knuklhdastnmr
Pepperbelly
Reged: 02/24/05
Posts: 3579
Loc: Beerpuddle, Colorado
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Welcome to the Cloudy Nights Monthly Imaging Challenge in the Beginning Imaging Forum. This competition is intended to be a fun way for you to improve your imaging abilities and a way for you to see many new images with a variety of equipment. All imagers are welcome and encouraged to enter.
There are two categories in the Beginning Challenge - a "Bright" object category (a planetary, lunar or similar object that can be imaged with an unmodified webcam, "LPI" type imager, or a digicam - in short, a camera that is not capable of long exposures) and a "DSO" object category (for nebulas, galaxies and the like, which must be captured by a camera capable of long exposures).
Each month an object will be selected in each category of the competition by the winner in that category from 2 months previous. Having a one month delay allows voting and selection of the next object and will give a full month's time for entries.
September's "Bright" subject is the Lunar Crater Ptolemaeusv.
September's "DSO" subject is NGC7635 and M52, in the same widefield image.
The winning image in each category will be included in the Hall of Fame message thread. There are no other prizes. Please include your imaging details such as location, date, telescope, guiding, exposure time, etc with your submission.
Rules:
1. Have fun! Support other contestants and be polite with your comments.
2. All entries must be captured within the same imaging season. For example, if the December target is the Orion Nebula, you must use images taken during the current winter, not any other year. For Lunar targets the image must have been captured within the 12 months preceding the
date of submission
3. 3. Image size is limited to 800x800 pixels and 100k in size. The image may either be posted in the appropriate thread, or you may use UBB code to import the image from another site on the web. Imported images must meet the size criteria.
4. A separate submission thread will be created for each category. Please post your submissions in the proper thread.
5. Please do not post comments in the submission threads. You may post your comments about the submissions here in this thread.
6. Any equipment is allowed to be used in the images including rental equipment.
7. All image taking and development must be done by you. The one exception to this is that husband/wife teams are permitted.
8. Each person (or husband/wife team) may submit only 1 entry per month in each category. However, you may edit your submission and replace the image with a newer one if you wish using the Edit function. The edit function is available for three days after the original post. After that contact one of your moderators.
9. If you win a Beginning Challenge more than 3 times (3 times for DSO or 3 times for Bright Objects), you will officially "Graduate" from that Challenge Category and may no longer submit images in the category that you have "Graduated" from. This is intended to encourage successful
imagers to continue to sharpen their skills and increase their level of challenge, and also to give those who have not yet won one a clear shot at the title!
These rules may be changed each month as we figure out how to make this a more enjoyable experience for everyone.
Now polar align those mounts and get to capturin' some images!
Good Luck!
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FarmerDave
sage
Reged: 09/07/07
Posts: 381
Loc: Northern Virginia
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What was the result of the great "click-through to a larger image" debate - or was that even in this forum? My memory's shot. 
I don't see any on the existing entries, so I won't include one - but maybe it should be stated in the rules?
David
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Celestron C6/C9.25/CG-5GT Mount
Orion 80ED/EON 72/Supercharged Atlas EQ-G
Garrett Optical Signature Series 10x50
Canon XTi (soon to be modded)/Canon 40D (unmodded)
Meade DSI/Meade DSI Pro/Philips SPC900N
1944 Ford 2N/1948 Ford 8N
Bahtinov Mask Generator * AstroCataLink * 40DShutterCount
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Jerry3672
Vendor - Quantum Astronomy Products
Reged: 01/20/08
Posts: 294
Loc: Lexington NC
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I think rule 3 made it clear that you must stay in the 800X800 size and less than 100k to enter.
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Meade LXD75-SN-8
C11
DSI Pro
Sony H7
Canon XSi 450D unmod
www.spike-a.com
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FarmerDave
sage
Reged: 09/07/07
Posts: 381
Loc: Northern Virginia
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Quote:
I think rule 3 made it clear that you must stay in the 800X800 size and less than 100k to enter.
Right, for the entry - just wasn't sure if it was kosher to *also* provide a click-through link to a bigger one, like Rick (knuklhead...) talks about in this post - which is the debate to which I was referring - *waaaay* back in July.
Again, no one else is doing it, so I didn't. BTW, a belated thanks for the B-day wishes on that other thread.
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Celestron C6/C9.25/CG-5GT Mount
Orion 80ED/EON 72/Supercharged Atlas EQ-G
Garrett Optical Signature Series 10x50
Canon XTi (soon to be modded)/Canon 40D (unmodded)
Meade DSI/Meade DSI Pro/Philips SPC900N
1944 Ford 2N/1948 Ford 8N
Bahtinov Mask Generator * AstroCataLink * 40DShutterCount
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NyxAither
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 09/11/07
Posts: 829
Loc: Arlington VA
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I tried to add a link right after the rule was changed and it got deleted so you def. aren't allowed to use links anymore in the contests.
