Jupiter - September 16

Kirkus (Kirk) · #1 17-09-2009, 05:05 PM

Finally an image I'm not embarrassed to post.

1140 out of 1579 frames.
Sky-Watcher 8" SCT
Meade 3X TeleExtender

Captured and processed with Astro IIDC 3.0 (Mac).

Constructive criticism most definitely welcome.

stephenb (Stephen) · #2 17-09-2009, 08:25 PM

Great work, Kirk. Perhaps slightly too green is my only comment? But on the whole a nice result. I'd be happy with that. Others more expert than I will sure to chime in here.

Kirkus (Kirk) · #3 19-09-2009, 03:02 AM

It does look green. Funny how nice it looks until it's side by side with other more accurate photos.

Thanks, Stephen.

I'm noticing a lot of different orientations of the planet in the photos here. Is there a widely accepted rule or consensus on how to orient the planets when photographing? Obviously the image itself will be different depending on the design of the scope being used.

I've usually tried to orient my camera with the horizon when the scope is in the home position. When I shot this image I was close to a flip, which I guess explains the whacky orientation.

stephenb (Stephen) · #4 19-09-2009, 05:55 AM

Kirk, regarding the orientation of the planet in the field of view, you'll get a hundred opinions on this and all quite valid one too. I think it comes down to what you are happy with. It is your image after all.

So far, with my limited planetary imaging, I have always aligned the planets "level". i.e. the equator horizontal with South at the top. If you read one of my threads here, Trevor discusses the merits of orientation for the wider scientific community. I completey agree, but although my pics are purely personal, I still decided to follow Trevor's suggested format.

I guess the main thing is that you know which way is N, S, E or W, and perhaps try to make all your orientations that same.

I do like Jupiter and Saturn on a slight agle sometimes, but to my eye is looks strage when on more than, say, a 45-degree angle, but thats just me.

Quark (Trevor) · #5 19-09-2009, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kirkus

It does look green. Funny how nice it looks until it's side by side with other more accurate photos.

Thanks, Stephen.

I'm noticing a lot of different orientations of the planet in the photos here. Is there a widely accepted rule or consensus on how to orient the planets when photographing? Obviously the image itself will be different depending on the design of the scope being used.

I've usually tried to orient my camera with the horizon when the scope is in the home position. When I shot this image I was close to a flip, which I guess explains the whacky orientation.

Hi Kirus,

Regarding the orientation of planetary images. As Glen has said, it is your image and what ever looks good to you is fine. That said, the IAU convention regarding this point is South up and West to the right.

Regarding the angle the planet appears in the frame.
I always adjust the rotation of my DMK in the focuser, such that the movement of the planet in R.A. is parallel to the bottom of my capture screen, that is, if you turn off your R.A. drive the planet will drift parallel with the long axis of you CCD chip. The DMK is 640 x 480 pixels so this movement will be parallel with the edge of the 640 pixel side of the chip. As my GEM is very accurately polar aligned, this means I only have to make minor adjustments with my drive corrector in one axis, that of R.A.

Hope this makes sense.
Regards
Trevor

Kirkus (Kirk) · #6 21-09-2009, 01:50 AM

Some great information that I'll take to heart from this point on. I've reprocessed my original video taking into account the color and orientation (I rotated the image in Photoshop). I'm not sure why the shadow around the image is so green and prevalent, I think my original video was too dark. Anyway, thanks so much for the tips and information!