Saturn April 16-17th QHY5L-ll IR DFK Colour.

[U.K.Cowboy (Stuart)]

Conditions were terrible imaging through cloud at 20 degrees max gain with very dark images.

3 images below. Taken with QHY5L-ll IR 742 filter and DFK colour. 1st is combine colour and IR, 2nd is IR and 3rd DFK colour.

QHY5L-ll IR DFK colour combine :

QHY IR 742:

DFK colour:

[asimov (John)]

The combo is certainly a better result, Stuart. Pity about the conditions but I 100% understand the concept of testing theories out.

[Quark (Trevor)]

Very interesting results Stewart,

The QHY & IR combination is always going to be the sharpest, low alt is where the IR really does shine. Given better seeing it will be interesting to see the difference between the QHY with perhaps a Astronomic or Astrodon R filter compared to the DFK result. Do you know anyone else in your region that does planetary imaging who might lend you a R filter just to see how it works out.

Regards
Trevor

[U.K.Cowboy (Stuart)]

Thanks John the combo shots are working wonders compared to the straight DFK shots in these conditions almost like using a bigger scope. I've now ordered the colour QHY to replace the DFK and make the process much more efficient. Eyepiece wheel I got is increasing image scale rather too much with some collimation issues.

Cheers Trevor I shall look into getting a red filter which would suit poorer trans seeing.

[allan gould]

Stuart
Went out tonight with the mistaken belief that I could take a series of avi of Saturn and then turn it into a time lapse movie. Absolutely miserable seeing here at about 3-4/10 so I gave it away. Glad you managed to get something and I'm still thinking colour or filter wheel.
Allan

[U.K.Cowboy (Stuart)]

Thanks Allan. Whether you choose a filter wheel or not I can certainly recommend an IR pass filter for those wobbly nights.

[asimov (John)]

I think I've already recommended an ADC haven't I Stuart? Expensive but 'low elevation targets' it thumbs it's nose at..

[U.K.Cowboy (Stuart)]

Yes you have thanks John. Maybe next year that will be my big purchase as there will be 10 years of Saturn below 20 degrees it should get plenty of use lol

[asimov (John)]

10 years of below 20?? Might need 2 mate!

[U.K.Cowboy (Stuart)]

LOL yep it will be so low I'll need a spade!

14 degrees at its lowest then back up to a mighty 20 by 2022 and a whopping 25 (as this year) in 2023! We'll have been taken over by robots by then.