1208 replies to this topic

[deSitter]

I'm glad I noticed this thread through Terry's post.  Seeing Robert Vanderbei's work with the Questar got me interested in the potential of modern image processing with small scopes and into astrophotography.  It was much too hard for me back in the film days.  I'm an oddball in astronomy in that I like small portable equipment.  The faster the setup, the more I use it.  Although I'm no stranger to computer's, I like the analog feel of a vintage scope under the night sky and the challenge of creating a nice image  from a small scope.

 

I've enjoyed seeing everyone's images here.  Many nice ones from scopes even smaller than mine.  I've been pushing hard learning modern image processing techniques on data mostly from a Questar 89mm and vintage camera lenses for about four years.  I've been focused on using mirrorless cameras because of their small footprint, but I've recently been experimenting with a ZWO planetary camera.  My software tools include: CaptureOne, Lynkeos, Nebulosity, PixInsight, AutoStakkert, and Photoshop all running on a Mac.  Here are some examples with links to detailed information and full size images:

 

Omega Centauri with only a vintage Vivitar 135mm lens, Sony NEX-5n mirrorless camera, and Vixen Polarie tracker:
http://astronomy.rob..._byGallery.html

GhosttownOmegaCentauri160314.jpg

 

Comet Lovejoy, Sony NEX-5n and Questar 89mm

http://astronomy.rob..._byGallery.html

 

CometLovejoy150118.jpg

 

Saturn with five moons, Questar 89mm and Sony a6300 using UHD 4k 30fps video

http://astronomy.rob..._byGallery.html

 

Saturn5moons160609.jpg

 

Transit of Jupiter by Io, Questar 89mm and ZWO ASI120MC

http://astronomy.rob..._byGallery.html

 

Jupiter170426-11best128of2k.jpg

This really captures what you see with a 90mm. Good work!

 

-drl

[deSitter]

I'm glad I noticed this thread through Terry's post.  Seeing Robert Vanderbei's work with the Questar got me interested in the potential of modern image processing with small scopes and into astrophotography.  It was much too hard for me back in the film days.  I'm an oddball in astronomy in that I like small portable equipment.  The faster the setup, the more I use it.  Although I'm no stranger to computer's, I like the analog feel of a vintage scope under the night sky and the challenge of creating a nice image  from a small scope.

 

I've enjoyed seeing everyone's images here.  Many nice ones from scopes even smaller than mine.  I've been pushing hard learning modern image processing techniques on data mostly from a Questar 89mm and vintage camera lenses for about four years.  I've been focused on using mirrorless cameras because of their small footprint, but I've recently been experimenting with a ZWO planetary camera.  My software tools include: CaptureOne, Lynkeos, Nebulosity, PixInsight, AutoStakkert, and Photoshop all running on a Mac.  Here are some examples with links to detailed information and full size images:

 

Omega Centauri with only a vintage Vivitar 135mm lens, Sony NEX-5n mirrorless camera, and Vixen Polarie tracker:
http://astronomy.rob..._byGallery.html

GhosttownOmegaCentauri160314.jpg

 

Comet Lovejoy, Sony NEX-5n and Questar 89mm

http://astronomy.rob..._byGallery.html

 

CometLovejoy150118.jpg

 

Saturn with five moons, Questar 89mm and Sony a6300 using UHD 4k 30fps video

http://astronomy.rob..._byGallery.html

 

Saturn5moons160609.jpg

 

Transit of Jupiter by Io, Questar 89mm and ZWO ASI120MC

http://astronomy.rob..._byGallery.html

 

Jupiter170426-11best128of2k.jpg

Your Vivitar 135mm portrait lens photo got a great view of NGC 4945! Impressive!

 

-drl

[TerryWood]

 

The seeing was forecast to be 4/5 to 5/5 tonight, but man they got it wrong this time. It's struggling to be 3/5 at the very most. Trying to image, but it's not going well. Plus I think I heard a bear on the perimeter which is not making it any better (an the constant skeeters). I'm just full of complaints tonight :-)

 

Stepped inside for a break. The good news is that the GRS is plainly in view right in the center.

 

V/R

 

Terry

Seeing forecasts are a notch below economics as a science!

