Satellites create beautiful streaks of light in long-exposure photographs. The ISS, Starlink trains, and other bright satellites can all be captured with surprisingly modest equipment — even a smartphone on a tripod.
Equipment You Need
At minimum: a camera capable of long exposures (10–30 seconds) and a stable tripod or surface. A DSLR or mirrorless camera with manual controls gives you the most flexibility, but modern smartphones in "night mode" or "pro mode" can produce impressive results.
Recommended Camera Settings
| Setting | DSLR / Mirrorless | Smartphone |
|---|---|---|
| Mode | Manual (M) | Pro / Night mode |
| ISO | 400–1600 | 400–800 |
| Aperture | f/2.8–f/4 (as wide as your lens allows) | Auto |
| Shutter Speed | 10–30 seconds | 10–30 seconds |
| Focus | Manual — set to infinity (∞) | Tap a bright star to lock focus |
| Format | RAW (for post-processing flexibility) | Highest quality |
Step-by-Step Technique
1. Know Your Pass
Use Orbital Radar's Sat Pass tool to find the exact time, direction, and elevation of the satellite pass. Brighter passes (lower magnitude numbers) produce better photos.
2. Set Up Early
Arrive at your location 10–15 minutes before the pass. Set up your tripod, frame your shot (including interesting foreground if possible), focus on a bright star, and take a test exposure to check your settings.
3. Start Exposing Before the Pass
Begin your exposure 10–20 seconds before the satellite is due to enter your frame. A 20–30 second exposure will capture the satellite as a bright streak across the star field.
4. Stack for Longer Trails
For dramatic long streaks, take multiple consecutive exposures and stack them in post-processing using free software like StarStax or Sequator. This creates a composite showing the satellite's full path across the sky.
Common Mistakes
Forgetting to focus. Auto-focus struggles in darkness. Always manually focus on a bright star or use the infinity mark on your lens.
Too much light pollution. Move away from streetlights and urban glow. Even a short drive to a darker location dramatically improves results.
Wrong direction. Double-check the pass direction. An ISS pass might start in the southwest and end in the northeast — make sure your camera is aimed at the right part of the sky.