Pete Presland

They were edge on the first time i ever imaged Saturn around 2009/2010.

Small window of opportunity to catch Venus in daylight between the clouds, assuming i could find it.

The phase it getting very thin now around 11% Not really worth capturing in UV but i did anyway. Very over sampled, i think next time no Barlow.

Hopefully try and capture the phase as close to 1% as possible, weather permitting.

The usual set up C9.25, asi462mm, x1.8 Barlow, UV filter and 807 filter.

Nicely captured.

Nicely captured Reggie, interesting to see how the ring tilt has changed since last time i imaged saturn.

Nicely captured Kostas despite the conditions some nice details showing

Very nicely captured

Good start to the Gas Giant imaging season 

I am sure there will be better conditions to come Neil,  maybe some decent high pressure will help make things a little bit more stable.

Some nice details visible there

Shame to hear that Peter, time catches up with all of us unfortunately.  My eyesight is certainly making imaging , especially processing harder these days.

Astronomy from the UK is not easy whether visual or imaging, so many obstacles for both. As i am getting older i certainly find it more challenging. 

I did spot Venus yesterday from a fishing lake at dinnertime, which did please me 🙂 I dont think that feeling will ever leave me, despite what the aging, weather and appalling light pollution throws at me.

Hopefully you can find something to replace the Astro bug, maybe nature watching ?

When i took this from my bedroom window on the 26th June, i would not  have imagine it would be my only view this year!

Captured with my mobile resting on the window ledge. barely visible to see unfortunately. 

Very interesting reading all the comments, i have certainly noticed some changes in recent years to my rection to lack of sleep. 

I am more prone to suffer Migraine Aurora attacks when i have had a lack of sleep, particularly if it has been a couple of nights/mornings in a row. 

Retirement or semi-retirement at 57 is something is something i think about constantly.  

18 hours ago, Astroscot2 said:

Excellent images Pete, can you explain how you achieve full disk images with your setup?

I use the full from size which easily covers the disc on the longer side of the chip, then i allow the disc to drift across the shorter axis to achieve the full disc.

During stacking you have to select allow expanded image in AS3 to allow the image to cover the full disc.

This doesn't always work though.

The seeing was pretty decent, despite the gusty wind bouncing the scope around on the EQ3-2 mount.  Very pleased to see some nice details in the Penumbra given the position of the spot so close to the limb.

60 Second video, stacked 10% in AS3, Sharpened in REG6

120mm Evostar, Lunt wedge, Asi174mm and X3 Teleview Barlow. 

Nice to get an early opportunity of capturing new large spot from the Ford Fiesta mobile observatory. Especially with the weather forecast.

The seeing was pretty decent, despite the gusty wind bouncing the scope around on the EQ3-2 mount.  Very pleased to see some nice details in the Penumbra given the position of the spot so close to the limb.

The full disc was usual "drift method" at the native focal length, the close ups were with a x3 Barlow.

120mm Evostar, Lunt wedge, Asi174mm and X3 Televue Barlow. 

Superbly sketched

Excellent image, very impressive details visible there. 

4 hours ago, neil phillips said:

Cheers Pete should encourage others to try with small scopes i hope

The equipment should never stop people trying, you just have to be more realistic in your expectations.

Something, i personally do have to keep telling myself at times 🙂 

Some nice details visible, it is going to be much more fun at 50 degrees though. 🙂 

Good looking images, especially considering the size of the aperture and position of the objects.

Looking good, some nice detail visible.

Some fine details visible there, the phase is shrinking rapidly now

Very nicely captured

Good looking images, despite the issues with the clouds.

Certainly been a big change from just a couple of years back, the new Spot is huge as well.