Jupiter 20-07-08 GRS + Io's shadow Transit.

[AlexN]

Im a happy camper today

I think the focus was ever so slightly off..

image 1 - 8" + 3x barlow + extension tube on EQ6pro
image 2 - 8" + 5x powermate on EQ6pro

Jetstream map for brisbane was pretty awful tonight, however considering GRS+shadow, I thought I'd give it a go...

[AlexN]

more playing with the 2nd shot... introduced a touch of noise, but added a bit of much needed contrast..

[alphajuno (Dave)]

That's very nice. It looks like the Little Red Spot is in tact and still alive, if it's where I think it is (off to the right from the GRS). And, you got a moon transit at the same time - sweet.

[iceman (Mike)]

Now you're talking! Well done Alex, tracking makes all the difference.

Definitely your best! Looks like the seeing wasn't too bad!

[Dennis]

Hey Alex

Those are spectacular images of Jupiter – well done. I’m really surprised you have managed to produce these, with the atmospheric conditions encountered.

Cheers

Dennis

[Screwdriverone (Chris)]

Hi Alex,

Great job!, some slight onion rings on Image 1, however, the scale and details are great!

Nice capture!

Cheers

Chris

[AlexN]

cheers guys.. I have to admit, I was pretty damn happy with myself after producing those...

It is pretty amazing how much fine detail can be revealed with tracking.. I was flicking through some of my previous images with the dob compared to these and it is immediately obvious. I used to wonder what everyone was talking about when they said my old images "showed all the usual signs of a dob" Now I know... Smudged detail..

Roll on the 12" I say!!

Mike - quick question. what kind of rings do you use with your 12".. I noticed its more like a bracket with a pair of straps, but I have no idea where to buy something like that from... And I'll be needing some soon..


Thanks again for the comments guys..

Alex.

[StephenM (Stephen)]

Great images Alex!

I've been waiting for one of the Brisbane imagers to post something from last night. I was looking visually at the same time, and could make out the GRS and occasional glimpses of Io's shadow through my 130mm Newt. (especially with the 80A filter in place). Seeing wasn't great, but also not the worst it's been! Shame the transits weren't on Saturday night, because the seeing appeared to be considerably better then.

Cheers,
Stephen

[AlexN]

Thanks Stephen,

Seeing was considerably better saturday night, however I was at the Brisbane observatory/planetarium. whilst it was a good experience I must say, the views through their scopes weren't as good as what I've seen through my own at home.. Mind you, I've got much darker skies here at murrumba downs than they have on Mt Coot-tha

[iceman (Mike)]

Originally Posted by AlexN

Roll on the 12" I say!!

Mike - quick question. what kind of rings do you use with your 12".. I noticed its more like a bracket with a pair of straps, but I have no idea where to buy something like that from... And I'll be needing some soon..

Hi Alex

I used to have the half-rings with a strap over the top. Which served fine as an interim measure but I wanted full rings. I ended up buying a custom made set from Orion Optics in the UK.
They're great and work well, though they weren't cheap and just triple-check the measurements.

Here's a pic of my new rings:
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...ad.php?t=33917

[AlexN]

I see.... I'll look into it once i get the 12"

The half rings I assume are no where near as rigid or stable... especially when pointing to or near zenith i would imagine....

[Matty P (Matt)]

Wow Alex! A HUGE improvement in both detail and image scale. Definitely your best to date.

You must be itching to upgrade to a larger aperture. Also, it might be a good time to upgrade your camera as well. DMK or a DBK?

I'm seriously thinking about purchasing a 5x powermate for my 8" SCT seeing what you are able to achieve with your 8" scope.

Very well done.

[AlexN]

Yeah.. camera is on the list of upgrade wants...

Being the lazy man that I am... A DBK21/DBK31 is on the menu...

Thanks for the comment matty, and yea, give a 5x powermate a go in the SCT to see how it goes... if its no good, im sure you'd get a decent resale price on it here...

[Jen]

:2thumbs :
Nice pic Alex

[AlexN]

Glad you liked it Jen!

[Jen]

Originally Posted by AlexN

Glad you liked it Jen!

LOL hey Alex i like your emoticon settings too very nice