tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-84491844612361469692024-03-05T11:27:16.855+00:00John's Astro BlogA journal of my Journey in Astronomy.
And associated pitfalls, trips, stumbles, successes and triumphs.Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01648645350196554100noreply@blogger.comBlogger319125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8449184461236146969.post-51348517920136802012011-03-08T15:24:00.000+00:002011-03-08T15:24:30.758+00:00GSO 6"RC Proper Deep Sky First LightFinally... a clear night without a layer of high mist... <br />
<br />
I knew what I was going to do, so got setup, used a 1 star sync with EQMOD, then the goto to M51, and that plonked M51 within the FOV of the 450d on the RC.<br />
<br />
16 x 10 minutes @ ISO800, darks and flats<br />
Imaging setup: GSO 6" RC, Canon 450d<br />
Guiding: QHY5v, Konus Vista 80s<br />
Mount: HEQ5<br />
Software: PHD, APT, DSS and PS<br />
<br />
<img src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/Deep%20Sky/m51rc.jpg"><br />
<br />
I could have framed it better, but the image scale is a big improvement on the 80ED... This is uncropped.<br />
<br />
There are a couple of issues... I discovered that my normal Av mode flats, again came out underexposed... I've no idea why, but as I knew what I was looking for, that was easily dealt with. The collimation is out, using liveview zoomed, I did a quick star test, and the airy disk has a slight list, but I wasn't going to let that stop me, as I really just wanted to get some data with it. I found when dismantling that I hadn't tightened both thumb screws, so may have had some camera flex, and I'm not 100% convinced I nailed focus.<br />
<br />
But... I'm happyJohnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01648645350196554100noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8449184461236146969.post-91818536562517182592011-03-04T10:03:00.000+00:002011-03-04T10:03:01.664+00:00M42 - Over the last three yearsI thought it might be interesting to look back at my attempts at M42 over the last three years and compare the results.<br />
<br />
All taken with the same 450d<br />
<br />
Konus Vista 80s, NexStar SLT (AltAz)<br />
<img src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/m42repro2.jpg"><br />
<br />
C80ED, Unguidded<br />
<img src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/Deep%20Sky/m42-14-22-feb-final-3.jpg"><br />
<br />
C80ED, Guided HEQ5<br />
<img src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/Deep%20Sky/m422011core25x5portrait.jpg"><br />
<br />
The reason my first attempt is so read, I used a Semi APO filter to help with the CA, and it removed a lot of blue.<br />
<br />
Practice and improvements in kit and technique have really helped.Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01648645350196554100noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8449184461236146969.post-61351220826152843952011-02-26T04:44:00.000+00:002011-02-26T04:44:38.520+00:00Stick it in the binI so nearly didn't bother with posting this... however... having had such a run of heavy cloud, I could actually see some stars on Thursday... I was wondering what it was I was looking at. Anyway... I've been waiting and waiting to try and add some more data to my M42 and see if I couldn't tease out the faint dusty regions around the main nebula. The plan being to ideally grab 4 hours of 10 minute exposures. Ah how plans never quite work out how you want...<br />
<br />
Turns out, there was some thin cloud, not enough to spoil the view, but enough to spoil looking for the faint stuff, dew was terrible, within an hour, the OTA's were dripping, so of course, had to keep getting the hair dryer out... I don't get it, but my ST80 stayed much clearer with the after market camping mat fitted then the 80ED... have to look at that, but I suspect it's to do with the shape of the fitted dew shield. <br />
<br />
And of course, it's a bit late in the year now to be trying something like this as with only 2 hours captured, Orion was sinking into the orange flow. <br />
<br />
And then of course, there was the power... or rather lack of it.. my main battery died after a fair number of subs, to give it it's due, but the backup lasted 2 and the flats. Oh, the flats, I don't know what happened, but using the technique I always use, the flats were horribly under exposed, so they got ditched, as they introduced a pile of bright vignetting. <br />
<br />
Then the laptop cooling fan developed an odd noise.. I'd have to say caused by dust, so need to take it apart and give the fan a good hoover.<br />
<br />
Not a good night really... still... a couple of good points...<br />
<br />
1) The guiding held without any issues, after the previous occasions fits in RA<br />
2) APT works really well<br />
<br />
Having written all this, I spose I'd better post the image, prior to consigning it to Dusty... (in case you're too young to remember... have a look for a TV program called 3-2-1 ... writing that makes me feel old).<br />
<br />
<img src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/Deep%20Sky/m4212x1024022011.jpg"><br />
<br />
Oh yes, I couldn't be bothered overlaying any of my previous bits of images to sort out the core, which is totally blown, although to be honest, it's the first time on a deep sky image, I've had the highlight clipping warning showing on the camera preview <br />
<br />
And why is it, that despite adding the process tif to DSS, deselecting it, right clicking it and making it the reference frame, did DSS not align all the other frames on it ?Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01648645350196554100noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8449184461236146969.post-76322217113509627182011-02-23T08:59:00.000+00:002011-02-23T08:59:35.790+00:00Update - Deep SkyThere has been a distinct lack of opportunity for deep sky this winter, mores the pity.<br />
<br />
First up, a wide field of Auriga... this was shot with the nifty fifty<br />
<img src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/Deep%20Sky/auriga-25x5iso800.jpg"><br />
<br />
I started to add the Messier clusters in Auriga to add to the widefield base image, but that's got lost somewhere<br />
<br />
M38 and the smiley face<br />
<img src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/Deep%20Sky/m38-auriga-19x5iso800.jpg"><br />
<br />
I discovered with this one, the focuser was not tightly locked onto the MaxDSLR connector and it could wobble ever so slightly... blast... I've resolved that one with a 1/4 turn of the thumb screw...<br />
<br />
M36<br />
<img src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/Deep%20Sky/m36-auriga-11x5iso800.jpg"><br />
<br />
And I moved on from here, on the same night to have a go at M42.. shame the clouds moved in to quickly, as I only got 7 subs for the core and 2 subs for the neb... I was amazed at how much detail I was able to get out of only 2 subs though.<br />
<br />
<img src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/Deep%20Sky/m42core2x5iso800.jpg"><br />
<br />
However, I was able to get a decent run a couple of nights later, and managed 25 subs...<br />
<br />
<img src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/Deep%20Sky/m422011core25x5portrait.jpg"><br />
<br />
I really want to get at least 4 hours of 10 minute subs to see if I can't pull out the faint stuff in the background... there's hints of it in here, but it's not enough to pull out.<br />
<br />
Then finally, after getting the RC, I went back to M38 for a first light, all was setup easily, although I do need the second counter weight. But I had a weird issue with guiding... I lost the first two subs as PHD decided mid way through to give the RA axis a major kick... I don't know why. The laptop was making some odd noises also, whilst PHD was guiding. I stopped guiding, enabled again and that was all fine. Then after 2 subs, the clouds moved in...<br />
<br />
<img src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/Deep%20Sky/m38-2x5iso800-6rc.jpg"><br />
<br />
Bit irritated I only got 2 subs, but it's worked nicely. There's some odd star shapes in one corner, but I think that's from my home made dew shield being a bit long and sagging slightly. Next try, I'll do it without it.Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01648645350196554100noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8449184461236146969.post-34878498128588018732011-02-23T08:25:00.000+00:002011-02-23T08:25:11.553+00:00Update - LunarOh.. how many for this one... <br />
