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Posts Made By: Kevin Brennan

February 17, 2008 04:32 PM Forum: Digital SLR AstroPhotography

DSLR Choices

Posted By Kevin Brennan
I have a few questions for the group on DSLRs. First, is there a way to process out amp glow from a D70 when pushing it to higher ISOs? I am sure there probably is (dark field sub?) but not sure how this is done if you have a DSLR. I am familiar with doing it in AIP for ccd fits files or with automated functions of SBIGs software, but haven't a clue for dslr JPEG images.

Second, What is the latest best choices on a budget? I would get a body only for astro use. I have a D70 that seems to work great for daylight. XTi? 40D? Is a 20Da the premier camera or one of the newer standard cams with live view?

Third and last, whats the best XT/XTi mod for astro only through a APO?

clear skies,
Kevin

April 7, 2008 10:51 PM Forum: Takahashi

RA of Polaris

Posted By Kevin Brennan
I was wondering if somebody could clarify my understanding of Polar alignment in the NJP.

If you unknowingly use 2h 31 minutes, vs what I understand to be the correct RA of 2h 42 minutes, does that mean your 9 arcminutes off the pole star. Would that account for 9 minutes of error in pointing? How much does it affect tracking?

Kevin

April 14, 2008 12:06 AM Forum: Equipment Talk

Mounts and Weatherproofing

Posted By Kevin Brennan
Short of an observatory which is my next step when I can, does anybody have any ideas or recommendations for keeping elements off a mount. I have a permanent pier and would like to leave my mount out as much as possible to keep from having to polar align it all the time. I bought a telegizmos cover and they simply do not work. I have taken the cover off a couple times and found my mount wet. It might be okay to keep dust off it in the SW, or cover it up while at a star party, but no good for doing what I want to do. It wasn't even as good as a common plastic garbage bag.

Does anybody have opinions on the most corrosion resistant mounts made. Are there any that have 100% non steal or corroding parts? How about electronics. I was thinking that this could be another option if there was such a mount that could get rained on. Seems like all the mounts I have seen have some questionable parts and with all of them, I wonder about the electronics and motors.

Regards,
Kevin

April 15, 2008 04:51 AM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Solar System

Webcam Files

Posted By Kevin Brennan
How do you save SPC900 files as AVIs? I tried my hand at web cam imaging for the first time and thought I was off to a good start, and I see it saved 30 seconds of video at about a 4.5mb file, and thought it was kind of small. Then see that it is saved as a MPEG, and cannot see a setting to allow anyting else.

Are folks using different software to save in different format. I am using the webcam software. How much of a difference does it make.

Clear skies,
Kevin

April 20, 2008 12:29 AM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Solar System

Web Cam Settings

Posted By Kevin Brennan
Newbie here with web cams and needs some help. I quickly realized that I needed something other than Vlounge to take AVIs for use in registax. But the Vlounge had all kinds of settings. Now I am using Virtual Dub, which I had heard and found recommendations for. It only seems to have a frame rate control. I can't see any other settings.

Is this okay? Also, if so, what is the correct frame rate. When I googled it, I found all kinds of recommendations but the one that seemed most reputable simply due to the reasoning was for 5fps. The righter indicated that with anything higher, the USB can't handle it, and the frames are then compressed.

What are the opinions out there. I suppose my next step is K3CCD.

Kevin

April 21, 2008 02:52 AM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Solar System

First Saturn

Posted By Kevin Brennan
I am giving web cam and planetary imaging a try. Attached is first light with the SPC900 through my 5.5" refractor. It was taken at f30 with 4x powermate. The only adjustment I could find on the Vdub software was frame rate which I set to 5. It was a stack of about 400 frames from Registax. Background was darkened in PS as it was greyish from the stack. Small adjustment in layer 6 with wavelets but any more and it seemed to accentuate horizontal bands accross the frame. This was especially true at any frame rate other than 5. I don't know what that is.

Any comments or tips would be greatly appreciated. I guess I will need more focal length and aperture in the long run.

Clear skies,
Kevin

April 21, 2008 03:05 AM Forum: Digital SLR AstroPhotography

First Light

Posted By Kevin Brennan
Here are a couple quick images, first light with my new refractor. I have mostly been a visual guy since the days of film faded, but have never had a chance to get a decent M42 and have always wanted to capture the trapezium. Didn't quite do that with only a 5" scope. But anyway, this was a 1 min unguided image with my D70. By the time the rain cleared again, Orion was long gone. So will try longer next season.

Clear skies,
Kevin

June 14, 2008 12:44 AM Forum: Solar System Observing

ISS Observing

Posted By Kevin Brennan
I believe I might be putting this in the right place. On the evening of June, 7 about 10 folks from our local club got together for an evening of observing.

From one of the scopes we were observing with, a 10" f5 dob, I was able to hand track a pass of the ISS and allow folks to take a look. The club folks and guests really enjoyed it. I handed the guiding off to to another member and got a real quick peak before it dissapeared. It was neat. You could clearly make out the panels. Very cool.

Kevin

July 3, 2008 10:47 PM Forum: Digital SLR AstroPhotography

Live View

Posted By Kevin Brennan
Had a question for those familiar with Live view in the new DSLRs. Do they put out live view through a cable to a monitor or laptop screen? Or is the ouput on the new larger LCDs adequate?

could a D70 or XT put out a focus mode view to a laptop similar to a webcam? In other words "almost live".

Kevin

September 7, 2008 12:29 AM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Solar System

Jupiter Sept 1

Posted By Kevin Brennan
First attempt on Jupiter with both web cam and 5.5" APO. Well actually second, the first was a week earlier and is close but not as good. It is 650 frames from 1000, processed in registax, and shot with Phillips SPC 900. 15 fps at f38 with 4x powermate. About 1 minute.

Seeing was not that great, suggestions would be appreciated. How long can you go? This was 1 minute, and I noticed the more frames, the better the processing.

I had mixed feelings as seeing really was not that great but had hoped for more given what I have seen recently from a couple 5" APOs. I forget who had posted, but it was nice.

The only other two images I have every done of Jupiter (posted below) turned out somewhat better especially since they were taken on film! and the other with HX9, both single frames in C8, but a number of years ago when the seeing seemed much nicer. I am thinking the localized seeing where I moved is not as good or the northeast in general for several years just has not been as good. The HX9 shot was at f40.

http://www.astronomy.darkhorizons.org/Jupiter.JPG
http://www.astronomy.darkhorizons.org/jup.JPG

Oh well, I will keep at it.

Clear skies,
Kevin

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