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VdB 141 Ghost Nebula

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Posts Made By: Dan Petersen

February 28, 2008 10:01 PM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Solar System

Saturn storm on the SEBs

Posted By Dan Petersen
Hi, I spotted a small storm on Saturn's "South Equatorial Belt-south" (SEBs), located at CM1= 326. It was confirmed by another image taken 27 minutes later that showed it moving west by about 15 degrees. Take it easy, Dan 8)

March 11, 2008 09:49 PM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Solar System

Mars - March, 11th - 1:14 UT

Posted By Dan Petersen
Hi:

Mars is still a good target - if seeing permits. The Red Planet is only 8.3" in diameter and showing about one fourth the surface area it displayed back in December. The SPH is very extensive and growing, the NPC is slowly tilting in our direction, there are a few small clouds scattered across the globe. Meade 10" SCT at F/35, SPC900NC; 5fps, 1/10s/s, gain: 56%, brightness: 50%, gamma: 10%, saturation: 100%, (no filters). Processed in Rv4 (200/1266). CM= 256.

cheers, Dan smile

March 13, 2008 01:58 AM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Solar System

Saturn 3-11-08

Posted By Dan Petersen
Hi:

Saturn is already 18 days past opposition, time is sure flying by quickly. I took this one last night in 5.5/10 seeing conditions, transparency wasn't the best either, but that didn't stop me. I used my 10" SCT at f/22, higher power resulted in less detail. Philips SPC900NC (no filters), 10fps, 1/10 s/s. Rv4 (400/1000). Notice the globe shadow is back and growing daily.

Have a good day, Dan grin

April 11, 2008 03:02 AM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Solar System

6.8" MARS, 4-5-08

Posted By Dan Petersen
Hi all:

Mars is about 1/3 the size of Saturn's globe, yet there's still detail to image. Dia. = 6.8", CM = 17, seeing = 5.5/10, 10" SCT, F/40. This is getting interesting as Mars approaches 6", then 5" and finally 4"?

Cheers, Dan smile


April 19, 2008 10:07 PM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Solar System

Saturn, 4/15/08

Posted By Dan Petersen
Hi all:

This is my first attempt at imaging Saturn at a very long (F/45) focal length through my 10" SCT, using an SPC900NC webcam. I'm pleased that the C-Ring is completely visible and also the 950 mile diameter moon Rhea to the lower left of Saturn. There may be a very small (pinpoint) storm visible just east (left) of the STrZ's central meridian, but it's the wrong longitude to be the famous one that amateurs have been imaging? The Ringed Planet was captured at 2:40 UT, in 5/10 seeing conditions. I'm hoping (as we all are) for some very steady air, soon. Image scale is 100%.

Have a good weekend, Dan smile

PS: I must have spent more than 30 minutes playing with the collimation screws, I still have work to do!

April 20, 2008 02:25 AM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Solar System

Mars, 4-15-08, 6.3"

Posted By Dan Petersen
The Red Planet at 00:07 UT, CM = 267, Diameter = tiny! wink Recorded using my 10" SCT at F/45 and an SPC900NC webcam working through VDub capture freeware. Cam settings; 10fps, 1/20 s/s, gain: 50%, brightness: 62%, gamma: 0%, saturation: 100%, no filters. Processed 400/2550 in Rv4. Cheers, Dan grin

June 8, 2008 08:11 PM Forum: Solar System Observing

Venus is behind the Sun today, 6/8/08!

Posted By Dan Petersen
Hi all:

Our 'Sister Planet' is directly behind the Sun this afternoon, at Superior Conjunction! My Skyhound.com active desktop is showing the Sun where Venus should be. It was four years ago today that it transited in front of Old Sol. I wonder who will be the first to observe it this month? Get out the UV filters, this week starts a new apparition cycle with Venus sailing very high overhead in the noontime summer sky, good luck finding her, and be careful!

Cheers, Dan 8)

June 8, 2008 08:39 PM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Solar System

Venus is behind the Sun today!

Posted By Dan Petersen
Hi all:

Our 'Sister Planet' is directly behind the Sun this afternoon, reaching Superior Conjunction! My Skyhound.com active desktop is showing the Sun where Venus should be. It was four years ago today that it transited Old Sol. I'm wondering if there are any special opposition type effects with Venus being nearly 100% illuminated this week? Break out the UV filters, a new apparition cycle has begun, with the planet sailing high overhead in the noontime summer sky. Good luck finding her, and be careful!

Cheers, Dan 8)

July 5, 2008 08:52 PM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Solar System

Mercury 7/5/08

Posted By Dan Petersen
Hi, I captured Mercury this morning directly on the meridian, at 16:22 UT. It's just past 'Max West Elongation' and perfectly placed for imaging. Some albedo features are visible. I used my 10" SCT at f/27, and an SPC900NC webcam with a #23 red filter attached, I rebalanced the colors later during post processing. South is up in this image. Have a good day, Dan smile

July 31, 2008 01:19 AM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Solar System

Alan Friedman - Image of the Day!

Posted By Dan Petersen
Congrats, Al! They posted your Jupiter and Io close up over at Anacortes today. What's really strange is that the same alignment occurs this evening, along with the GRS! It should provide a great imaging opportunity. Cheers, Dan grin

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