21 replies to this topic

[KiwiRay]

This morning Europa had a quick transition from being eclipsed by Jupiter's shadow to passing behind the planet itself. The event lasted less than 10 minutes during which Europa was either partially obscured by shadow, the planet or both. I made one continuous 12 minute recording that I then split into two-minute segments for stacking (each overlapping the previous segment by one minute - using Expand feature in AS!3). Seeing was pretty good, and I was able to stack 30% of each 20 000-frame segment, giving reasonably smooth images for an animation. I had intended to record a couple more minutes before the start of the event, but the scope suddenly lost tracking and the planet drifted off the chip. Luckily I was able to re-align it in less than the two minutes that remained before Europa started moving out of the planet's shadow.

 

 

Better quality APNG version is here: https://live.staticf...d2e8cc426_o.png

 

Here's a 2x enlargement of the area around Europa for a clearer view.

 

 

Nexstar Evolution 9.25 scope with 2x Barlow and ADC. ASI224MC camera.

 

I also got a decent Mars image that I'm still working on.

Edited by KiwiRay, 02 October 2024 - 11:45 PM.

[Tulloch]

Great stuff Ray.

[Tapio]

That's excellent 👌.

[R Botero]

Lovely

[Ittaku]

Very nice Ray.

[BKMaynard]

Superb!

[dcaponeii]

That's FANTASTIC!!!  Really smooth and great colors.

[JMP]

Beautiful!!  You come up with lovely images, Ray!

Edited by JMP, 02 October 2024 - 10:13 AM.

[Winteria]

Great detail and colors Ray!

[Mike Spooner]

Great catch, Ray! I slept through it but was hoping someone got it.  

[Refractor6]

   That was fun to watch........  beautiful.....

[KiwiRay]

Thank you, Andrew, Tapio, Roberto, Con, BK, Don, Jeff, Winteria, Mike and Refractor6! I'll try to work up a single image from the middle of the event tonight. I'd also like to try using shorter segments to see if I can get clearer views of Europa - I'm wondering if two minutes is too long for something changing so quickly. 

 

I've also got to start using APNG files for these - I'm not happy with the artifacts in the GIF, especially around the right edge of Jupiter. My ancient version of Photoshop doesn't let me save to APNG format, so I'm either going to have to upgrade (although I'm not a fan of the subscription model they use now) or use something else.

[hurj]

beatiful sequence Ray.

 

to make APNG files I use this tool: https://apngasm.sourceforge.net/

 

it works quite well and is easy to use.

Edited by hurj, 02 October 2024 - 12:19 PM.

[KiwiRay]

Thanks, hurj - I'll try that tonight!

[KMH]

Wow - that's a really terrific results!

 

Kevin

[Tulloch]

beatiful sequence Ray.

 

to make APNG files I use this tool: https://apngasm.sourceforge.net/

 

it works quite well and is easy to use.

It's what I use as well - it's basic (simply drag and drop the files onto the window) and it works. Much better than animated gif.

 

Of course, the animations are much larger, so you might need to add the apng file to your gallery and link to it from the post. It's a little more effort but worth it (imho).

 

Andrew

Edited by Tulloch, 02 October 2024 - 05:09 PM.

[Kokatha man]

Excellent Ray! 

[KiwiRay]

Thanks for the comments, Kevin and Darryl!

 

hurj and Andrew: I just created an apng for the first animation, and it's much better. Less grainy and no weird artifacts.

 

https://live.staticf...d2e8cc426_o.png

 

Thanks for the tip!

Edited by KiwiRay, 02 October 2024 - 11:44 PM.

[Tulloch]

Very nice animation. Great details at the poles, especially that little orange circle to the north, something that’s more difficult to see in the animated gif.

If you use the “My Media” button to add the gallery image, then CN will show the animation (or at least a still frame).

Edited by Tulloch, 03 October 2024 - 02:06 AM.

[astrolexi]

I can't say how much I love these animations! 

 

Best wishes

Klaus

[KiwiRay]

Very nice animation. Great details at the poles, especially that little orange circle to the north, something that’s more difficult to see in the animated gif.

If you use the “My Media” button to add the gallery image, then CN will show the animation (or at least a still frame).

Thanks again, Andrew.  It took me a while to find that My Media button - I was looking in all the wrong places when it's been staring right at me with every post. I'll make use of that next time.

 

And thanks for the comment, Klaus!

Edited by KiwiRay, 03 October 2024 - 03:19 PM.

[dcaponeii]

Thanks again, Andrew.  It took me a while to find that My Media button - I was looking in all the wrong places when it's been staring right at me with every post. I'll make use of that next time.

 

And thanks for the comment, Klaus!

Don't feel bad.  It was the same kind of revelation for me a couple weeks ago.  Andrew pointed me there...I slapped my forehead..and have been using it since then.