Posts for: 7awol
Jan 30, 2022 14:55:59 #
UTMike wrote:
Beautiful set! From the caption I thought that the bird might have a dated haircut (LOL).
I named the Mullet “Billy Ray”, the Anhinga, “Lady Guenivere”. Billy Ray Cyrus sported a mullet doo, Guenivere was pretty handy with her sword.😁
Jan 30, 2022 12:23:33 #
Amazing critter. Flies gracefully. Swims underwater spearing fish. Poses seductively while drying its wings.
Dec 15, 2021 09:29:37 #
Sharing my image of the 14 December Geminid Meteor shower.
I attached a Nikon 10.5mm f2/8 DX Fisheye lens on a tripod mounted Nikon D500 DX camera body and pointed it straight up. Then wrapped a chemical hand warmer around the lens, securing it with a rubber band to keep dew from condensing on the front objective. The built in interval timer was set up to make 300 images, each a 30 second exposure with a 30 second interval between exposures. The 70% Moon would not set until just after 3am. The timer was set to start imaging at 2am to provide an opportunity for adjustments prior to moonset.
The sky was pretty bright at 2am, the moon was decending toward the western horizon but was reflecting a bunch of light on a low level thin layer of fast moving clouds. Stars were visible through the clouds and there were areas of clear sky teasing me to proceed. A few test images determined that the best exposure under these conditions would be f/4.4 at ISO 1100. I hit the “go” button and went back to bed.
From 297 images I was able to find 19 that had meteors. Most were faint but there were some fireballs. The intermittent clouds impacted intensity.
This is a composite image of the 19 meteors. Orion is visible in the lower right corner, the Big Dipper left of center about a third of the way from the top. Gemini (the radiant point) is just right of center about two thirds from the top. The two bright vertically aligned stars are Castor and Pollux, the Gemini twins.
I attached a Nikon 10.5mm f2/8 DX Fisheye lens on a tripod mounted Nikon D500 DX camera body and pointed it straight up. Then wrapped a chemical hand warmer around the lens, securing it with a rubber band to keep dew from condensing on the front objective. The built in interval timer was set up to make 300 images, each a 30 second exposure with a 30 second interval between exposures. The 70% Moon would not set until just after 3am. The timer was set to start imaging at 2am to provide an opportunity for adjustments prior to moonset.
The sky was pretty bright at 2am, the moon was decending toward the western horizon but was reflecting a bunch of light on a low level thin layer of fast moving clouds. Stars were visible through the clouds and there were areas of clear sky teasing me to proceed. A few test images determined that the best exposure under these conditions would be f/4.4 at ISO 1100. I hit the “go” button and went back to bed.
From 297 images I was able to find 19 that had meteors. Most were faint but there were some fireballs. The intermittent clouds impacted intensity.
This is a composite image of the 19 meteors. Orion is visible in the lower right corner, the Big Dipper left of center about a third of the way from the top. Gemini (the radiant point) is just right of center about two thirds from the top. The two bright vertically aligned stars are Castor and Pollux, the Gemini twins.
Dec 5, 2021 14:12:16 #
This is the comet Leonard, C 2021 A1 (Leonard). I made this image with my little telescope on Friday (Dec 4) at 4:10 am just after it had risen above the eastern horizon. It had just moved passed M3, a pretty globular star cluster in the constellation Canes Venatici. The smart people predict that it may become naked eye visible on December 12. Other smart people are saying that it may be breaking up. https://www.cloudynights.com/topic/801076-alpo-comet-news-for-december-2021/ It was worth pulling an all nighter for. This link https://theskylive.com/cometleonard-info
provides live RA/DEC coordinates should you like to find it.
This is a single 300 second image, ISO 320 on an astro modified Nikon D5500. Telescope is a 51mm William Optics Space Cat with a vintage Nikon 1.4 teleconverter in the light path. A ZWO 30mm mini scope and 120mm camera handle the guiding. All riding on an iOptron GEM 28. The AsiAir Plus makes everything go. I call the kit PeeWee.
provides live RA/DEC coordinates should you like to find it.
This is a single 300 second image, ISO 320 on an astro modified Nikon D5500. Telescope is a 51mm William Optics Space Cat with a vintage Nikon 1.4 teleconverter in the light path. A ZWO 30mm mini scope and 120mm camera handle the guiding. All riding on an iOptron GEM 28. The AsiAir Plus makes everything go. I call the kit PeeWee.
Nov 15, 2021 10:26:17 #
[quote=JimH123]Incredible. But the Pelican Nebula is misnamed.
Agree, Fred Flintstone was a "common sense" kind of guy.
Agree, Fred Flintstone was a "common sense" kind of guy.
Nov 1, 2021 19:15:27 #
Thanks to all for looking and comments. Heading out tomorrow for Calhoun County Park in central WV. Almost as good as Cherry Springs (Calhoun is Bortle 3). The community there is working hard to develop the property into a go-to for amateur astronomers. Check it out. https://calhouncountyparkwv.com/
Oct 31, 2021 10:38:59 #
Imaged during the Black Forest Star Party at Cherry Springs State Park near Coudersport Pa several weeks ago. Ten 300 second images at ISO 1600, Starry Sky Stacker then Photoshop CC. PeeWee, my imaging rig, is a William Optics Space Cat 51, astro modded Nikon D5500, and a vintage Nikon 1.4 teleconverter riding on an iOptron GEM28. Guiding with a ZWO 30mm scope and ZWO 120mm mini camera. All controlled by an ASIair Plus.
