First jupiter attempt

[Mr Flibble]

This is my first ever attempt at any sort of imaging. I used the Phillips SPC900NC and Baader Neo filter and x2 barlow. The seeing was pretty poor compared to other nights and my kit kept dewing up but I'm kinda happy with it. It looks way over processed but its the only way I could get any detail considering I probably failed to get good focus.

Jupiter 20 56 03 c.tif

I've got a couple of questions for my next attempt:

1. I've read that a focal length of up to 6m is ideal for planetary? If so I'd like to get a larger barlow for my next attempt :-) My scope is F5, FL 750mm so am I right in thinking a x5 barlow/powermate would be the best option?

2. Also, I've got a bahtinov mask so how do I achieve focus when using a webcam? I'm guessing that with the webcam I focus at a bright star to get the diffraction pattern on my laptop screen and then swing the scope over to jupiter and use the telrad to get it in the field of view?

Thanks.

[Space Cowboy]

Excellent first image! Yes a 5x barlow will work well with your scope. You could use a 3x barlow (Tal or Tv) with an extension tube (this can be a barlow with the lens unscrewed) to achieve this also as powermates are expensive. You are correct about the B-mask technique.

[Mr Flibble]

Cheers for the info Stuart. I didn't know about using extension tubes in a barlow so I've done a bit of reading and that option is a no go with my x2 barlow because I'd need to extend it by 90mm to get x4. The x3 Tal option looks good though because I could use it with or without extension tubes to achieve up to x5 depending on the seeing conditions, the only problem is the Tal is in short supply. The other option would be a x5 barlow such as this Revelation - how important is barlow quality when imaging using a webcam? Would the Revelation suffice? (Kinda leaning towards the Tal option for its added flexibility).

[Clayton]

Nice image David.

Moving the right direction with the stronger Barlow

[Hedgerow]

Hi, I have the same scope as you. I also have a Revelation 5x barlow, however I find it next to useless. It always produces indistinct images, no matter how good the seeing. It is also damned hard to get the object in the filed of view when using the webcam! I get better results with the webcam a a decent quality 2x barlow. I might get myself a 3x barlow to see if it helps.

Good luck with your imaging. Focussing can be a bit of a trial so the Bahtinov mask will help.

[Space Cowboy]

No experience of 5x Revelation myself only the 3x Tal + extension or 5x Powermate which have worked very well.

[malc-c]

The problem you will get with a 5x barlow on a 150mm scope is a very dim image, and one that will be hard to focus unless seeing conditions are A1 perfect. a 3x with or without ext tubes would be my approach

[Mr Flibble]

Thanks for the advice everyone. I'm gonna go for the x3 barlow option and play around with an extension tube if and when needed. Plus the barlow will come in handy for visual use as well :-)

[Matthew]

Good first try,ive got a 5x barlow you can try out.

[Mr Flibble]

Cheers Mat Hopefully we'll get a cloud free night sometime before xmas!!