Jupiter at two diff resolutions on 8/1

I was hoping that I could use my 2X Big Barlow on the webcam, but the image degraded too far and actually lost sharpness. But from experimenting, it seems like the two best resolutions I can get are:

1280X1024, 121 frames taken at 23:29est



compared to 640X480, medium zoom, 41 frames taken at 23:21



The IR filter does help, even though it's a reflector. It tends to smooth out the image and give me just a hint more sharpness I believe. I always feel I'm just a bitttttt short, like my focus is a hair off. I laser collimate and try and zoom the image as much as possible to fine focus, then back off to capture. This is a real pain without a drive, and I've already been dropping hints to the wife that after I'm done rebuilding this monster to a truss, there might be an EQ platform or drive in the future. LOL I think if I was truly able to reduce the frame rate (15fps) down a touch with the advantage of guiding, I could make this mirror show it's stuff. For now, I take my short avi's as Jupiter just floatsssss on by. You guys got any hints to bring out more in the image?

Oh, and try out Paint.net, a freeware from download.com. It really is a nice program, and I prefer it over Photoshop even. Tell me what you think.

Clear Skies,

Guy

Hi Guy:

Nice composites! Since Jupiter is so very low in our southern sky, I would think that a 6.5" by 9" (off-axis) elliptical mask attached to the front of your scope may provide the sharpest images. Elliptical, because it brings in more light than a spherical mask and also gives a resolution boost on the major axis. In order to reduce air turbulence even further just align that axis so it is parallel to the winds aloft. If the seeing is very good I would go with the full 16 inches, I hope you get one of those nights.

Have a great weekend, Dan