My last for 2018

[Mickoid]

With the planets heading toward the western horizon, Mars shrinking and astronomical twilight occurring later by the day, I've decided to retire my planetary efforts for 2018. There's still an opportunity to capture some decent images but not with my 8 inch Newt. So these will be my last planetary posts with this scope for this year. I have some taken with the 4 inch refractor which I may post if they look OK that I haven't processed.

I was happy to finish in good conditions on Saturday night. The full moon nearby didn't seem to bother the result I got. Mars was still disappointing but at least I got a nice clean shot of Saturn. Both were shot eyepiece projection with the Canon 550d in movie crop mode.

[Imme]

You’ve had a good year mike.
I’ve really enjoyed your planetary shots.....you definately have a knack for them!

[Lee]

Fantastic effort.... the Saturn especially is a gem....

[xelasnave]

Very impressive is all I can say other than I wish I could get a Saturn like yours.
So what imaging plans do you have for the future...your precision applied to galaxies should produce great results.
I am looking forwatd to Orion...I have taken thousands of frames years ago and yet have never got something that I was happy with but hopefully this time around something special...to me that is.
And M31 only taken one of it years ago and think the 80mm will work well on it.
Alex

[Mickoid]

Thanks Alex, I appreciate the compliments and I too hope to target M31 again soon. It will mean getting up very early or staying up very late, whichever is your preference this time of year. My goal is to take at least 40 x 90sec unguided subs, probably just after the next New Moon. My Esprit 100 frames this galaxy nicely.

[Fernando]

Beautiful!!!