When a star tracker is not properly aligned with Polaris, the effects quickly become noticeable in night sky photography, especially during long exposures. Polar alignment is critical because it allows the tracker to rotate at the same rate as the Earth, keeping stars sharp and stationary in the frame. Without accurate alignment, the tracker’s movement no longer matches the apparent motion of the sky, causing stars to drift or smear across the image. This often results in elongated or slightly curved star trails, even when exposure times are relatively short. The longer the focal length or exposure, the more pronounced the problem becomes, turning what should be crisp pinpoints of light into soft streaks. Poor alignment can also affect foreground blending, making it difficult to match tracked sky images with untracked landscapes during post-processing. In some cases, the issue may not be obvious on the camera’s rear screen, only becoming clear later when reviewing images at full resolution. Misalignment with Polaris can be caused by rushing setup, uneven ground, or limited visibility of the North Star due to trees, clouds, or terrain. Photographers may compensate by shortening exposures or increasing ISO, but this often leads to more noise and reduced image quality. Taking the time to carefully align the tracker, using a polar scope or alignment app, dramatically improves results. Understanding what happens when alignment is off reinforces the importance of precision in astrophotography, where even small errors can significantly impact the final image.