Moretus and Plato - 10 day old moon

[matt]

A couple from earlier tonight taken in below average seeing. The seeing was slightly better while imaging the Moretus region in the southern highlands than it was for Plato about half an hour later. You can only just make out a few craterlets on the floor of Plato...which is a guide to below par seeing.

I like this view of Moretus. It looks like how I imagine the view must have been for the Apollo astronauts as they flew over the lunar surface:D

Both images were taken with the C9.25, DMK21AF04 and 3x Televew barlow.

[cookie8]

Well done Matt. I love the first one. So 3D:thumbsup:

[AlexN]

2 very nice Lunar Vista's Matt.

Well done.

[iceman]

Moretus looks really good, Matt. You can see how the seeing let you down.

Lovely perspectives at this lunation.

[spearo]

nice Matt,
looks like you went there and took the first snap!
well done
frank

[Dennis]

Hi Matt

The seeing certainly had me fooled! The jet steam map didn’t look too bad and the stars were reasonably steady so like you, I set up (10:00pm) and poked the ‘scope at the Moon with an x3 Barlow and when I saw the image on screen I though what the heck is going on?

It looked like I was imaging over a bush fire – this was around 10:30pm and it never quite settled down. I tried some prime focus stuff and even those AVI’s really weren’t worth recording.

The detail you have produced in the Moretus image certainly exceeds what I thought the conditions would allow.

Cheers

Dennis

[AlexN]

by 10pm the air where I live looked wet... dew stopped me from setting up..

[Dennis]

Hmm, that is quite interesting. A couple of times, Matt has posted either Jupiter or Lunar images that have really surprised me with the detail and clarity he managed to achieve, when on the same evening, around the same time, my results were significantly poorer.

Now, the variables appear to be:

Operator skills.
Equipment.
Processing.
Timing.
Data.
Conditions.

Not wanting to take anything away from Matt, I don’t think that it was lack of operator skills on my part, in terms of setting up, focusing, collimation, capture settings, etc.

Also, I don’t think the variation can be attributed to differences in equipment (Matt’s C9.25 vs my Mewlon 180) other than the C9.5 will win hands down simply due to larger aperture.

In terms of processing, unless Matt has discovered a magic formula, I suspect any variation in our approach, tools used and technique would not account for Matt’s superior results.

Timing – I noted that we had been imaging within a couple of hours of each other, some 20kms apart; maybe there is something here?

So, it looks like Data and Conditions may be the main culprits? That is, Matt’s location nearer the bay side may contribute to slightly better conditions compared to my in land location?

At least, I hope that is the answer, otherwise its back to school for me!:lol::lol:

Cheers

Dennis

[matt]

You may be on to something there Dennis with regard to location and timing, although as you say, we are only 20ks apart.

However, I must say I have worked very hard in recent times on improving my acqusition skills...and certainly on my processing. I've spent a lot of time figuring out photoshop and working Registax to my advantage.

I've collected quite the Photoshop library (both books and downloads). There's still some way for me to go, however, with regard to presentation. You're miles out in front of me with regard to the very excellent way you present your images with borders and details etc. That's the icing on the cake and one of the areas I'll be paying some attention to in the near future.

I certainly wouldn't expect my operator skills to be better or worse than yours....although we'd need to spend some time together capturing and processing to arrive at a definitive answer to that one. As with your session last night...the moon here was also a mess. Boiling all over the screen.

I guess I've just gotten good at getting 'something' from a bad session. It is, after all, all I've had to work with for over 12 months!!!!

Cheers....and catch me if you can!!!

[matt]

As an addendum to my previous post...

I'm on holidays at the moment. You are most welcome to come over one or more nights to set up and test the location theory out.

We live on a large block with plenty of room to set up. I'd be happy to host a few of the Brisbane IIS guys if you fancy some bayside imaging.

It'd be interesting to compare final results from identical conditions. I'll even fire up the BBQ:)

[ving]

moretus looks good but plato is too soft. nice one tho!

