ISS @ 2m focal length

[tonybarry]

Hello Good People,

I have been trying to image the International Space Station for some time. Mostly unsuccessfully. However we had a pass over Sydney two days ago (21st Nov 2010) where I did grab a couple of frames of the ISS.

My 10 y.o. daughter was watching at the time, and was actually quite spellbound. To the eye, the ISS is very bright, moves very fast, and seems like some kind of star. When the scope / videocamera / monitor catches it, you can see some of the structure. She was watching both at the same time (yes, I know, but girls seem to be able to multitask successfully).

So I am posting my best (so far) image of the ISS. I hope it encourages others to grab a pic of this most wonderful object.

Scope - Meade LX90-8" @ f/10 (2000mm)
Camera - Jaycar WDR video camera.
Settings - 1/1000 sec exposure, 50fps
Field of view - 10 x 8.6 arc minutes


Regards,
Tony Barry

[[1ponders]]

You've got to be happy with that for a first shot Barry. :D :thumbsup:

I'm not sure about the LX90 but the LX200 used to have Satellite Tracking. Have you looked into that?

[h0ughy]

well done - great result - its a hard sucker to track with a scope

[Ric]

Nice capture Tony.

I was watching it pass over last night, it's always a spectacular sight.

Cheers

[erick]

If I can just catch it visually one day, that would be great. I haven't tried as yet - getting ideas.

Nice capture, Tony. Even getting it in the frame is a great start! Great multi-task by your daughter!

[ew]

Good shot such a hard object to capture. It's great your daughter was impressed, reminds me of Carl Sagans 'Conatct' :) I try to capture it when I can. Hope to see more of your ISS images.

[leon]

Nice capture indeed, the bugger was nearly of the page, but you got it, well done.

Leon

[sheeny]

Well done. Excellent first attempt!

It's a proper challenge to image the ISS:thumbsup:. Very dynamic astronomy;).

Al.

[bones]

Great job Tony. You've got to be happy with that. :thumbsup:

I must say for your first capture, it's looking great. I hope I can manage one some day. The ISS is something I'd like to have a crack in the future. Just not there yet.

Q: At 50fps, how many did you stack for it?

[sheeny]

I don't expect there's any stacking involved.:)

The 50fps is just to maximise the chance of getting something on the detector.;)

I expect the shot is just one frame.:thumbsup:

Al.

[asimov]

Great capture mate!:thumbsup:

[tonybarry]

Thanks to all for replies.

Yes the image represents one field on an interlaced detector. That's half a frame. The next field (20msec later) the ISS had moved quite some way on the CCD and was only half on/half off.

My current technique is not to track the ISS, but to check CalSky for a position near the zenith, point the scope there, and wait. When the ISS moves through the finder to the cross-hairs, I press the camera's shutter cord. This is using a DSLR (Pentax K200D). This technique shows promise, but the Pentax is operating at the limits of shutter speed and ISO level. At 1/1500 sec and ISO 1600, the image is a bit grainy and quite dim. At 1/1000sec and ISO 800, it's got motion blur. What I need for this method to work is one of those magic Canon EOS 5D beasties. The bodies are now only $2800 or thereabouts ... heh, heh. I think the Budget Lady would have a word to say about that acquisition ....

Regards,
Tony B