The Best Star Trackers for Milky Way Photography
Star trackers are a great astronomy tool to capture stunning images of the night sky. Whether you have years of experience with DSLR photography or just starting out, this guide will give you the best options on what star tracker to choose as you get started on your astrophotography journey.
How a Star Tracker Works
A star tracker spins the camera in the opposite direction to counteract with the Earth’s motion, allowing you to take long exposures without seeing star trails. The ability to take long exposures is important because it allows you to capture those faint details and structures.
Now that you know a little more about how star trackers work, let's take a look at the best ones!
The Best Star Trackers for Milky Way Photography
Sky-Watcher Star Adventurer Pro Pack
The Sky-Watcher Star Adventurer mount is a high-precision, portable, and stable celestial tracking platform for sidereal, solar, and lunar tracking. It is designed to work with your DSLR camera and includes pre-programmed parameters that will help you create beautiful astronomy photos and videos. When you are ready to upgrade, the Star Adventurer can carry a small refractor telescope!
iOptron SkyGuider Pro Camera Mount with iPolar
Capture stunning clear images of the universe with the iOptron SkyGuider Pro Camera Mount.It provides precise alignment thanks to its iPolar technology allowing you to take even longer exposures! The SkyGuider Pro is a sturdy and reliable mount with quick slew mode for both forward and reverse directions. When you are ready to upgrade, the iOptron SkyGuider Pro can carry a small refractor telescope!
Omegon Mini Track LX2 NS Mechanical Tracking Mount
The Omegon Mini Track works via clockwork, so no batteries are needed! The mount will track stars for 60 minutes. It's highly portable, so you can take this mount with you anywhere in the world. It's compatible with both the Northern and Southern Hemisphere.
If you want to maximize your image results, check out these best accessories for Milky Way photography to optimize your gear.
Which star tracker do you like from the list? Let us know in the comments below.
Clear skies!
