Stars Question For Ann

[kbobam]

I'm going to have to go to bed soon, and won't have enough time to devote to the meteor shower tonight.

But I did take a couple test-photos in preparation for tomorrow night.

I figured using the same technique I've used for lightning shots at night would be a good place to start.

This involves leaving the camera shutter open for thirty seconds.

Haven't seen any meteors yet, but the stars in the photos, on very close inspection, all look like little horizontal lines.

Does that sound normal for a thirty second time frame? Are we all really moving that quickly?

Thanks in advance if I don't get a chance to get back to you until tomorrow evening.

[sclsu]

I know this was for ann, but meteors travel at speeds of over 25,000 mph, so they most likely will look like streaks of light in most pics.

[lstmmrbls]

Yes a 30 second exposure could result in tiny lines for stars

[ann]

Yep, what they said. We're moving, the stars are moving, the meteors are moving, all at different speeds. And the distance to different stars can make a difference, too.

The Persieds come in at about one a minute, on average . . .

[kbobam]

It was a funny few moments for me!

First, I'm looking at the image and wondering what I did 'wrong'.

Then, as it started to dawn on me what the explanation might be, I

started laughing at myself and thinking "You've got to be bleeping kidding me!"

Just hadn't considered this possibility at all in advance.

After that, even though I hadn't come up with anything new, just having this 'proof'

right in front of me made me feel like I'd made the greatest discovery of all time!

[lstmmrbls]

Point your camera at the north star and leave the lens open for a while. The result will really amaze you!

[kbobam]

Which direction do I have to look to see it?

But I'll definitely try that. This whole situation has opened up a lot of

questions that I didn't even realize I needed to know the answers to.

So if I'm going to do a bunch of test photos of stars, that would

probably be a good one.

[ann]

After that, even though I hadn't come up with anything new, just having this 'proof'

right in front of me made me feel like I'd made the greatest discovery of all time!

'S why I like stars /n' stuff!

[lstmmrbls]

I will never forget the night as a child we set up a telescope someone lent Pops and saw the rings of Saturn.

[ann]

I know -- isn't that insane?? The first time I did that I kept looking away and then looking back, while some little hysterical part of my mind kept squealing "I'm really looking at it, it's not a picture, or a movie, or -- or -- "

[lstmmrbls]

Exactly!!!