I just learned that the D5500 is ISO invariant from ISO 200 and up so I need to remember to do all future imaging at ISO 200.
I just learned that the D5500 is ISO invariant from ISO 200 and up so I need to remember to do all future imaging at ISO 200.
North American (NGC 7000) and Pelican (IC 5070) in Cygnus
(Download)
PeeWee at Cherry Springs State Park
Oct 26, 2021 15:23:02 #
Ballard wrote:
Nice shot. Is that a 250mm focal length? 
Yes, the Space Cat 51 is 250mm. With my crop sensor Nikon D550 that provides a FOV of 5.5 x 3.6 degrees (equivalent to 375mm FOV). I forgot to mention that the M31 image was a stack of 10. I use a MacBook so stacking with Starry Sky Stacker then process in PS CC.
Oct 26, 2021 12:58:38 #
Ballard wrote:
Outstanding image of Orion. Great work. You mentioned you also captured M31 would love to see that one also.
This was the very first image that I made after connecting the ZWO ASIair Pro, 120 mini camera and guide scope to to the iOptron SkyGuider Pro last October. 299 seconds at ISO 400, the William Optics Space Cat 51 is f/4.9. My camera is an astro modified (IR cut filter removed) Nikon D5500.
Oct 26, 2021 12:49:32 #
mikedent wrote:
Nice shot of Orion! I have Ioptron CEM 25P; how do you like the GEM28??
My first go-to mount. I stuck with iOptron since I had pleasant experiences with their SkyTracker and SkyGuider Pro products. I chose this new little mount because it is small and lightweight yet is rated for a 28 pound load. I like traveling to dark sky areas and a goal was to keep my whole kit light and portable. Everything works as advertised so far, no squawks yet.
Oct 25, 2021 16:26:54 #
I got my ASIair PLUS in time to take to the Black Forest Star Party at Cherry Springs State Park several weeks ago. Great viewing conditions on six evenings provided ample opportunity to get familiar with the new PLUS.
I have owned and totally enjoyed using the previous version, the ASIair Pro for the past year. I initially purchased the Pro to add guiding to my little portable wide field rig. A William Optics Space Cat 51 mounted on an Ioptron SkyGuider Pro and an astro modded Nikon D5500. This kit was providing nice 90 second exposures while tracking when I had good polar alignment. I knew that the SkyGuider was capable of much longer exposures if I took advantage of it's guiding option. That required a guide scope, guide camera and a gadget to make it all work together. After a bunch of researching, I ordered the ZWO ASIair Pro, the 120 mini camera and guide scope kit. About $500. I had it up and imaging in short order with the help of a couple of members from my astro club. My very first images, guiding for 5 minutes on M31 (Andromeda Galaxy) had pinpoint stars. I was blown away.
The ASIair Pro automated the polar alignment procedure (no more down on my knees looking through the polar scope) and provided complete control of my Nikon D5500. I was still "star hopping" and manually pushing the camera to find targets since the SkyGuider does not have go-to capabilities. If I had an autofocuser, a filter wheel and a go-to mount, the ASIair Pro would have controlled those also. All via wi-fi from my smartphone or tablet. The only squawk that I have with the ASIair Pro is the limited wi-fi range. During long imaging sessions, I would jump in my camper for a break and the wi-fi connection would drop. Same at home, dropped connection when inside the house. The drop would not affect the imaging run, it continued as programmed, but it would not permit me to monitor guiding accuracy or image capture progress as the Autorun continued. Kinda frustrating. Not being tethered to my rig played a big part in my decision when buying the ASIair Pro. I wanted that unwired freedom. Regardless, I compensated and made many wall hanging astro images with the ASIair Pro riding on my little telescope.
Then the ASIair PLUS was announced. A bit sleeker appearance, some tweaking of the onboard electronics AND the addition of an external wi-fi antenna. I ordered one on the spot. The PLUS was priced the same as the Pro. While waiting for it to arrive, I replaced the SkyGuider Pro with an iOptron GEM28 mount. The new PLUS now plays well with the upgraded kit. Having everything controlled by the PLUS via wi-fi from my tablet, now including go-to options for my mount, has allowed my to spend much more time imaging. And where I live, just west of the Allegheny Mountains, imaging time is scarce and precious. The ASIair Plus Autorun program can be programmed to do all imaging tasks, including system shut down (and parking your mount in the home position) at the end of the session. It will not, however, put the cover on your rig. AND the enhanced wi-fi allows me and my tablet to wander away from the telescope during long imaging sessions and stay connected! During the Black Forest event, I would often do just that. My neighbors were impressed that I could share my imaging progress on my tablet while visiting their campsites. I could also duck into my camper for a warm up without loosing connection with the telescope. At home I can bring the tablet inside and stroll to the back rooms (sixty feet from the telescope) and still maintain connection. Signal strength drops to one bar however. The PLUS is a keeper for me.
