-" for( float j = 1.0; j <= 4.1; j += 1.0 ){\n"
-" float m = mix(0.6, 0.9, smoothstep(1.0, 2.0, j));\n"
-" star += stars( ray_dir, 1.94 * pow( 1.64, j ), m ) * (1.0 / pow(4.0, j));\n"
+" float star_blend = 10.0*max(0.0,(1.0-g_day_phase*2.0));\n"
+"\n"
+" if( star_blend > 0.001 ){\n"
+" for( float j = 1.0; j <= 4.1; j += 1.0 ){\n"
+" float m = mix(0.6, 0.9, smoothstep(1.0, 2.0, j));\n"
+" star += stars( ray_dir, 1.94 * pow( 1.64, j ), m ) * (1.0/pow(4.0, j));\n"
+" }\n"