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M20 Trifid Nebula in LRGBHa

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Posts Made By: Stephen Fugardi

September 15, 2007 03:47 PM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Solar System

Neptune f10 9/13/07

Posted By Stephen Fugardi
With my C11 and Toucam pro at f10 with 90% Gain @1/25sec, I captured Neptune in a moonless, above average seeing night as it barely cleared the treeline at its peak. Mirror was 0.6degC higher than ambient. Best 200 frames stacked out of 1500.

Regards,
Steve

September 15, 2007 04:02 PM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Solar System

Uranus f25 9/13/07

Posted By Stephen Fugardi
By using the 2.5X barlow, I had to crank the gain to 100% and gamma to 10% just to get the image bright enough to capture. Unfortuneately, the result was grainy at this max gain setting. Mirror temp delta 0.8degC and climbing which is indicating that my body heat may be radiating to the back of the scope, adversely affecting the seeing in my small 7' dome. Next time out, I plan to roll my computer/power box cart outside to see if it helps. Best 200frames stacked from 1500. Opposition of Uranus was 4 days earlier.

Regards,
Steve

September 18, 2007 09:47 PM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Solar System

Uranus f18, 9/18/07

Posted By Stephen Fugardi
Uranus imaged in above average seeing @f18 with C11 and Toucam pro using 80% gain @1/25sec. The 2.5x barlow made the planet too dim and gain settings >80% added too much noise. With the 1.8x barlow, I believe a more accurate color was captured. Best 300/1700 frames @ 5fps, mirror temp +0.3degC over ambient, taken at 12:15am close to peak transit.

Regards,
Steve

September 18, 2007 09:51 PM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Solar System

Mars f25, 9/18/07

Posted By Stephen Fugardi
Mars taken with C11 and Toucam on a very clear morning sky but with average seeing at approx 5am. With my fans blowing while I slept for a few hours, I came back out to find a wet lap top computer and a mirror that was still 0.4degC higher than ambient, which was surprising. It seems that the mirror may never reach equilibrium. Best 200/1000 frames taken @f25. With the first Mars of the season done, I am looking forward to more reasonable viewing times later this fall.

Regards,
Steve

September 23, 2007 11:54 PM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Solar System

Re: MARS (North Polar Hood) 9-23-07

Posted By Stephen Fugardi
Dan, excellent Mars image! Details and color are crisp especially the polar cap.
You really have that scope setup well. Thanks for posting

Regards,
Steve

October 3, 2007 10:16 AM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Solar System

Congrats Alan Friedman, Nov Astronomy p86

Posted By Stephen Fugardi
Alan, I just got the Nov 2007 Astronomy mag and found your incredible Plato mosaic on page 86, the first page of the reader gallery. That entire page is yours! thanks

Regards,
Steve

October 8, 2007 10:20 AM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Solar System

Re: MARS (close-up) 10-7-07

Posted By Stephen Fugardi
Dan, great Mars shot! Surface details are sharp especially at the polar cap. You are using some interesting web cam settings which I will try next time out. Normally, I shoot with 50% Brightness, 0% Gamma, 100% Sat and just adjust the Gain to bring in the image. Lately, its been foggy every morning here. Thanks for posting!

Regards,
Steve

October 8, 2007 10:29 AM Forum: Home Observatories

Solar Vent

Posted By Stephen Fugardi
A few weeks ago, I installed a $99 solar vent purchased online. The 1000CFH pumping speed does not sound like much but it keeps the inside dome temperature noticeably cooler. From a mirror temp vs ambient measurement, it has helped approx 1degC. Without the vent, I would start at 4degC but now it is typically 3degC. Also, the light humming sound should deter the bees next season from building nests inside. They tend to build them at the top where the vent is. Yesterday I caulked and painted everything, good for another year.

Regards,
Steve

October 13, 2007 01:33 PM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Solar System

Venus f25 10/13/07

Posted By Stephen Fugardi
C11 + Toucam in below average seeing. Best 200 frames stacked. Mirror delta temp 0.1degC. I am not sure if a UV filter would help the image under these marginal seeing conditions. This morning was predicted to be the "best" conditions for the next 10 days. sad

Regards,
Steve

October 13, 2007 01:38 PM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Solar System

Mars f25, 10/13/07

Posted By Stephen Fugardi
C11 + 2.5x barlow + Toucam in below average conditions, best 200 frames stacked. With Mars higher in the sky, the image can tolerate worse seeing compared to Venus. While the mirror temp was within 0-0.1degC vs ambient, the atmospheric seeing was marginal. Sadly, these were the best conditions in the last 3 weeks here.

Regards,
Steve

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