Nebulocity
super member
Reged: 09/22/09
Posts: 107
Loc: Northwest Florida, USA
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Well, I stepped outside around 6:50PM this evening. Finally got the scope aligned (which i'm getting faster at, i just wish that it would REMEMBER the last site used...i place the scope in the exact same spot every night, and will continue to do so 
So anyway, the moon was bright...and while i couldn't really look at anything other than Jupiter, a bunch of bright stars, and the Moon herself...that was fine  DSOs and Variable/Binary stars can wait until the moon takes a nap, and so can I (maybe...if it rains on those days, i'm going to cry).
My daughter, Sakura (3 1/2 years old), had a blast. In Japan, they think that instead of an "old man in the moon", that there is a bunny rabbit who makes mochi (google it). I've never seen the shape myself, but then again..i've never seen the old man up there either!
I have a Cannon Powershot G9. While this camera has absolutely no use for astrophotography that i've seen (and i've been looking it up, believe me...no need to go buy something new/used if what i have works (which it doesn't...except in this context)), i found that if i set it to Macro Mode, set it's Scene mode to Night, and stick the lense up against the eyepiece....interesting things happen.
The first, is that no matter what i do to keep it there, everything is too "shaky" to take sharp images of Jupiter as seen through the eye piece (i was using a 25mm and 32mm with a 2x Barlow). That was a bummer. I really wanted to go to work and show my boss...he seems to have more than a passing interest in astronomy/physics, like i do...maybe i found a fellow soul to gaze with?
The second is that it takes absolutely stunning pictures of the Moon! At least as far as i'll ever get until i go buy a DSLR and mounting-thingamajig (not going to happen anytime soon anyway ;p ).
So i thought i'd share the images with everyone who helped me out over the past three days (Tel, Dan, Pete, and everyone else! No steak on the corrector plate yet...still waiting for my delivery ;p )
Without further adieu...
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- Celestron NexStar 8 SE 8” go-to SCT
- NexImage Solar System Imager
- Celestron 5x 1.25" Plössl EP set, 2x Barlow, 7x 1.25" filter set
- Celestron AC Adapter
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Nebulocity
super member
Reged: 09/22/09
Posts: 107
Loc: Northwest Florida, USA
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Moon shot 1
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- Celestron NexStar 8 SE 8” go-to SCT
- NexImage Solar System Imager
- Celestron 5x 1.25" Plössl EP set, 2x Barlow, 7x 1.25" filter set
- Celestron AC Adapter
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Nebulocity
super member
Reged: 09/22/09
Posts: 107
Loc: Northwest Florida, USA
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Moon Shot 2
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- Celestron NexStar 8 SE 8” go-to SCT
- NexImage Solar System Imager
- Celestron 5x 1.25" Plössl EP set, 2x Barlow, 7x 1.25" filter set
- Celestron AC Adapter
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Nebulocity
super member
Reged: 09/22/09
Posts: 107
Loc: Northwest Florida, USA
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Sakura & Scope 1
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- Celestron NexStar 8 SE 8” go-to SCT
- NexImage Solar System Imager
- Celestron 5x 1.25" Plössl EP set, 2x Barlow, 7x 1.25" filter set
- Celestron AC Adapter
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Nebulocity
super member
Reged: 09/22/09
Posts: 107
Loc: Northwest Florida, USA
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Sakura & Scope 2
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- Celestron NexStar 8 SE 8” go-to SCT
- NexImage Solar System Imager
- Celestron 5x 1.25" Plössl EP set, 2x Barlow, 7x 1.25" filter set
- Celestron AC Adapter
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Nebulocity
super member
Reged: 09/22/09
Posts: 107
Loc: Northwest Florida, USA
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I even got my wife out there for more than 5 minutes watching the moons of Jupiter. This was after she kept asking me if the little shiny dots were really "moons" (apparently she didn't know other planets have moons....sometimes i'm amazed that she even knows that there are other planets!)
Until next time!
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- Celestron NexStar 8 SE 8” go-to SCT
- NexImage Solar System Imager
- Celestron 5x 1.25" Plössl EP set, 2x Barlow, 7x 1.25" filter set
- Celestron AC Adapter
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senske
sage
Reged: 01/10/09
Posts: 360
Loc: Spokane, WA
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Nice shots Nebulocity! Great to see your daughter having fun at the eyepiece.
