Jupiter 28th and 29th july

Well done Mark focus is one very important thing I forgot.

Thanks for all your comments lads,

I'll definitely take all your advice into account when I'm imaging the next time!

Mark, I'll download the gimp and see how it fairs!

Dave, I think ye could be right on the collimation issue, I'll address this problem before imaging.

Carl, i will definitely stride to improve on all my images!
:blush: :blush: Ohhh, didn't know about that....sorry!

Thanks again guys!

Hi John.
Firstly,
I think the shots you got there are very good for a first go.
Well done!

Tell me,
what scope are you using?

All the lads advice above is obviously sound.

These days there is a lot of info available on the net and
on essageboards like ours.
In fact,
Posting your shots each time and looking for ways to improve
is a fantastic way of learning the basics,
I'm sure that with the images you took there you are well on your way,,,

A few DVD's / CD's I'd highly recommend also are....

www.damianpeach.com/dvd.htm

www.astropix.com/BGDA/BGDA.HTM

&

www.astropix.com/PFA/PFA.HTM

Keep the images coming!

hey Frank,

The setup I'm using for these images is a Meade Lxd75 6" (I know it's a bit on the small side and not a good tracker), a Philips SPC900NC (toucam) and a x2 Barlow lens. I'm processing/stacking them in registax.
I would just like to add that these two images are 60 frames stacked.

Thanks for the links, I've seen a few of Damian peach's photo's - I'm surprise how much detail he can get out of such small scopes and basic equipment! I'm sure alot of effort goes into them!

Cheers Frank, hopefully if we get some good weather ill be out webcaming straight away!!

John D wrote:

hey Frank,

The setup I'm using for these images is a Meade Lxd75 6" (I know it's a bit on the small side and not a good tracker), a Philips SPC900NC (toucam) and a x2 Barlow lens. I'm processing/stacking them in registax.
I would just like to add that these two images are 60 frames stacked.

Thanks for the links, I've seen a few of Damian peach's photo's - I'm surprise how much detail he can get out of such small scopes and basic equipment! I'm sure alot of effort goes into them!

Cheers Frank, hopefully if we get some good weather ill be out webcaming straight away!!

www.amazon.co.uk/Modern-Guide-Planetary-...id=1249119163&sr=8-1
this maybe of interest to you.

John D wrote:

hey Frank,

The setup I'm using for these images is a Meade Lxd75 6" (I know it's a bit on the small side and not a good tracker),

That's a grand scope.
Don't be put off by the size...
aperature fever is incurable BTW.
:silly:

Holw come the tracking is bad,
thats a GE mount isn't it?
Even so, the tracking does not have to be totally perfect for
Planetary imaging,
although it is desirable.

John D wrote:

a Philips SPC900NC (toucam) and a x2 Barlow lens. I'm processing/stacking them in registax.
I would just like to add that these two images are 60 frames stacked.

I use the same set up.
60 frames seems to me to be very few.
Ideally you would want to have a 2min avi.
and if you are shooting at a slow FPS rate, say 15
then you should be capturing around 2000.
You'd want to be stacking a lot more than 60 to get the best
out of the avi.


John D wrote:

I've seen a few of Damian peach's photo's - I'm surprise how much detail he can get out of such small scopes and basic equipment! I'm sure alot of effort goes into them!

Damians work is in a class of it's own but from talking with him
about how it's all done, similar images could be achieved by
someone that took the same time and effort he does.
His equipment, I would consider not basic but also not OTT for
the modern astronomer.
Like anything else.
If you put in the time and effort great results can be achieved.

Some time ago I would look at images similar to his an others
and say
'Ah well feck this, I'll never get shots like that'
but now, I like to be inspired by them,
Obviously, right now,,, money is a big issue when it comes
to scopes that are atainable but I'm still happy to image away
even with my modest set up.
What matters is that you are actually out doing it and observing.
Thats the reward.

John D wrote:

hopefully if we get some good weather ill be out webcaming straight away!!

Haven't had a clear night here since!!
Bah!!: angry: