Thread: video astronomy
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Old 05-11-2021, 09:26 AM
glend (Glen)
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Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Lake Macquarie
Posts: 7,121
Alan a ASI294MC, the non-cooled version, is a great camera for EAA (Electronic Assisted Astronomy), aka video astronomy. I have been using one for a couple of years. Coupled with software such as Sharpcap, it is a total solution. Sharpcap will control all aspects if capture of frames, alignment of each with the stack, and stacking of frames, into a real time video. You can watch it on a laptop screen, or remote it off to a big screen. I have a large screen I use on my observatory desk. The 294MC has great sensitivity and is worth the investment in my opinion. The cheap video type cameras only provide very basic resolutions. You may find it hard to locate the uncooled version of the 294 as they are very popular with EAA users. I had to source mine from Teleskop Express in Germany. You won't need to worry about darks, bias or flats for frame stacking. Exposure is at your control, but non tracking mounts like a dob, it is best to keep them short. Sharpcap can still align frames, even if your nudging the dob, as it builds alignment points on each frame. Obviously it is great for use on tracking mounts as well.
I suggest you browse through the Cloudy Nights EAA forum for details on how it all works in a modern frame stacking way.
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