Image of the day

Captured by
Gary Taylor

M27 - Dumbell Nebula

About Astromart

My Account

New to Astromart?

Register an account...

Need Help?

Posts Made By: Paul Maxson

November 15, 2006 02:29 AM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Solar System

Neptune

Posted By Paul Maxson
Hi all,

Here is an image of the 8th planet (how can a former Lowell employee not say Pluto isn't a planet...hehe). Shot at prime focus on the Mewlon 250 and resized 2x. Nothing much to see, but it goes to show just how tiny this planet looks from earth. Also, an image of Neptune/Triton from the same evening.

http://web.gccaz.edu/~pmaxson/OuterPlanets/Neptune/Neptune081806cl-3.jpg

http://web.gccaz.edu/~pmaxson/OuterPlanets/Neptune/Neptune-composite.jpg

Now, back to the fabulous lunar images!!

Paul

November 15, 2006 08:44 PM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Deep Sky

NGC 6543

Posted By Paul Maxson
Hi all,

I shot this back in August with my Orion Starshoot and didn't think it was very good, however after processing it (with Nebulosity) and some post processing in PixInsight and Paintshop Pro 10, I'm pleasantly surprised how well it turned out.

http://web.gccaz.edu/~pmaxson/DSO/NGC6543prime.jpg

Paul Maxson

November 19, 2006 05:56 PM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Deep Sky

NGC 40

Posted By Paul Maxson
Hi all,

I learned a valuable lesson last night....even if you are absolutely sure you can find your primary target, always have a backup object or two handy...preferably of a different type than the primary. I spent almost 15 minutes searching for M74 (setting circles on the Temma 200 mount are really, really bad!). So, I decided to go after my backup object, NGC 40. I figured, yeah right....11 mag and small. Well, 30 seconds after I moved the scope to it, there it was!! And here it is....I just did a very preliminary curve and histogram so I plan to re-process this gem later. Shot with the Mewlon 250, F/7.2 Orion Starshoot 60x30 unguided, setting at 40/109 and cooling on. Dark subtracted and cropped.

http://web.gccaz.edu/~pmaxson/odds/A-NGC40.jpg

Thanks!!
Paul Maxson

November 20, 2006 09:59 PM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Solar System

10923 and a couple of proms.

Posted By Paul Maxson
Hi all,

Here is the last of 10923 as it rotates away from us, and a couple nice proms on the east limb of the Sun. VERY rough processing...

http://web.gccaz.edu/~pmaxson/misc/10923.jpg

http://web.gccaz.edu/~pmaxson/misc/prom-4.jpg

Paul Maxson

November 22, 2006 05:39 PM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Solar System

Quick and dirty Saturn

Posted By Paul Maxson
Hi all,

Just a quick and dirty Saturn shot this morning. Hope you like it.

Paul Maxson

November 30, 2006 06:55 PM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Solar System

Neptune and Triton

Posted By Paul Maxson
Hi all,

Here is an image of Neptune and Triton shot with the Orion Starshoot. Details on the image. I hadn't starting recording gain/offset yet but I'm thinking it was about 40/110 or so. The Starshoot makes a very nice camera for planetary satellites.

http://tinyurl.com/y5ayl2

Paul Maxson

December 6, 2006 11:17 PM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Deep Sky

M11

Posted By Paul Maxson
Hi all,

Here is an M11 I shot with my humble Starshoot from Orion and my Mewlon 250. I recall the temp was over 100F when I was imaging that night.

http://web.gccaz.edu/~pmaxson/DSO/M11.jpg

Paul Maxson

December 11, 2006 12:44 AM Forum: Equipment Talk

Thinking about a mount....

Posted By Paul Maxson
Hi all,

Now that I have the DSO imaging bug I'm thinking about a new mount for my Orion ED100. I have the Skyview Pro with dual axis drives, but would love to mount the scope on a mount that supports autoguiding. I see the Atlas mount does just this. IYHO would this be a good option or do any of you have another suggestion. Thing is, the OTA weights probably 10 pounds or so, so basically the mount is overkill. The lower end Orion mounts don't have the autoguider ability. My new camera, an ST2000 XCM is due in any day now.

Hey, thanks to all!!
Paul Maxson

December 13, 2006 02:45 AM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Deep Sky

Hoping to make Warren Keller look good...**grin**

Posted By Paul Maxson
Hi all,

I finally got to watch the two tutorials that Warren Keller posted on curves and histograms and decided to give them a real data try. The left image was my own hit and miss processing attempt, the right using Warren's tutorials as a first try. I used PixInsight instead of Photoshop is biggest difference. I only did a minor unsharp mask after curves and histogram (in Astra Image). I hope I did some justice to his tutorials. I'll bet the whole series would be a major wakeup call for me!

http://web.gccaz.edu/~pmaxson/misc/M11-comp.jpg

Comments...
Thanks!!
Paul Maxson

December 19, 2006 01:46 AM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Deep Sky

M13 and M22

Posted By Paul Maxson
Hi all,

Here are images of M13 and M22 I shot with my Orion Starshoot during the summer. I have been reading Ron Wodaski's "Zone System" book on astro imaging and have learned so much my head hurts!! These images are the result of what I hope I have learned.

http://web.gccaz.edu/~pmaxson/DSO/M13-072006.jpg

http://web.gccaz.edu/~pmaxson/DSO/M22-082906.jpg

I found out that my SBIG ST-2000 camera is supposed to be shipped this week....wheeeeeeeee!! Cloudy weather for sure!!

Paul Maxson

Funding Member

Sponsors


View all sponsors

Search