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rolandlinda3
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 01/24/06
Posts: 1430
Loc: Crozet VA 22932
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I have always appreciated the grand panoramic views of the Milky Way that astro-photographers have done. Using a low-end camera manual telephoto lens on the front of a MallinCAM ProDob camera, I mounted the arrangement on a monopod. Using settings that were deliberately insensitive, the arrangement yielded a surprisingly pleasing view of a portion of the Milky Way -- toward our galaxy's center. Last night we tried it again and examined the results against a couple star charts and photographs. The sketch shows a very rough idea of how we were able to define the edges of the dense/bright region of the Milky Way just to the right of the "tea pot". The monitor image was as good as many photographs I have seen; the sketch does not do the monitor scene justice but does show that this is a method to "paint" the Milky Way, constellations, loose clusters, etc. ...and be able to do it with a group that is discovering the Milky Way's features and beauty.
Because the scene is nearly instantaneous, it is easy to move to other regions quickly. The field of view is so wide that no pointer is necessary--just aim in the right direction and adjust to center the area one wants, and start sketching.
Roland
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frank5817
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 06/13/06
Posts: 2734
Loc: Illinois
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Roland,
Excellent drawing of what the MallinCam was showing you in the direction of the galaxy center. This wide view is nearly as nice as some of the close ups. With the deliberate insensitive setting was there any color?
Very nice post.
Frank 
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CarlosEH
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 01/19/05
Posts: 2902
Loc: Pembroke Pines, Broward County...
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Roland,
An excellent observation of the Milky Way showing the galactic center. Observing the Milky Way is always fun. Thank you for sharing it with us all.
Carlos
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Tommy5
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 03/28/04
Posts: 1352
Loc: Chicagoland
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great idea for a really unique sketch, thanks for posting
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rolandlinda3
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 01/24/06
Posts: 1430
Loc: Crozet VA 22932
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Thanks all. No color, Frank, since I was using as B&W video camera. I have not tried the color one yet. I am tempted, but I do have to be a little more careful and also remove an adaptation ring before attaching the little camera lens. Will see if I get a chance to do it. The galactic central area probably has more chance to reveal some color using this method than anywhere else.
If it works, it just makes me smile considering that it might be possible to project a color image of the galactic center LIVE in front of a bunch of kids...and have them sketch what they see!! I keep thinking this is really cheating, but boy is it fun.
Roland
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rodelaet
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 04/28/06
Posts: 2368
Loc: 50°56' N - 4°58' E (Belgium)
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Roland,
Excellent use of the camera!
If you have the chance, try to mount a UHC filter in front of the little CS lens. I had some marvelous scenes of the milky way which remained invisble to the naked eye in a light polluted sky.
To give you an idea, here is a little mosaic from live feeds under a nelm 5 sky. Half of the scene was just invisible due to light pollution.
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Rony
My Astronomy Sketches
My Binocular Sketches
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rolandlinda3
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 01/24/06
Posts: 1430
Loc: Crozet VA 22932
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Rony, that is really nice but how does the filter fit? My little manual camera lens screws directly into the body of the camera, which is where a filter would go. The front of the lens is too big for a normal filter. Also, did the filter make that much difference on an integration setting or where you using an instantaneous shutter speed as the video feed?
I want to try the same thing around Cygnus and then sketch it. Perhaps we can try it together and see how it does.
If I recall, you are using a Mintron?
Roland
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rodelaet
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 04/28/06
Posts: 2368
Loc: 50°56' N - 4°58' E (Belgium)
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Roland,
I have a Watec 120N, in US sold as Stellacam.
The CS lens that was included in the package was this one.
This lens happens to have the same diameter as a 1.25" filter.
I took a standard eyepiece cap, and cut out the bottom. The resulting ring goes over the front of the Cs lens as a collar. Then I can slide a 1.25" filter in front of the lens.
I used full frame integration, cause the UHC filter blocks a lot of light.
The same can be done with a H-Alpha filter. Works great with these camera's.
Sounds fun to do some simultaneous work, Roland! We can work out something together, weather permitting of course. 
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Rony
My Astronomy Sketches
My Binocular Sketches
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rolandlinda3
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 01/24/06
Posts: 1430
Loc: Crozet VA 22932
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Yep on the simultaneous work. Let me know. I would like to sketch the Cygnus area where the Milky Way dances through its center. Perhaps we can try it together and see what the lens/camera delivers for sketching. Roland
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