Jupiter 20th Feb 2014

[inedible_hulk]

Hi,

I finally managed to get some clear skies and time to do some imaging. First time since August last year I think and first time on Jupiter since acquiring my EQ5 Pro.

The seeing was pretty poor and I found focusing tricky due to my focuser misbehaving. Its now been stripped, cleaned, lubed and reassembled following Astro Baby's excellent guide. I found the main problem was the cog (which engages with the rack on the focuser tube) was slipping on the focus wheel's spindle - a dab of superglue fixed the problem.

All taken with a Exploerer 130P witha a x2.5 barlow and Phillips SPC 900nc. Avi's were 3 minutes long and comprised c.1800 farmes. They were pre-processed in PIPP keeping the best 1000 frames and with quality weighting checked. All were aligned and stacked in RegiStax 6.

There's not much detail (I'm not sure what I can realistically expect to achieve), but I'm quite happy with the colours which seem much more subtle that my previous attempts. As always, I would welcome any comments, feedback or suggestions

[Knight of Clear Skies]

Nice images, I like the colour balance.

[sologuitarist61]

Good detail and colour - very nice!

[Charic]

very nice............now maybe I can compare. I've been having some set-up issues using prime focus on my system. I've been out today in the light and I've got it sorted.  So if  and when the clouds clear, I`ll try a snap or two and see what I can achieve. Ive got 3 Moon images already in my gallery, but I need to get closer. The Moon is too low in my skies at present to take another, so Jupiter will be next.

[Leveye]

Most excellent! So this is with about 650mm of focal length x2 then?

[inedible_hulk]

Most excellent! So this is with about 650mm of focal length x2 then?

Thanks

It was a 2.5 Barlow, so (650 x 2.5)/130 = f12.5 if my rather dodgy maths are correct?? I tried adding a 50mm extension tube after the Barlow to try and get a the image a little bigger, but couldn't achieve focus. It's also far too much weight for the 130Ps focuser.

[Charic]

inedible_hulk........ Hi again, No contest, I didn't achieve the results I was after, and nothing to show. Oh well, back to the drawing board. 

Remembering, I didn't buy my set-up for photographic use.

[inedible_hulk]

inedible_hulk........ Hi again, No contest, I didn't achieve the results I was after, and nothing to show. Oh well, back to the drawing board.

Remembering, I didn't buy my set-up for photographic use.

TBH I'm definitely finding it two steps forward and one step back, though that's half the fun! You've certainly had more success with A-focal images than I have. I hope you have more success next time

[Charic]

My only photographic interest at night will be the Moon. So if I can better the image scale that I'm achieving at present, I'll be happier. Moon is not available to me tonight?

[inedible_hulk]

It's rising at about 3:30am here, but we've nothing but rain and cloud in NE Wales I hope things are better in your part of the world.

[Robbo AR]

Really nice images .

[Charic]

I have hill screening and forest so according to Stellarium, I should'nt see the Moon high enough for about  2 Weeks?

[inedible_hulk]

I think so, it's hugging the southern horizon here for the next week and a half.