Uranus & Moons (changing aspects)

[Macavity]

Uranus and Moons (changing aspects) over two nights...

MAK 150 + Watec 910HX (Video Astronomy Camera)

Exposure: 100 x 256 integ x 1/50s frames = 512 sec

(A bit "headlamps through the fog" on the 8th notably).

For a bit of fun, I tried to calculate the approximate angular rotation

(Deg) over one day. Arial swaps sides of Uranus, Check... Umbriel

moves by a right angle... Hey, that celestial mechanics stuff works!

             Period (d)   "Deg"A = Ariel      2.52        142U = Umbriel    4.15        87T = Titania    8.71        41O = Oberon    13.46        26

Maybe I can get an image tonight. Three clear nights? Almost unique!

P.S. I did wonder whether I could detect little Miranda, but at mag +17+

it seems just a tad too close to (swamped by) Uranus with this setup.

[michael.h.f.wilkinson]

Very nice

[Pete Presland]

Excellent captures of such dim distant objects.

[Macavity]

Thanks folks!

The skies remained clear for a third night, so I was able

to complete this "mini-project". After that, it was mostly

about wresting with GIMP... rotating, adding lettering!

Despite the fabled "X2" video chip, this was quite "close

to the edge" (of the noise) with an f/12 MAK150. But...

Sadly, I neglected to do a dark frame with the 1st image,

but I can doubtless "massage the results" at some time!

(the stuff they never mention re. science... lol)

[JamesF]

Excellent results, and brilliant to see other bits of the solar system "in action", as it were.

James

[Macavity]

Thanks James. Amazing what's out there, with quite modest

equipment. Dare to believe! Or just have a go, regardless?

With a bit more "application and determination", I could have

included Neptune-Triton in this project. Sadly, Pluto is a bit

too close to the lights of the local community center, but...

[laudropb]

Very nice results. It is great to see this distant system in action. Thanks for posting.