Are stars not visible in space?

When we see photos taken from the International Space Station (ISS) or during the Apollo moon landings, one thing seems to be missing—stars! These images show astronauts, spacecraft, and planetary surfaces, but the vast cosmos appears completely black. This has led some to question: Are stars not visible in space?

The short answer is: Stars are visible in space, but they are difficult to capture in photographs.

Why Don’t We See Stars in Space Photos?

The reason stars don’t appear in many space images comes down to exposure settings in cameras. Taking a picture of an object in space, such as an astronaut, a spacecraft, or the Moon’s surface, requires a short exposure time and a narrow aperture to avoid overexposing the bright foreground.

1. Short Exposure Times

Most space photos are taken with a fast shutter speed to properly expose bright objects, like the Moon or spacecraft. Stars, however, are much dimmer compared to these bright surfaces. Because of this, the camera doesn’t collect enough light from the stars, making them invisible in the image.

2. High Contrast Between Light and Dark

Space is an extreme environment when it comes to lighting. The Sun’s light reflects off objects like the Moon or the ISS, making them incredibly bright. Cameras adjust to this brightness, similar to how your eyes adjust when stepping outside on a sunny day. Just as you don’t see stars when looking at a bright sky, cameras don’t pick them up when capturing well-lit subjects in space.

3. Human Eyes vs. Cameras

Astronauts aboard the ISS or those who walked on the Moon have reported seeing stars when they looked away from bright objects and allowed their eyes to adjust. Unlike cameras, our eyes naturally adapt to different lighting conditions, meaning astronauts can see stars when not focused on the bright lunar surface or their spacecraft.

Capturing Stars in Space Photos

To photograph stars from space, a camera needs to be set up for long-exposure photography. This means using a longer shutter speed to gather enough light from distant stars. Many astrophotographers on Earth use this technique to capture stunning images of the night sky. NASA and other space agencies do take long-exposure photos in space, such as those from the Hubble Space Telescope, which reveal breathtaking views of galaxies and nebulae.

Conclusion

The stars are absolutely visible in space, but capturing them in photographs requires the right settings. The lack of stars in many space images doesn’t mean they aren’t there—it just means the camera wasn’t set to capture them. So next time you see a starless space photo, remember: it’s not that the stars are missing, it’s just that they’re too faint for a quick snapshot!