Saturn of February 13, 2016 with C9.25 and ZWO ASI224MC

[mikeskor]

This image was taken at 5:00 this morning, Feb. 13, 2016. The image was derived from an AVI taken with a ZWO ASI224MC camera using Sharpcap,  C9.25,  2X barlow and no IR cut filter. Processed with Autostakkert 2, Registax 6 and Photoshop with Topaz Labs denoise.  2555 frames were taken,  50 % of these were stacked. Gain was at 284, Exposure at .036697 and FPS at 28. Seeing was quite good.

 

[Pete Presland]

Pretty good image again, have you tried stacking less images? 20% would still give around 500, but would keep some of the worse images out of the final stack.

[mikeskor]

Thanks for the suggestion. I'll give it a try. 

Mike

[Pete Presland]

35 minutes ago, mikeskor said:

Thanks for the suggestion. I'll give it a try. 

Mike

Always worth trying a different stacking routine, stack quality will very a lot from night to night.

[laudropb]

Very nice image.

[todd8137]

Nice capture  looks great 

Pat

[mikeskor]

Here's another version using your suggestion, Pete. Thanks for your help.

 

 

 

[Space Cowboy]

I don't want to sound too critical but the first image is way too dark and the rings are very pinched. The 2nd brighter image is way better with much fuller rings though still slightly pinched. Too much contrast on Saturn can severely compromise the ring system. 

[knobby]

Prefer the second one , well done

[Grotemobile]

I see U are not using a IR cut filter. I thought U

needed one with a colour camera. U have done

well there.

 

Steve.

[mikeskor]

Yes, at my rather low level of expertise,  I didn't find a noticeable difference with or without an IR cut filter. I would like to thank everyone for their comments, especially for the critical comments which will help me to improve.

[Pete Presland]

Much improved, a very good looking image.

[michael.h.f.wilkinson]

I prefer the second one, very nice indeed. Using an IR-cut filter gives better colour (at the expense of some photons) and removes the slightly brownish cast. I would also try auto-colour balance. That can bring out more detail and give a more natural colour

[mikeskor]

Thank you, Michael. I appreciate the suggestions.

[knobby]

Hi Mike, the second Saturn is a really nice image, can't help wondering why your fps was 28 though, at 0.04 sec speed I'd have expected much faster than 28. Are you capturing the full sensor ? why not try a roi more suited to the image then you'd get more frames in the same time period hence hopefully more frames to be selective with when stacking.

Also is your laptop USB 3 ?

Lovely Saturn though, just being helpful 

[mikeskor]

Thanks for the tip and the positive comment, Knobby. I'm using the full resolution possible with the camera. My laptop is USB 3.

[knobby]

Definitely worth trying a smaller capture area, you'll see the speed increase and capture less blackness ...