Jupiter 2008/10/14 (BNE)

[deadsimple (Ash)]

Hi all,

This is my 5th imaging session with my Dob so far, and hopefully my last! The mount is suffering from a major case of stictionitus and driving me up the wall!! About to buy an EQ6 (non-goto) to lower my blood pressure.

Anyway, images captured at 8:23pm, Jupiter at 48 degrees. Seeing not very special. Configuration:

• 200mm, f/6 Newtonian
• SPC900NC + UV/IR filter
• 2x Barlow
• Camera Settings:
  • Brightness: 50%
  • Gamma: 0%
  • Gain: 22%
  • Shutter: 1/33
  • Framerate: 10fps
• 735 frames grabbed, 327 discarded, roughly 250 used in final stack
• Processed in ppmcentre, Registax and GIMP

Not as good as my very first session, but worth posting/documenting I think.

If anyone has any advice on the EQ6 before I order, better be quick

[iceman (Mike)]

Nice work Ash. Imaging with an untracked dobsonian is very frustrating but they're good skills to learn in any case.

You'll absolutely love the EQ6! It will make a huge difference. Ultimately you still need good seeing (and clear skies) but once you get them, you'll be on your way.

[AlexN]

Ash, Very well done mate!

I told you it could be done with a Dob! Mike and I have both done it, and can fully appreciate how much effort can go into just getting jupiter into the field of view!

My only advice on the EQ6... Buy one!

My images took a rather drastic leap in quality as soon as I got mine... Obviously though, you must make sure you realize, you will get at least 1 week straight of cloud/rain directly after purchase, something they do not tell you about on the skywatcher website.

Top effort mate, keep it up!

Alex.