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Thomas
Orion XT8i
Orion 80-T Refractor
CG5 GoTo Mount w/ COL
Meade DSI II Color
Meade DSI (THANKS TODD N!!!)
Orion 4.5" Imaging Reflector
Laptop: Trusty Mac osX Powerbook G4
Early 1960's Gilbert 3" astronomical telescope
10x50 binoculars
SPC900NC
..::*~*Clear Skies*~*::..
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knuklhdastnmr
Pepperbelly
Reged: 02/24/05
Posts: 3579
Loc: Beerpuddle, Colorado
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Ok, you can supply a link to a larger image. However, it must be a supplement to your entry. Your entry must fit the parameters of 800x800 and less than 100k size. Your entry may be an image link to an image stored elsewhere that meets that size. If you submit and image, by either copying it into your entry post or by a link, and provide a click thru to a url for a larger size image, we will include the click thru to the url with your entry in the poll. The problem is that if the image you post is larger than the size limit the software won't allow us to put up the poll.
Here is an example of a click thru to a larger image stored somewhere else on the net.
Knuck & Quark
Here, is a posted image that fits the size parameters.
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Knucklhead Astronomer
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knuklhdastnmr
Pepperbelly
Reged: 02/24/05
Posts: 3579
Loc: Beerpuddle, Colorado
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Here is the same image posted by using a link.
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Knucklhead Astronomer
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knuklhdastnmr
Pepperbelly
Reged: 02/24/05
Posts: 3579
Loc: Beerpuddle, Colorado
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This is the only image that can exceed the size parameters.
Knuck & Quark
That is because this image is not posted in the thread. The link is to another storage site, for example your own web page. This link will be included with your posted entry in the poll. That doesn't give the software indigestion.
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Knucklhead Astronomer
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FarmerDave
sage
Reged: 09/07/07
Posts: 381
Loc: Northern Virginia
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Quote:
Ok, you can supply a link to a larger image. However, it must be a supplement to your entry.
Cool - thanks for the clarification.
David
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Celestron C6/C9.25/CG-5GT Mount
Orion 80ED/EON 72/Supercharged Atlas EQ-G
Garrett Optical Signature Series 10x50
Canon XTi (soon to be modded)/Canon 40D (unmodded)
Meade DSI/Meade DSI Pro/Philips SPC900N
1944 Ford 2N/1948 Ford 8N
Bahtinov Mask Generator * AstroCataLink * 40DShutterCount
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cam1936
sage
Reged: 08/01/08
Posts: 242
Loc: Alberta, Canada
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Hey everyone,
First off I would like to state that I know my place in this forum as a newbie and that by NO means I'm trying to offend anyone. I have read the rules and I see the part where if you win a certain number of contests you graduate from the beginner’s forum into the other forums and I understand those rules. I was just wondering what are people’s opinions regarding the equipment used in the contest submissions. For example (and remember I am in no means trying to offend or single anyone out) there was a, rather spectacular, astrophoto submitted this month. The photo I mention here was shot with, as far as my quick research shows, with a CCD which costs in excess of $5000. The telescope used was also quite expensive and at F4 seems to be purpose built for astrophotography. I know that some people have observed for many years and have very nice equipment and have only recently entered into astrophotography and therefore are still beginners to this side of the hobby but still have amazing equipment. I imagine if this was the case however that their equipment would be geared a bit more towards visual observing, with less of an emphasize on astrophotography, as the equipment I previously mentioned. I also realize some beginners have budgets that are substantially larger than others (and I know that money does not make great images to). What I am getting at (and put me in my place if this is out of line) is that people using that caliber of equipment, and that specific to astrophotography, have left the realm of a beginning astrophotograper. I just can’t see a beginner pumping that kind of dough into anything. I’m not trying to cause controversy or anything and I don’t want to offend anyone; I’m just asking for some people’s opinions on this matter. (Also I’m not trying to advantage myself from this posting as I am not submitting anything this month)
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C8-SGT
Nikon 10x50 Action Ex
Canon 350D
Manfrotto tripod
Various EPs and accesories
Edited by cam1936 (10/01/08 01:34 AM)
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NyxAither
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 09/11/07
Posts: 829
Loc: Arlington VA
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good luck everyone!
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Thomas
Orion XT8i
Orion 80-T Refractor
CG5 GoTo Mount w/ COL
Meade DSI II Color
Meade DSI (THANKS TODD N!!!)
