Plan fixed-tripod star trails at any latitude: trail arc vs declination, interval stack frame count, FOV coverage, and low-latitude Polaris tips.
Frequently asked questions
How long should a star trail session be?
A 45–90 minute session at tropical latitudes already makes a dramatic arc. This planner converts session length and target declination into degrees of trail and an interval-stack frame count for your shutter and gap settings.
Can I shoot concentric trails around Polaris from Guyana?
Not really. Near 6°N Polaris sits only a few degrees above the northern horizon, so concentric circles are impractical. Frame south for flowing diagonal arcs instead, the planner flags when a target is effectively circumpolar.
Should I use one long exposure or many short ones?
Interval stacking (many shorter frames) is more forgiving for airplanes, battery, and noise. Enter your shutter, gap, and total session length to see how many frames the stack needs.