<br />
Oh well... <br />
<br />
C80ED, 2xTC, 450d on a camera tripod<br />
<br />
<img src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/Lunar/IMG_7254.jpg"><br />
<br />
and with some colour<br />
<img src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/Lunar/IMG_7254-Version2.jpg"><br />
<br />
in the mist<br />
<img src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/Lunar/IMG_7256.jpg"><br />
<br />
<img src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/Lunar/IMG_7306.jpg"><br />
<br />
For some Earthshine<br />
<img src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/Lunar/IMG_7307.jpg"><br />
<br />
<img src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/Lunar/IMG_7311.jpg"><br />
<br />
<img src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/Lunar/IMG_7315.jpg"><br />
<br />
<img src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/Lunar/IMG_7318.jpg"><br />
<br />
<img src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/Lunar/IMG_7352.jpg"><br />
<br />
A little different<br />
<br />
<img src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/Lunar/IMG_7362.jpg"><br />
<br />
<img src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/Lunar/IMG_7366.jpg"><br />
<br />
<img src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/Lunar/IMG_7373.jpg"><br />
<br />
<img src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/Lunar/d7bd9542.jpg"><br />
<br />
<img src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/Lunar/cf31da42.jpg"><br />
<br />
<img src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/Lunar/IMG_7401.jpg"><br />
<br />
<img src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/Lunar/IMG_7410.jpg"><br />
<br />
<img src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/Lunar/IMG_7640.jpg"><br />
<br />
<img src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/Lunar/IMG_7642.jpg"><br />
<br />
<img src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/Lunar/IMG_7643.jpg"><br />
<br />
<img src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/Lunar/IMG_7776.jpg"><br />
<br />
Another Earthshine<br />
<img src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/Lunar/IMG_7840.jpg"><br />
<br />
<img src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/Lunar/IMG_7844.jpg"><br />
<br />
And the Storm moon<br />
<img src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/Lunar/IMG_8132.jpg"><br />
<br />
Been some great Lunar halo's over the past couple of months, these are all 2 frame vertical panorama's<br />
<img src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/Lunar/lunarhalo.jpg"><br />
<br />
<img src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/Lunar/lunarhalo2.jpg"><br />
<br />
<img src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/Lunar/cloudyhalo.jpg"><br />
<br />
<img src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/Lunar/lunarhalo3.jpg"><br />
<br />
And then a couple of mosaics... most complete, one spoilt by cloud<br />
<img src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/Lunar/lunarmosaic28pane-250of1000-800.jpg"><br />
<br />
<img src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/Lunar/partialmosaic210111.jpg"><br />
<br />
Then I got a new scope, a GSO 6RC, a very well built piece of kit, solid with a superb focuser. More resolution that the 80ED, and a greater focal length. Not had a chance to really push it yet... but it's working well so far<br />
<br />
Only 7 panes to test it out<br />
<img src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/Lunar/rc1moonmos7p800.jpg"><br />
<br />
and 20 panes <br />
<img src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/Lunar/120211-20p250of10006rc800.jpg">Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01648645350196554100noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8449184461236146969.post-87544716113239599022011-02-23T08:15:00.000+00:002011-02-23T08:15:10.051+00:00Updates - SolarOh Boy... I'm so far behind... <br />
<br />
I'm just gonna have to split the images into groups and post them... I can't remember anything anymore...<br />
<br />
So... Lets start with Solar..<br />
<br />
These were all taken with a C80ED, 2xTC, 450d with Baader solar film, mounted on a camera tripod<br />
<img src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/solar/IMG_7258.jpg"><br />
<br />
<img src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/solar/IMG_7304.jpg"><br />
<br />
<img src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/solar/IMG_7357.jpg"><br />
<br />
<img src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/solar/IMG_7372.jpg"><br />
<br />
<img src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/solar/IMG_7380.jpg"><br />
<br />
<img src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/solar/IMG_7474.jpg"><br />
<br />
<img src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/solar/IMG_7475.jpg"><br />
<br />
<img src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/solar/IMG_7525.jpg"><br />
<br />
<img src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/solar/IMG_7577.jpg"><br />
<br />
<img src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/solar/IMG_7578.jpg"><br />
<br />
<img src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/solar/IMG_7632.jpg"><br />
<br />
<img src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/solar/IMG_7767.jpg"><br />
<br />
<img src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/solar/IMG_7773.jpg"><br />
<br />
<img src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/solar/IMG_7919.jpg"><br />
<br />
<img src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/solar/IMG_7949.jpg"><br />
<br />
<img src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/solar/IMG_8104.jpg"><br />
<br />
And far more interesting<br />
<img src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/solar/IMG_8107.jpg"><br />
<br />
<img src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/solar/IMG_8108.jpg"><br />
<br />
<img src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/solar/IMG_8130.jpg"><br />
<br />
These next few were shot with a QHY5v and consist of the best 25% of frames taken from 1000 frame avis, and are when AR1150 was around<br />
<br />
<img src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/solar/ar1150.jpg"><br />
<br />
<img src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/solar/astroqhy5v_00003-PART1_pp.jpg"><br />
<br />
<img src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/solar/astroqhy5v_00005-PART1_pp.jpg"><br />
<br />
<img src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/solar/at1150close.jpg">Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01648645350196554100noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8449184461236146969.post-10063904628057561402010-10-26T12:04:00.000+01:002010-10-26T12:04:14.651+01:00More Sun and moon, and at last some deep skyI'm gonna have to work on getting this updated a bit more regularly..<br />
<br />
The sun is an interesting and challenging target and I've been having fun with white light imaging. These are all with the C80ED, 2xTC and 450d mounted on a camera tripod.<br />
<br />
<img src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/solar/IMG_6733.jpg"><br />
<br />
<img src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/solar/IMG_6890.jpg"><br />
<br />
<img src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/solar/IMG_6918.jpg"><br />
<br />
<img src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/solar/IMG_6919.jpg"><br />
<br />
<br />
<img src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/solar/IMG_6920.jpg"><br />
<br />
<img src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/solar/IMG_6931.jpg"><br />
<br />
<img src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/solar/IMG_6932.jpg"><br />
<br />
Then I put together the above images into an Animation<br />
<br />
<img src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/solar/sunanimation.gif"><br />
<br />
It could do with some adjustments... but I've added some more and adjusted the alignment, I'm hoping to add a few more shots to get 14 days worth..<br />
<br />
<img src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/solar/IMG_6943.jpg"><br />
<br />
<img src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/solar/IMG_6951.jpg"><br />
<br />
<img src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/solar/IMG_6959.jpg"><br />
<br />
