Dwight
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 04/06/04
Posts: 928
Loc: Silicon Valley, CA
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I bought my first scope, a Celestron 8" NexStar GPS, on Saturday and took this Saturday night. I used a Nikon Coolpix 995 on full auto mode mounted with a SteadyPix and shot through an Orion 9mm eyepiece.
I also took a few of Jupiter before this one but ended up with out-of-focus white blobs. I've been dying to try again but it's been cloudy ever since. Things are supposed to clear tomorrow, and Wednesday and Thursday should be perfect nights. 
Lots and lots to learn here!
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NexStar 11 GPS
ToUcam Pro II 840K
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TOMars
sage
Reged: 02/14/04
Posts: 233
Loc: Lancaster, CA
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Congratulations on your first image. Good work. Thats a great start. Is it stacked or is that a single raw image?
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Tom Varden
Lancaster, CA
http://labmonkeyonline.com/astrophotography_by_tom_varden.htm
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skadder
sage
Reged: 03/22/04
Posts: 236
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Yeah, nice shot. I am also interested to know if you have stacked or processed the image in any way. My guess is....processed in some way.
Adam
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ST80 on EQ1
Canon 300d
Pentax 10x25 Binos
Berkut 10X50 mono
Thinking about a 8" Dob...
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Dwight
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 04/06/04
Posts: 928
Loc: Silicon Valley, CA
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Thanks for the kind words. Actually, there's no processing whatsoever. I'd never even heard of stacking until I came to this forum last night. I tried a couple of things using Photoshop Elements such as trying to sharpen the focus, but couldn't get any improvement and ended up canceling my changes, so what you're seeing is straight out of the camera. Of the 12 photos I took of Saturn, Jupiter, and the Moon, this is the only one that came out halfway decent. 
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NexStar 11 GPS
ToUcam Pro II 840K
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TeamGS
Post Laureate
.gif)
Reged: 01/20/04
Posts: 3073
Loc: Elk Grove, CA
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Great first effort Dwight! Suggestions (My 2 cents):
1. I assume that you are shooting afocally (The EP plus the camera lens). If so, use the max optical zoom. You can use the digital zoom for focusing assistance, but try not to use it for imaging.
2. You will probably want to invest in a 2x or 3x barlow to get more magnification.
3. The object is to take as many frames in a short period of time to reduce the effects of planetary rotation(3 to 5 minutes max for Jupiter, Saturn is more forgiving), then stack them in one of the free packages out there, like Registax. Then you tweak it some more in an imaging program.
4. You could try the movie mode, though you don't have to. If you are simply taking multiple images, try to get at least 20, but the more the better.
5. I would stick with manual mode, and play around with your ISO, shutter speed, and Fstops.
6. I would also manually focus to infinity.
7. If you can use the 10 second timer, do it, as this will help reduce the number of blurred images.
I am sure I have forgotten something, and other, more expert imagers may have better ideas.
Keep em coming!
Regards,
Gary
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Celestron 80ED
Losmandy G11
NexStar 80
Starlight Xpress SXV-H9
SXV guidehead, ToUcam 840
http://www.teamgs.org/astrophotography.htm
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TOMars
sage
Reged: 02/14/04
Posts: 233
Loc: Lancaster, CA
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Yes, yes, yes. Stack, stack, stack. Next time you go out just get as many of those shots as you can. Once you get those stacked up, youll be floored when you see the results. If thats a raw frame, buckle your seatbelt and download Registax from here web page
If you need further help with processing, just say the word. Welcome to astrophotgraphy. Im working on processing your image a little (if you dont mind) and I need to know- what time was the photo taken and did you use a diagonal?
Edited by TOMars (04/06/04 04:56 PM)
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TOMars
sage
Reged: 02/14/04
Posts: 233
Loc: Lancaster, CA
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I used Photoshop on your photo, I hope you dont mind. This is just a sample of what post-processing can do. Once you start stacking, youll be amazed. The original image is on the left, processed on the right. It looks like you captured a few moons, I tried to verify this with StarryNight, but I wasnt sure what time the image was taken. Anyhow, I used only Unsharp Masking, Levels, Curves in Photoshop, and wavelet in Registax.
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Tom Varden
Lancaster, CA
http://labmonkeyonline.com/astrophotography_by_tom_varden.htm
Edited by TOMars (04/06/04 05:07 PM)
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skadder
sage
Reged: 03/22/04
Posts: 236
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WOW Tomars.....I didn't realize you could improve things that much with just photo shop. I will have to put it back on my computer!
I have sooooooo much to learn!!