 

-drl

 

I hear that! Surprisingly, I think I got some usable captures (just processed one now). Not super great, but better than I thought it would be considering the seeing and my bouncing wooden deck. My heartbeat makes the image move. I need to order some more thick speaker anti-vibration pads. Those things work wonders if put on top of Celestron or Meade anti-vibration pads. I can't put them underneath because the tops are rounded. The ones I have finally punctured under the weight of the C-11. Note to self...don't do that.

 

V/R

 

Terry

[Wildetelescope]

I had some decent seeing finally (4/5)! I decided to give the Quantum 6 mak-cass a shot tonight. It was still showing signs of thermal un-equilibrium during image captures, plus I was imaging on a deck with vibrations, but I think it did ok in spite of that. I took quite a lot of .avi's and plan to go through a lot of them tomorrow. This was near the end of the session (around 10:00 pm EDT). I like that I was able to actually capture the moon's disc on the face of Jupiter. This was the result of approximately 4000 frames aligned, stacked, and wavelets in Registax and finished in Adobe Lightroom. It still looks noisy (I may have pushed the processing too hard) so I'm going to see if I can get a better result tomorrow. The colors also appear a little better in Lightroom.

 

Camera used was a Celestron Skyris 618c.

 

And the great news is that seeing is supposed to be 4/5 tomorrow night with clear weather and above average transparency. I'm siked! Then the forecast calls for 5 solid days of rain beginning Tuesday.

 

Label on image should read 2017 instead of 2016...sleepy and got in a hurry.

 

V/R

 

Terry

That image is impressive!  That you resolved one of the moons against the face of the planet is incredible( see upper right hand side of planet).  That is tough to do with a six inch scope.  Speaks to the quality of your optics and seeing conditions.  Way cool!

 

JMD

Edited by Wildetelescope, 12 June 2017 - 06:27 AM.

[diglit]

Great shot to Jupiter with the little Questar!

Great job!!

 

Here a picture (VENUS) taken yesterday  with my GoTo Kogaku achromatic 80/1200 and a 4mm. plossl in afocal method on a smartphone P8 HUAWEI.

A single shot with a really soft elaboration just to make darker the background sky.

The seeing was non really good but... I post it for you. :-)

 

Paolo

 

 

Edited by diglit, 12 June 2017 - 12:25 PM.

[TerryWood]

 

I had some decent seeing finally (4/5)! I decided to give the Quantum 6 mak-cass a shot tonight. It was still showing signs of thermal un-equilibrium during image captures, plus I was imaging on a deck with vibrations, but I think it did ok in spite of that. I took quite a lot of .avi's and plan to go through a lot of them tomorrow. This was near the end of the session (around 10:00 pm EDT). I like that I was able to actually capture the moon's disc on the face of Jupiter. This was the result of approximately 4000 frames aligned, stacked, and wavelets in Registax and finished in Adobe Lightroom. It still looks noisy (I may have pushed the processing too hard) so I'm going to see if I can get a better result tomorrow. The colors also appear a little better in Lightroom.

 

Camera used was a Celestron Skyris 618c.

 

And the great news is that seeing is supposed to be 4/5 tomorrow night with clear weather and above average transparency. I'm siked! Then the forecast calls for 5 solid days of rain beginning Tuesday.

 

Label on image should read 2017 instead of 2016...sleepy and got in a hurry.

 

V/R

 

Terry

That image is impressive!  That you resolved one of the moons against the face of the planet is incredible( see upper right hand side of planet).  That is tough to do with a six inch scope.  Speaks to the quality of your optics and seeing conditions.  Way cool!

 

JMD

 

Thank you, I certainly appreciate it! Yeah, the Quantum 6 is quite a scope and a revelation. I had it out again last night but the seeing turned out to be pretty bad for the most part. I might have one usable image...maybe. I'm hoping to capture more images of Jupiter before it dips too low in the sky. Once it lowers to 30 degrees it's tough. Right now it's at just about the perfect height around 10:00 pm (40-45 degrees).

 

V/R

 

Terry 

[winnygrey]

First of all, thank you so much for this topic. It's really great!

 

Paolo trasmitted his passion in appreciating vintage telescopes. I really enjoy to observe with these little "old glories".

