here are some of my latest attempts at Jupiter.Seeing OK (3/5), but some high clouds caused problems and was hard to focus with the seeing.Any comments?
Carl
Celestron c11 edge HD on a cgem mount.DMK 21AUS Camera.Televue 2.5 powermate.Astronomik rgb filters.R+G 1/38s B 1/30.Average 1100 of 1800 frames per channel.Gain set high 800s.
Processed with registax6,astraimage for rgb combine and photoshop for mild sharpening.
Nice setup, have you tried a bahntiov mask and the "jiffy" type mode for focus? High Clouds have been a real problem lately and they will soften image somewhat too.
I have a Bahtinov mask, but I am imaging just before dawn so there are no stars to focus on. I dont know what the "jiffy" mode is! I think most of my problems are related to the seeing and the jet stream.I also have to recheck collimation on the scope.I rarely get better than 3/5 seeing and I am imaging over my porch roof which causes some extra turbulence.Hoepfully as JUpitet gets higher in the sky I will get clearer images.I am also manually focusing. I am waiting for the optec secondary mirror focuser to come on the market.
Can you explain the "jiffy" mode of focusing
Jiffy mod is basically using a jar lid with a hole over your focuser to widen the diameter of the focus adjustment thus giving you a finer focus control. simple, cheap and effective quick fix.
Thanks Graeme and Nathan.
Now I understand the jiffy mod!! The problem I have is that even when I lower the gamma and zoom in on the planets features I cant tell by looking when it is really sharp focus and I think that is either due to the seeing or maybe the collimation of the scope is slightly off.I havent had good enough seeing to collimate the scope well enough to use metaguide. When I try to use that the red dot bounces all around so I cant figure out which way to turn the collimation screws. Just one night of really good seeing is all I ask!!
Carl
Bad seeing and at twilight is going to make if very hard indeed. Now that we know you are taking these shots during twilight and in suburbia it makes them all the more impresive!!
Do a collimation and focus test using all the methods you can in the dark beforehand and that will ease your mind. Take lots of focus test shots too but as always darker conditions the better.