<img src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/solar/IMG_6965.jpg"><br />
<br />
And I had a go at, what I thought was AR1117, but it looks like it was AR1119 instead with the 5v<br />
<br />
<img src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/solar/ar1119a.jpg"><br />
<br />
The moon mosaic I tried didn't work as well as I'd hoped.. I really struggled with the sheer number of files and the amount of storage needed (my own fault for using a 5x barlow)... and it meant that I ended up having to take long breaks whilst dealing with the data files before I could capture the next set...<br />
<br />
<img src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/Lunar/89mosaic1610101000sharp.jpg"><br />
<br />
The nearly full moon (single shot)<br />
<br />
<img src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/Lunar/IMG_6935.jpg"><br />
<br />
And the early morning moon<br />
<br />
<img src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/Lunar/IMG_6963-Version2.jpg"><br />
<br />
I also managed to do some Deep Sky... I figured it best to go for a reasonably easy to find target, as I'd not done any Deep Sky in months, and make sure I could remember how to setup and get all the bits working together... It worked well.<br />
<br />
<img src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/Deep%20Sky/doublecluster.jpg"><br />
<br />
The Double Cluster.Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01648645350196554100noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8449184461236146969.post-8242046903185440032010-10-07T09:46:00.000+01:002010-10-07T09:46:11.758+01:00Some more Sun, Moon and Jupiter and a quick binocular sessionI need to update again... I need to try and keep on top of this more... Ho Hum... So not in time order again....<br />
<br />
Just one Sun shot... C80ED, 2xTC, 450d and smooth Baader solar filter<br />
<br />
<img src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/solar/IMG_6733.jpg"><br />
<br />
And a crop of AR 1109 and 1110 from the above image. I'm impressed how well this has come out.<br />
<br />
<img src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/solar/IMG_6733-Version2.jpg"><br />
<br />
One of these weeks, there might be time, and clear skies on a weekend to allow me to try some real close up stuff.<br />
<br />
The Harvest Moon, a single shot from the 450d, with the 2xTC on the C80ED<br />
<br />
<img src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/Lunar/IMG_6443.jpg"><br />
<br />
and with some colour lifted out<br />
<br />
<img src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/Lunar/IMG_6443-Version2.jpg"><br />
<br />
I had a play with the moon, completing a full mosaic, a terminator mosaic in a bit closer, and some other bits a bit closer still. The seeing wasn't great...<br />
<br />
A 24 pane mosaic, 250 of 1000 frames per pane, C80ED, Celestron Ultima x2 Barlow and QHY5v stacked with Avistacks, stitched in MS ICE.<br />
<a href="http://s246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/Lunar/?action=view¤t=astroqhy5vp1_00012-PART1_pp_stitchaedit.jpg"><br />
<img src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/Lunar/astroqhy5vp1_00012-PART1_pp_stitchaedit1024.jpg"></a><br />
<br />
Click for full size<br />
<br />
Then a mosaic of the Terminator, with a single tube between barlow and camera<br />
<br />
<a href="http://s246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/Lunar/?action=view¤t=terminator260910.jpg"><img src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/Lunar/terminator2609101024.jpg"></a><br />
<br />
Click for full size<br />
<br />
And some bits and pieces with an extra tube<br />
<br />
<img src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/Lunar/astroqhy5vbits_00002-PART1_pp.jpg"><br />
<br />
<img src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/Lunar/astroqhy5vbits_00001-PART1_pp.jpg"><br />
<br />
<img src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/Lunar/astroqhy5vbits_00000-PART1_pp.jpg"><br />
<br />
And finally, The moon in the blue sky<br />
<br />
<img src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/Lunar/IMG_6732.jpg"><br />
<br />
I got back from the AS meet quite late, having had a quick look afterwards for Hartley2 with my 15x70's from the car park. Not great conditions, a bit murky, but I did point the bins at Mirfak, and a couple of others, had a look.<br />
<br />
I got home, and it was still clear, so I dug out my 10x50's and trotted out into the garden for a look around. I started out trying to find the comet again, even after referring to the computer, I still failed to find it. But hey ho... another night maybe.<br />
<br />
So I had a general look around... Nice to see some winter sights appearing again... M31 was an easy find, as was the double cluster and the Mirfak association. I found a couple of other clusters I wasn't expecting to see either side of Mirfak (M34 and NGC1444). M45 was, as usual, a stunning sight in the bins.<br />
<br />
After only 10 minutes looking around, I took the bins away from my eyes to see if I could spot the location of the comment, and spent a couple of minutes looking to confirm what I was seeing, as it couldn't be right. But no... with a little averted vision, I was able to see smudges where the Double Cluster, the Mirfak Association and M31 are.<br />
<br />
The bad news is, that was all the time I could afford, as I had to get up for work early, so I quickly swung around to look at Kembles cascade (I couldn't believe how easily I spotted it) running down to the little cluster at the bottom (who's name/designation I forget) and headed in.<br />
<br />
And finally, a couple of attempts at some LRGB imaging, only using the QHY5v... <br />
<br />
C80ED, QHY5v, Ultima x2 Barlow<br />
<br />
L-500 of 2000 frames<br />
RGB-300 of 800 frames<br />
<br />
<img src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/Planets/jupiterlrgbx2.jpg"><br />
<br />
Then with 60mm of tubes between camera and barlow<br />
<br />
250 of 1000 frames of each LRGB<br />
<br />
<img src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/Planets/jupiterlrgbx2tubes.jpg"><br />
<br />
These could have been better, I need to work on this, it's harder than I expected. It wasn't helped with few on the objective of course. And I need to work out if the exposure levels need adjusting for each colour, as the exposures seem to be rather different.Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01648645350196554100noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8449184461236146969.post-68061200471759172622010-09-24T08:27:00.000+01:002010-09-24T08:27:34.523+01:00Some Sun, Moon and JupiterOk, lets start with the Sun... it's been a bit noticeable by it's absence behind thick layers of clouds recently, but there have been a few peeks... Oldest first...<br />
<br />
The first two were shot with the NexStar 60<br />
<br />
<img src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/solar/IMG_6026.jpg"><br />
<br />
<img src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/solar/IMG_6340.jpg"><br />
<br />
Then these two were with the same filter cell on the C80ED<br />
<br />
<img src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/solar/IMG_6345.jpg"><br />
<br />
<img src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/solar/IMG_6400.jpg"><br />
<br />
Another with the NexStar<br />
<br />
<img src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/solar/IMG_6412.jpg"><br />
<br />
And finally with the C80ED but with a proper filter cell, designed to fit, not home brew, and no ripples in the filter itself (makes quite a difference)<br />
<br />
<img src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/solar/IMG_6436.jpg"><br />
<br />
And onto the Moon<br />
<br />
A few quick single frames, all with the C80ED and 2x TC<br />
<br />
<img src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/Lunar/IMG_6402.jpg"><br />
<br />
<img src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/Lunar/IMG_6407.jpg"><br />
<br />
<img src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/Lunar/IMG_6429.jpg"><br />
<br />
And finally the Harvest moon<br />
<br />
<img src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/Lunar/IMG_6443.jpg"><br />
<br />
I had a go at some closeup work, whilst setting up for a bash at Jupiter the other night, QHY5v with a 5x barlow on the C80ED. Each is about 500 of 1800 frames.<br />
<br />
Schiller to bailey<br />
<img src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/Lunar/schillertobailey.jpg"><br />