 

I have a Mizar Kaiser 80/1200 with which I took this pic of Jupiter

 

When the seeing is poor I use an old Takahashi, a TS65D (65/1000), a semiapo triplet or its little brother TS65P (65/500).

 

Jupiter with the "long" one

 

the moon with the "little" one

 

Edited by winnygrey, 12 June 2017 - 02:09 PM.

[diglit]

Hello, Winnygrey! 

welcome and thanks a lot for your pictures. A great shot the first one, Mizar Keiser has a very good optics and a wonderful focuser. 

 

Paolo

[Wildetelescope]

First of all, thank you so much for this topic. It's really great!

 

Paolo trasmitted his passion in appreciating vintage telescopes. I really enjoy to observe with these little "old glories".

 

I have a Mizar Kaiser 80/1200 with which I took this pic of Jupiter

IMG_3061.PNG

 

When the seeing is poor I use an old Takahashi, a TS65D (65/1000), a semiapo triplet or its little brother TS65P (65/500).

 

Jupiter with the "long" one

IMG_3052.PNG

 

the moon with the "little" one

IMG_3077.JPG

I especially like the Moon shot!   There is just something really special about viewing the whole moon in the FOV, especially in one of its waxing or waning phases.  

 

JMD

[ETXer]

Ok, now you all have done it. I'm a complete ignoramus here when it comes to digital imaging through a scope and when I see the results displayed here, I feel like I'm catching the bug! To this point, I've been mainly a visual observer, but have dabbled occasionally with a film camera (remember that?) with prime focus and positive eyepiece projection setups.

 

So based on what I've seen here, it seems feasible as a beginner for me to dive in with a dedicated digital astrophotography camera, i.e., the aforementioned ASI120MC (or the new ASI224MC) or maybe the Skyris 132C; but other than seeing what these cameras can do, I otherwise wouldn't know where to begin.  Is there a good tutorial for "dummies" out there that can walk me through the process using these cameras from beginning to end that will show all the required pieces and software and the steps to achieve these results with one of my classic scopes?

 

Cheers, Allan

[diglit]

To continue my little contribute I post an image of 2/3 days ago.

Jupiter and 3 moons with my GoTo Kogaku 80/1200 + QHY5L-II color camera. poor seeing conditions...

 

Paolo

 

Edited by diglit, 13 June 2017 - 04:40 AM.

[Bomber Bob]

Ok, now you all have done it. I'm a complete ignoramus here when it comes to digital imaging through a scope and when I see the results displayed here, I feel like I'm catching the bug! To this point, I've been mainly a visual observer, but have dabbled occasionally with a film camera (remember that?) with prime focus and positive eyepiece projection setups.

 

So based on what I've seen here, it seems feasible as a beginner for me to dive in with a dedicated digital astrophotography camera, i.e., the aforementioned ASI120MC (or the new ASI224MC) or maybe the Skyris 132C; but other than seeing what these cameras can do, I otherwise wouldn't know where to begin.  Is there a good tutorial for "dummies" out there that can walk me through the process using these cameras from beginning to end that will show all the required pieces and software and the steps to achieve these results with one of my classic scopes?

 

Cheers, Allan

Allan, I started here --> http://starizona.com...quipplanet.aspx

 

IME, it boils down the Imager Quality.  I started with an uber-cheap Orion StarShoot 2, tried a generic hi-res, and now have an ASI120MC.  Each time, the results got better.  I'm still learning the new gadget.  Everybody's different, but I learn by doing / testing / playing-with imager settings.

[deSitter]

To continue my little contribute I post an image of 2/3 days ago.

Jupiter and 3 moons with my GoTo Kogaku 80/1200 + QHY5L-II color camera. poor seeing conditions...

 

Paolo

 

GIOVE - 22_03_59_g4_ap1 copy.jpg

That is just EXACTLY what you see in a good 3" scope! Your images are REALISTIC!

 

-drl

[diglit]

Today I bought a new planetary camera selling the two QHY5L-II (mono and color one) just to have more sensibility in IR and UV spectrum (IR in particular).

In the next future I hope to give more contributes to the present post!