As a sidenote, the Black Forest folks host an astro swap meet during the event. I decided to put my ASIair Pro on the sales table. It sold within 10 minutes. The buyer asked why I was selling, I explained my challenge with the limited wi-fi. He said that he didn't care, he was going to install it via ethernet cable to a second telescope at his home Observatory. We both won!
I have owned and totally enjoyed using the previous version, the ASIair Pro for the past year. I initially purchased the Pro to add guiding to my little portable wide field rig. A William Optics Space Cat 51 mounted on an Ioptron SkyGuider Pro and an astro modded Nikon D5500. This kit was providing nice 90 second exposures while tracking when I had good polar alignment. I knew that the SkyGuider was capable of much longer exposures if I took advantage of it's guiding option. That required a guide scope, guide camera and a gadget to make it all work together. After a bunch of researching, I ordered the ZWO ASIair Pro, the 120 mini camera and guide scope kit. About $500. I had it up and imaging in short order with the help of a couple of members from my astro club. My very first images, guiding for 5 minutes on M31 (Andromeda Galaxy) had pinpoint stars. I was blown away.
The ASIair Pro automated the polar alignment procedure (no more down on my knees looking through the polar scope) and provided complete control of my Nikon D5500. I was still "star hopping" and manually pushing the camera to find targets since the SkyGuider does not have go-to capabilities. If I had an autofocuser, a filter wheel and a go-to mount, the ASIair Pro would have controlled those also. All via wi-fi from my smartphone or tablet. The only squawk that I have with the ASIair Pro is the limited wi-fi range. During long imaging sessions, I would jump in my camper for a break and the wi-fi connection would drop. Same at home, dropped connection when inside the house. The drop would not affect the imaging run, it continued as programmed, but it would not permit me to monitor guiding accuracy or image capture progress as the Autorun continued. Kinda frustrating. Not being tethered to my rig played a big part in my decision when buying the ASIair Pro. I wanted that unwired freedom. Regardless, I compensated and made many wall hanging astro images with the ASIair Pro riding on my little telescope.
Then the ASIair PLUS was announced. A bit sleeker appearance, some tweaking of the onboard electronics AND the addition of an external wi-fi antenna. I ordered one on the spot. The PLUS was priced the same as the Pro. While waiting for it to arrive, I replaced the SkyGuider Pro with an iOptron GEM28 mount. The new PLUS now plays well with the upgraded kit. Having everything controlled by the PLUS via wi-fi from my tablet, now including go-to options for my mount, has allowed my to spend much more time imaging. And where I live, just west of the Allegheny Mountains, imaging time is scarce and precious. The ASIair Plus Autorun program can be programmed to do all imaging tasks, including system shut down (and parking your mount in the home position) at the end of the session. It will not, however, put the cover on your rig. AND the enhanced wi-fi allows me and my tablet to wander away from the telescope during long imaging sessions and stay connected! During the Black Forest event, I would often do just that. My neighbors were impressed that I could share my imaging progress on my tablet while visiting their campsites. I could also duck into my camper for a warm up without loosing connection with the telescope. At home I can bring the tablet inside and stroll to the back rooms (sixty feet from the telescope) and still maintain connection. Signal strength drops to one bar however. The PLUS is a keeper for me.
As a sidenote, the Black Forest folks host an astro swap meet during the event. I decided to put my ASIair Pro on the sales table. It sold within 10 minutes. The buyer asked why I was selling, I explained my challenge with the limited wi-fi. He said that he didn't care, he was going to install it via ethernet cable to a second telescope at his home Observatory. We both won!
YAHOO! A little antenna.
PeeWee (my little wide field rig) controlled by ASIAIR PLUS
PeeWee (and the PLUS) at the Black Forest Star Party at Cherry Springs State Park
300 seconds on SkyGuider Pro with ZWO ASIAIR Pro, 120 mini camera and guide scope kit
(Download)
Apr 14, 2021 20:41:12 #
You nailed lt! Love the planning and execution. Your watermark is too big, pulls my eye away from your marvelous composition. Thanks for sharing your adventure.
Dean
Dean
Wilderness Images wrote:
I've always been intrigued by photographing the ni... (show quote)
Feb 6, 2020 16:20:03 #
...they are able aviators. Turkey Vulture and Wood Stork.
Dean
Dean
Jan 29, 2020 16:48:54 #
...an incredible creation of Mother Nature. A competent fisherman, aviator and poser. I'm kinda jealous.
Dean
Nikon D500, Nikkor 300mm f4e PF and 1.4 TC
Dean
Nikon D500, Nikkor 300mm f4e PF and 1.4 TC
Jan 16, 2020 11:50:22 #
These little guys are fast. On the beach they chase receding waves like a wind up toy. Sometimes you get lucky.
Nikon D500, Nikkor 300mm f4 PF E and 1.4 TC.
Nikon D500, Nikkor 300mm f4 PF E and 1.4 TC.
