Saturn First attempt

[maksutover]

Hi Guys

Here is my first attempt at saturn (or anything for that matter).

It was taken using my etx125 and 900nc webcam. Total of 300 frames at 60fps.

Please fell free to criticize since i really want to improve and know what im doing right/wrong.

Cheers!

[iceman (Mike)]

Nice first attempt, well done.

1) Shoot Jupiter, it's much easier. Saturn is low and dim.
2) Use 10fps, rather than 60.
3) Wait for better seeing.
4) Use a barlow for more image scale.

Keep at it!

[Geoff45 (Geoff)]

Colour is nice, focus is off. I agree with Mike about trying Jupiter first. You shouldn't go more than 10fps with the webcam. 5fps is probably better.
Geoff

[maksutover]

How can i improve the focus? i found it very difficult to do so while watching the screen.

[Matty P (Matt)]

For a first attempt you have done a great job.

Have a go at Jupiter, it is much brighter and is much easier to image than Saturn.

When I focus on Saturn, I adjust the focus until Saturn's rings are really sharp.

Well done.

[AlexN]

Originally Posted by maksutover

How can i improve the focus? i found it very difficult to do so while watching the screen.

I mentioned this too in my saturn thread from the 31st, it is very difficult, but basically i keep racking the focus untill the rings appear with the smallest diameter.. your color is very nice...

I find saturn to be EXTREMELY hard to capture at the moment with its steep decline into the western sky and the limited time I have between dark skies and when its below 30 deg. All part of the fun, and to be honest, the results are worth the pain IMHO.

Great first attempt.

[edwardsdj (Doug)]

I'd be thrilled with that for a first attempt

As everyone else is saying, shoot Jupiter. Saturn is a very difficult target at the moment as it is so low. 10fps makes all the difference with the SPC900NC as there is less compression. The difference between 15fps and 10fps is actually huge.

I usually find focus using a higher fps and then drop to 10fps to image.

Have fun and keep posting,
Doug

[pelu]

Originally Posted by maksutover

How can i improve the focus? i found it very difficult to do so while watching the screen.

Try to use a Hartman mask in a near to Saturn star. I have use it with success.

But Saturn with a 125mm now is not easy, and if you look from the southern hemisphere is even more difficult.

If I was in Australia, I observed jupiter...