The one after Mars

[LostInSp_ce]

Was observing this last night. Very humid, very cold, had some early clouds but then a couple of clear patches came through. Seeing was OK so I took a quickie. Colour's a bit off and features have motion blur because I wasn't quick enough between filter changes.

12 inch Dobsonian
ASI 120 MM-S
2 x Barlow
Manual filter wheel
R = 150 frames
G = 150 frames
B = 150 frames

WinJupos, AS3, Registax, Photoshop

[Anth10 (Anthony M)]

Very respectable shot in the end.
Well done

[Saturnine (Jeff)]

Not too bad an effort there but begs the question, is it an Go-To dob or just a push - to , where you managed to have the target in the cameras field of view just long enough to get the frames that you captured. If it is just the push - to then you have done well to get an image whilst juggling with a mono camera and filter wheel.

[LostInSp_ce]

Thanks Anthony and Saturnine.

Originally Posted by Saturnine

Not too bad an effort there but begs the question, is it an Go-To dob or just a push - to , where you managed to have the target in the cameras field of view just long enough to get the frames that you captured. If it is just the push - to then you have done well to get an image whilst juggling with a mono camera and filter wheel.

It's a standard Dob with no go-to or any other modifications. I use the drift method, positioning the scope so that the target begins out of frame. This allows a couple of seconds for any vibrations to settle before recording. I repeat this three times one for each filter. It has to be done quickly otherwise rotation between the filter changes will make combining the RGB data in processing difficult.

I know that it's not the most convenient way to do planetary imaging but it's an example of something different from the norm.

[sil (Steve)]

great shot, have you played with one channel for a sharper mono image given time lost between filter swap? great to see you using what you have beyond what some may consider impossibe with that setup. I understand the difficulties of working that way myself and think it produces more fulfilling results and better comprehension. You'll also find ways to improve the process!

[Saturnine (Jeff)]

I'm impressed that you are using a dob in that way, what do we call it, Lucky Drifting. May be slightly easier if you used a 1 shot colour camera instead of Mono and mucking around with filters. Could also try using an equatorial platform under the dob, as some do for basic tracking ( Richard J on these forums for example ).

[foc (Ross)]

Great image from a manual Dob. I have posted the odd drift image from a Dob myself but not in your league. Assume you have used counterweights or some other measure to smoothen the ALt Az movement. I shuld try that myself some day

[LostInSp_ce]

Thanks Steve, Jeff and Ross.

I only image with the dob when observing because this is the scope I use for visual and saves me having to get my other scope. To use my other scope I have to drag the EQ6 out and set it all up which takes too long especially when it's early morning. It's a lot easier to put the camera/filter wheel on the dob and connect it to the laptop. Don't get me wrong using the EQ6 mount with OSC is fantastic. Without a doubt it makes life easier and can do the job better but sometimes it's nice to do things with your own hands. It kinda feels more personal and although the results may not be as good I think they're still acceptable enough for general record keeping.

Regarding mono imaging if you mean capturing luminance data to produce an LRGB image? Then yes, I have experimented with this in the past but didn't see any real improvement (maybe I'm not doing it right) so I no longer do it.

To answer Ross's question my dob has three tiny counter weights at the base. I got them to improve balance when I started using larger eyepieces. I think off memory they're designed specifically for 12 inch dobs, but there are other options available for any size dob. One being magnetic so you can position the weight anywhere on the tube. Here's a pic from a site of the one's I have.

[foc (Ross)]

Thanks for the detail on the weights I will give your arrangement some thought for my next use. I agree that drift imaging is a more personal if more challenging method of imaging. I do not think I will do it often but it good to give it a go every now and then or I feel aperture envy!.