Mars and Saturn 11/2/10 from Brisbane 0020hrs 8" Newt, ToUcam, 5x Powermate
Last night the weather behaved well enough to warrant setting up for the first time in over a week. A few rain drops from a particularly large cloud gave me a wake up call at one stage mind you.
Managed to get some AVIs of Mars and Saturn over the top of the house. I was only able to imagine seeing the poles of Mars with my old scope, so pleased to see them visually plus get some souvenir footage from the ToUcam.
Each image stacked from about 45secs of 5fps AVI, processed in Registax and PS.
Now those are nice images indeed, more so given the poor conditions over the last couple of days! Some lovely detail there and a belated happy birthday!
You have captured some nice detail on Mars, several clouds and some nice albedo shading. It is unfortunate that this face of Mars that is currently presented to us in OZ is certainly the most bland, regarding contrasts in albedo.
Nice job - and very encouraging for me! I too have a SW600 but have yet to see or capture Mars & Saturn with it. Did you require any Barlow or did you image directly with the ToUCam.
The cloud has been pest here of late and I'm hanging out to see those two.
Thanks Adam - I was starting to worry I wouldn't get a decent look at Mars this apparition.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dennis
Hi Rob
Now those are nice images indeed, more so given the poor conditions over the last couple of days! Some lovely detail there and a belated happy birthday!
Cheers
Dennis
Thanks Dennis - I tried to wait until the scope (and roof!) had a good chance to reach ambient, and pretty happy what I ended up with.
Quote:
Originally Posted by iceman
They're very good, Rob! Good detail and sharpness given the size.
This is the first serious outing for my "new" Powermate and happy with its performance. Thanks for the encouragement Mike!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Screwdriverone
Very nice Rob,
Both came out well, but the Saturn one is a corker.
Well done.
Cheers
Chris
Yep - I reckon the ToUcam pays for itself just to have around for doing Saturn and Jupiter (not to mention polar alignment at remote sites). Cheers Chris.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Quark
Thats a very good result Rob,
You have captured some nice detail on Mars, several clouds and some nice albedo shading. It is unfortunate that this face of Mars that is currently presented to us in OZ is certainly the most bland, regarding contrasts in albedo.
Love your image of Saturn, a top effort indeed.
Regards
Trevor
Its interesting to hear you say that Trevor - I spent some time looking at Starry Night versus my Mars, and was worried I couldn't see much of the detail shown. There didn't seem to many recent Mars shots from the last few days to compare with either. Just seeing the poles was great at least. I can remember being quite disappointed at my first Mars views through the old 4.5" Newt. Thanks for the thumbs up!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Scorpius51
Hi Rob
Nice job - and very encouraging for me! I too have a SW600 but have yet to see or capture Mars & Saturn with it. Did you require any Barlow or did you image directly with the ToUCam.
The cloud has been pest here of late and I'm hanging out to see those two.
Cheers
John
Hi John. I reckon the SW600 is such a great value for money package if you're not made of money. I've got some pics on my website (see my signature thingy) taken with a Toucam and 2 barlows - a 1.25" 2x + 2" 2x = 4x magnification total. I used a 5x Powermate here, which is similar to a barow, but nicer image quality, particularly for imaging. The seeing on the night really is a make or break for this sort of thing, and you do end up with a lot more detail in stacked AVIs usually to what is visible wobbling around in the eyepiece. You can get decent Saturn and Jup pics with a Toucam and single barlow, but really need to get focal length above 2m for decent image scale.
Wet season sure is a drag
Quote:
Originally Posted by Troy
Both stunning pictures there Rob.
Your Mars picture has improved a lot using the 8'' has made a huge difference
Thats great going! good to see these,considering the seeing conditions the last few nights.you did very well with these.
I having been trying to visually observe Mars the last few nights,and its like someone is pooring water over the front end of scope!
Thanks Chris - I've got a lot of satisfaction out of the extra detail that often comes out of stacking a few hundred frames. Amazing software Registax. I have a go regardless of seeing - I just don't have the experience really to pick a top night (nor the luxury of picking and choosing nights usually!)
Quote:
Originally Posted by jjjnettie
Beaut work Rob.
Thanks Jeanette!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Davros
That Saturn is very speccy, must pay some attention to it i guess.
Cheers Mick - yes, its nice to be able to check out Saturn again at a half decent hour.
Great stuff Rob! Sure is nice to be seeing Saturn rising again! It seems like an eternity since the last time I pointed a video camera at a planet... Must get back on the horse!
Very nice images. I like the Saturn and I think you have done a good job on capturing it.
Frank
Thanks Frank Cool avatar!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kevnool
Hi Rob the Saturn image is great,The Cassini division is starting to show again as the rings open.
Cheers Kev.
Thanks Kev - Yes, it was pleasing to see the Cassini division coming through more clearly, now the rings are opening more.
Quote:
Originally Posted by AlexN
Great stuff Rob! Sure is nice to be seeing Saturn rising again! It seems like an eternity since the last time I pointed a video camera at a planet... Must get back on the horse!
Cheers Alex - then again, there's always the possibility of using.........an eyepiece?! (shock, horror....)
Eye.. Piece.. 
