Observing vs Imaging

[PCH (Paul)]

Observing only so far for me guys - although I have to admit those fabulous colour shots (probably rather a plebian term for the countless hours of imaging and processing that goes into them - sorry !) are really appealing to me.

However, if I'm honest with myself, I'm not convinced I could spend the time both taking the "shots" and doing the processing that's required.

But then.... with the price of HEQ5s from Andrews at the moment, it might be worth having a play around

Cheers,

[Matty P (Matt)]

Just a question,

Does anyone observe visually with another scope while their other setup is imaging?

[Kevnool (Kev)]

At least i can say i saw it......cheers Kev

[edwardsdj (Doug)]

Originally Posted by Matty P

Does anyone observe visually with another scope while their other setup is imaging?

I often do this while imaging. It takes a lot of motivation to setup two scopes plus imaging gear though.

[Kokatha man]

Originally Posted by Rob_K

At first I had real difficulty with this poll Matt, because I really enjoy both observing and imaging.

But then I thought, if I could only do one, which would it be?

No-brainer, I'm an observer!

Cheers -

Just starting to dip the toes into imaging waters, but I'd have to say that if Rob's choice of scenerios was all that was on the table, "either/or" - my visual obbing would win hands down.

I can allways look at topflight images that few people could attain, like the one of Io and Jupiter's surface detail in an IIS post today: these are out of bounds for any of the general public.

To me, it reminds me of that great Leunig cartoon of the guy watching the sunrise on tv with his back to the window with the real sunset view: a bit like saying, would you like to go on an adventure travel and actually be amongst the open air and witness it with your eyes, or would you prefer to ride in an enclosed box with a remote viewer recording the whole show, doing the processing yourself later to enjoy the "experience."

Now, none of this is any criticism of those that are imaging afficianadoes in any way: it's just the way I feel and the way I see it: I'm visceral in that regard, to me there's enough mediated stuff in this life, and not enough of the real thing in all sorts of ways.

Cheers, and nuffin against anyone else's preferences, Darryl....!

[DSO]

Originally Posted by Matty P

IMHO, I believe that imaging is much more rewarding than visual observing.

I disagree. I am purely an observer and find locating, seeing and sketching DSO's very rewarding. I have tried imaging and hated the fiddling about and the fact that I felt totally divorced from what I was observing.
Nah, give me a nice Dob, some TeleVue eyepieces and sketchpad/pencils and I am happy.

[bones]

At the moment, I'm an observer. Not being technically minded or experienced, the imaging side of it to me seems like getting out in deep water when I'm not a good swimmer. Looking at the imaging shots I see on IIS and other sites, it's definitely something I'd like to do one day but I've got to work my way into it. Not ready for it yet, but one day...one day.

[Matty P (Matt)]

I actually thought that the voting would be fairly even.

Only 30 percent of the people who have voted are imagers. I thought that the percentage of imagers would be higher.

[AlexN]

Observer... Although I have started imaging here and there. (and have started the everlasting spending on imaging gear.. I intend to set up my 8" on a HEQ5/EQ6 and get a 16" truss... Best of both worlds...

[Hagar (Doug)]

I observe my telescope and camera when ere I can.

[DaveGee (Dave Gault)]

Originally Posted by Matty P

Just a question,
Does anyone observe visually with another scope while their other setup is imaging?

Just to be awkward...

I have observed an asteroid occultation by setting up one scope (complete with a video camera and VTI) and leaving it to run unattended while I drove 12km up the road to set up another telescope to observe the same event, thereby observing two chords across the asteroid. (See Aust. S&T October 2005 page 74)

You could say I imaging with the unattended scope and eyeball observed with the second... So to answer your question... Yep!

[Blue Skies (Jacquie)]

Originally Posted by Matty P

I actually thought that the voting would be fairly even.

Only 30 percent of the people who have voted are imagers. I thought that the percentage of imagers would be higher.

This is the Observational forum after all! Perhaps you would get a different result if you posted this down in the imaging forums.

I voted observer, as I have not taken my astrophotogrpahy that seriously. But I'm starting to learn more about digital imaging and can see myself doing a bit more of it in the future, but more with an aim to capturing transient phenomena (all kinds) rather than just taking the coffee table shots. But someone's got to do that, otherwise we wouldn't have any pretty pictures to inspire us to go and see all this stuff, would we?

[Starkler (Geoff)]

I like to observe and then later compare what I have seen visually to images of the same objects I find online. ie I'm happy to let others do all the hard work whilst I prefer my astronomy to be relaxing

[iceman (Mike)]

Originally Posted by Matty P

I actually thought that the voting would be fairly even.

Only 30 percent of the people who have voted are imagers. I thought that the percentage of imagers would be higher.

I think the voting is about right.. there's always far more visual observers than imagers when you go to a star party or observing night.

[Satchmo]

Why assume one or the other? I would like to think there are many well- rounded amateurs out there who do both.

[maksutover]

Long live the observers!!!

[iceman (Mike)]

Originally Posted by Satchmo

Why assume one or the other? I would like to think there are many well- rounded amateurs out there who do both.

If it was a multi-select poll I would've selected both

[thunderchildobs]

Imaging.

It is so easy and comfortable.

The scope is outside in the cold and dew taking pictures for my super nova search, while I check the images in my warm, dry white light friendly bedroom watching Star Trek and reading IIS threads.

Imaged 210 galaxies in 5 hours last night.



Brendan

[Starkler (Geoff)]

Originally Posted by thunderchildobs

Imaging.

It is so easy and comfortable.

The scope is outside in the cold and dew taking pictures for my super nova search, while I check the images in my warm, dry white light friendly bedroom watching Star Trek and reading IIS threads.

Imaged 210 galaxies in 5 hours last night.

Isnt that a bit like buying fish from a fish market and then saying you enjoyed the fishing trip?

For me a big part of the observing experience is about being out under the stars

[Matty P (Matt)]

Originally Posted by thunderchildobs

Imaged 210 galaxies in 5 hours last night.

That is defintiely amazing, 210 galaxies in 5 hours!