Orion 4.5" Imaging Reflector
Laptop: Trusty Mac osX Powerbook G4
Early 1960's Gilbert 3" astronomical telescope
10x50 binoculars
SPC900NC
..::*~*Clear Skies*~*::..
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NyxAither
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 09/11/07
Posts: 829
Loc: Arlington VA
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Quote:
Hey everyone,
First off I would like to state that I know my place in this forum as a newbie and that by NO means I'm trying to offend anyone. I have read the rules and I see the part where if you win a certain number of contests you graduate from the beginner’s forum into the other forums and I understand those rules. I was just wondering what are people’s opinions regarding the equipment used in the contest submissions. For example (and remember I am in no means trying to offend or single anyone out) there was a, rather spectacular, astrophoto submitted this month. The photo I mention here was shot with, as far as my quick research shows, with a CCD which costs in excess of $5000. The telescope used was also quite expensive and at F4 seems to be purpose built for astrophotography. I know that some people have observed for many years and have very nice equipment and have only recently entered into astrophotography and therefore are still beginners to this side of the hobby but still have amazing equipment. I imagine if this was the case however that their equipment would be geared a bit more towards visual observing, with less of an emphasize on astrophotography, as the equipment I previously mentioned. I also realize some beginners have budgets that are substantially larger than others (and I know that money does not make great images to). What I am getting at (and put me in my place if this is out of line) is that people using that caliber of equipment, and that specific to astrophotography, have left the realm of a beginning astrophotograper. I just can’t see a beginner pumping that kind of dough into anything. I’m not trying to cause controversy or anything and I don’t want to offend anyone; I’m just asking for some people’s opinions on this matter. (Also I’m not trying to advantage myself from this posting as I am not submitting anything this month)
hmm, interesting. Let's just leave it up to the mods to see if it's an issue, I don't think it is though. And for the person you mentioned, with equipment like that I doubt they'll remain a beginner for long.
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Thomas
Orion XT8i
Orion 80-T Refractor
CG5 GoTo Mount w/ COL
Meade DSI II Color
Meade DSI (THANKS TODD N!!!)
Orion 4.5" Imaging Reflector
Laptop: Trusty Mac osX Powerbook G4
Early 1960's Gilbert 3" astronomical telescope
10x50 binoculars
SPC900NC
..::*~*Clear Skies*~*::..
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Charlie Hein
Postmaster
Reged: 11/02/03
Posts: 6581
Loc: 26.06.08N, +80.23.08W
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Bear in mind that we did not want to get into the complexity of running multiple "bracket" type contests - we wanted a basic "beginners" challenge with a solar system category and a deep space category... two of these is quite enough to handle!
Okay, so let's run along these thought lines for just a moment. Please understand that I'm not attacking your ideas, I just want to bring up some things that if you go down this road should be considered.
Are we going to say that a "beginner's" level of experience should be based on the *cost* of the gear used? If so, what would that "cost cap" be?
Does the "cost cap" extend to the mount, telescope, and camera and all equipment used to create the shot - all the way through post processing - or just the camera itself? If you don't take everything into account then eventually the focus will shift from "It's unfair that they have an SBIG camera, beginners can't afford SBIG cameras" to "It's unfair that they use Photoshop to process their images, beginners can't afford Photoshop", or to even further narrow the cost gap, "It's unfair that they use an Atlas mount and an autoguider - beginners can only afford unguided CG-5 mounts", or "They used a Light Pollution Filter on their image, beginners can't afford those".
How would we police such a rule? Ask for receipts? Get a cost tally of the gear used to take a particular shot?
What happens to the guy who ends up $50.00 over the spending cap? Could he participate if he sold something worth $50.00? How would we know if he did?
If not the *cost* of the gear, then perhaps the *type* of gear? Again, how does one draw the line? No SBIG cameras? No AP mounts or OTA's?
I know a guy in my club who has spent several thousand dollars getting ready to take pictures and has yet to produce even one that he would be happy to share. He's just not quite there yet experience wise. Another club member takes award winning images with what I would consider to be extremely modest equipment - his experience is truly at work there.
And then again - I keep bringing this up - if you really think that someone has put themselves in the beginners contest just to get an easy win, you really need to take that into consideration when you vote. Remember, we're looking for the best beginner - not necessarily the best shot. If you don't think that the posters sincerity passes the "smell test", then vote for an image that does.
Charlie
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Weston CSC:
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NyxAither
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 09/11/07
Posts: 829
Loc: Arlington VA
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hahaha, that much regulation would take a whole team of mods for the forum.
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Thomas
Orion XT8i
Orion 80-T Refractor
CG5 GoTo Mount w/ COL
Meade DSI II Color
Meade DSI (THANKS TODD N!!!)