<br />
Sinus Iridium to Pythagorus<br />
<img src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/Lunar/sinusiridiumtopythagoras.jpg"><br />
<br />
Grimaldi to Cavalerius<br />
<img src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/Lunar/grimalditocavalerius.jpg"><br />
<br />
And finally, after months of waiting, clouds covering the moon at the best point in the cycle, I finally got Aristarchus<br />
<img src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/Lunar/aristarchus.jpg"><br />
<br />
And onto Jupiter<br />
<br />
I had a bash at my first RGB image, I don't have the equipment to do this properly, and I don't have imaging filters, just cheapy wratten filters. This was using a 2x barlow and some tubes on the C80ED with the QHY5v. I'm rather pleased with how it came out. I do need to adjust the size of the blue filter, as it's about 0.5mm to large to fit in the filter holder. This is 300 of 1000 frames in each colour<br />
<br />
<img src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/Planets/jupiterRGB16092010.jpg"><br />
<br />
I had a bash (whilst getting the single frame moon shots) at Jupiter with the SLR, not ideal equipment, but when I cropped in, I was amazed to find, that not only had I got the Galilean moons, but also some surface details<br />
<br />
<img src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/Planets/IMG_6410.jpg"><br />
<br />
I also had a try at getting both Jupiter and Uranus in the same field of view. Much harder than it sounds... still.. C80ED, 2xTC with the 450d. It took some work to fit them both in, and I ended up having to take two exposures, one for Jupiter and one to include Uranus, I was aiming to try and get some detail on Jupiter (although it's really rather hard to see at this size. Jupiter is obvious, Uranus is the star in the upper left.<br />
<br />
<img src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/Planets/IMG_6434.jpg"><br />
<br />
And finally, I had a bash at Jupiter with the 5x barlow. I opted to try some LRGB imaging this time, but rather than use filters, used two cameras, one mono for the L and one colour for the RGB. It worked nicely too...<br />
<br />
C80ED, Antares 5x Barlow<br />
<br />
L - QHY5v<br />
<img src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/Planets/jupemonoqhy5v.jpg"><br />
<br />
RGB - SPC900<br />
<img src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/Planets/jupecolourspc900.jpg"><br />
<br />
LRGB - Combined<br />
<img src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/Planets/jupitercombo.jpg"><br />
<br />
And the normal orientation<br />
<img src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/Planets/jupitercombonormal.jpg"><br />
<br />
I'm really pleased with that last combined Jupiter image, I even got the GRS (a first for me).Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01648645350196554100noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8449184461236146969.post-46655905455847460002010-09-10T11:39:00.003+01:002010-09-11T21:28:46.019+01:00AwardsThere were some truly stunning images on show last night at the awards ceremony. Congratulations to all the winners. Well done on a great evening to the Observatory. <br />
<br />
I didn't win anything, maybe next year.<br />
<br />
I did, however, write up a tutorial on <a href="http://www.nmm.ac.uk/visit/exhibitions/astronomy-photographer-of-the-year/how-to-photo-guides/moon/">Lunar imaging</a> for the competition website which is now online at the ROG/Astro Photo website.<br />
<br />
The images embedded look a bit compressed, but click on them, and they look as they should do.Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01648645350196554100noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8449184461236146969.post-69944872124951553822010-09-09T09:06:00.000+01:002010-09-09T09:06:02.442+01:00Going to the Royal ObservatoryTonight, I'm off to the awards ceremony for the 2010 Astro Photography of the year competition. I got one image shortlisted this year, an image of the moon.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/13334669@N07/4645399042/" title="25 Pane Mosaic - 24 May by John Skouros, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4044/4645399042_a797d8fd42.jpg" width="484" height="500" alt="25 Pane Mosaic - 24 May" /></a><br />
<br />
I'm really pleased to have been shortlisted again, and I'm really looking forward to the evenings ceremonies.Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01648645350196554100noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8449184461236146969.post-42553574972806593902010-08-13T00:51:00.000+01:002010-08-13T00:51:45.664+01:00Perseids Watch - Part the secondAnother night, and it started out the same, cloudy all day, still pretty cloudy as the sun was going down, and soon cleared shortly after sundown. Once the sky got completely dark, I setup the meteor lounger, and set down at around 2230 for a viewing session. I left the kit indoors, and just enjoyed the clear skies.<br />
<br />
It was another superb sky, the Milky Way was clearly visible across the middle of the sky. It seems that when there has been rain and clouds, and they clear, the sky is left far clearer and cleaner than normal. Within a few minutes, I'd seen 5 Perseids, the 5th being by far and away the best with a long glowing trail left behind as it burnt across the sky. Over the course of the next 1.5 hours, I kept watch, spotting a total of 23 Perseids, 10 satellites, and 6 transient meteors blasting across the sky, although of those 4 looked to be heading towards Perseus instead of from the radiant, quite a surprise.<br />
<br />
Again, M31 was visible with averted vision, so it goes to show how good the sky is around here I reckon. <br />
<br />
I popped indoors at midnight to warm up, get a cuppa and get a blanket. Whilst my top half wasn't as cold (another layer) my legs were really cold after an hour and a half. The bad news is, when I went back out, I only saw another 3 Perseids, before, I started dozing off... Not really wanting to fall asleep in the garden, in the damp and cold air, I figured it was a much better idea to come in.<br />
<br />
So a good haul of 26 Perseids, 10 Satellites and 6 Transients, with a great view of Cygnus, Cassie, Andromeda, Lyra, Aquilla and the glowing band of the Milky Way.Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01648645350196554100noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8449184461236146969.post-88221757649059241602010-08-13T00:42:00.002+01:002010-08-13T00:42:47.413+01:00Just the SunA single shot of the Sun, from very early this morning. <br />
<br />
NexStar 60, 2x TC, 450d, Baader Solar film, Contrast Booster, and a green filter<br />
<br />
[IMG]http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/solar/IMG_6026.jpg[/IMG]<br />
<br />
There was a thin layer of cloud, just enough to make the sun look dirty.Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01648645350196554100noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8449184461236146969.post-12368589271708847932010-08-12T01:10:00.000+01:002010-08-12T01:10:45.612+01:00Perseids WatchI kept an eye on the clouds, throughout the day, and as the sun was setting, they began to clear. I kept an eye out throughout the evening, and eventually, they finally cleared properly. So I got out a meteor lounger (more commonly known as a sun lounger) and lay back to watch the skies. No kit, just the oldest astro equipment in the book, a pair of the good old eyeballs. I started by just having a look around. I was surprised to find that, even though, the sky from the horizons up to around 20 degrees was pretty rubbish with a sickly glow to it, overhead was surprisingly clear. I was able to see the faint wonderful glow of the Milky Way arching overhead from Cassiopeia in the North, through Cygnus, and down to Vulpecula in the South, lovely. I lay there scanning back and forth. Throughout an hour and a half I saw 9 Meteors, the 7th being the best by far, bright (I'd guestimate Mag 0 probably, not that I really have much of a clue), leaving behind a faintly glowing track across the sky for a few seconds. In that same time I saw 5 satellites. <br />
<br />
About half way through, I caught a glimpse of some dull fluffy stuff creeping into my field of vision, oddly, it would not have looked out of place at Halloween as the shapes and holes looked like ghosts.. amazing what the imagination can come up with. I stayed to watch as long as I could, and, much to my amazement, the ghostly clouds, gradually vanished as slowly and gently as they had come, before fully crossing Cygnus. Marvelous.<br />
<br />
One interesting thing, and amazing thing, to note, I was able to find and see M31, the Andromeda galaxy, ok only as a faint blob with averted vision, but it was definitely there, and in the right place, so that I wasn't imagining. <br />
<br />
There were some very odd noises from the garden behind me, I don't know what passed through, but I didn't care.<br />
<br />
In the end, I was forced in by the cold, my lower back aching, and having to get up for work. <br />
<br />
I didn't get the rig out, and that's ok. I enjoyed this nights viewing.Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01648645350196554100noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8449184461236146969.post-62336769727139394572010-08-09T19:46:00.000+01:002010-08-09T19:46:02.051+01:00Sunday's SunOnly a day late... Ho hum...<br />
<br />
Another single frame image of the Sun, <br />
<br />
NexStar 60, 2x TC (1400mm, f/23) 450d, Baader Solar Film and Contrast Booster, a green filter.<br />
<br />
<img src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/IMG_5986.jpg">Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01648645350196554100noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8449184461236146969.post-32900999827339954382010-08-08T11:46:00.000+01:002010-08-08T11:46:36.453+01:00The Sun Again (1092 and 1093)I'm quite enjoying this Solar stuff... a shame I've not had the clear skies to try and get up close to a spot... but... I'll take what I can get...<br />
<br />
These two are about 12 hours apart, both taken with the NexStar 60 Achro with a 2x TC... (1400mm, f/23)<br />
<br />
This only had the Solar filter<br />
<br />
<a href="http://s246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/solar/?action=view¤t=IMG_5879.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/solar/IMG_5879.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />
<br />
<br />
This had the Solar filter, a Contrast Booster and a green filter<br />
<br />
<a href="http://s246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/solar/?action=view¤t=IMG_5900.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/solar/IMG_5900.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />
<br />
I'm amazed I've picked up some Faculae around spot 1093... and a couple of smaller spots above 1092.Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01648645350196554100noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8449184461236146969.post-86033972087943464642010-08-08T11:38:00.000+01:002010-08-08T11:38:03.991+01:00Sailing the riverI stepped outside last night to check for low green haze on the Northern horizon (not expecting to see any, way too much light polution). But I looked up whilst out in the direction of Cygnus, and promptly lost myself in the immense arch of a dim yet clear milky way. I was amazed that even not being dark adapted (having not more than a minute before stepped out of the house) how much I could see. After a few minutes I tracked down to the south, following the shining river of stars and could make out the split where the dark bands run through the middle. <br />
<br />
WOW!!!!...<br />
<br />
I'm sure, but it was in peripheral vision, that I caught a Perseid whilst wandering along the ribbon too.<br />
<br />
Whilst I was amazed with the view, I also had the 450d and kit lens at 18mm mounted on my EQ1 and captured some widefield subs of 3 minutes each... f/3.5 @ISO400 (I think I got it wrong in the border)<br />
<br />
<a href="http://s246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/Deep%20Sky/?action=view¤t=cygnus.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/Deep%20Sky/cygnus.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01648645350196554100noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8449184461236146969.post-29857340985314625202010-08-04T19:03:00.000+01:002010-08-04T19:03:51.567+01:00Some more of the SunI've been ducking the clouds, and trying to shoot some shots of the sun in the gaps... Not an easy task, as finding the sun means you need strong shadows, and the clouds are putting paid to them. Then focusing is really much harder than I was expecting it to be... <br />
<br />
<br />
Anyway, One from the weekend.. NexStar 60, 2xTC, 450d on a camera tripod with Baader solar film<br />
<br />
<a href="http://s246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/solar/?action=view¤t=IMG_5867.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/solar/IMG_5867.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />
<br />
A few from Yesterday, a bit more atmospheric<br />
<br />
C80ED, 2xTC, 450d with Baader Solar Film<br />
<br />
<a href="http://s246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/solar/?action=view¤t=IMG_5868.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/solar/IMG_5868.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://s246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/solar/?action=view¤t=IMG_5869.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/solar/IMG_5869.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://s246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/solar/?action=view¤t=IMG_5871.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/solar/IMG_5871.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />
<br />
And finally one from today.. there was a shot 10 minute gap in the clouds<br />
<br />
<br />
C80ED, 2xTC, 450d with Baader Solar Film<br />
<br />
<a href="http://s246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/solar/?action=view¤t=IMG_5875.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/solar/IMG_5875.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />
<br />
I'm rather pleased with this second one, it's got a second spot appearing in the upper left and there's details around it.Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01648645350196554100noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8449184461236146969.post-7298416721499621852010-08-01T18:24:00.000+01:002010-08-01T18:24:01.088+01:00Some First SolarI finally bought myself some Solar film to have a try at some solar imaging. The total swamp of clouds at night, and the bright skies were really getting me down. <br />
<br />
I have a filter attachment for the scopes, unfortunately it's just a little too small for the C80ED (to the tune of about 1mm.. how typical is that ? Anyway, I made up too filter cells so far... one for my 55-250 camera lens (using a pair of UV filters and sandwiching the filter itself between them) and one for my little NexStar 60, as that's what the metal filter attachment fits. Here's the images so far...<br />
<br />
With the 55-250<br />
<br />
<a href="http://s246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/solar/?action=view¤t=IMG_5681.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/solar/IMG_5681.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />
<br />
A couple with the NexStar 60 and the 450d on the back<br />
<br />
A tree blew in the way whilst the shutter was open...<br />
<br />
<a href="http://s246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/solar/?action=view¤t=IMG_5689.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/solar/IMG_5689.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />
<br />
And a cloud boiled into view at this time...<br />
<br />
<a href="http://s246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/solar/?action=view¤t=IMG_5688.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/solar/IMG_5688.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />
<br />
And a few more with the 55-250... very heavily cropped...<br />
<br />
This one has two spots... one upper left, and one lower right.<br />
<a href="http://s246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/solar/?action=view¤t=IMG_5835.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/solar/IMG_5835.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://s246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/solar/?action=view¤t=IMG_5862.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/solar/IMG_5862.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />
<br />
And whilst the spot isn't as sharp in this one, a bird flew between the camera and the sun... what could I do but shoot it...<br />
<br />
<a href="http://s246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/solar/?action=view¤t=IMG_5861.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/solar/IMG_5861.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01648645350196554100noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8449184461236146969.post-83024193449428983462010-08-01T18:13:00.000+01:002010-08-01T18:13:00.249+01:00Shooting the MoonI saw the moon on the 21st at the front of the house, amazingly low, and hiding behind the house. I did check to see how high it was going to climb, but sadly it was already at highest, so there was no chance to try any mosaicing on it. So I plonked the C80ED on my camera tripod, put the 450d and 2xTC on the back and grabbed a shot...<br />
<br />
<a href="http://s246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/Lunar/?action=view¤t=IMG_5742.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/Lunar/IMG_5742.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />
<br />
And I decided to pull out the colour a bit<br />
<br />
<a href="http://s246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/Lunar/?action=view¤t=IMG_5742-Version2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/Lunar/IMG_5742-Version2.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01648645350196554100noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8449184461236146969.post-25030724999533135912010-07-23T23:38:00.000+01:002010-07-23T23:38:29.585+01:00Creating a Lunar MosaicI decided it was time, that I document my workflow for creating Lunar mosaics, this works very well for me, and I'm sure there are better ways of producing them, and I'm probably missing some tricks. <br />
<br />
Firstly, setup, balance and polar align (although that's not 100% critical, I have aligned by pointing it in about the right place with a compass), and plug everything together. As long as the tracking is pretty good. If the tracking isn't pretty good, I think there'll be too much movement on an avi which will mean the mosaic won't be as good as it can be. Get everything running and tracking.<br />
<br />
I'm using eqmod and a gamepad to drive my mount, the joystick makes easy work of moving around the moon, and I have to have a laptop to drive the camera anyway.<br />
<br />
Adjust the exposure so you can clearly see the surface details (it doesn't matter if you have hot spots, the exposure will be setup properly later), aim for the terminator, the high contrasty shadows make this much easier. Rotate the camera in the focuser to make your job easier during capture. If the camera orientation follows the line of the terminator, it's much easier to build up the captures than if the camera is at a strange relative angle, and the number of frames you need will be less. Then adjust focus, taking plenty of time to do this, it's probably the most important aspect of setting up. I tend to move back and forward, through focus slowly until I think I have it right. Then, zoom in on the screen. The capture software I'm using has a facility to zoom up to 400%, but I'm sure there must be other methods available if the capture software doesn't have that facility, some form of software screen magnifier maybe, and repeat the process, making sure that at the zoomed level it looks sharp. Avoid over zooming though, as the image will start to pixelate making focusing properly next to impossible.<br />
<br />
Now everything is focused, it's time to set the exposure. This is actually a tricky proposition as there are such significant changes in the surface brightness. If the capture software has a histogram, then make use of it as you move across the surface of the moon, you want to set the exposure so you're either, only just clipping the highlights, or preferably not at all, whilst at the same time, capturing details in the darker regions. Take a little time doing this, I normally run across 2 or 3 times to check. Once set, don't adjust it, or your mosaic will look a bit odd. <br />
<br />
Get over to the terminator, start at the top or bottom, and start capturing. I normally use 1000 frame captures, and try to balance the gain and shutter speed to maximise the framerate, whilst keeping noise down, I don't think there is any one particular good setting for this, there are too many factors involve. I try to keep over 25fps/ <br />
<br />
There's a very handy little trick I use to make sure that I don't miss any bits. I discovered this by accident, but hey, that's fine. I was trying to work out how to take just the first frame from my AVI and put it into iMerge. I ended up loading the entire AVI. What iMerge does is just show the first frame. Obviously the image is not going to be looking it's best, seeing will have affected it, and it needs processing, but it gives a way of seeing how much overlap you have, accuracy is not too important in the mosaicing at this stage, but it's easier to see and messes with your eyes less if it's pretty close.<br />
<br />
Now, as you capture each frame, you should be able to make a decision about how far to move the mount to capture the next frame, leave between 20 and 30% overlap, and start capturing the next frame. Then drag and drop the first avi into iMerge. Repeat this process until you have the first strip built up. I normally then just move across and start the next strip next to where I was, repeat until you have captured the entire disk. As you are building up a mosaic of the AVI's in iMerge as you work, it's easy to see if you've missed any bits and can go and cover them, capture these as you go, it's probably easier than going back later. As a precaution, if I find I've ended up with insufficient overlap (the panes are just overlapping) I'll grab an extra one to make sure there isn't a slight gap in there once processing is complete, cos by that point it's way too late. <br />
<br />
Work quickly yet accurately. If you have any tracking inaccuracies, it can be harder to find your place again, when you have to refer to iMerge and study the image. And the change in the view of the moon will, if you take too long, leave you with some panes that are rotated, not impossible to deal with, but even more of a pain. <br />
<br />
If very thin clouds pass through, I'd suggest waiting if possible, as they will affect your exposure settings, and you need to keep everything identical to make it the best you can.<br />
<br />
Once you have captured the avi's, and making sure you have good coverage of the entire surface, close iMerge and discard the mosaic you built up. You can't use it anyway, but it makes a really excellent ready reckoner.<br />
<br />
I do sometimes take a dark and flat avis to create reference frames for later, I'm not totally convinced this makes any real difference, and if I'm honest, my flats for this stink... and actually totally ruin the image so I've never used one to date. But given how little time it takes... <br />
<br />
Now onto the processing. <br />
<br />
Open Registax (I'm using 5.1), iMerge, and your output folder (where you will save the stacked images). Open the first avi, using the arrows buttons at the bottom, start looking through the frames until you find one that looks the best, click on multi alignment. In the new box that pops up, click on the estimate alignment tab, set the radio button to method 2, then click the estimate align points (I normally use the default box size of 64, it works for me). The image will probably become covered in a load of boxes, one for each point. If you're tracking is 100% spot on, I understand that it's better to set the matrix method and using the boxes at the bottom of the tab set to 10 and 10, then click estimate, although I have had odd effects show up from using this where empty space is visible or when I've got some drift through the avi. Once you have the alignment points, click the align button. Some time later, depending on how many points and how fast your computer is, the alignment will be complete, and registax will have calculated what it thinks is the best frames based on the percentage for the method used. This always seems to come out at 85% for me. I use the slider to limit to 200 or 250 frames from the avi, then click optimise and stack. I know this doesn't use a reference stack of the best frames, but having tried that and found that it doesn't help me, I've stopped doing it. <br />
<br />
