Astromart

November 1, 2004 05:15 PM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Solar System

First Image of Saturn

Jim -

A really nice first saturn. Good luck at Chiefland.

Alan

November 1, 2004 05:19 PM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Solar System

Sabine & Ritter

Hi Wes -

A great study of crater variations. I am really enjoying getting to know these lunar features on a first name basis!

thanks,
Alan

November 1, 2004 05:25 PM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Solar System

Saturn this morning

Posted By Alan Friedman

Hi Jim -

A very nice saturn.

Thanks for keeping us posted on what is going on behind the clouds.

best,
Alan

November 3, 2004 04:57 PM Forum: Solar System Observing

Hi Carlos -

Another wonderful lunar drawing. What an inspiring idea for an observing project. Highly challenging and an almost limitless amount of subject matter to keep you looking forward to clear nights. Thanks for posting.

Alan

November 3, 2004 07:38 PM Forum: After Dark

SONY ccd cam corder question

Posted By Alan Friedman

George -

Larry's comments are very good. The webcam is a very versatile way to go for planetary/lunar/solar imaging at a low (camera) cost. But the camcorder (assuming it is a lightweight miniDV variety) might be a way for you to get your feet wet with plantetary imaging. Scopetronix probably has an adapter that will provide a solid connection from your Sony camera to an eyepiece for afocal imaging. You can record a lot of video on tape without filling your hard drive with webcam streams. You can then bring the camera inside and attache via firewire to a desktop computer and capture the highest quality streams to the computer (I use Imovie on a Mac for this) and process with a stacking program as you would with webcam streams.

There may be optical compromise imaging through an eyepiece and the camcorder lens vs. barlow projection with a webcam. But it is a workable alternative and might suit you if you have the camcorder and don't have a laptop with lots of empty hard disk space.

clear skies -
Alan Friedman

November 4, 2004 06:26 PM Forum: Solar System Observing

Saturn Drawing 11.03.04

Posted By Alan Friedman

Sol -

A beautfiful rendition of your observation through the eyepiece. The crispness and definition of the rings on excellent nights (which is so difficult to record in a webcam) is captured very well in your drawing.

thanks,
Alan

November 4, 2004 10:40 PM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Solar System