Total Lunar Eclipse Sequence and Static Progression

iceman (Mike) · #1 30-08-2007, 01:57 PM

Hi all

Finally I got around to processing my images from Tuesday night. While i'm happy enough with the results, they're not exactly the images I'd been hoping for.

For the eclipse sequence, I just don't have the right equipment to get the shots I had in my minds eye. The 12" focal length was too long, the 300mm on the camera was too short. In the end, this sequence is a combination of both.

The partial phases were taken with the 12" newt (dob base) + 32mm eyepiece, with a Canon 300D + 28mm lens, afocal handheld up to the eyepiece.
The totality phase was taken with the 300D + 75-300mm lens @ 300mm, tracked on my EQ6.
The images were resized and combined to make the sequence composite. I've presented them in a diagonal and horizontal orientation.. simply because I don't know which one I prefer best

The widefield static progression sequence was captured with my 350D + Sigma 17-70mm lens @ 17mm on a fixed tripod. I had my watch repeating a countdown timer every 7mm to go and take a shot.
Unfortunately the early phases of the eclipse were clouded out, so the sequence starts further up than I would've liked. I also ran out of FOV, so I wasn't able to capture the last parts of the eclipse.
The foreground (water/wharf) was captured with a 20s exposure (ISO200) which was lit by the low full moon. The stars were captured with a 25s exposure (ISO1600) just after totality had finished.
The individual moon captures were varying exposures @ ISO200 or ISO400.
The images were combined in Photoshop.

It's no Fred Espanek, but it was a learning experience.

The last image is me with my equipment on the night

Anyway I've really enjoyed seeing people's images. Next time I'll have an ED80 or similar on a tracking mount, with adapters for my DSLR to get the type of images I wanted.

Thanks for looking.

h0ughy (David) · #2 30-08-2007, 02:02 PM

nice montages Mike, but I don't recognise the mug with the camera near your scope?

RB (Andrew) · #3 30-08-2007, 02:08 PM

Mike they're wonderful, you've done an excellent job on those.
I love the jetty sequence and the self portrait looks great too.

It certainly was a learning experience for most of us, haven't had much practice in lunar eclipses.

Well done mate.

sheeny (Al) · #4 30-08-2007, 02:14 PM

Nice work Mike!

I fully understand what you mean by a learning experience. I too realised I didn't quite have the right gear, but I also underestimated how dark the umbral phase was going to be and the problems that would create for my choice of gear. Still, it was fun!

Al.

iceman (Mike) · #5 30-08-2007, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sheeny

but I also underestimated how dark the umbral phase was going to be and the problems that would create for my choice of gear.

Yes, that was my problem too. I did come to that conclusion before the eclipse, but by then it was too late to go and buy an ED80 and adapters for my DSLR

I was expecting to be able to use the old afocal method throughout. I didn't realise the exposure time required during totality - which ruled out a) the dob with no tracking, and b) hand-holding the DSLR.

Dietmar · #6 30-08-2007, 04:37 PM

hi Mike,

these are marvelous images!
terrific results!
#3 is great! #4 is very nice! the master himself and his beloved "babies" (-:
APOD APOD APOD!

rumples riot · #7 30-08-2007, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iceman

I didn't realise the exposure time required during totality - which ruled out a) the dob with no tracking, and b) hand-holding the DSLR.

My under estimation too. Blurring occurred to quickly and tracking was a must. Dragging my mount across town did not appeal either. Nor was the full eclipse visible from my place.

Nice images though all the same Mike. Just chalk it up to experience.

Garyh · #8 30-08-2007, 06:19 PM

Very nice Mike!!
You have done a great job with the gear at hand!
cheers

sheeny (Al) · #9 30-08-2007, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rumples riot

My under estimation too. Blurring occurred to quickly and tracking was a must. Dragging my mount across town did not appeal either. Nor was the full eclipse visible from my place.

Nice images though all the same Mike. Just chalk it up to experience.

Yeah I knew I'd be pushed for time to setup the scope before it started, but didn't think through the need for tracking...

.

Al.

2020BC (Bill Christie) · #10 30-08-2007, 06:36 PM

That's a really great seaside shot! and very good sequences.

anthony.tony · #11 30-08-2007, 06:38 PM

I wish I could do things like that.Image 1808 was my first shot at about 6.41 pm.shutter speed 1/1000 of a second ISO-800 .I did a bit of processing on this one.The others are as they were.Tony

Phil · #12 30-08-2007, 07:07 PM

stunning work Mike well done mate love the wide feild shot with the jetty. Love all the shots.
Phil

Portmac · #13 30-08-2007, 08:53 PM

Very nice pics Mike, that third one is a ripper

Dennis · #14 30-08-2007, 09:52 PM

Wow - more Salway masterpieces. The pier shot is outstanding - my favourite of the bunch, but all are beauties. Your pre-planning and hard work certainly paid off Mike, despite the hiccoughs on the night.

Cheers

Dennis

John K · #15 30-08-2007, 09:58 PM

very nice work Mike, excellent composition. Looks also like it was very handy having two DSLR's!!

seeker372011 (Narayan) · #16 30-08-2007, 10:06 PM

i really like your jetty shot-clever composition as always

middy · #17 30-08-2007, 10:08 PM

Really great shots Mike.

Can I ask how you stack the shots in Photoshop. I tried that with my wide angle sequence, but I couldn't find a way to straight add the layers. All I could do was have the layers on 'Normal' and set the opacity to 50% so as not to block the background, but then you just end up with very faint moons. I don't know

Tamtarn · #18 30-08-2007, 11:14 PM

All great Mike ........... "The Path to Totality" our favourite

iceman (Mike) · #19 31-08-2007, 06:59 PM

Many thanks for all your nice comments. I wasn't sure how my images would turn out as on the night it didn't "feel" that great.
Your reactions are very kind and make me look at them in a new light.

Quote:

Originally Posted by John K

very nice work Mike, excellent composition. Looks also like it was very handy having two DSLR's!!

Thanks John, and also thanks to Rocket Boy, who leant me his Canon 300D so I had 2 DSLR's and could do more of what I wanted to do on the night.

Quote:

Originally Posted by middy

Can I ask how you stack the shots in Photoshop. I tried that with my wide angle sequence, but I couldn't find a way to straight add the layers. All I could do was have the layers on 'Normal' and set the opacity to 50% so as not to block the background, but then you just end up with very faint moons. I don't know

Hi Andrew

I layered all the images in photoshop, and then simply "cut" the moon out of each layer. That is, select the moon using the magic wand, inverse selection, and delete. So it deletes the rest of that layer leaving only the moon.

Thanks again.

thampson · #20 01-09-2007, 02:46 AM

Really nice work Mike.

Gives me something to aspire to for the next one

BTW is that tuggarah lake with The entrance in the background ?

cya
-todd-