Quote:
In Japan, they think that instead of an "old man in the moon", that there is a bunny rabbit who makes mochi (google it). I've never seen the shape myself, but then again..i've never seen the old man up there either!
I see a hermit crab.
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Andrew
Orion SkyQuest XT10 Intelliscope with Orion 9x50 and Telrad Finders
Orion WorldView 10x50 Binoculars
Celestron NexStar 8 SE with GSO 8x50 and Red Dot Finders
Galileoscope
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Midnight Dan
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 01/23/08
Posts: 2748
Loc: Brockport, NY
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Hi Nebulocity:
Thanks for the pics! Nice to see your daughter is taking an interest!
>> i just wish that it would REMEMBER the last site used.
Actually, it does. It just lumps all that date/time/location stuff into one chunk in the setting process. When you hit "undo" to change it all, you can just keep hitting "Enter" to accept anything that hasn't changed, like the latitude & longitude. Usually the only thing I have to set each time is the time and date.
>> I have a Cannon Powershot G9. While this camera has absolutely no use for astrophotograph
Sure it does! People use it all the time. You're using a technique called "afocal" where you use both the lens in the camera and the eyepiece at the same time. There's an attachment you can buy that clamps around your eyepiece and holds the camera in place if you want to eliminate the shakes. Here's a couple of links:
http://tinyurl.com/l5tgoo
http://tinyurl.com/csx6pu
-Dan
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Scopes: Celestron NexStar 8SE, Orion EON 72mm ED/APO, Orion ShortTube 80
Mounts: NexStar Alt/Az GoTo, Orion Astroview (EQ3) w/single axis drive
Eyepieces: Baader Hyperion 36mm (Aspheric), 21mm 13mm, 8mm, 5mm;
Other: 2x & 3x Barlow, 0.63x Focal Reducer, Dew-not strips, DewBuster controller, SQM Meter
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Peter9
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 10/30/08
Posts: 806
Loc: Yorkshire - Born & Bred
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Quote:
Well, I stepped outside around 6:50PM this evening. Finally got the scope aligned (which i'm getting faster at, i just wish that it would REMEMBER the last site used...i place the scope in the exact same spot every night, and will continue to do so
Hi,
Thanks for posting your 3rd light report. Pleased it was a success.
The scope DOES remember your last location. After you have selected your alignment method i.e Auto Two Star, press the undo button and press enter to confirm your location (enter has to be press 4 times) them just alter your time and date which the scope does NOT remember.
Peter.
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------------------------------------------------
Some of the pleasure I get from life I owe to Astronomy.
Astronomy does not owe me a thing.
-------------------------------------------------
Nexstar 8se
150mm Helios Newton Reflector EQ 3 G.E.M.
6.3mm 10mm Plossls. Celestron 25mm & 40mm E.Ps. 8mm x 24mm Baader Hyperion Zoom. 2x Barlow. 9x50 R.A.C.I Finderscope. G.L.P and Bracket. Dew Shield. Home made Solar filter. Home made H.C Holder.(Great Asset). Maplin's 12V 17ah Auto Start Unit.
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Peter9
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 10/30/08
Posts: 806
Loc: Yorkshire - Born & Bred
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Great minds think alike ah Dan.  
Peter.
--------------------
------------------------------------------------
Some of the pleasure I get from life I owe to Astronomy.
Astronomy does not owe me a thing.
-------------------------------------------------
Nexstar 8se
150mm Helios Newton Reflector EQ 3 G.E.M.
6.3mm 10mm Plossls. Celestron 25mm & 40mm E.Ps. 8mm x 24mm Baader Hyperion Zoom. 2x Barlow. 9x50 R.A.C.I Finderscope. G.L.P and Bracket. Dew Shield. Home made Solar filter. Home made H.C Holder.(Great Asset). Maplin's 12V 17ah Auto Start Unit.
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Midnight Dan
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 01/23/08
Posts: 2748
Loc: Brockport, NY
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Got that right! 
