first go at solar system imaging: Asteroids (1619) Ueta and (115850) 2003 UN268

[PhotonCollector]

Here's one way to make my debut in to the Solar System images forum. It's an an image of two asteroids moving through the nebula IC 4603.

The asteroids (Minor Planets) were identified by STAR Atlas PRO to be (1619) Ueta at V.Mag 16.9 and (115850) 2003 UN268 V.Mag 20.9

There's a better res. image here
http://www.skylab.com.au/pmsa/IC4603.html

Imaging Details

Field of View: ~45 arc-mins. wide.
Telescope: 12-inch f/5 GSO newtonian telescope on Sampson GEM.
Guiding: Hand guided with 4.5-inch f/18 guidescope.
Camera: Canon EOS 300D Digital - Hα enabled.
Exposures: 7 x 4-minute exposures @ ISO200 on 19th June.
plus 7 x 2-minute exposures @ ISO800 on 19th June.
Total Exposure time: 42 minutes.
Filter/equipment:
Baader 2" Multi-Purpose Coma Corrector.
Baader 2" UV/IR Cut Filter.
Processing: Dark frame subtraction, bias and flat-fielded in Iris,
smoothed in Noiseware CE.
Exposure Date: 2006, June 19th (Asteroids) and 24th.

[Dennis]

That is an excellent image of some quite difficult objects. :thumbsup: The backdrop of IC 4603 in particular adds quite an extraordinary dimension to this challenging project.

Well done and thanks for the comprehensive details.:thumbsup:

Dennis

[[1ponders]]

Excellent Paul. That's four of us now :lol: Getting to the stage where we'll need our own forum :) Catching asteroids is good fun. :thumbsup:

[h0ughy]

well done Paul!

[Greg Bryant]

Paul,

That's a fascinating image. 1619 Ueta was discovered in 1953, whereas it took the might of the LINEAR survey to pick up 2003 UN268 three years ago.

And yet you've picked it with up with easily obtainable amateur equipment. A great shot indeed!

[PhotonCollector]

Thanks for your comments.

I wanted to image an asteroid - so I used STAR Atlas PRO to figure out where there may be one that has a deep sky object in the field as well. After a while of searching the charts, I found Ueta was near IC4603 along with the other fainter asteroid that I did not expect to see as it was fainter than Mag. 20 at the time. So I was quite delighted that it did infact appear on the image as well as Ueta.

clear skies
Paul M

[RB]

Excellent and what a debut !!!!

:clap:

[ving]

you going to do more? thats a fantastic image!!!! :D

[PhotonCollector]

More? Probably not with the same frequency I do deep sky objects, but yes!

[tornado33]

Good stuff Paul
Im wondering if leaving the IR filter off would make asteroids brighter, I might try that at some stage and see if they are brighter, as they are reflected sunlight.
Scott

[iceman]

Wow, excellent result Paul. Just beautiful.

[venus]

amazing stuff, you can actually track such faint objects with the STAR Atlas PRO, next will be tracking spacecraft on it's journey to Mars!

[Robert_T]

love it! excellent and unusual combo, never thought of imaging asteroids, and what a backdrop upon which to do it!!:thumbsup:

[netwolf]

Excellent Asteroids, i am still trying to get planets... if only the earth woudl stand still and then i could image what i needed with my dob. Paul i have been meaing to aks did you customise the worm gears on your Samson mount or add new ones or are they the originals. I actualy enquired with Astro optical about that mount after seeing your website but the dont make em anymore. Darn it.

Regards.

[PhotonCollector]

Geeday netwolf,

No I didn't customise the worm gears, but I did customise gears to adapt the Argo Navis to the mount. Yes unfortunately AOS don't make the mount anymore - I have been looking around for what other mounts I could buy that would carry a 12-inch 'scope and a 4.5-inch guidescope - (about 30kg) - but just can't seem to find one that has that type of load capacity (without sending tens of thousands of dollars to the US).

The Skywatcher EQ6 looks like it comes close - but it seems too light in it's construction (to maintain portablility I guess) - for example my mount has 32mm diameter steel axis shafts seated on needle bearings and a 6-inch diameter RA drive wheel all mounted on an pier!

When I look at new consumer mounts I don't see any big drive wheels (like those from Ed Byers Co.), which makes me wonder how accurate their tracking must be - I mean they all seem to use tiny little spur gears? eek! that must give those autoguiders a real work out. :P

Anyhow please feel free to contact me further to discuss this.

Paul M

[PhotonCollector]

Thank you everyone for your kind comments,

bloody great to have you all send so many rewarding comments.

I never had a real interest in imaging Asteroids until I was wandering through STAR Atlas PRO and saw that two asteroids were close to the nebula - my ethusiam burst - and I fell out the back door into the observatory to begin imaging....

thanks guys ('n gals).

:thumbsup:

Paul Mayo

[ving]

we want more!!!! :)

[PhotonCollector]

Then MORE you shall have....

:D

Paul M

[xelasnave]

Paul are sure you are not downloading from the Hubble site:D ...no I know you are not ..I compared and your images are better:eyepop: .
Terrific mate as always you keep those images coming I will take care of the superlatives:thumbsup:
alex

[PhotonCollector]

Hey alex,
:hi:
Now they told me at the Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI) that no one would ever know I've been getting images from the Hubble. So how the heck did you find out ?

:rofl:

But seriously, people like you and your gratious comments make the hobby ever so more inspiring. thanks.

Paul M

[xelasnave]

ever tried nailing the space station? I saw a foto once and it blew me away the detail. That would have to be a challenging task.
And there is nothing like praise, recognition and validation to make one feel splendid.
alex

[PhotonCollector]

Space Station? no I haven't. I don't think that would be possible with my non-slewing telescope mount - but then again if it were coming from the right approach angle and I had a video camera attached to the scope - yep it might be possible ...hmmm....

Paul M