%, as it has the same effect as tracking the stars at half speed.
On the other hand, most people are well aware that camera shake destroys any astrophotography. Unfortunately my 300'000 kg flying camera mount is very prone to turbulence and aerodynamic oscillations. It therefore does not happen very often that I am able to capture a sequence that allows stacking. Luckily there is an exception from time to time: Thanks to a really smooth ride during this flight over Norh Africa, I was able to stack 10 exposures. The lights on ground show the fast linear motion that leaves the stars totally unimpressed.
Prints available: ralf-rohner.pixels.com
EXIF
Canon EOS 6D astro modified
Samyang 24mm f/1.4
Mount: Boeing 777-300ER
Stack of 10 x 10s @ ISO6400 f/2
Linear Motion
Many people are astonished that it is possible to capture the Milky Way from a fast moving airplane without star trails. What they are not aware of, is the fact that the speed of the aircraft (linear motion) is irrelevant, due to the huge distance of the stars. Not even the much faster velocity of earth moving through space has an impact.
It is earth rotation (angular motion) that causes star trails. When flying westward, star trailing is even reduced by roughly 50%, as it has the same effect as tracking the stars at half speed.
On the other hand, most people are well aware that camera shake destroys any astrophotography. Unfortunately my 300'000 kg flying camera mount is very prone to turbulence and aerodynamic oscillations. It therefore does not happen very often that I am able to capture a sequence that allows stacking. Luckily there is an exception from time to time: Thanks to a really smooth ride during this flight over Norh Africa, I was able to stack 10 exposures. The lights on ground show the fast linear motion that leaves the stars totally unimpressed.
Prints available: ralf-rohner.pixels.com
EXIF
Canon EOS 6D astro modified
Samyang 24mm f/1.4
Mount: Boeing 777-300ER
Stack of 10 x 10s @ ISO6400 f/2