Datahopa
Heavens Above => Astronomy & Near Earth Phenomena => Topic started by: DaveMorton on April 21, 2013, 11:02:22 AM
Well, I was finally able to get the telescope/camera to produce an image that's at least nominally recognizable. It's not much, and needs a lot of work, but at least it's a start.
You can just make out 4 of Jupiter's moons there (the 4th is barely visible, to the lower right). While not visible in the image, Io is making it's way across Jupiter's disk, in a transit. I was really hoping to be able to capture that particular detail, but I'm afraid I don't have the magnification to do so, yet. But I have more lenses/other kit on the way, so maybe next time. :)
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Im glad to see you got it working and managed to grab a pic for us.
Looks good to me for the first attempt.
Nicely done and thanks :thumbsup:
Nice :thumbsup:
Nothing to say but "Great!" 8)
Do you do a dark shot first and then subtract that from your actual shot?
I have done this with modified webcams and a handy black bin liner to go over the 'scopes front end.
This generally gives better contrast so those faint dots come out better. It also cuts down any (constant) noise from the CCD. Only rule is if you main exposure is 2 secs then make your dark shot 2 secs also.
This is what Pete (my friend with the 8" Meade) managed to get out of his 'scope looking at Jupiter (http://www.pdenny.co.uk/photos/NexImageImages/phpshow.php?newGD&slides&0).
This is from a heavily light polluted town, using an image stacker from a video (webcam).
I'm impressed.
He uses 'Astro Stack' for video for webcams and 'Deep Sky Stacker' for DSLR stills. He uses a Cannon D60 (I think) not sure of the webcam but it appears to be one of these (http://www.wexphotographic.com/buy-celestron-neximage-5-solar-system-imager/p1533115?cm_mmc=googlebase-extension-_-astronomy-accessories-_-astronomy-ccds-_-celestron-neximage-5-solar-system-imager_1533115&utm_source=googlebase-extension&gclid=cizv8f_l3lycfzlktaodgwoasw).
I noticed your 'scope has a fair amount of weights to balance it. An 'S' meat hook and dumbbell weights are a handy counter balance for the camera if needed.