Night Sight starry sky update release for Pixel 3 and 3a

Today we're looking at a wide variety of features released for the Google Pixel 4. One of the most interesting camera features revealed for the Google Pixel 4 will also be available for the Google Pixel 3 and Google Pixel 3a. That also includes the Google Pixel 3 XL – and it has a whole lot to do with the devices' already-active Night Sight feature.

With the latest update to Google's Pixel 3 series, there'll be a new ability in the deepest, darkest night. When the user points their device up toward the night sky – assuming it's a clear sky above – they'll see a new ability to capture the stars.

Per Google's latest release on the features included with the Google Pixel 4, "Night Sight already takes beautiful photos in full darkness, and now you can use Night Sight for shots of the night sky, the stars, and even the Milky Way (when you find a clear night)," said a Google representative. "Pixel 3 and 3a will also get a version of this capability with the latest camera app update."

You won't be able to capture a high-quality photo of the stars with just your hands and arms holding the device steady. You can sure TRY to do this, but we wouldn't recommend it. If you want to capture the most high-quality photo you're able, you'll want to prop your phone up against something stable.

The new feature in the Google Pixel 3 and 3a and 3 XL is more than just a longer exposure – but it's mainly a longer exposure. Google's added some of their own "software magic" as they say, but it'll still require some potentially long-lasting still-sitting times for the camera. Exposure times can last over 4 minutes in the most extreme cases.

To attempt to capture some stars, make sure you've got the latest software update on your Google Pixel 3 series smartphone and wait until deepest, darkest night. Assuming there are stars to be seen, you should be able to capture a fabulous piece of photography.

NOTE: At the time this article is set to go live, the update for the camera may not yet be released for all users. It'll be here soon! Once your update is live, it should show a little note "Hold phone still to capture stars" before that feature will work.