I wanted to make a star trails image with the equipment on hand. I learned that the olympus sp565uz, with standard options, can make a "bulb", long exposure image up to 8 minutes long. Using the remote cable release switch, it was no longer necessary to hold the shutter button down continuously, which usually ruins the image from all the motion it produces, not to mention giving your finger a cramp. Even though I am limited to 8 minutes, it has the advantage of clearly showing rotation in the star trails, while still maintaining the recognizeable integrity of the constellation patterns. After "twisting the night away" under the staris, I had this photo of Polaris and one quadrant of stars as they streaked past large cross monument. I labelled Polaris, upper left, which of course remains a point. From Polaris you can easily recognize the big dipper (standing on its handle directly above the cross) and the little dipper (curving down and to the right from Polaris, which marks the end of its handle). This photo illustrated and reminded me of the motto for the Carthusian order of monks: "Stat crux dum volvitur orbis," which is Latin for: The cross stands still while the world turns. Thanks to Earth Sky for all the "good stuff" that you share with us all around the world. We learn so much and enjoy it all.

Olympus sp565uz camera, in manual, bulb mode (ISO 64), with 8 minute exposure time, using a "brand x "(Cellonic) remote cable release switch compatible with this olympus sp565uz camera (replacing the Olympus RM-UC1 Remote Cable Release).