Rob, sadly, Canberra's fantastic track record for crap seeing remains intact. Conditions just got exponentially worse within a couple of hours.
I'm just about sick of it, actually. I've been hauling myself out there for 6 months straight with the 9.25 and don't feel like I'm making much headway.
I've little by little fixed those areas which are under my control (collimation, dew, etc) but my images remain disappointing. I might have to concede defeat.
I'm at that point where I'm wondering whether further expenditure is going to leave me even more depressed?
Sorry mate, but you asked
I can feel a clearance sale coming on. Expressions of interest are welcome.
Rob, sadly, Canberra's fantastic track record for crap seeing remains intact. Conditions just got exponentially worse within a couple of hours.
I'm just about sick of it, actually. I've been hauling myself out there for 6 months straight with the 9.25 and don't feel like I'm making much headway.
I've little by little fixed those areas which are under my control (collimation, dew, etc) but my images remain disappointing. I might have to concede defeat.
I'm at that point where I'm wondering whether further expenditure is going to leave me even more depressed?
Sorry mate, but you asked
I can feel a clearance sale coming on. Expressions of interest are welcome.
Hey Matt, I can understand that. I've had a few patches when I thought like tossing it in as I wasn't getting anywhere, and that's with Brisbane seeing which I suspect, given our more sub-tropical locale, is likely to fare better over the year than Canberra (I could make all sorts of jokes here about hot air, but I'm sure you've heard 'em all before).
Maybe the winter is when it all comes together for Canberra? Reckon I'd struggle with it though... I'm still imaging up here in a T-shirt, though I've been forced to wear jeans instead of shorts the last couple time out - it's hell!
Anyway, hope you can stick it a while longer - it only takes one night of good seeing to get you going again and make those mountains into speedbumps .
Not sure what you mean about Winter being when it all comes together here in Canberra????
If you mean massive temperature differentials, humidity over 75% by 10pm and 98 % by early am... smoke from thousands of fires and seeing that looks like it's rarely above 3-4/10... then yeah, it's all coming together nicely.
Not sure what you mean about Winter being when it all comes together here in Canberra????
If you mean massive temperature differentials, humidity over 75% by 10pm and 98 % by early am... smoke from thousands of fires and seeing that looks like it's rarely above 3-4/10... then yeah, it's all coming together nicely.
well I did say, Maybe
you've talked me out of moving
Anyway Matt, hope those conditions can leave off for you for a couple of nights sometime soon - like to see you score at least one night of 8+/10 seeing, keeps you going for weeks.
In 6 months, you have achieved a lot, you really have; it took me 6 years to get an image of Jupiter only half as good as the one you attached in this post. You've taken on a BIG challenge and so far have been doing a great job in mastering the equipment and techniques required.
Keep at it and the holy grail of 8/10 will come visit you one incredible, mind blowing night. Your skills will be ready for her warm, enchanting and captivating embrace and those long, cold, lonely nights will be banished.
Dennis - haven't you only had the 9.25 for about the same time as me?
Didn't you get yours late last year? Same for Rob T.
And Asimov has had his even less time.
We've all had the same scopes for about the same time, but compare results. What can I say...
I'm going to sit down and have a long hard think about it all.
Thanks anyway
Hi Matt, yeh I've only had the C9.25 a while, but had 9 months of planetary imaging prior to that with the Mewlon and 6 inch acromatic... My best results 6 months in ain't pretty though. Asi the same I think.
I've been punishing myself for over 6 years with astrophotography in general, from 35mm film to CCD, Meade LIP and now the ToUcam. All the stuff I learned, equipment foibles, seeing, software, etc during that period was available to me when I started with the C9.25 and ToUcam approx 6 months ago.
If you have started from ground zero with a C9.25 and ToUcam - I take my hat off to you. It is a big piece of glass with a long focal length and can be very unforgiving. My first Jupiter’s were with the Meade LPI and a 4” f9 (918mm focal length) refractor, which was tough, but quite forgiving and manageable.
I would not have liked to start my Jupiter career with a C9.25 and a ToUcam.
We all feel this way at times. Just before I sold the refractor & bought the C9.25, I was contemplating getting the hell out of astronomy. I certainly haven't seen too many nights with good seeing since I took up astrophotography...4 nights I think, 1 night with the C9.25 in over a year.
I have been in this game for over 30 yrs now, & as much as I've ranted & raved & threatened to sell the whole shooting match & just forget all about it/take up another hobby etc, I found it impossible to do. It's in my blood. The fascination to see, & now to photograph the heavens is overpowering.
It takes a person with a lot of patience to do what we do; never one of my strong points Hang in there Matt! Your opportunity is just around the corner, guaranteed.
![[1ponders]'s Avatar](../vbiis/customavatars/avatar45_9.gif){kind=avatar}
... so how did it go later on?
