Mars,Saturn,Alpha Cent,& Clavius

[duncan]

Hi Eveyone,

Well for a Noob at the imaging game i've had a busy night.

The stars came out to play so i gave it another go!!!
Spent yesterday arvo making a Hartmanns Mask. Focus was definately much better although the seeing didn't improve any on previous night.

However i think a vast improvement on previous attempt.
Please feel free to comment good or bad as it's the only way i'll learn.
Nobody else up here to help! Oh and if anyone would like to tweak Saturn & Mars with Deconvolution be my guest as i dont have it in any programmes. Thanks

Cheers,
Duncan

Ps. Toucam set 5-10Fps Gain25-35 Brightness around 36.
Average 1000frames each subject to get15for moon,approx550mars,25A Cent, Saturn i cant remember,LOL. I think 156.

[Quark]

Hi Duncan,

A nice variety of images, good to see the experimentation, learn from it.

Duncan, when imaging a planet, rotate the camera until the planet moves parallel with the long axis of the capture screen when you rock the mount in R.A. If your mount is properly polar aligned then most of the corrections that you make to keep the planet centred will only be in RA.

It is also probably a good idea to orientate South on top, which is the IAU convention.

Regards
Trevor

[duncan]

Thanks Trevor. I'll try to remember that next time. Wasn't game to touch anything after getting focus right. Rack & Pinion is lousy for this but i'll fix that when work picks up.
Cheers.:thumbsup:

[mswhin63]

Great improvement on last attempt especially the mars image. One thing I noticed you used Brightness and contrast control, try leave these at default and use the exposure control. This define a good webcam over a basic one. I have 3 webcam and only 1 of has an exposure control providing the best images.

Keep at it it is really worth it, careful of addiction on imaging can happen.

[duncan]

Thanks Malcolm, addiction is confirmed!!!. Just need all the practice i can get.
Cheers,
Duncan:rofl:

[Matt Wastell]

Hi Duncan
Good improvements. It takes practice to hone the skills - I have not used a Toucam but an LPI - muck around with gain and brightness, you will eventually find a good combination for different objects.
Keep at it!

[duncan]

Thanks Matt, i'm very much enjoying the challenge.Just a shame i can't get a bigger image yet.
Cheers:)

[Clayton]

Not suggesting it is the answer for you, but try upping the brightness rather than the gain. No skin off anyones nose if it doesn't help. I have found though that it tends to wash out the colour if taken too far, and Saturn has fairly subtle colour (I have found it hard to catch all the colours anyway ) I often use 80% brightness and used to use 100% until I discovered the negative effect on saturation.

[duncan]

Thanks Clayton, i'm hoping to get out again tonight.
Think i'll just concentrate on Saturn as Mars is just to small without a 4-5 times powermate. Just been told no work tomorrow so if it clears i'll be out experimenting.
Cheers:D