:-)

 

Paolo

[Wildetelescope]

 

Ok, now you all have done it. I'm a complete ignoramus here when it comes to digital imaging through a scope and when I see the results displayed here, I feel like I'm catching the bug! To this point, I've been mainly a visual observer, but have dabbled occasionally with a film camera (remember that?) with prime focus and positive eyepiece projection setups.

 

So based on what I've seen here, it seems feasible as a beginner for me to dive in with a dedicated digital astrophotography camera, i.e., the aforementioned ASI120MC (or the new ASI224MC) or maybe the Skyris 132C; but other than seeing what these cameras can do, I otherwise wouldn't know where to begin.  Is there a good tutorial for "dummies" out there that can walk me through the process using these cameras from beginning to end that will show all the required pieces and software and the steps to achieve these results with one of my classic scopes?

 

Cheers, Allan

Allan, I started here --> http://starizona.com...quipplanet.aspx

 

IME, it boils down the Imager Quality.  I started with an uber-cheap Orion StarShoot 2, tried a generic hi-res, and now have an ASI120MC.  Each time, the results got better.  I'm still learning the new gadget.  Everybody's different, but I learn by doing / testing / playing-with imager settings.

 

I agree.  That is a very good resource!  

 

Jmd 

[TerryWood]

Two images of Jupiter with my Quantum 6 mak-cass. In the first one the seeing was poor. The second one is a re-processed image of my previous post (to tone it down a bit because it looked over cooked to me). Seeing was good that night. They both are noisier than I'd like, so more practice is needed.  Both images taken with a Skyris 618c camera and Barlow.

 

V/R

 

Terry

Attached Thumbnails

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[tim53]

One thing I like to do with Jupiter is lower the gamma to about .75 or even lower.  This reduces the rapid falloff in brightness toward the limb, and usually allows one to see the satellites clearly without having to adjust the histogram separately from the planet.

 

This image, showing Europa, Ganymede and Callisto was taken in October 2011 with my 10" f/6 that was featured in S&T around then or a bit later, IIRC.  I made the mirror, with help from Dave Groski, at the Delmarva class.

 

 

-Tim.

Edited by tim53, 15 June 2017 - 02:15 PM.

[TerryWood]

Beautiful image! 

 

V/R

 

Terry

[winnygrey]

Jupiter yesterday night with an old Takahashi TS100 I, a very very nice newton f10.

The primary needs to be colimated a little more, but I am satisfied for this first test.

 

 

 

 

PS: this was the location where I took the pics with an old 2x Taka barlow and a QH5L IIc camera.

 

[TerryWood]

Really nice image and making the most of your situation! When I use to live in the DC metro I often tried imaging out of my apartment window 12 floors up and surrounded by lights. I liked the challenge, plus it was very handy to walk a couple of feet to the scope when Jupiter came into view. Luckily that side of the building had a good view of the sky. The other 3 sides and you couldn't see a thing. Where there's a will there's a way! Now I'm way out in the country where it's a whole lot darker!

 

V/R

 

Terry

Edited by TerryWood, 17 June 2017 - 08:54 AM.

[Kokatha man]

Some really good images folks!

 

But where's the images from old C18's & 22's...that's what I want to see..!

[winnygrey]

For those who love old Tak, here new pics after a light collimation.

 

 

 

Always from my lounge window, with a QHY5L IIc camera and a vintage Tak's 2x barlow.

 

 

 

[diglit]

A C22… Pacific Celestron… so BIG SCOPE!

A dream with a good restoration and a large and modern EQ mount...

 

Paolo

[Kokatha man]

A C22… Pacific Celestron… so BIG SCOPE!
A dream with a good restoration and a large and modern EQ mount...
Paolo

...it seems like we have similar dreams at times Paolo..!

[BigC]

Didn't you guys read those scope manuals and books that warn(ed) "never observe though a window because either the glass or the air currents will ruin the view." ?

 

Sometimes you just need to realize expert opinions are just that.

 

Great pictures. I haven't time and energy to hardly view at night  much less take pictures.CN is my substitute for observing.(Short staffing has required working around seventy "off days" the past twelve months.) Really enjoy/impressed by the pictures posted here.I have a 100/1000 Japanese Newton  gathering dust instead of starlight-hope it is as good as the one  in this thread.