Spica, Venus, Moon 18% and Jupiter 7 September 2005

[h0ughy]

Hi guys and gals,

this is my attempt from Wallsend NSW. using a pentax *ist DS and a sigma 50-500 EX APO lens. I borrowed my mates lxd55 mount. not polar aligned or guided but it gave me a chance.

[Dave47tuc]

Very very nice, well done. :thumbsup:

[Dennis]

Hey Houghy

Great shots - the istDS sure is a nice camera. To limit the number of threads, here is my effort with my istDS and 55-200mm kit lens - I collected a passing airplane as well!

The 2nd image is through the 4" Vixen with the Moon lower, in the murky, thick layer of crud near the horizon.

The 3rd image is with the kit lens at the 200mm end.

Cheers

Dennis

[h0ughy]

way to go Denis, excellent shots there mate, the moon is so crisp, wow!

[Dennis]

That Sigma lens of yours isn't half bad Dave. Your collection of images show nice tight images with no flare. Some of my longer exposures were ruined by flare (kit lens) and camera shake (refractor) due to the ker-klunk of the mirror flipping up, even though I had the 2 second delay on.

You done well to wrestle with the LDX55, I hear in can be a little temperamental.

I polar aligned my GPDX mount with a compass (eye balled South) and had the motor running, making the job easier.

Cheers

Dennis

[h0ughy]

Dennis,

Alan Meehan dropped the mount around at about 6pm, I finished dinner and was out at 6.30. I had no idea how to set the rotten thing up so I pointed it to what I thought was the SCP and taped the lens to the dovetail bar and mounted it. it is a horrible handcontroller, and I had no idea how to align it. turned out OK but not great. that was my first time using a equatorial mount! :D

[netwolf]

houghy, wow that first one is a killer photo man. I was about to post mine and saw that one, not am not sure weather i should post or not. Stunning photos.
What did you use for the first one?

[RB]

Yeah houghy they're all great, but first and last are terrific.

:thumbsup:

Dennis fantastic mate. Love the detail on the moon.

:thumbsup:

[Striker]

Very nice shots all.....too many trees in the way on my western side...I had no chance.

They all look good to me.

[h0ughy]

and this was the last shot

[iceman]

Wow awesome shots Dave and Dennis, love the diffraction spikes on Venus in h0ughy's, and love the 2nd moon shot of Dennis'.

Lovely.

[h0ughy]

thanks Mr Iceman, congrats for 4000 posts!

[Brendan]

nice shots gentlemen, certainly was a sight last night.

[h0ughy]

Brendon,
if you get a chance we are having an Public viewing night up near the obelisk this evening.

The Newcastle Herald has contacted me and they will be in attendance, not sure about NBN, but hey coverage is coverage good or bad.

[ving]

great stuff guys!
even bec and cheryl thought it was apretty sight last night :)

[MiG]

Sigma seems to have a thing for 9 blade apertures which gives you 18 funky spikes around bright lights. I can't explain why there are spikes, but I don't think it's from diffraction.

[RapidEye]

Great shots bud!
Looks like you've got some nice dark skies with a very good western horizon too!

Thanks for sharing!