Mono Saturn with QHY5L-II

[toc (Tim)]

Here is my first 1/2 decent Saturn image

I used a Meade 12inch ACF, and a QHY5L-II mono camera. I used AutoStakkert for the stacking, and Photoshop for image sharpening. For some reason Registax was completely hopeless for stacking compared to AutoStakkert.

[gavcol (G)]

Hi Tim

I had a look (visual) and go at imaging Saturn last night between imaging Nebula.

Although my images were miserable compared to yours! It shows how much aperture makes a difference as I was using an ED80. Although visual views were very pleasing through a Meade (Model 140) 2x barlow and a Meade 24-8mm zoom EP. Crisp clear and good FOV.

However, imaging was a complete waste of time with the SPC900NC webcam, 2x barlow (listed above) and a try through both wxastrocapture and sharpcap software. Struggled with focus, size, contrast and just about everything else. Just when I thought I was getting the hang of imaging planets and just moved on to DSO's.

I too sturggled with Registax maybe I should give AutoStakkert a go too.

Excellent result keep it up and thanks for sharing!

Regards

Gav

[Saturn%5 (Graeme)]

Very nice saturn Tim well done.

[toc (Tim)]

Originally Posted by gavcol

Hi Tim

I had a look (visual) and go at imaging Saturn last night between imaging Nebula.

Although my images were miserable compared to yours! It shows how much aperture makes a difference as I was using an ED80. Although visual views were very pleasing through a Meade (Model 140) 2x barlow and a Meade 24-8mm zoom EP. Crisp clear and good FOV.

However, imaging was a complete waste of time with the SPC900NC webcam, 2x barlow (listed above) and a try through both wxastrocapture and sharpcap software. Struggled with focus, size, contrast and just about everything else. Just when I thought I was getting the hang of imaging planets and just moved on to DSO's.

I too sturggled with Registax maybe I should give AutoStakkert a go too.

Excellent result keep it up and thanks for sharing!

Regards

Gav

Thanks I always struggled with the SPC900 - I had a Celestron neximage, and never really was able to get good results out of it.

Focus is really really tricky at these mega focal lengths Ive bought a meade zero image shift focuser which should help. There is no way I would even attempt these sort of shots with the standard meade focuser. (I use a crayford that screws onto the back)

Ive found sharpcap to be the best software - always found wxastrocapture a bit unstable.

[Larryp (Laurie)]

Well done, Tim

[carlstronomy (Carl)]

Tim, nice image indeed good clear and crisp detail in the rings and the Cassini Division. I to struggled with a web cam and and expensive Celestron nock off of the same web cam. Once I upgraded to a DBK21 the difference was huge and the use of Registax seemed to deminish as autostakkert took over, but registax seems to still be good to take your image from AS to adjust if you dont have expensive photo software.

Carl