Once the optimisation and stacking is complete, Registax will take you to the wavelets screen, this is the sharpening tools, they are very powerful and very easy to over use, so I need to be gentle. I work out a set of wavelets that give you the best result, then save them. At the bottom of the wavelets tab, there's a button labelled save scheme. Click it and save the scheme, this way you don't need to remember the settings you used, as you need to use the same settings for every frame to keep them all consistent, when each avi is at the wavelet stage, having followed the same process with each to this stage, under the wavelets, there is a drop down box, the saved schema from the first pane should show in the drop down list, click it, select the scheme, click do all and proceed as before. If the schema does not show in the drop down, click load, select it, and it will be in the drop down from then on. Click the final tab, perform any cropping needed, I normally have to crop a small amount around the edge to remove a small white border, and save. Save the file to a separate folder from the avi, I just find this easier.<br />
<br />
Close Registax, reopen, and repeat with the next file. Whilst this is aligning, load the saved image into iMerge. Nothing much to do with the first one, then the work begins with each after that. Load each saved avi, I just drag it in from explorer, and do a rough alignment, you should be able to get pretty close. Then making sure the zoom is at 1:1 (default mode is adjusted with the mouse scroll wheel), click onto a pane already in the image (don't move the mouse as it'll move the pane), then click back onto the new pane. You should get an idea of what direction and how far to move the new piece to line it up. Adjust and repeat. Do this until the image is lined up as near to perfectly as you can. Then check with any other panes that this new piece might be adjoining, you should find, if they've all been done carefully then they'll be spot on, if not adjust until they are. Continue working through until you have completed building the mosaic. Save the image from iMerge. I save the mosaic project as I'm going along, but one gotcha I've found with iMerge... if I use the file save option, the project is not saved. Only use the save as option and select to overwrite the orhttp://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=8449184461236146969iginal. Although if you just work straight through all the avi's this shouldn't be too much of a problem.<br />
<br />
Once the mosaic is saved, I load it into an editing program and adjust to suit. I normally apply a small contrast boost with curves and one or two, very gentle, high pass filter sharpens. <br />
<br />
There are quite a few example posts through here showing the end result..<br />
<br />
<a href=" http://johnsastroblog.blogspot.com/2010/07/moon-from-22nd-june.html"></a><br />
<br />
and <br />
<br />
<a href="http://johnsastroblog.blogspot.com/2010/06/lunar-update.html"></a><br />
<br />
Contain a fewJohnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01648645350196554100noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8449184461236146969.post-90576873758746509902010-07-11T16:55:00.001+01:002010-07-11T16:57:18.753+01:00Noctilucent Clouds - Friday 9th JulyI was sat in the garden on Friday evening, soon after the sun had set, I glanced up and could see some faint hints of slightly glowing ripples in the air. I grabbed some binoculars for a quick check, and yes, NLC's. The fact I could see them from the back garden, without having to squeeze right into the corner to get around the tree meant this was going to be a wide display. I dashed in, grabbed the camera and tripod and headed over the road to see what I could see and shoot.<br />
<br />
Anyway, it turned out to be a really good and wide display...<br />
<br />
I shot a number of Panoramas <br />
<br />
6 pane pano, shot in portrait<br />
<br />
<a href="http://s246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/nlc/?action=view¤t=nlcpano45-50.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/nlc/nlcpano45-50.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />
<br />
4 pane pano, shot in portrait<br />
<br />
<a href="http://s246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/nlc/?action=view¤t=nlcpano51-54.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/nlc/nlcpano51-54.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />
<br />
3 pane pano, shot in landscape<br />
<br />
<a href="http://s246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/nlc/?action=view¤t=nlcpano63-65.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/nlc/nlcpano63-65.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />
<br />
8 pane pano, shot in Portrait<br />
<br />
<a href="http://s246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/nlc/?action=view¤t=nlcpano70-77.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/nlc/nlcpano70-77.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />
<br />
I also used the 55-250 to zoom in and capture some detail<br />
<br />
<a href="http://s246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/nlc/?action=view¤t=IMG_5667.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/nlc/IMG_5667.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://s246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/nlc/?action=view¤t=IMG_5678.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/nlc/IMG_5678.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://s246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/nlc/?action=view¤t=IMG_5668.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/nlc/IMG_5668.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://s246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/nlc/?action=view¤t=IMG_5679.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/nlc/IMG_5679.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01648645350196554100noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8449184461236146969.post-67374073281776667842010-07-11T16:48:00.000+01:002010-07-11T16:48:23.663+01:00The Moon from the 22nd JuneA bit late, but I'm just not getting time to get updated at the moment. Ho Hum. Anyway, on the 22nd June, I had a chance to have a go at another mosaic. <br />
<br />
I got the kit out, and with a polar align done by pointing a compass and roughly making the polar axis lie in the track of the needle (a deeply accurate method I don't think). I connected all together and checked the views. The moon was very low (about 14 degrees) and that introduced it's own set of problems (the moon looked like it was under fast flowing running water). Still... having got setup I thought I might as well capture some frames with the C80ED, QHY5v, and I used my 2x barlow to get in a bit closer.<br />
<br />
I set out to capture a mosaic using the 12-10 bit companding mode... this produces more detail but at the expense of a much reduce dynamic range... I'm still undecided on the merits of this mode... as the normal 8bit mode I can drive at higher frame rates.<br />
<br />
Anyway... this is a 25 pane mosaic, each pane is 250 of 1000 frames, stacked and wavelets in Registax 5.1, merged in ICE. There were some exposure variations that cause some serious problems using the usual manual merge process with iMerge thanks to the changing sky conditions as the sun set.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://s246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/Lunar/?action=view¤t=ice220610.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/Lunar/ice220610800.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />
<br />
Click for full size.<br />
<br />
I then put some tubes between the barlow and camera, refocused and had a play at higher magnification. A complete nuts idea given the altitude of the moon, but hey... I was there, the kit was there, the moon was there... so why not...<br />
<br />
Anyway.. Each of these is 250 of 1000 frames. I used the ROI settings of the capture software to get a higher frame rate also.<br />
<br />
Herschel<br />
<br />
<a href="http://s246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/Lunar/?action=view¤t=herschel2206-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/Lunar/herschel2206-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />
<br />
Sinus Iridium (Bay of Rainbows)<br />
<br />
<a href="http://s246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/Lunar/?action=view¤t=sinusiridium2206-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/Lunar/sinusiridium2206-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />
<br />
Clavius<br />
<br />
<a href="http://s246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/Lunar/?action=view¤t=clavius2206.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/Lunar/clavius2206.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />
<br />
Gassendi<br />
<br />
<a href="http://s246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/Lunar/?action=view¤t=gassendi-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/Lunar/gassendi-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />
<br />
And finally, one a little more recent, a shot of the moon, rising out of the trees<br />
<br />
<a href="http://s246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/Lunar/?action=view¤t=IMG_5177.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/Lunar/IMG_5177.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01648645350196554100noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8449184461236146969.post-80311339297520081732010-06-22T15:15:00.001+01:002010-06-22T15:17:04.271+01:00A lunar updateI'm being a bit poor at getting this updated at the moment... I've been having some more fun with the moon recently..<br />
<br />
I'll start with a couple of cloudy moon shots <br />
<br />
<a href="http://s246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/Lunar/?action=view&current=IMG_4191.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/Lunar/IMG_4191.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://s246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/Lunar/?action=view&current=IMG_4194.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/Lunar/IMG_4194.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
On to the more details stuff... I've found a mode on the QHY5v that allows for a better bit depth, at the cost of some dynamic range.. to prevent overexposure this means ending up with a bit darker image...<br />
<br />
Here's a couple of comparison shots..<br />
<br />
<a href="http://s246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/Lunar/?action=view&current=marehumorumcomparea.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/Lunar/marehumorumcomparea.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://s246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/Lunar/?action=view&current=marehumorumcompare.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/Lunar/marehumorumcompare.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
I did another 25 Pane mosaic (I can't remember when... it was a little after mid may I think)... Captured using the Celestron 80ED, QHY5v guidecam, a red filter and a UV/IR filter. 250 frames of avi from 1000 per pane, processed in Registax 5, and merged in iMerge.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://s246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/Lunar/?action=view&current=25p-250of1000.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/Lunar/25p-250of1000-800px.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
click for full size<br />
<br />
Then last week, I had a couple more goes, although this time at a much earlier day in the cycle. <br />
<br />
I had some issues actually being able to point the scope in the right direction, thanks to trees etc, and with the moon being very low, the seeing was pretty poor, nonetheless... This is a 9 pane mosaic, the image details are as before, shot on the 15th.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://s246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/Lunar/?action=view&current=mosaic150610.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/Lunar/mosaic150610800.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
Then on the 16th I had another bash, this was a little earlier in the evening, and I had some helpers in the form of my sons. The eldest focused for me, and they both helped in the capture.<br />
<br />
This is a 22 pane mosaic, details as before, but shot in the 12-10 bit mode of the camera, and using a 30mm extension tube between the camera and barlow for increased image scale. Processing this was a little trickier, as starting that much earlier in the evening, the lighting levels changed as the evening wore on... meaning that the later panes appeared darker.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://s246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/Lunar/?action=view&current=icemos160610-250.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/Lunar/icemos160610250-800.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
And just to finish off, I grabbed a few sections. Each is 250 frames from 1000 frames.<br />
<br />
Petavius to Funerius<br />
<a href="http://s246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/Lunar/?action=view&current=petavius-funerius.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/Lunar/petavius-funerius.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
Pitiscus<br />
<a href="http://s246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/Lunar/?action=view&current=pitiscus.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/Lunar/pitiscus.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
and Endymion<br />
<a href="http://s246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/Lunar/?action=view&current=endymion.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/Lunar/endymion.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
I've really been enjoying these mosaics, and just seeing precisely what I can managed to pull out of my little 80mm refractor.Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01648645350196554100noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8449184461236146969.post-87944409936620700562010-04-26T12:16:00.000+01:002010-04-26T12:16:14.827+01:00Deep Sky - An UpdateThis is a bit shorter than the Moon update...<br />
<br />
All these were shot with the Canon 450d attached to the C80ED, mounted on a guided HEQ5, guided with a QHY5v attached to the Konus Vista 80s with PHD.<br />
<br />
After M3, I decided to attempt a project on M101, my aim to get over 12 hours of capture. I decided to use ISO400 as a balance between the exposure time, doubling that used for my Orion widefield, and doubling the ISO also, to make up for the change in focal ratio. This took place over three nights, the guiding worked flawlessly... <br />
<br />
Night 1 31 subs of 10 minutes<br />
<a href="http://s246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/Deep%20Sky/?action=view¤t=m101-31x10-12f-9d.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/Deep%20Sky/m101-31x10-12f-9d.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />
<br />
Night 2 added - 55 subs of 10 minutes<br />
<a href="http://s246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/Deep%20Sky/?action=view¤t=m101-55x10-18d27f.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/Deep%20Sky/m101-55x10-18d27f.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />
<br />
and the final result, Night 3 added - 76 subs of 10 minutes<br />
<a href="http://s246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/Deep%20Sky/?action=view¤t=m101-76x10-entropy.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/Deep%20Sky/m101-76x10-entropy.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />
<br />
I had intended to go for even more time at the outset, but I think the problem I'm facing is not having enough focal length to get the image large enough on the sensor to pull the details out. Not quite sure what I'm going to do about that at the moment... I think I'll probably get my webcam modded for long exposure.<br />
<br />
I thought after this, I'd got for some widefield and easier targets, which my current setup is far better suited to...<br />
<br />
Mars and The Beehive (M44)<br />
<a href="http://s246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/Deep%20Sky/?action=view¤t=marsm44-7x5.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/Deep%20Sky/marsm44-7x5.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />
<br />
M67<br />
<a href="http://s246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/Deep%20Sky/?action=view¤t=m67-9x5.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/Deep%20Sky/m67-9x5.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />
<br />
I also decided to try an experiment on M3, this time adding in my Kenko 2x teleconverter<br />
<br />
<a href="http://s246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/Deep%20Sky/?action=view¤t=m3-15x51200mm.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg118/johns_bucketofphotos/astro/Deep%20Sky/m3-15x51200mm.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br />
<br />
That brings the Deepsky up to date.Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01648645350196554100noreply@blogger.com0