Easy DSLR Astrophotography Tutorial: Sirius Star Trails

Tutorial: How to use your DSLR for an easy and fun astrophotography project for a beginner or expert on a windy night: Sirius Star Trails.
Clear nights with crazy wind can be very frustrating, but if you still want to get out there and be creative, try recording the bright sparkling light of Sirius on a color sensor and see what results you get.
No guiding!
No calibration!
No stacking!
Many thanks to Steve 'Sirius' Brown for this awesome idea.
Follow Steve on Twitter: / sjb_astro
and check out his CZcams here: / @sjbastro
My Equipment:
Telescope: Celestron RASA 8 (usually)
Orion SkyView Pro 8" (this video)
Imaging Camera: ZWO ASI1600MM Pro (usually)
Nikon D800 (this video)
Mount: iOptron CEM40 (usually)
Orion SkyView Pro
Normally, but not this time:
Filters: 2" Baader RGB and f/2 3.5/4nm Narrowband SHO
Guide Camera: ZWO ASI290MM Mini
Guide Scope: Orion 60mm Guide Scope with Helical Focuser
ZWO ASIAir Plus
ZWO EAF (Electronic Automatic Focuser)
Twitter: / nickjlake
Insta: / nickjlake
Astrobin: www.astrobin.com/users/bortle9/
Video shot on Nikon D800 and Pixel 4 XL
Rode Wireless Go microphone system
Smartphone app: Stellarium Plus
Photographs of the universe, with galaxies, stars, nebulae, supernovas, comets, planets, Moon, Sun. Inspiring wonder about the night sky, even from the light pollution of Chicago.

[@daansteegmans]

Very interesting and creative angle of astrophotography! Thanks for sharing! :))

[@LogansAstro]

Very cool idea - very neon sign-like result

[@WindyCityAstrophotography]

Thanks! You never know what you're going to get!

[@RussellsAstrophotography]

Haha I feel your pain, although I always forget to check the wind! Cool video Nick, love the final image. I’ll definitely give this a go soon.

[@WindyCityAstrophotography]

Thanks! Yeah it is always the last thing I check and usually the most heartbreaking 🤣

[@AZ4Runner]

That is pretty cool Nick! Looks like you have the Orion 8inch f4.9 Reflector and the skyview pro mount. I still have my Orion 8 inch Newt too. This was thinking outside the box, and really cool. I might have to give it a go! Clear skies.

[@WindyCityAstrophotography]

Thanks! Yes correct, that is my visual scope since 2004. At some point I will grab a coma corrector for it and maybe replace the focuser and do some "real" astrophotography with it on my CEM40. Got some OK images from it back in the day, though!

[@DSOImager]

Wind on a clear night... there is no greater troll :(
Looks like a fun project on a bad night :)

[@WindyCityAstrophotography]

Ha! That's a good way to put it 😆

[@JonnyBravo0311]

Not something I've ever considered... but it has me reaching for my Lumix G9 and the adapter for my GT81 LOL.

[@WindyCityAstrophotography]

Right? Desperate times... 😆

[@josed7576]

I have done this not even knowing what I was doing well sort of except my camera was mounted to my telescope the blues I got were colors my brother told me were hard for camera to see.

[@WindyCityAstrophotography]

So cool! Amazing what you can capture by accident!