Star trails
Also known as: star trail time-lapse, StarLapse
Curved lines of stars that appear when many long exposures of the night sky are combined, showing the rotation of the earth over time.
Updated
What it means
As the earth rotates, the stars appear to move across the sky in arcs around the celestial pole. A single short exposure freezes them as points of light. Stacking many long exposures, or one very long exposure, records their movement as bright curved lines called star trails.
Some action cameras and phones include a mode that builds star trails automatically, either as a single image or as a video where the trails grow longer with every frame. GoPro and others offer such modes as part of their night lapse tools.
Pointing toward the celestial pole, north in the northern hemisphere, makes the stars circle around a single point.
How it works in practice
You need darkness, clear skies and patience. Get away from city lights, wait for a moonless night or let the moon set, and mount the camera on a stable tripod with an interesting foreground such as a mountain, a tent or a tree.
Sessions usually last from 30 minutes to a few hours. Longer sessions make longer trails but need more battery, so external power helps. A clean lens and protection from dew keep the image sharp all night.
The resulting clip works as a dramatic intro, transition or ending in a travel edit, often next to a time-lapse sunrise.
What to watch out for
Small action camera sensors gather limited light, so only the brightest stars appear. Expect fewer, thinner trails than from a large-sensor camera.
Light pollution, passing cars and headlamps add unwanted glows and streaks. Find the darkest spot available and warn companions not to shine lights near the camera.
Planes and satellites leave straight lines through the trails. Some editors remove them, but many people leave them as part of the scene. Dew on the lens slowly fogs the image, so check it before leaving the camera for long, and bring a spare battery for a second attempt.
How RawClip handles it
RawClip works with the exported video, not the individual frames. Upload your finished star trail clip with the rest of your footage, and the AI can place it as a calm moment in your highlight.