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ST80 on EQ1
Canon 300d
Pentax 10x25 Binos
Berkut 10X50 mono
Thinking about a 8" Dob...
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Dwight
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 04/06/04
Posts: 928
Loc: Silicon Valley, CA
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Wow, Tom, I too am really impressed with what you were able to do with Photoshop (and absolutely I don't mind your helping to add to my education)!  Like Skadder, I too have sooooo much to learn! But then, that's part of the fun! 
The image was taken 4/03 @ 10:09 PM Pacific Standard
You mention Unsharp Masking, Levels, Curves - wonder if Photoshop Elements has these processes. I'm going to have to look. Wish I could sit at your knee for an hour or two and learn.  If it's not too much trouble (or typing), a brief description of how this was done would be very much appreciated.
Gary - thanks for the tips. I never use digital zoom. Right now, it's sunny and warm in the South Bay, and not a cloud in sight to the west, so I'm hoping to try some more tonight. For starters, I want to ...
- Use max resolution on the camera (2048x1536)
- Use manual focus
- Use spot metering instead of my normal matrix metering (I believe this is why my Jupiter images were all washed out).
- Play with higher ASA numbers
- Play with bracketed images
The camera also supports Continuous Images which takes photos for as long as one holds down the shutter release (or until it runs out of memory). Might be useful for an attempt at stacking. I do think I want to practice a little bit more though, and learn how to get the best from the scope and the camera together before delving into stacking and such. The way I figure it, the better the starting images prior to stacking, the better the result will be. 
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NexStar 11 GPS
ToUcam Pro II 840K
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Dwight
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 04/06/04
Posts: 928
Loc: Silicon Valley, CA
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I poked around in Photoshop Elements and found Unsharp Masking and Levels (both RGB and Brightness/Contrast). No Curves that I could find (though I don't really know what I'm looking for). At any rate, I fooled around a bit and came up with this photo. Not as good as yours Tom, but it's a start. Thanks for the direction.
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NexStar 11 GPS
ToUcam Pro II 840K
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skadder
sage
Reged: 03/22/04
Posts: 236
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Dwight,
I downloaded the Registax in order to stack images....I am sure I have a lot to learn but its a fairly straight forward program....you should try to incorporate it if you can....
Regards
I know nothin'
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ST80 on EQ1
Canon 300d
Pentax 10x25 Binos
Berkut 10X50 mono
Thinking about a 8" Dob...
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TeamGS
Post Laureate
Reged: 01/20/04
Posts: 3073
Loc: Elk Grove, CA
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Hey Dwight,
All this PS tinkering, and I had to give it a shot. Looks like you had some nice detail in there!
Regards,
Gary
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Celestron 80ED
Losmandy G11
NexStar 80
Starlight Xpress SXV-H9
SXV guidehead, ToUcam 840
http://www.teamgs.org/astrophotography.htm
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TeamGS
Post Laureate
Reged: 01/20/04
Posts: 3073
Loc: Elk Grove, CA
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Just kidding...I couldn't resist...Thanks to Wes for the inspirational shot....!
BTW, I also blame Wes for my spending of many $$ to try and match his results!
At least it gives me something to shoot for!
Dwight, with many more images stacked, you will be amazed at how much better your results will get, as your single raw already had nice detail. Keep up the good work!
Regards,
Gary
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Celestron 80ED
Losmandy G11
NexStar 80
Starlight Xpress SXV-H9
SXV guidehead, ToUcam 840
http://www.teamgs.org/astrophotography.htm
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TOMars
sage
Reged: 02/14/04
Posts: 233
Loc: Lancaster, CA
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I checked Starry Night and I cant seem to figure out which moons you caught, I suppose it might be noise. Anyhow, they look like moons to me, so check it out on your planetarium software. Is your image backwards?
Ill try to give a short description of the processing I did.
1. Curves - I always select the space around a planet for moons by raising the Curves in PS. This is fairly intuitive, just drag the line bisecting the graph to the upper left to your tastes. To get this right takes some practice. I cant get into all the ins and outs of this or we'd be here forever.
2. Unsharp Masking - This is under the filter menu in PS, in the Sharpen menu. There are 3 variables here and its pretty self explanatory. This actually subtracts blurred light from your image.
3. Levels - This helps you compensate for under or overexposing an image. Its like a fancy brightness control split into 3 colors.
4. I also decreased the image size a little and used Gaussian Blur to combat noise.
All these things take a little getting used to. I certainly dont know the technical aspects of this software. I cant give you detailed explanations but Jerry Lodriguss has an excellent book and website. His site is
here.
