Planetary Imaging - Easier Finding Technique?

[Macavity]

Having now bought most everything (nothing too expensive!) for my Astro
setup, I feel like diversifying. The latest venture is Planetary Imaging. But I
do wonder: Half a typical session is consumed trying to FIND the beggar! 

My setup is a MAK150 f/12 (f=1800mm) with optional 2X Barlow. To keep
things simple, I am using the ASI120MC (colour) cam with 3.5 micron pixels.
However one looks at it, it's finding things in a sub FIVE arc minute field? 

I can do most things (within reason! lol) BUT looking for some inspiration?
Do you use a conventional finder? I have those (Even "video" finders too!)
- Albeit with a field of a few degrees. I dutifully align the main scope / finder
on terrestrial images beforehand... I sight the scope visually on the planet
BUT each time I change anything (put in a Barlow) it's like starting over!

Is this an inevitable feature of planetary imaging? Could it be made easier?
Random IDEAS that occur... A FLIP mirror?!? A "Spiral search" in EQMod?
Not as patient as I used to be? But I cannot reverse the aging process!

[Owmuchonomy]

I empathise somewhat.  I use an ASI120MM and a 9.25" SCT, so 2350mm fl.  However, I dont find it a big issue.  I have a crude technique.  In Firecapture I just make sure I have the full field of view selected, turn the Gamma down to 0 and the gain up pretty high.  Then I get a 'glow' in one part of my laptop screen and steer for that.

Much more importantly it is really bad timing to be venturing into the field of planetary imaging.  Over the next few years at UK latitudes there will be nothing of reasonable altitude to image.  Jupiter at best is creeping too far round the ecliptic.

[PeterCPC]

A flip mirror does make planetary imaging easier but you have to make sure that you collimate that as well. Nothing is ever easy.

Peter

[ngwillym]

+1 for the flip mirror - its the only way @f/25 on my C11

[Macavity]

Thanks guys. I suppose it might be inevitable that I at least TRY a flip mirror?
Not a BAD argument above! lol (We Astronomers never get / stay rich, right?) 

I must admit I didn't have too much success "looking for the glow" so to speak?
I will try harder! lol. I SENSE that the key is accurate alignment of finder & scope.
Such may only be valid for a particular setup (scope, finder, barlow, camera etc.)

FWIW, I'm not overly fond of the traditional 3-point screw adjusted finder rings.
Moving more towards the Baader "Witty" and Skywatcher Guidescope thing? 

http://www.rothervalleyoptics.co.uk/baader-witty-1-slow-motion-tangent-mount.html

http://www.rothervalleyoptics.co.uk/skywatcher-guidescope-mount.html

Also available from other dealers of course...

[Garethr]

Chris 

Have you tried a telerad,

I find if I centre in the smallest circle the planet generally appears on the screen.  This took many efforts until I learned to trust the telerad and rember to run the focus in or out till the little so and so appears.

Gareth.

[jsmoraes]

Quote

 Half a typical session is consumed trying to FIND the beggar!

To solve this problem I use an eyepiece of 30 mm and I center the planet on its field. Than I change to an eyepiece of 7 mm and I center the planet on it. Thus, I install the camera (ASI120MC) with gain 100% and a compatible speed to capture the planet. The planet will be very near. Small manual movement (RA or DEC)  or spiral shearch from EQMOD will do the  residual task.

I do it with ASI and Canon. If by any motive I need to do HOME  position of telescope, first I SYNC the position of planet (or target)  in Carte du Ciel (you can do it in EQMOD also). So when I do GOTO the planet again ... the mounting will be quite accuracy.

 

note: sometimes the planet is well centered, but you don't see because you need to adjust focus to be present on ASI (camera) image.

After the first try, you can memorize the position of the focuser when using the camera.

[Macavity]

THANK YOU, jsmoraes - I hadn't forgotten the post... or thread.

Indeed, some good ideas... Spur to overcome my own laziness?

After some reflection, I sense that much of the problem is a lack of
RIGIDITY with some of my (eyepiece / camera) clamping systems. 
When dealing with arc-seconds, these latter need to be consistent!

Although it involves duplication of my standard (interchangeable)
setup. I will equip *each* of my (modest) scopes with variation
on the basic theme of (I cite the adapters I have come to like!):

Baader 1.25" ClickLock adapter:

http://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/product_info.php/language/en/info/p584_Baader-1-25-Zoll-Okularklemme-ClickLock---T2-auf-1-25-Zoll.html

Baader #16 T2 to 2" Barrel:

http://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/product_info.php/info/p481_Baader--16-Adapter-from-2--to-T2---2--focal-adapter.html

(Optional) TS Filter Drawer:

http://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/product_info.php/info/p2159_TS-Optics-Filter-Quick-Changer-incl--1x-2--filter-drawer---low-profile.html

Together they make up the wonderfully RIGID and versatile (lol):

The rest is partly down to my technique! I am (historically) a Video 
Astronomer. (I push buttons from the comfort of my lounge!) But
I sense need to return to having LOCAL control of the scope...
To re-Purchase (A sadly sold) cross-hair eyepiece etc. etc.