Saturn from the 11th January

[iceman (Mike)]

Only just got around to processing these images taken on the morning of the 11th January.

The seeing was reasonable, about 6.5/10 and the temperatures fairly stable.

I captured the red and green channels at 15fps (1/15s exposure) until I had 4000 frames (a bit over 4 minutes), and the blue channel at 7.5fps (1/8s exposure) until I had 2000 frames (same length of time recording).

I used a gamma of about 140ish (100 is default) to get more in the histogram and to capture the crepe ring.

I used approx 500 frames in each of 3 alignment points when stacking.

The second attachment is one taken a few minutes earlier, in LRGB. The Luminance channel was captured at 30fps for 4000 frames.

I'm quite happy with the result, but it was processed on the train this morning on the laptop, and when looking at it on the LCD screen here (side-by-side with laptop), it has a completely different colour. So I need to calibrate the two screens to look consistent, at least.

Anyway, not sure how it'll look on yours - good I hope.

Thanks for looking.

[sheeny (Al)]

Nice work, Mike. Overall I prefer the first one, but the second is brighter and shows the polar and limb detail better on my screen.

Al.

[DJVege]

I'm always jealous of your images, Mike. The detail is great!

[John K]

nice going Mike.

[edwardsdj (Doug)]

Another great Saturn image Mike

I love how you were able to capture the crepe ring!

[RB (Andrew)]

Both look great but the second one looks fantastic on my CRT.

[Matty P (Matt)]

Amazing images Mike.

I love the detail and colour in the second one.

Well done.

[jjjnettie (Jeanette)]

Lovely work Mike.
Each photo has it's own merits.
The darker image highlights the colours of the banding and the rings have more detail.
The lighter image is the most realistic.
I don't know how I'll like it when the rings are edge on.

[leon]

Mike they are just unreal,

Leon

[davidpretorius]

2nd one for me mike......top stuff, now for some 8/10 seeing

[Inmykombi (Geoff)]

Great photos again Mike.

I may as well give away wanting to learn about imaging as you have set the standards high.

I can only hope that one day ( when I get my act together ) I can approach your commitment and talent in this area.

Geoff

[cookie8 (Vincent)]

Amazing shots Mike! I like the 2nd one which is brighter. Also thanks for your tell-all article in Astronomy 2008. Hope one day I can take the plunge like you did but I need a good laptop first.

Vincent

[Tamtarn]

Super images once again Mike. The second one looks better on my CRT. Agree with Al it shows seems to highlight the polar region well.

Haven't tried it on David's LCD screen yet.

[bird (Anthony Wesley)]

Mike, excellent images, both of them!

cheers, Bird

[iceman (Mike)]

Thanks guys, I appreciate your comments. I need to calibrate both new screens, as I had it "fairly right" at my old work