My 'best' Jupiter - 14 Jun 06

[middy]

I have a long way to go before I reach Jedi Knight status but this is my best effort so far....

This time I tried the Sony Handycam afocally down the eyepiece. Total mag. ~480x (48x on the scope and 10x on the video cam).

The camera was on a tripod next to the scope but I managed to get two passes of Jupiter through the FOV before deciding it was all too difficult. Focusing is difficult with Jupiter moving rapidly through the FOV plus the fact that every time I changed directions with the focusing knob, jupiter would jump out of the FOV. Maybe there is some sideways slop in the focusing tube. Maybe this is why people don't like rack and peanut focusing tubes and go for Crayfords instead

There are also some issues with deinterlacing not being done properly.

[Lester]

Very good Andrew for no tracking.

[iceman (Mike)]

For the method you're using, you still did well! You got GRS + red Jr, so well done!

[asimov (John)]

Nice one! Yes, the rack & pinions can produce some wicked image shift depending on the brand! I worked on one for hours on my refractor & ended up with less image shift than what I get with my SCT so it can be done.

Most will tell you to just buy a crayford though

[Robert_T]

Go Middy, you should compare notes with jjjnettie who has doen some great planetary stuff afocally.

cheers,