[Matty P]

Great work Matt, some lovely detail in both images.

Well done. :thumbsup:

[Dennis]

Hi Matt

Thanks for the invite. :thumbsup:

If Scotty could use the USS Enterprise transporter to beam me and my gear over to Wynnum, fully set up, I’d be there in a flash!

Cheers

Dennis

[matt]

Or....just pick a day (any day)...pack the gear in the car and drive the few Ks over ...and we're set!!!

No need for a transporter beam:D

Then we can see whether Wynnum is sitting under a magical seeing cell!!!!:lol:

But seriously, it'd be a pleasure to host you, Dennis...if you ever feel like dropping by.

[AlexN]

I think we could make a night of it though... :) Very nice of you to extend such an offer Matt. I'll definitely take you up on that at some stage!

I would do the same, however my back yard would probably comfortably allow 3 setups MAX.. and at least one of them would have 0 view to the south, west or north... making life a tad boring for them :)

[matt]

At a guess, I'd say our backyard could comfortably accommodate 6 set-ups.

There's a nice view from east, through zenith to quite low in the west.

The view to the north is a little obscured...the house is to the south but there's plenty of sky in most directions.

From a planetary imaging point of view, it's really quite good.

[AlexN]

.. **waits on stock for counterweights to run C11.. then planetary imaging night it is :D

[Dennis]

Hi Matt

Hmm, you obviously haven’t seen my gear set up, with observing hutch, etc. It takes me so long to pack, load the car, set up, tear down, load up and then unpack again that over the years, I developed a habit of not travelling anywhere for less that 2 nights and 9/10 seeing!:whistle:

But many thanks for your kind offer, it is much appreciated. I may have to recalibrate my thinking process and cut down on accessories as the overall system and set up procedures have tended to keep me at home perhaps more than they should.;)

I guess I’ve inadvertently turned into a “big event” astronomer, such as the 10 day Qld Astrofest!:lol:

Cheers

Dennis

[matt]

No worries, Dennis. I thought, perhaps for the sake of the exercise, you might travel 'light'???

A shame, though. You'll never know for sure whether it's the seeing over here by the bay or something 'else' at play....

Theories are not worth much if you're not willing to put them to the test, ol' son. Anyway, the offer stands. Let me know if you change your mind, you 'big event astronomer' you!

By the way...send me a PM the next time you find out in advance where there's going to be 9/10 seeing. I'll travel behind you:P;)

Cheers:)

[AlexN]

Dennis, We could make it a big event and both go see matt's magical pocket of clear seeing :D

I got 2 new counter weights today... Do you know what that means?? ITS C11 TIME!! :D

If only I could figure out a way to get off work early and go home to play with it..!! :D The C11 is outside cooling as we speak. I get home at 11, by 11:05 I'll be pointed at either Jupiter or the moon for some awesome awesome large aperture awesome imaging awesomeness... (can you tell im REALLY excited?? No???) Perhaps this then :D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:):) :):):):):):):):)

[Dennis]

Hi Alex

That’s great news about the CW’s, although not so good with being at work right now.

The seeing is pretty poor right now; I’m hoping it might improve so I may get some lunar imaging when the Moon gets higher.

Good luck with your session Alex; don’t forget your Standard Operational Procedures in the excitement to get going! Check all locking clamps, grub screws etc., polarity of devices, route the cables nicely and double check all the capture settings!

Cheers

Dennis

[Dennis]

I think this is the change responsible for the deteriorating conditions right now…

“Brisbane Forecast
Issued at 4:15 pm EST on Tuesday 16 September 2008

Warning Summary
Nil.

Forecast for Tuesday Evening
Fine. Moderate N to NE winds, changing moderate to fresh S to SE early evening”.

Cheers

Dennis

[AlexN]

yeah... I may not even do any imaging... Just bask in the awesomeness of 11" over 8" for visual...

Hopefully some imaging... but I get to test out my moonlite motorized focuser too!! ohhhhyeah!! :) :)
Sigh... even if i get nothing but average average images... it will still be great! :D