I have a list of great links for digital imaging on my site. The URL is below. They will be a better source than I. If your software has these features, Ill try to help out however I can. Just post here or send me emails, or whatever you like and Ill be happy to walk you through some processing in more detail.
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Tom Varden
Lancaster, CA
http://labmonkeyonline.com/astrophotography_by_tom_varden.htm
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skadder
sage
Reged: 03/22/04
Posts: 236
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Gary,
Wow...you had me fooled...I thought you had 'special powers' or something....cosmic radiation or sumthin.
Good one
Adam
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ST80 on EQ1
Canon 300d
Pentax 10x25 Binos
Berkut 10X50 mono
Thinking about a 8" Dob...
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Charles
Post Laureate
Reged: 06/12/03
Posts: 4111
Loc: Enterprise, AL
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I gave up competing with Wes!
I just hope Wes doesn't get into CCD imaging!
Charles
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TOMars
sage
Reged: 02/14/04
Posts: 233
Loc: Lancaster, CA
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 Where do I get that version of Photshop? It must be on Wes' computer. Just hit the Hoverizer, Wes-filter or the Suk-adjuster fuction and voila perfect image. Maybe theres a Takahashi plug-in.
Great work on that shot Dwight. Keep it up. I would definately try to use the continual shot mode next time you take images. Also, try and use your telescope's focuser as opposed to your camera's auto-focus. Exposure settings can get tricky, but you'll want to experiment with that as well.
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Tom Varden
Lancaster, CA
http://labmonkeyonline.com/astrophotography_by_tom_varden.htm
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Dwight
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 04/06/04
Posts: 928
Loc: Silicon Valley, CA
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Thank you once again folks for the tips and encouragement, and the warm welcome. Sounds like I'm going to have to keep my eyes open for Wes and his work here.
Here's a question... any recommendations for planetarium software with scope-pointing ability? Celestron seems to have a deal with TheSky, and my scope came with a "Student Edition" of it (read cheapest), and it won't point the scope.  Since I need to upgrade anyway, I want to get the best out there.
Tom - my scope reverses left-to-right but not top-to-bottom. Thanks for the explanation of the processes. Is that also the order in which you initially use them (curves, then unsharp masking, then levels)?
High clouds again last night. Very frustrating!  I want to play with my new toy!!
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NexStar 11 GPS
ToUcam Pro II 840K
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Ricky
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 09/09/03
Posts: 2173
Loc: Nor Cal
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Hi Dwight,
There are quite a few folks in here that are very good planetary as well as dso imagers. It takes practice and patience to hit the imaging sweet spot...plus it doesn't hurt to have some good-exceptional seeing conditions. Keep it up.
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Regards Ricky
_______________
Astro-Tech 6" RC (wait list)
ADM Mount (on the way!)
QHY 8 ccd (wait list)
66-80mm apo (deciding)
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wes
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 11/13/03
Posts: 978
Loc: Oklahoma
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Quote:
Hi Dwight,
There are quite a few folks in here that are very good planetary as well as dso imagers. It takes practice and patience to hit the imaging sweet spot...plus it doesn't hurt to have some good-exceptional seeing conditions. Keep it up.
The above quote is very true, I am just fortunate to at times have some decent seeing although not nearly as often
as I would like but who does unless it's Chris from
Cebu City, Philippines , he has had some amazing images lately.
The main thing is to get out and have fun imaging .
Thanks,
Wes Higgins
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TOMars
sage
Reged: 02/14/04
Posts: 233
Loc: Lancaster, CA
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Dwight,
I checked StarryNight again and tried to verify the "moons" but no luck. It shows them in other positions. Either your camera has hot pixels, its strange noise, or moons. Considering its a raw frame it could be noise, but it seems too strong for that.
With good data I usually :
1. Load into Registax. Deselect bad data. Align on best image. Stack. Gamma. Wavelet(sharpening). Save.
2. Load in PS. Check space around planet for Moons with Curves (to do good Curves adjustments takes getting used to). I dont use Curves on the planet. Adjust Levels to combat noise and under/overexposure.
That should be all you need to get started. If youre images are a little off, like mine are, you might need slight brightness-contrast adjustments, cropping, saturation, depending on the situation. Practice with terrestrial photos to cut your teeth in PS. It seems you could study that program for life and never get all of it. Jerry Lodriguss has a book about Photoshop for astrophotography if youre interested. Its on my list.
Anyhow, good luck and let me know if you have any more questions.
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Tom Varden
Lancaster, CA
http://labmonkeyonline.com/astrophotography_by_tom_varden.htm
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