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Posts Made By: Stephen Fugardi

November 14, 2007 10:53 AM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Solar System

Removal of Parasitic Lines with Toucam

Posted By Stephen Fugardi
My Toucam Pro 840 had been updated with the 900NC firmware. Using YUK2 capture code with my typical f25 Mars settings (Br=50%,Gam=0%,Gain=41%, 1/33s, Sat=100%) with white balance left in auto, I took two 30sec vis: one with the picture enhancer OFF and the other ON (slider all the way to the left). Then processed them identically in Registax, stacking the best 100 frames. Although the average "quality" number assigned by Registax was -0.7 units worse on the stacked frames with the option ON, the final image is clearly superior with a significant reduction of parasitic lines. For this test, I should have frozen the white balance to make the colors match. Also, you should recheck this setting at the beginning of your imaging session because I have seen the slider move to 2/3 for no reason. Try it next time, if you don't use it already

Regards,
Steve

November 27, 2007 06:01 PM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Solar System

2007 Planets from CT

Posted By Stephen Fugardi
I compiled my best f25 shots from 2007 using my C11 Compustar, Toucam Pro, 2.5x barlow & IR blocking filter for my daughter's science class and attached it below. There is definitely an improvement comparing Saturn (earlier in the year) to Mars, both taken at comparable altitudes. With Saturn's rings almost edge on, resolution will be even more difficult this season. Of course a few perfect nights wouldn't hurt either

Regards,
Steve

December 7, 2007 03:04 PM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Solar System

Mars f45, 12/7/07

Posted By Stephen Fugardi
With lousy conditions, this was my first attempt at Mars since 11/8. CSC & weather.com predicted clear and avg seeing until 3am, with the Mars transit at 1:43am, it should have been a perfect night. Unfortuneately, I spent too much time collimating my f45 double barlow stack against my artificial star, then started to experiment with different filters and gamma settings. After finally deciding to try my new IR+UV filter at 12:51am, I noticed the brightness dropping off so I just kept increasing the gain, after 2300 frames, Mars practically disappeared, and as I looked up at the sky, clouds were everywhere. 2hrs early! Never again will I cut it that close. Anyway, I managed to stack 100/2300 frames from my 2.5x inside a 1.8x barlow stack (with the 1.8x inside the 2.5x the glass touches). I used my C11, Toucam IR+UV filter, f45, 10fps, 1/25sec, 50% Br, 0% Gam, 40+/-%Gain, 100%Sat, 24/24 on the Red/Blue color freeze. I should have taken a new flat avi with this setup. Next time out I will get a few avis captured before trying new things. My temperature sensor battery died so I did not get the mirror delta T. There is still plenty of time to capture the red planet and its growing size is impressive. Good luck

Regards,
Steve

December 18, 2007 09:11 PM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Solar System

Mars f25 12/18/07

Posted By Stephen Fugardi
With -8degC and a 10mph wind, in average seeing, I captured Mars at f25 with my C11 and IR/UV block filter on Toucam Pro. The best avi taken at 1:14am, approx 30min past transit with improving conditions, but I was already frozen. 500/3187 frames stacked. The main mirror temp was within 0.2degC of ambient after running the lymax for 2hrs ahead of time. While I tried double stacking the barlows, the image quality was extremely poor.

Regards,
Steve

December 21, 2007 11:43 AM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Solar System

Re: Thoughts on powemates

Posted By Stephen Fugardi
Kirk, it all depends on the quality of the seeing at your location. I would start with a 2.5x and see how it works. The 4/5x's are worthless unless you get some above avg/near perfect nights since they will just amplify an already blurry image. Good luck

Regards,
Steve

January 22, 2008 06:28 PM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Solar System

Mars f45, 1/18/08 first DMK21

Posted By Stephen Fugardi
Last Thursday night under bad seeing and frigid temps, I tried my new DMK21 USB camera with a double barlow stack (2.5x inside 1.8x)and my C11 Compustar. I did not use my lymax cooler or any observatory fan, plus I stayed inside my dome while I imaged. Under poor seeing, I was mainly trying to debug my new setup not expecting much and captured 1min of each R,G,B at 30fps. I noticed that the blue brightness dropped off significantly and had to go to 15fps. I left the brightness & gamma at the default settings, but will try to boost them next time out. Hopefully, with better seeing I will be able to post a decent Mars before its too late. Of course I should have bought the camera a couple months earlier...


Regards,
Steve

January 24, 2008 07:21 AM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Solar System

Mars f45, 1/23/08 RGB

Posted By Stephen Fugardi
With below average seeing and transparency, I took 2min Red(1/38s), 1min Green(1/27s), 1min Blue(1/15s) avis with 780 gain, 63 brightness, 100% gamma, 30fps, C11 + 2.5x in 1.8x + DMK21. Best 700/300/300 frames stacked. Unfortuneately Mars is shrinking faster than my RGB learning rate.

Regards,
Steve

January 27, 2008 03:35 AM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Solar System

Mars f45, 1/25/08 RRGB

Posted By Stephen Fugardi
For about 2hrs, I had average seeing/transparency Friday night and was able to take a few avis around 11pm right before the clouds came in. Although brief, it was the best seeing here in western CT since 11/8/07. Using my C11 and stacked 2.5x+1.8x barlows, I took 2min red (1/38s, 30fps) 1min green (1/27s, 30fps), 1min blue (1/15s, 15fps), 780gain, 63br, 100% gamma with DMK21. Then stacked 600,300,200 frames respectively. After combining RGB, I then recombined the red as the lum. I am still not sure about my processing methods, although the image is improving. Hope you like it

Regards,
Steve

January 28, 2008 04:47 PM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Solar System

Congradulation to Dan Peterson, APOD from 1/27

Posted By Stephen Fugardi
Dan, incredible Venus phase sequence from 2007 posted yesterday on Anacortes POD, http://www.buytelescopes.com/gallery/view_photo.asp?pid=15516, you should try to make a .gif out of those individual shots.

Regards,
Steve

January 29, 2008 03:53 AM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Solar System

NEO 2007 TU24 C11 f10 1/28

Posted By Stephen Fugardi
Using the JPL web link to generate the coordinates, I used a Nikon D70s at ISO1600 for 30sec to image asteroid TU24. By setting the coordinates 2 minutes ahead of time, I was able to let the asteroid drift into view. Many of the shots were blurred by the stiff wind. Images were taken from 8:00-8:54pm (1/29 1:00-1:54UT) in below average seeing. I tried to view the asteroid through the eyepiece, first with 55mm, then 32mm but I could not find it. Switching back from the computer screen coordinates to the eyepiece within 1-2 minutes wasn't enough time for my eyes to readjust, or they may be just going bad. Attached is one of better images of TU24, (my first captured asteroid)

Regards,
Steve

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