Mars or bust! 29/07/2005

[iceman (Mike)]

Last night I said to myself, tomorrow morning you WILL get up early, go out in the cold, and image Mars.

It's been 2.5 months since I last attempted the red planet, here was my mediocre attempt back then, without tracking.

Luckily the weather was kind, no clouds, Mars well placed and ready for an attempt.

Unfortunately I spent most of the time mucking around with the EQ platform trying to get it aligned properly so that Mars would stay in the FOV. As a result, I only got 2 workable avi's of it before it slipped behind a tree.

Anyway here's the results - i'm fairly pleased with them. The images on the right are from the simulation program "Mars Previewer II".

Images stacked and wavelets processed in registax, and deconvoluted in AstraImage.

Comments welcome

[toetoe (Peter)]

Nothing wrong with them pics Mike, the only way i can see the planet at this time is looking at any picsyou guys post. Keep em coming.

[slice of heaven]

Thats a big difference in shots , comparing to the older shots.
Youve plenty of detail on these ones Mike.
I've been wondering how the MPII would compare to an image, thanks for posting side by side.

[rumples riot]

NOt bad Mike, need to do the same myself and get out there.

[davidpretorius]

Very nice Mike,

Had a look thru the new scope last night, but having trouble with the 2" crayford, toucam and 1.25" adapter as it seems to run out out room ie can't turn the focusing knob any further!

Any ideas?

http://www.precons.com/iis/gallery/2...ed%20small.wmv

[ving (David)]

yup dave, pull it out of the focuser a touch... i have to do that to one of my EPs.

fairly happy with them?
they are great mike. theres a whole heap of detail there!
congrats

[davidpretorius]

Thanks ving,

still new to the crayford, do i move 2" to 1.25" adapter out a bit or the larger tube closer to the body of the scope?

[davidpretorius]

read the response from ving in more detail next time. pull the adapter out of the focuser a touch..........

answered my question. thanks again.

just an aside does a barlow have a 2" thread at the eye end that you screw your 1.25" to 2" adapter that comes with the scope.

i am assuming with the barlow that i go

toucam with 1.25" adapter onto a filter onto the 1.25" to 2" adapter onto the 2" barlow and then into the focuser?


god this is fun!!!

Originally Posted by ving

yup dave, pull it out of the focuser a touch... i have to do that to one of my EPs.

fairly happy with them?
they are great mike. theres a whole heap of detail there!
congrats

[asimov (John)]

They look pretty good to me Mike! well done mate.

[gbeal]

Nice Mike, very nice.
If anything you have made us all want to get out in the cold.
What a difference that platform has made huh?

[astro-angel]

Good shots mike,
I hope i can do as well....( if my camera ever arrives ) you rock

[ving (David)]

Originally Posted by davidpretorius

read the response from ving in more detail next time. pull the adapter out of the focuser a touch..........

answered my question. thanks again.

er... no problem. I did actually mean to pull the EP out a touch from the adapter but it works the same as pulling the adapter out.
glad to be of service

[Striker (Tony)]

Nice stuff Mike....If only I new what "deconvoluted in AstraImage" means....lol

[acropolite (Phil)]

It may be worth trying a parfocal ring on the toucam (if it will fit) and when you have worked out how far to withdraw the toucam to achieve the focus that you had with the EP then tighten the ring.

[iceman (Mike)]

ooh that's a nice idea!