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Eastern Veil Nebula

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Posts Made By: James Pickering

November 1, 2004 03:23 AM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Solar System

First Image of Saturn

Posted By James Pickering
I got up at 3:00 AM and I took a number of images in spite of relatively bad atmospheric stability and intermittent clouds. My first attempt with this scope....

C14 on Losmandy G11
@F22 1/50 second, approximately 245 of 850 images used
Toucam

Hoping to get steadier skies next week at Chiefland.

Clear skies,

Jim Pickering

January 27, 2005 04:32 AM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Solar System

Saturn Image 1/26/2005

Posted By James Pickering
I was getting discouraged with the horrible seeing this year in South Florida (too many damned cold fronts)but tonight I got one imaging session before the Cirrus clouds rolled in. sad

One question: On the image there appears to be a division in the ring just outside of the crepe ring(the A ring?) that I have never seen before. Anyone seen it?

I am also amazed at the number of belts on the planets surface and their coloring (I made no adjustment in Registax for hue or saturation).

Image taken with:
C14 on Losmandy mount
@F22 with Toucam @1/25 second, 2200 images at 320X240

Jim Pickering

September 17, 2005 09:11 PM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Solar System

Mars-First time 9/17/05

Posted By James Pickering
Attached is my first image of Mars. I obtained it last night at F22 with a CG14 and a Toucam. No darkframe and image processing other than Registax.

Are those orographic (blue) clouds on the North (?) pole or is it some other phenomenon?

Clear skies....

Jim P.

October 13, 2005 02:21 AM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Solar System

Mars on 10/8, question on processing

Posted By James Pickering
I took this exposure on 10/8 but had no time to post it until today. Seeing was 6/10 with occaisional clouds. CG14 with 2X barlow and Toucam. Exposure at 1/250 sec approximately 1900 frames.

Any idea on how I can make the image appear less grainy? Should I try to increase the image size by going to a 3X barlow or is it processing that eliminates the grain. I process through registax and then convert to JPEG to post.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Clear skies,

Jim Pickering

March 29, 2006 02:46 AM Forum: Astro-Physics

GTO900 for C11 and C14

Posted By James Pickering
I am trying to determine the suitability of a AP 900GTO mount for my two Schmidt Cassegrains. The C11 is 28 lbs and the C14 is 49 lbs. The AP site indicates the 900 has a capacity of 70 lbs. Does anyone have experience with these two scopes on the 900? I currently image planets with the C14 but will probably start imaging DSO's in the next year or two. I use the scopes on a Losmandy G11 currently and take them to WSP, Chiefland and the Everglades monthly for dark skies.

Thanks...

Jim Pickering
Confused AP mount evaluator....

April 2, 2006 04:27 AM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Solar System

Jupiter with Eclipse

Posted By James Pickering
Imaged this last night in spite of bad seeing and clouds. Imaged with C14 @ F11 on Losmandy G11 with TouCam camera and Registax processing. Exposue at 1/250th sec, 890 frames....

Clear Skies,

Jim Pickering

July 19, 2006 01:16 AM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Solar System

Jupiter on 7/16/2006

Posted By James Pickering
We finally had a break in the month long clouds in South Florida so I took the opportunity to image briefly.

Decent seeing but occasional clouds....

C14 on G11 with Toucam at F11.

Clear skies....

February 21, 2007 05:30 AM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Solar System

Saturn 2/20

Posted By James Pickering
Image obtained with C14, 2X barlow and Toucam. 1532 frames @1/50th second. Seeing 5/10 not great stability but decent.
Can't seem to get the color right....


Clear skies.....

Jim P.


November 1, 2004 03:33 AM Forum: Eyepieces

35mm Panoptic & C14

Posted By James Pickering
I just purchased a C14 2 weeks ago and have a 27 Pan which shows absolutely pinpoint star images to the edge of the field. I know it is not a 35MM and the field is just slightly smaller (the 27 has the 2 inch barrel and I believe the same field stop diameter as the 35). I love the Panoptic view though the C14 (I also have Naglers but I still prefer the Panoptic for the sharpness). I also use a 40MM UO MK70 which does show some coma in the outer 20% of the field.

Jim Pickering

January 4, 2005 12:49 AM Forum: Celestron

Starbright vs XLT

Posted By James Pickering
Gerry,
I have a C11 with XLT (along with a C14 with XLT and C8 without XLT) and I can tell you that I get significant ghost images in the C11 that I think is due to a lack of effectiveness of the coatings on the corrector(and I am using Pans and Naglers). I don't have the same problem with the C14 but I have it even worse with the C8. If you are going to the Winter Star Party in February they usually have a significant number of SCT's there that you should be able to compare. Otherwise I know of no way to get a valid side by side comparison....

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