I feel most sorry for Matt, who suffered awful seeing conditions in Canberra when it was hitting 9/10 in Brissie. Since the poor fellow relocated to Brissie, it’s been an awful period of seeing, not to mention fewer nights on which to even consider dragging the gear outside!
A couple of seasons ago, the seeing was soooo good that I almost didn’t need to process the AVI’s in Registax, the detail was popping out on individual frames!
Ahhhhh.
Yes...I remember your images from that period, Dennis, and recall thinking to myself 'Wow!!! I gotta hi-tail it to Brizzy"
As you say, no such luck this apparition.
But nice work on Uranus and the moons
Dennis, you've inspired me to have a crack at this myself. I've never imaged Uranus. But I may as well while I wait for my new LRGB filter set to arrive.
I'm considering having a go at this tonight, Dennis.
Although it's quite windy today, and the seeing's going to be horrid. It probably doesn't matter too much about the seeing, since I'm not trying to capture very fine planetary surface detail as is the case with Jupiter.
I wonder what length exposure I'd need to set using the C9.25, DMK 21AF04 and 3x barlow??? Would it be wise to use some kind of filter (IR)?? Hmmm.
I'm considering having a go at this tonight, Dennis.
Although it's quite windy today, and the seeing's going to be horrid. It probably doesn't matter too much about the seeing, since I'm not trying to capture very fine planetary surface detail as is the case with Jupiter.
I wonder what length exposure I'd need to set using the C9.25, DMK 21AF04 and 3x barlow??? Would it be wise to use some kind of filter (IR)?? Hmmm.
It'll be a night of experimentation.
Hi Matt
Great stuff – if this horrendous wind eases I might just get out there myself as well.
Here is a link to a CN Post where a guy has used his 8” Newt at F19.6 with a DMK21AF04.AS - you should find his settings in there; I think he was exposing for 2.8 secs at a Gain of 950.
If you want an easy start, I’d go for Neptune at the prime focus of your C9.25; you should be able to pick up his moon Triton quite easily. I usually leave the IR block filter on the DMK camera just to protect the chip from dust bunnies.
Neptune – Triton separation 73 arcsec for around 11:00pm.
Uranus – Umbriel separation 17 arcsec at around 9:30pm.
I was using the cooled and more sensitive ST7 at F48 with 15 sec exposures just to get some image scale. Not too sure how tonight’s conditions will hold up for such long exposures!
The Uranian (?) moon positions are not as favourable compared to the time I grabbed them.
We’re still being pounded by the wind here, so maybe just a bit of visual observing will have to suffice for tonight? Must find my set of eyepieces and figure out how to use them!
Cheers
Dennis
PS – Matt, I read somewhere that the C11’s just don’t cut it, and that the C9.25 is the preferred ‘scope for serious planetary imagers!
it arrived yesterday. unfortunately for me it balances ok without anything on it, it will not balance however with camera/dew shield/heater band etc etc.. I need another counterweight...
I think I'll just use the old 8" tonight.. I'll go somewhere monday and get another counterweight.