-Dan
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Scopes: Celestron NexStar 8SE, Orion EON 72mm ED/APO, Orion ShortTube 80
Mounts: NexStar Alt/Az GoTo, Orion Astroview (EQ3) w/single axis drive
Eyepieces: Baader Hyperion 36mm (Aspheric), 21mm 13mm, 8mm, 5mm;
Other: 2x & 3x Barlow, 0.63x Focal Reducer, Dew-not strips, DewBuster controller, SQM Meter
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Bob Griffiths
Postmaster
Reged: 10/10/05
Posts: 6568
Loc: Frederick Maryland
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Neb:
if you can't figure out the undo and enter routine to bring up the scopes last location then you can always spend money and buy a CN-16 GPS unit...
For about $200 it will save you all of 30 seconds each night by inputting the time date and location
I do NOT recommend this route but if you got the money and have no better use for it then what the heck...
BTW...those pictures are better then any that I have ever taken ....lol...I never have taken a single one...!
Bob G/
..
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CPC1100
Nexstar 8i + GPS & Rays Brackets
Denk S1 power switch
Orion 100 mm Refractor
Meade LXD 55 ...AR-5 127 mm Refractor
Exploradome Observatory S.I.E. (Smiling Irish Eyes)
Gerbring Heated Motorcycle clothing in the winter
39*21'03" N
77*28'12" W
The sky over my head....
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Alex Post
sage
Reged: 09/24/08
Posts: 454
Loc: Iowa, USA
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Congratulations on the first AP shots.
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Bino: Celestron SkyMaster 15x70, WO Binoviewer
Scope: Celestron NexStar 8SE, Stellarvue 9x50 Finder
EP: Hyperion 8mm 13mm 2x21mm(bino), 14/28mm FTRs, StellarVue 23mm with Rigel Pulse Guide
Misc: William Optics 2" Dielectric, DewBuster, Celestron f/6.3 FLR, Canon 300D and XSi, JMI Motofocus, Hutech IDAS LPS 2"
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viperbob
professor emeritus
Reged: 08/20/07
Posts: 718
Loc: New Jersey
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She's a cutie. But tell her the next time you take a photo, have her put the correct shoes on the correct foot. 
But I agree start them young and it will just get better. 
Oh yes, nice photos. Great start bud.
VB
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VB
40 25'N 74 11'W
Nexstar 8se
Celestron 17AH Power Tank
William Optics Binoviewer
8x40 Nikon Action
Nagler 12mm Type 2
2 Panoptic 15mm's
Nagler 20mm Type 2
2 Televue Plossl's 25mm
32mm Televue Plossl
Panoptic 27mm
GSO SuperView 42mm
Televue 2X 1.25" Barlow
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setldown
super member
Reged: 05/07/07
Posts: 139
Loc: Kenosha, Wisconsin
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Your photos are simply Priceless.......
As others have noted the scope does remember your last location. Time and date must be re-entered though.
Jupiter is tricky to photograph. If you expose to get the moons the planet is over exposed. Try a shorter exposure to coax some detail out of the planet.
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Rick
Celestron 8SE w/ Bob's Knobs
Stellarvue SV-F50B2 9 x 50 RACI
WO 2" Quartz Dielectric Diagonal / WO Binoviewer
Jasper Always GLP
JMI Motofocus - MFNEX6
TV Panoptic 35mm - 27mm - 19mm (2)
Nagler 13mm - 9mm - 7mm - Baader 8x24 Zoom
Powermate 2x & 5x
Canon 450d - Nikon Coolpix 4500 - SPC900nc
Location: Dark Side of the Moon
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Alex Post
sage
Reged: 09/24/08
Posts: 454
Loc: Iowa, USA
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Shoes? That's how I put my equipment on most times She will be a great astronomer
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Bino: Celestron SkyMaster 15x70, WO Binoviewer
Scope: Celestron NexStar 8SE, Stellarvue 9x50 Finder
EP: Hyperion 8mm 13mm 2x21mm(bino), 14/28mm FTRs, StellarVue 23mm with Rigel Pulse Guide
Misc: William Optics 2" Dielectric, DewBuster, Celestron f/6.3 FLR, Canon 300D and XSi, JMI Motofocus, Hutech IDAS LPS 2"
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Peter9
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 10/30/08
Posts: 806
Loc: Yorkshire - Born & Bred
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Hi Neb, Leave the shoe as they are, they bring back memories of tops on back to front and inside out. Of trousers on the wrong way round, only noticed when outside and nature called, (mine were two young boys). Happy days.
