Jupiter from Brisbane 16/05/2008 3:59am

[edwardsdj]

Hi All,

I've finally imaged the GRS :)

There was much intermittent cloud but there was a brief window of reasonable conditions around 4am.

I still need more practice with processing but am thrilled to have finally imaged the GRS.

Thanks for looking.

Have fun,
Doug

Details:

16/05/2008
03:59am (UT+10)
C8
Ultima 2x barlow and extension
7m focal length
SPC900NC - 10fps
Separate processing of RGB channels
700 of 1200 frames stacked in Registax 4
Wavelets in Registax 4
Levels and Brightness/contrast in GIMP
Minor unsharp mask in GIMP

[edwardsdj]

Sorry to get the wrong month in the thread title. Can I fix this?

[Robert_T]

Doug, I don't recall ever seeing anyone's output start at such a high level and go up as quickly as yours has. :thumbsup:You're already squeezing top class joops from your C8. This is great, the only thing letting it down is a slight degree of over-exposure in the equatorial region.

cheers,

Rob

[netwolf]

Well done on this, the red spot really stands out and you can see the swirls in side it.
For your title try Edit your post then click advance edit and you should be able to change your title.

[iceman]

That's a great image!

As Rob said, watch for the overexposing of the equatorial region. Are you using k3ccdtools? Are you using the white level meter?

Can you post the result after stacking alone and before any wavelets are applied?

Excellent result, and I reckon could stand up to some extra post-processing too.

[Garyh]

Very nice from a C8 doug!
Well done!

[Matty P]

A very impressive Joop Doug, you should be very proud. You have come along way in a very short period of time.

Apart from the overexposed area you have done a great job.

Looking forward for more.

:thumbsup:

[Lester]

Top image Doug.

I sometimes get burn-out in the centre and get rid of it in curves. Adjust the top right corner line down until the burn-out is gone.

[edwardsdj]

Thanks so much Mike :)



The overexposing of the equatorial region is of great concern to me in every image too. I am using K3CCDTools and I adjust the default meter that is displayed to between 220 and 230. Is the "white level meter" another feature I should be aware of? Should I be aiming for more like 195 to 205?



Unfortunately, I didn't save the stacked images before wavelets for the image I posted. Have just done fresh ones for the red, green and blue channels and attached them though. I tried to get them as close as possible to the original (best 700 of 1200 frames).

I'd really appreciate anyone taking the time to process these.



And I thought it was overprocessed. I have so much to learn about processing :)

I really have to sleep now, but will get back to everyone else tomorrow.

[davidpretorius]

very nice Doug. any reason it has been flipped from left to right ie the LRS and red jnr should be on the right of the GRS for another month or so.

that little C8 rules!

[edwardsdj]

Thanks for your kind comments Rob. I'm going to try a bit less gain during capture next time.



Thanks for looking Fahim. I have been able to edit the thread title now :)



Thanks Garyh.



Thanks Matty. I'm keen to improve exposure in the equatorial region on my next attempt.



Thanks heaps for the advice and the encouragement Lester. I always get burnout in the centre so I assume I need to reduce the gain a bit during capture.

[edwardsdj]

Hi David,

Thanks so much for looking. I'm amazed with the resolution possible with the C8 myself. I'm sure it is capable of even more :)

The image is flipped because I'm using a star diagonal as an extension. I'm just improvising with what is in my accessory box already. I should really flip them back before posting.

Take care,
Doug

[AlexN]

Two enthusiastic thumbs up mate!

Very nice image, definately a keeper!

[netwolf]

Doug, many opinions i have read on the net indicate that the C8 are real performers. Most people regret selling theres and go on to buy another down the track. The 8" SCT's I have had good fortune to have a good Meade one and now a Celestron one. They are keepers.