Jupiter 10/9 w/Ganymede shadow

[markgo76]

Hey guys,
Just getting started really with imaging, using the Meade LPI through my 10" LX200GPS. Took this one last night from Melbourne. Would welcome any advice on getting some more sharpness out that detail like the one Stuart has posted. More frames (50)? Less magnification (I used the Meade 2x barlow). A better camera I would imagine.

thanks
Mark.

[Matt Wastell]

Hi Mark - nice one.

I have seen some stunning images taken of Jupiter with an LPI - it is a great introductory camera and with your set up you will get great images when conditions are great (seeing is everything!).
What processing did you do in this image?

[Matt Wastell]

Another thought - get as many frames as you can but keep it under 3 minutes (any longer and your image will suffer as Jupiter rotates quickly)

[markgo76]

Thanks Matt, just a little unsharp mask and levelling in Photoshop. Not sure what the Autostar Envisage software does before that when set to "Normal" settings though. Ganymede itself showed up quite nice when I was playing with the levels, but it washed out the main detail a bit so I left it barely visible off the upper left rim.

[Matt Wastell]

Download Registax5 (freeware) is is a great programme - pretty easy to use and I reckon you will see more in your image.

[Quark]

Really nice first attempt Mark,

Some more image scale would be good, I have no experience with a Schmidt Cass but I am sure some one here will be able to advise whether a 3 x barlow would work with your scope or not.

I like the colour in your image, more frames are really the go and I would suggest you try capturing for 120 sec's and then use Registax V5.

Good luck with it.
Regards
Trevor

[rat156]

Hi Mark,

where do I start? I've been taking planetary images for a while now. I would have been more than happy with your pic until I knew I could do better. I suppose it's what you expect vs what is possible. If you look at some of the planetary imaging gods pics here you may not ever post. The standard for planetary images here is quite high. For the equipment you've got it's a pretty good pic, not as good as Paul or Bird's but very much acceptible for an LPI. Keep at it, when you feel confident enough we can advise in the next best course of action. BTW I don't feel that comfortable in the company you've put me in, others here are far better at this than I.

Cheers
Stuart

[markgo76]

Thanks Stuart. Sorry to use you as an example - I just noticed you had a shot of the same thing as I was posting. :)

[rat156]

No probs mate, we would have been imaging at about the same time by the looks of it. Sometimes it's nice tohave a comparison...