May's bright planets ... compilation
Jun 20, 2018 16:22:08 #
northcoast42
Loc: Puget Sound, Washington
Despite the planets being fairly low to the horizon, I had some success with Jupiter, Mars and Saturn as well as the moon last month. Venus is very bright in the western sky but I gave up on that planet a while ago. I've never been able to get anything but a bright blob for Venus. 
I created this compilation from May's images. They were taken on 21, 23 and 25 May. Unlike previous efforts, imaging with a monochrome camera, I did these planets with a color camera (ASI224MC). It certainly cuts down on the imaging time as well as the post processing. I still need to get an ADC (atmospheric dispersion corrector) though. From what I've seen, significantly more detail can be achieved. The moon image is a 95 image stack using my Nikon DSLR. The telescope used was a 12" Meade LX850 (vs my old 127mm refractor). A capable instrument to be sure...now I just need to catch the planets higher in the sky. Jupiter and Saturn won't be for several years but Mars, which is currently at -22deg declination, will be at +22 degrees next year. A 44 degree shift putting it about 65 degrees above the southern horizon from my position at 47N. Looking forward to that.
I created this compilation from May's images. They were taken on 21, 23 and 25 May. Unlike previous efforts, imaging with a monochrome camera, I did these planets with a color camera (ASI224MC). It certainly cuts down on the imaging time as well as the post processing. I still need to get an ADC (atmospheric dispersion corrector) though. From what I've seen, significantly more detail can be achieved. The moon image is a 95 image stack using my Nikon DSLR. The telescope used was a 12" Meade LX850 (vs my old 127mm refractor). A capable instrument to be sure...now I just need to catch the planets higher in the sky. Jupiter and Saturn won't be for several years but Mars, which is currently at -22deg declination, will be at +22 degrees next year. A 44 degree shift putting it about 65 degrees above the southern horizon from my position at 47N. Looking forward to that.
Jun 20, 2018 19:42:49 #
northcoast42 wrote:
Despite the planets being fairly low to the horizo... (show quote)
I’m glad you have finally been able to image.
All of these shots work well together.
Nicely done.
Jim
Jun 20, 2018 21:16:41 #
northcoast42
Loc: Puget Sound, Washington
Thanks Jim. I'm hoping next year will be a good year for Mars imaging although it won't be as close to us as it will get this year but I'm hoping the 44deg change in declination will more than make up for the difference.
Albuqshutterbug wrote:
I’m glad you have finally been able to image.
All of these shots work well together.
Nicely done.
Jim
All of these shots work well together.
Nicely done.
Jim
Jun 20, 2018 21:56:00 #
Jun 20, 2018 22:28:27 #
northcoast42 wrote:
Despite the planets being fairly low to the horizo... (show quote)
Very, very nicely done John.
Craig
Jun 21, 2018 11:34:58 #
northcoast42 wrote:
Despite the planets being fairly low to the horizo... (show quote)
Looks like one of those scenes from Star Wars or Star Trek...
bwa
Jun 21, 2018 13:09:44 #
Very nice John!
Great to see you are getting some sky time in.
I'm up in Port Orchard visiting the Daughter and SIL and Family.
But not much hope for the sky here...
You might be able to see the sky in one of these.
In the woods, gathering wood before supper. Goat Burger Taco's.
Great to see you are getting some sky time in.
I'm up in Port Orchard visiting the Daughter and SIL and Family.
But not much hope for the sky here...
You might be able to see the sky in one of these.
In the woods, gathering wood before supper. Goat Burger Taco's.
Jun 21, 2018 17:08:26 #
SonnyE wrote:
Very nice John!
Great to see you are getting some sky time in.
I'm up in Port Orchard visiting the Daughter and SIL and Family.
But not much hope for the sky here...
You might be able to see the sky in one of these.
In the woods, gathering wood before supper. Goat Burger Taco's.
Great to see you are getting some sky time in.
I'm up in Port Orchard visiting the Daughter and SIL and Family.
But not much hope for the sky here...
You might be able to see the sky in one of these.
In the woods, gathering wood before supper. Goat Burger Taco's.
We have a goat 'ranch' a couple of miles from us. We roasted a whole one over a large BBQ last summer for a family gathering. The grandkids thought it was rather gross!! But it was excellent with roast potatoes, corn on the cob, garlic bread, brown beans, carrots and green beans. Should plan to do it again this fall...
bwa
Jun 24, 2018 22:28:08 #
Well done! July 27 Mars will be approximately 55,000,000 km from earth it will not be this close for another 13 years it usually hangs about 200,000,000 km from earth and is as far away as 400,000,000 km so suit up and see what kind of magic you can do with your 12 in Meade. I am hoping I can hang with you and get some decent Mars pictures!
Jun 25, 2018 02:05:21 #
nikonshooter wrote:
Well done! July 27 Mars will be approximately 55,000,000 km from earth it will not be this close for another 13 years it usually hangs about 200,000,000 km from earth and is as far away as 400,000,000 km so suit up and see what kind of magic you can do with your 12 in Meade. I am hoping I can hang with you and get some decent Mars pictures!
Thanks Ed for all the cool info on Mars.
Craig
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