Saturn 25 February 2012

[Paul Haese]

Seeing was fairly erratic for this particular morning. At best I would have put it around 6/10. Despite that though I did capture a half reasonable Saturn, but once again forgot my 2.5x powermate. Imaging at this resolution (around 12700mm) means much slower frame rates and having to take longer avis. With the 2.5 powermate the image scale is significantly smaller but I can get a lot more frames per second.

In this image you can see Cassini all the way around the ring system. Enke visible in certain spots and of special note is the half shadow half lit section of the rings. This is quite odd and I wonder if this is real or an artifact. The data seems to suggest it is real.

Click here (http://paulhaese.net/Saturn25February2012.html)for image.

Image attached for those who don't want to click on the link.

[Quark]

Well done Paul, looks like pretty reasonable data, the longer exposure obviously doesn't matter as long as there is no discriminant cloud feature that might blur. In this instance the longer exposure has tended to blur the detail that would have been in the storm remnant. The shadow of the planet on the rings looks good. We will always see that effect to some extent other than probably at opposition where the shadow on the rings would fall opposite the planet relative to Earth.

[John Hothersall]

Thats still a handsome image, not seen the half shadow on any of mine it could be down to atmospherics.

John.

[asimov]

Nice work Paul. I've seen that half shadow on two of my sets back in early febuary. Didn't know what to make of it so I processed it out.

[Quark]

Reckon I've had another over 60's moment Paul, on reflection, your obviously not on about the shadow of the planet on the rings. Think I need to catch up on some more sleep.

Cheers
Trevor

[Shiraz]

very fine image Paul, ring detail in particular. Regards Ray

[Paul Haese]

Thanks guys for the comments.



Yes I was thinking maybe the light is passing through the outer atmosphere on Saturn and that was letting some light through.



It might be worth looking over the data again John, if you have kept a copy. Perhaps it is merely an aberration, but it could be something of interest.:shrug:




I sort of am, if you look at the shadow of the planet on the rings, then look slightly to the right of the dark section and then there is a little slightly less dark section like. It could well be a stacking problem but I think it might be light passing through the outer atmosphere. Don't worry about 60's moments I just don't think I explained it very well.:)

[Clayton]

A lovely shot Paul :thumbsup::thumbsup:

[asimov]

Still have all the original data Paul. Just a matter of re-running them through Registax once again. AS!2 Is killing my C rings off. Emil & I don't know yet, what the problem is. You or Trevor having this?

[lepton3]

A good image Paul.

I notice a yellowish feature in my images in the place you are talking about. It is because the B channel is distorted at that spot. I assumed it was due to a stacking artifact, caused by variable seeing.

I think my data is too wobbly to either confirm or deny any Saturninan atmospheric effect! Be interesting to see if it is in other high quality data.

-Ivan

[niko]

As always - really nice Paul

niko

[Paul Haese]

Thanks guys for your comments.



Not seen the C ring damaged at all with my data. I wonder if it is a gamma setting in the capture? I don't use gamma at all. I do use high gain like you do, but have not noticed the C ring being removed.

[allan gould]

Paul that is a beautiful and detailed Saturn image. The 14" and Flea combination is really wonderful at capturing that fine detail. The best colour etc I've seen in a while.

[asimov]

Thanks. I gave up using extra gamma when I found I could get the C ring with default gamma - Plus I was getting ringing on most of the data.

The interesting thing is, I can stack the exact same AVI in Registax & not have the C ring obliterated like in AS!2 - It's being clipped in the low & mid levels by something..

[Paul Haese]

Thanks Allan. I am considering a 20" though in the future. Perhaps that will replace several scopes at once.

[Matt Wastell]

Hi Paul
That is a great image - colour looks spot on!

[Rigel003]

Beautiful image Paul. For someone who's done little but deep sky imaging for the last year or more, you've certainly come back to planetary with a couple of big successes.



...first dibs on your 14"!

[Paul Haese]

Like riding a bike mate, so ingrained in my mind now it is like second nature. Thanks for this huge compliment.

When I get a 20" then you will certainly be the first on the list that I make an offer for sale.:)