Wonderful Pics, thanks for posting.
Peter.
--------------------
------------------------------------------------
Some of the pleasure I get from life I owe to Astronomy.
Astronomy does not owe me a thing.
-------------------------------------------------
Nexstar 8se
150mm Helios Newton Reflector EQ 3 G.E.M.
6.3mm 10mm Plossls. Celestron 25mm & 40mm E.Ps. 8mm x 24mm Baader Hyperion Zoom. 2x Barlow. 9x50 R.A.C.I Finderscope. G.L.P and Bracket. Dew Shield. Home made Solar filter. Home made H.C Holder.(Great Asset). Maplin's 12V 17ah Auto Start Unit.
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Nebulocity
super member
Reged: 09/22/09
Posts: 107
Loc: Northwest Florida, USA
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I'm glad you all liked them! As soon as the moon stops being so darned greedy, i'll hopefully be posting more!
--------------------
- Celestron NexStar 8 SE 8” go-to SCT
- NexImage Solar System Imager
- Celestron 5x 1.25" Plössl EP set, 2x Barlow, 7x 1.25" filter set
- Celestron AC Adapter
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Arthur Dent
Galactic Hitch-Hiker
Reged: 10/23/08
Posts: 1181
Loc: South Yorkshire, UK
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Great pictures for your first stab at AP - and afocal too.
Moon is particularly crisp.
Art
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If I like it, the wife says that we can't afford it!
=======================================================
Meade ETX105 (a nice "Grab & Go" scope) & Celestron NexStar 6SE with Bob's Knobs.
Various EP's from 6mm to 26mm, Baader Hyperion 8-24mm Zoom, a 2x Barlow, 2" diagonal and 7Ah PowerTank.
MRF and Antares 8x50 RACI finder scope - both for the 6SE's OTA, whilst the ETX gets a plain RDF.
Canon EOS 400D DSLR (un-modded) and SPC900 webcam. Finally climbing the AP Learning Curve!
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vrosario7
member
Reged: 04/13/09
Posts: 11
Loc: NJ
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Quote:
Well, I stepped outside around 6:50PM this evening. Finally got the scope aligned (which i'm getting faster at, i just wish that it would REMEMBER the last site used...i place the scope in the exact same spot every night, and will continue to do so
So anyway, the moon was bright...and while i couldn't really look at anything other than Jupiter, a bunch of bright stars, and the Moon herself...that was fine DSOs and Variable/Binary stars can wait until the moon takes a nap, and so can I (maybe...if it rains on those days, i'm going to cry).
My daughter, Sakura (3 1/2 years old), had a blast. In Japan, they think that instead of an "old man in the moon", that there is a bunny rabbit who makes mochi (google it). I've never seen the shape myself, but then again..i've never seen the old man up there either!
I have a Cannon Powershot G9. While this camera has absolutely no use for astrophotography that i've seen (and i've been looking it up, believe me...no need to go buy something new/used if what i have works (which it doesn't...except in this context)), i found that if i set it to Macro Mode, set it's Scene mode to Night, and stick the lense up against the eyepiece....interesting things happen.
The first, is that no matter what i do to keep it there, everything is too "shaky" to take sharp images of Jupiter as seen through the eye piece (i was using a 25mm and 32mm with a 2x Barlow). That was a bummer. I really wanted to go to work and show my boss...he seems to have more than a passing interest in astronomy/physics, like i do...maybe i found a fellow soul to gaze with?
The second is that it takes absolutely stunning pictures of the Moon! At least as far as i'll ever get until i go buy a DSLR and mounting-thingamajig (not going to happen anytime soon anyway ;p ).
So i thought i'd share the images with everyone who helped me out over the past three days (Tel, Dan, Pete, and everyone else! No steak on the corrector plate yet...still waiting for my delivery ;p )
Without further adieu...
Great photos, thanks for sharing and your daughter is adorable and I love her name.
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