Orion 4.5" Imaging Reflector
Laptop: Trusty Mac osX Powerbook G4
Early 1960's Gilbert 3" astronomical telescope
10x50 binoculars
SPC900NC
..::*~*Clear Skies*~*::..
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cam1936
sage
Reged: 08/01/08
Posts: 242
Loc: Alberta, Canada
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Yep all that is true. I know it would be impossible and unfair to set a price limit on a contest such as this, and I am in no way proposing that it should be done. I also agree that people should keep in mind the best beginner when they vote and that will keep the contest more fair than any price cap could. I’m just wondering about people's opinions on the subject.
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C8-SGT
Nikon 10x50 Action Ex
Canon 350D
Manfrotto tripod
Various EPs and accesories
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Bob Moore
professor emeritus
Reged: 04/07/06
Posts: 543
Loc: New York
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Let me try to put this in terms that all us red necks can understand ...Rick Hendrick owner of Hendrick Motorsports also is the owner of the #48 Sprint Cup car. Now Rick Hendrick did not win last weeks race his driver Jimmie Johnson did ... what I'm saying is, it's not what you own that makes you a winner it's your experience in using it. Just because your said example  has a 5,000.00 camera, a $2,000.00 scope, and a $3,500.00 mount should not exclude him or her from being a beginner. Does equipment help ... sure, Will it do the work for you ... NO! ... I have an image in the Sep. DSO Do I think it's the best? yes! ... will you ...Don't know only time will tell. But just because your example worked hard to get his or her equipment and strives to be the best they can be should not eliminate them from entering.
Bob
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R.A.C. Advisory Committee
NEAIC Co-Chairman
NEAF Advisory Committee
http://deer-pond-observatorie.wetpaint.com/
Warwick, New York
41.15984 -74.2541
Losmandy G11/Gemini
TAKAHASHI MT-160
10" F4.5 Newt
Vixen R200ss
Orion Starblast
Astro Tech 80 ED
Astro Tech 66 ED
Coronado PST H alpha
ToUcam pro,& DSI Pro II, SX MX716,QSI 532
Edited by Bob Moore (10/01/08 07:53 PM)
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NyxAither
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 09/11/07
Posts: 829
Loc: Arlington VA
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well said
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Thomas
Orion XT8i
Orion 80-T Refractor
CG5 GoTo Mount w/ COL
Meade DSI II Color
Meade DSI (THANKS TODD N!!!)
Orion 4.5" Imaging Reflector
Laptop: Trusty Mac osX Powerbook G4
Early 1960's Gilbert 3" astronomical telescope
10x50 binoculars
SPC900NC
..::*~*Clear Skies*~*::..
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John Wunderlin
Vendor - Spike-a Focusing Mask
Reged: 10/01/04
Posts: 351
Loc: Mineral Point, Wi
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Quote:
it's not what you own that makes you a winner it's your experience in using it.
Hear, hear!
Quote:
I have an image in the Sep. DSO Do I think it's the best? yes!
Have to respectfully disagree 
Seriously, the main rule on this forum is to have fun. There are no monetary rewards, just a little bragging rights and the ability to choose the following object. There isn't a practical way to limit the equipment used.
The limit of winning 3 times was put into the rules to insure that no one can dominate the competition for too long.
Having said that, I think it would be interesting to have a 'low cost' imaging competition, but I think the moderators have enough on their hands as it is right now.
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John Wunderlin
Vendor - Spike-a Focusing Mask
Empire Ranch Observatory
Iowa County Astronomers
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Bob Moore
professor emeritus
Reged: 04/07/06
Posts: 543
Loc: New York
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Thanks John  ... I'll be sending back my Focusing Mask
Bob
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R.A.C. Advisory Committee
NEAIC Co-Chairman
NEAF Advisory Committee
http://deer-pond-observatorie.wetpaint.com/
Warwick, New York
41.15984 -74.2541
Losmandy G11/Gemini
TAKAHASHI MT-160
10" F4.5 Newt
Vixen R200ss
Orion Starblast
Astro Tech 80 ED
Astro Tech 66 ED
Coronado PST H alpha
ToUcam pro,& DSI Pro II, SX MX716,QSI 532
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cam1936
sage
Reged: 08/01/08
Posts: 242
Loc: Alberta, Canada
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Guys I know money dosent make a good image. I said that right from the start. Heck sometimes experince dosen't even make a good image (just like an experienced race car driver can always suffer an engine failure). Also, like I said right from the start, I know some people have bigger budgets than others and I know that 99 times out of 100 they have worked their arses off for that money (not to say guys with smaller budgets don't work thier butts off either). I'm just asking for some opinions in this matter.
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C8-SGT
Nikon 10x50 Action Ex
Canon 350D
Manfrotto tripod
Various EPs and accesories
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