Finally managed to have a go at using this little bit of gear that has been sitting in a box for 2 months. We had a partially clear night so a chance to give it a try and make sure it works (it does!), I can get focus (I can), if I can understand the software (I did!) and if the results are worth it (they were).
After working out focus I pointed my scope towards M20 and set the camera to take 10s exposures and sure enough I had colours after 30s and the image was quite bright and clear. The software was quite intuitive to use even without reading the manual (tomorrows job!) and all round very pleased. Will write up a more complete report tomorrow especially if I can get some decent skies!!
Glad to hear that you've got it all working. I've heard good things about those little cameras. My ventures into Electronic Assisted Astronomy (EAA) have simply been with my imaging scope and in black and white
OK so I have a capture from this camera. This is M8. It is a stack of 10 20s images and just did a bit of stretching using the capture program. So there are no darks, no flats (as can be seen by the dust bunny) and focus is not quite there, but what you see here is what shows on the screen.
For outreach purposes, this would be a great little camera. I am thinking of using it to show some beginners stuff at Snake Valley in a few weeks and I may be doing a night with a local scout group. Seeinga colour image appear on the computer screen so clearly is a lot of fun.
When you're doing outreach or just wanting to look at objects in colour out in the field, flats and darks don't matter. Plus at 20s darks probably aren't needed.
When you're doing outreach or just wanting to look at objects in colour out in the field, flats and darks don't matter. Plus at 20s darks probably aren't needed.
+1, it's a little Sony sensor so I can't imagine the dark noise for 20s subs amounts to anything that isn't easily stacked out.
+1, it's a little Sony sensor so I can't imagine the dark noise for 20s subs amounts to anything that isn't easily stacked out.
Looks good Malcolm
20s was really only a stab in the dark. Obviously it was causing the bright areas in M8 to blow out so maybe needs to be shorter.
Anyway, for what it is I am quite pleased. Next task is to try on a galaxy!!
Hi Paul
Scope is a Stellarvue SVR102T refractor at f7 (for 714mm) no filter and was unguided.
THis was in my backyard in Colac. Haven't quantified the LP here but it was fairly good for Colac. Certainly not red zone (assuming redzone is bad!!)
The 224 is a very sensitive little sensor, even though it's smaller than that in an Infinity.
I tinkered with mine when I got it from just outside Brisbane CBD (OK, so Sydney it isn't) and found that with any more than 5 second subs the Orion Nebula was over exposed it's a while ago now, but if you look into AstroToaster (iirc) it's pretty easy to get going.
it's a while ago now, but if you look into AstroToaster (iirc) it's pretty easy to get going.
