Shetland Star Trails

Star trails are a great way to show Stars in a different way. Often if you are photographing stars you are best to go for a well know constellation other wise people seem to be less impressed

 Star trails are easy to do, providing the conditions are favourable. First you need a clear night with no wind, difficult in Shetland

 The first three photos was taken at ISO800 30 seconds for 60 shots and then combined in a free software program Star trails. There are three different methods to combine photos, my favourite is the comet trails

The bottom image, photographed at Jarlshof in the south mainland is just 10 photos at ISO 800 30 second exposure

Have a great Christmas and don't forget to join Shetland Aurora Hunter on facebook

Stars over Sumburgh Shetland

Despite the light pollution from Sumburgh airport there is plenty of interest nearby. I first called off at Mossy Hill where plenty of stars showed

Its always great to see the milky way and due to its darkness this is a good place to see not only  the Milky way but Andromeda as well, showing close to the radar mast

Next stop the top of Compass Head and a look down to the airport but you can still see stars above the glow

Its almost alien like with the orange glow from the warning light on the radar globe on top of Compass Head.

Further up the hill to the bottom carpark at Sumburgh Head. The small lighthouse is the old one from Muckle Roe and it makes as a good photographic subject

Used the light from the main lighthouse to come round to illuminate to glass dome

Moon lit from the south east

Looking towards Sumburgh Lighthouse

Its coming up to the 3rd anniversary for Shetland Aurora Hunter on facebook, the only place locally to get up to-date information on the Aurora- just send a request to join