Jupiter 9th February

Hitchhiker · #1 12-02-2006, 12:22 AM

Here are my Jupiters from Thursday morning the 9th February.

These are my first images of Jupiter, and my first images with my new 2.5x Powermate. Seeing was average - Jupiter was distorting quite noticeably on the laptop screen.

After the first image, I did a quick process in Registax and found some onion ring artifacts. I increased my exposure to 1/10 of a second for the next exposures.

Once I processed all the images I found a subtle 'onion ring' effect around the disk. I don't believe it was caused by underexposure but by the distortion of the disk of Jupiter by the seeing. As Registax was stacking I could see the disk 'wobbling' all over the place. I found if I hit the wavelets too hard, the onion ring would appear.

Contrary to my normal practice, I did not collimate my scope before imaging - I think I'm a bit off.

Anyway,no competition for the top guys on IIS, but I had a lot of fun imaging and processing. I love the amount of detail visible on Jupiter even with my inexperience.

For image number 2, I attempted to image just as the GRS was crossing the meridian. I started my exposures at 17:27 UT and finished at 17:29 UT.

Mick (Michael) · #2 12-02-2006, 12:35 AM

Fun is the one Adam very nice work.

davidpretorius · #3 12-02-2006, 05:32 AM

you have to be happy with these. well done for your first effort!

2 & 5 are my favourites.

by looking at the moon, i reckon you are right about being slightly out with the collimation, but given the seeing wasn't great, i reckon these are tops.

all you need is a great nights seeing and look out!!

iceman (Mike) · #4 12-02-2006, 07:22 AM

They're excellent for your first attempt at Jupiter!

Well done!

Robert_T · #5 12-02-2006, 08:22 AM

Adam, these are good by any standards, and great for a first attempt at Jupiter.

Interesting you've been suffering that slight onion ring effect. I hadn't thought that poor seeing disk distortion might be a cause, but now you mention it maybe that is a factor. Might have to go through one of my "onioned up" avis with Virtual DUb and try and ditch the distorted frames before processing and see if that helps.

Anyway - great pics.