Image of the day

Captured by
Byron Davies

M-52, NGC-7635, SH2-157, SH2-158, SH2-159, SH2-161, NGC-7510

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Posts Made By: Mark Bolton

December 12, 2003 02:22 AM Forum: Telescope Making

mirrorkits.com

Posted By Mark Bolton
Hello to all,
In the recent "14 inch 1" thick plate mirror" thread I saw the site in the subject line. I had not known of this site until now. I am not an ATM in the sense that I have never made a complete scope but it is one of the dreams I have always had. I really dream of building a 12" newt to put on my G11 and image with. Until now I had always looked at sites offering kits that were in the 4-500 dollar range. To find this site was interesting. Of course the more expensive sites were Pyrex but I am wondering what all of you experienced ATM'ers have to say about the sites offerings. I have been in the process of gathering information for this project for a year or two now and can see it becoming a reality at a point in the not too distant future.

I have read many of the sites on the ATM web ring (have read mel bartels site perhaps 10 times). Thanks,

Mark

December 12, 2003 04:01 AM Forum: Wildlife Photography

Re: Cloud hole

Posted By Mark Bolton
James and all,
Thats a really wild set of images. It would be very interesting to know what the details are behind the atmosphere that causes such a thing.

A while back I caught an image of something I had never seen but perhaps someone here has seen it. I have seen it a few time since but havent caught as good a sequence of it. I have many individual images of this event but will post the mosaic.

Again, great shot to all,
Mark

December 14, 2003 06:35 PM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Solar System

n253 Luminance

Posted By Mark Bolton
Here is the L data. I was only able to get 12m R 12m G and 15m B before some light clouds were coming over the horizon so no color. I was fighting some high thin clouds coming in from the southwest all night and I am guessing those are the cause of the gradient in the L channel as well. It has been my experience with my setup that the slightest amount of clouds really screws up my color data which was why I quit.

I have posted a slightly smaller version of the L channel here and the full size image (only slightly larger) can be seen at:
http://www.frogpondobservatory.com/images/galaxy/ngc253.jpg

The image details are:
15 x 300s using C8/st237-fr237@f/4.? G11 gemini, guided with ST90/TV 2.5x powermate/st5c

MaximDL/CCD for imaging and processing (darks/flats/bias/ddp) and Photoshop Elements for levels and to try to minimize the gradient a bit. I applied a very light unsharp mask and thats it.

Back to the processing, clear skies,
Mark

December 14, 2003 06:42 PM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Solar System

A side note about image posting

Posted By Mark Bolton
After posting that last image I just wanted to ask, I check both this forum and the User Film and CCD forum. I notice under the User forum it says "post your astrophotos here". Should I/we post our images there and then reference them here? I see image posted here regularly but just wanted to make sure I wasnt breaking any protocol or anything.

Just wanted to make sure,
Mark

December 29, 2003 02:26 AM Forum: Telescope Making

Re: 18" Starstructure altitude bearings

Posted By Mark Bolton
Michael,
Do you machine all these profiles in house? Are your components tig'd together? Again, in house? Just wondering. I notice most all of the profiles you have posted are coarse sanded.

Was just wondering if you sub out your parts. Would you ever consider lacing a part like this to dump even a bit more weight?

I had a funny thought when I was looking at your images you have posted recently. I am not sure if anyone remembers but back in the early days of BMX stunt riding there were guys charging their frames with helium and seeing marked improvement even given the very small volume.

Mark

January 1, 2004 01:06 AM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Solar System

M82LRGB

Posted By Mark Bolton
Hello all,
Pulled an all nighter last night, shut down at 6:30 this morning. I have been playing around with this image off and on all day and have yet to come up with a combination that seems just right but heres what I have so far.

Oddly this is one of the rare images that I have had good luck processing almost completely in Maxim. I only used PS Elements for some levels, crop, and save.

Stats:
C8/G11 Gemini, st237 @ f/4.*, guided via st90/tv 2.5 powermate/st5c.
L=50m R=18m G=18m B=23.4m
5 min subs on the L, 6 mins on R&G, 7.8 on the B

I assembled a version of the image last night while imaging M51 which showed the ejecta much a bit more sharp but for some reason havent been able to duplicate the results since. Perhaps it was my eyes drooping rather than a better processing wink

Happy new year all,
Mark

January 3, 2004 04:26 PM Forum: Home Observatories

Home brew dome control

Posted By Mark Bolton
Hello,
I posted this to the Yahoo Observatory group so I appologize for any who are seeing it twice.

Does anyone know of any links to individuals
who have put together their own dome control system?

We have relocated and our observatory stayed behind. we are in the
early planning stages of an observatory and while I really like the
ease of a rolloff we now live on a ridge and the wind can be a
challenge. I am not interested in dealing with retractable blinds and
such for a rolloff which handles wind. Personally I dont like domes
(the look) so I am building a rotating hip roof with a shutter. When
closed and aligned with the lower structure it will just look like a
hip roof building.

Any info on home built dome control would be greatly appreciated,
Thanks,
Mark

January 7, 2004 11:19 PM Forum: Wildlife Photography

Interesting Seeds 1

Posted By Mark Bolton
This is not really a wildlife picture but I thought it was interesting. I had forgotten I shot these a couple weeks ago and just got them off the camera. I have yet to identify them but they range in size from about a nickel to a quarter. Very need. In the images they look much larger wink

Ciao
Mark

January 7, 2004 11:20 PM Forum: Wildlife Photography

Interesting Seeds 2

Posted By Mark Bolton
This is it, Ciao again,
Mark

December 12, 2003 04:40 AM Forum: Wildlife Photography

Re: Cloud hole

Posted By Mark Bolton
Hehe, yes, this is what life is supposed to be all about!! Being able, and willing, to take the time to look up, around, down, etc. is where its at in my opinion.

Mark

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