Click here if you are having trouble logging into the forums Cloudy Nights - Official Forums of the 2009 International Year of Astronomy Privacy Policy | Please read our Terms of Service | Signup and Troubleshooting FAQ | Problems? PM a Red or a Green Gu.... uh, User   You are not logged in. [Login] Entrance · Main Index · Search · New user · Who's Online FAQ · Calendar Astrophotography and Sketching >> Beginning Imaging Previous   Index   Next   Threaded   Pages: 1 EricJD super member Reged: 07/24/07 Posts: 112 Loc: Chesapeake VA Weird smudges       #2594479 - 08/21/08 01:30 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Anyone have any idea as to what may be causing these black smudges? I adjusted the image to make them more visible. -------------------- Orion 120mm @ f5 Post Extras:       Nils_Lars scholastic sledgehammer Reged: 01/04/08 Posts: 903 Loc: Santa Cruz Mountains , CA Re: Weird smudges [Re: EricJD]       #2594508 - 08/21/08 01:58 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Dust motes? Maybe use some flats to get rid of them. -------------------- Erik Orion ED 80 Orion Atlas GOTO mount Williams Optics reducer Various eyepieces and other gear Baytronix 80mm guidescope Orion Starshoot Autoguider PHD guide Canon 400D (unmodded) Stilleto Focuser Tamron 75-300mm&28-80mm lenses NexImage webcam http://home.comcast.net/~eriknlarsen/site/?/photos/ Post Extras:       jgraham Postmaster Reged: 12/02/04 Posts: 5313 Loc: Dayton, Ohio Re: Weird smudges [Re: Nils_Lars]       #2594676 - 08/21/08 07:46 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Yep, dust on the CCD or filter near the CCD. A careful cleaning should get rid of most of them. Applying flats will also help. Also, if you have a bit of tracking drift using median combine may reduce them. -------------------- -John ================================================ Homebuilt scopes from 4.25-16.5" Meade LXD75-N6/SN6/SC8, DSX-90, ETX-60BB, ETX-125PE, DS-2130 Orion StarBlast, BinoViewers, Coronado PST Rebel XT/XTi, DSI Pro (I & II), DSI, LPI, Electronic Eyepiece, Phillips SPC900NC Tasco 60mm Refractors Post Extras:       EricJD super member Reged: 07/24/07 Posts: 112 Loc: Chesapeake VA Re: Weird smudges [Re: jgraham]       #2594955 - 08/21/08 10:12 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Thanks guys, will clean the CCD and see what happens. I believe for a DSI pro a Q-tip with rubbing alcohol is the way to clean it? -------------------- Orion 120mm @ f5 Post Extras:       jgraham Postmaster Reged: 12/02/04 Posts: 5313 Loc: Dayton, Ohio Re: Weird smudges [Re: EricJD]       #2595208 - 08/21/08 12:34 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   I use a dry cotton swab and a puffer bulb to clean mine. I thought the documentation did recomend an alcohol as a cleaning solvent, but I'd check just to be sure. -------------------- -John ================================================ Homebuilt scopes from 4.25-16.5" Meade LXD75-N6/SN6/SC8, DSX-90, ETX-60BB, ETX-125PE, DS-2130 Orion StarBlast, BinoViewers, Coronado PST Rebel XT/XTi, DSI Pro (I & II), DSI, LPI, Electronic Eyepiece, Phillips SPC900NC Tasco 60mm Refractors Post Extras:       RandallK professor emeritus Reged: 11/10/06 Posts: 713 Loc: Nanaimo, B. C. Canada Re: Weird smudges [Re: EricJD]       #2595269 - 08/21/08 01:06 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Give it a blow before using any liquid (isopropyl). It should work free. -------------------- Scopes: Meade SC-8AT w UHTC SkyWatcher 5" F/5 Reflector SkyWatcher 127mm MAK Mount: HEQ5 Pro Cameras: Orion Starshoot DS Colour Imager V.1 Imaging Source Webcam DMK21AU04.AS Palm TX PDA w Astromist and Bluetooth wireles control. 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