Moon & Saturn - DBK21 first light

[vic4loc]

Took the plunge and bought the DBK21.618 to try out planetary photography. The DBK21 it was quite easy to install & setup.

Still learning what all the settings are, took all the images using Y800 and 60fps, approx 1000 frames each. Is Y800 format B&W only?

Stack them in Registax 6.0, again have no idea how to use Registax. Saturn looks blurry, could barely make out the Cassini division, not sure if I didnt focus properly or it was bad seeing. The moon looks better though.

Scope: LX90 8"
Saturn taken with 3x barlow
Moon taken at prime focus

Minor processing & crop with Photoshop.

Victor.

[vic4loc]

After some further reading on processing Y800 avi and debayering, managed to bring out the colour and improve slightly on the image stacking. Still lots more to learn :)

Victor.

[Poita]

Asimov (John) did a great tutorial on processing planetary images recently. It is worth a look.

[Quark]

A good start Victor.

Planetary imaging at long F/L is the sternest test of collimation and focus that I know of. I would recommend going the extra yard to become as proficient as possible with both.
Time put in learning how to collimate with very high precision is time well spent.
The quality of the seeing also becomes ever more critical to the result as you extend the F/L of your imaging system as, is evident in these two images. I think starting out with the Moon as a target is a good way to become familiar with your camera, particularly with experimentation with various PM's, Barlows & extension tubes.

You are off to a good start and as has already been mentioned, Asi, who has produced excellent results with a similar setup is a regular contributor here whenever he gets relief from the jetstream.

Regards
Trevor

[asimov]

Try this Victor > http://pdfcast.org/pdf/latest-dbk-tutorial

Actually Trev, I've just finished moving house again..Have to setup all over again lol. But yes, the jet is certainly here so no dramatic rush..

[vic4loc]

Hi guys,

Thanks for the tips & pointers... will attempt some more imaging this weekend if the weather holds up.


Victor.

[vic4loc]

Further attempts at Saturn tonight, the air is dead calm at my place, but I notice Saturn is still moving around a lot, is this because of the jet stream? Followed the instructions by asimov, quality is getting better :)

Victor.