Those of you, residents of Chennai or who went to college in Chennai, I know I got your attention. ;) I have come across the name Stella Maris, so many times while living in India but never thought of associating it with Astronomy. As a student in Chennai, Stella Maris had only one meaning for me ;)
Few years ago, while volunteering as the Science Olympiad Astronomy coach at Swetha and Shreya's middle school, stumbled upon the Latin meaning of "Stella Maris" and was pleasantly surprised! The real meaning of "Stella Maris" is "Star of the Sea" and it refers to the star, Polaris aka North Star aka Pole Star. Since Stella Maris lies very close to earth's spinning axis, it is almost motionless in the night sky. No wonder, ancient mariners used Stella Maris as a fixed guiding star for navigating the oceans.
Why is all this story for a Star trails photo? When you look at this photo, the star at the center of the concentric circles is Stella Maris. As earth rotates, all the stars seem to revolve around Stella Maris.
Few years ago, while volunteering as the Science Olympiad Astronomy coach at Swetha and Shreya's middle school, stumbled upon the Latin meaning of "Stella Maris" and was pleasantly surprised! The real meaning of "Stella Maris" is "Star of the Sea" and it refers to the star, Polaris aka North Star aka Pole Star. Since Stella Maris lies very close to earth's spinning axis, it is almost motionless in the night sky. No wonder, ancient mariners used Stella Maris as a fixed guiding star for navigating the oceans.
Why is all this story for a Star trails photo? When you look at this photo, the star at the center of the concentric circles is Stella Maris. As earth rotates, all the stars seem to revolve around Stella Maris.
This is a series of 93 photos taken in quick succession and put together. Each photo was exposed for 30 seconds. The long exposure time, camera settings and processing makes the sky look more bluish. The crescent moon was shining little bit reducing the number of stars visible. Otherwise, the concentric trails will be much denser and closer together.
Awesome!! U must soon direct a movie with all what you have.....and team up with National Geographic channel, and don't forget I'm ur Best Cousin!!
ReplyDelete:) :) :) Thanks Shobh!!! I wish the movie going public is as kind as you :) Also remember, you haven't been to this place in this foto for couple of years now :)
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