Posts Made By: John A. Maher

Hi Tyler,

That shot is inspiring

I have recently purchased a new to me E160. I am using a St2000 and would like to ask you what camera your using and whether you are having any problems with reflections. I have posted an image that I am workin on.

While processing I have found another image that shows three separate pieces. This image was taken just prior to the one used for the original post. Same time with the 10 second delay. If this is a recently launched satellite I would be interested if it is working . .

Hi Bob,

I am no pro but here is my take on it.

Filters absorb light and allow a range of frequencies to pass to either your eye or a CCD. In your case its the latter and for most CCD imaging most people try to collect an equal amount of light across the visible spectrum to create an image close to what we think we would see. Actually we would never see these images but that is another story. These are called RGB images and use a combination of Red, Green, and Blue of equal (or close to) levels of transmission in their range to cover the visible spectrum; add a Luminance or clear to brighten the RGB image and it is an LRGB. Better filters are made with a balance between the three colors across the spectrum so the image is it's self balanced. Even better filters are made to compensate for deficiencies in certain CCDs or even focus the selected frequencies very close to the same distance creating an even more balanced image in color or focus or both.(there is a set for the DSI pro I believe). Most filters block UV and I am not 100% sure but I think the ultra violet frequencies may show up as a distortion in the lower frequencies on your CCD and UV may also have some unwanted reflective qualities due to it's high frequency. Some people (myself included) also use filters to collect light in ranges not visible to create an image or examine something our eyes may never perceive. (see image)

Your 80A is a common light blue filter used to raise color temperature from 3200°K to 4100°K which is another story and used in telescopes to make O2 more visible (I think its O2) by blocking or lowering the transmission of other colors. I don't think it would be a component of an RGB unless the other two filters have transmission levels close to the 80A and if so I don't think you will be needing a separate a Luminance image for that picture as those colors might be a little light.

Well there you go and remember I am no pro and my comments are just that, 'my comments and not fact'

The image is an 16 nm HA with the color added in Photo shop. like i said "no pro"

Enjoy

John 8)

Welcome to the world of HA Ivan

Good luck and I am sure you know where to come with any questions

Thank you too; for your always kind remarks and forum work. I do the Williams Forum and although that is an easy one it still requires time and effort. I don't know how you guys do these. But thank you

Without people like you: people like me would not have a place like this.

Hi David

Nice Picture; Amazing the image someone can get with a 60mm telescope today.

Hi Paul

Personally I think any picture, especially a color one is an accomplishment.

That is a great image

I hope your not like me and am never truly satisfied with your image and feel that they can always be better. Its not right

I brought your picture into my CS and it does show different colors on opposite sides of the stars. This is something I would expect from a Mewlon if the seeing is poor. It could also be a slight alignment issue.

I owned a Mewlon 210; had a good friend who owned the M300 and I love the Mewlons. I still believe to this day they are some of the best scopes you could own when the seeing is good. They sadly performed poorly under anything less and was the reason I sold my 210. My quote is "the Mewlons see everything". Which for a CCD isn't good sometimes.

Nice image Louie,

I used the image/adjustment/channel mixer in CS and adjusted the green channel. On my monitor balancing out some of the magenta by adding green did not detract from the image at all. Actually I thought it brought out more.

Hi Steve,

I can only comment on the FS78

I owned one and the FS60C @ the same time to compare both of them for imaging here in NJ which I am sure is worst then TX.

I sold the FS78 and still own the 60C which I feel is although, smaller a much better imaging platform. Neither was cheap after you did the Tak adapter/reducer/flattener thing but the 60C seems to produce better images.

The Crab was done with the FS78 and definitely shows the quality of the Tak product.

Sorry I am not a big enough geek to explain the reasons but it was an easy choice.

Unguided, 90mm scope and a DSI

That is an impressive image and with your equipment "awesome".

Nice job

Robo focuser Mod