Sun in Whitelight 10th May 2023

[Steve Ward]

Finally got round to unpacking all the gubbins after a bit of a hiatus.

Nice to be able to sit and relax under the Sun again.

Stack of 25 jpegs , Tal 100RS + Canon Eos550D + Baader ND3.8 + Oiii.

 

 

 

[David Smith]

Nicely done. You still using the 1000D Steve?

[Steve Ward]

Thanks Dave .

Flitting backwards and forwards between a 1000D , 450D , 2000D and for this one a 550D.

Looking to move up the scale to a Bresser 150/1200 soon (and possibly a Quark) so still experimenting ... 😉

[Rusted]

What is your technique for multiple image capture? Burst mode?

Not tempted by a mono "astro" camera?

[Steve Ward]

1 hour ago, Rusted said:

What is your technique for multiple image capture? Burst mode?

Not tempted by a mono "astro" camera?

Hi Chris ,

I used to plod away shooting one at a time in RAW but of late I've been getting lazy and shooting in continuous mode in JPEGs. There's not a whole lot of difference between them and it saves the messing about converting things in order to get PIPP and AS!3 to play along.

I have an Altair174MM sitting here ready for when I get round to taking the plunge into H-alpha , but I haven't got round to playing with it for Whitelight as it would mean faffing about with mosaics to get a full disc image with the 'scopes I have  ( the 1920 x 1200 sensor doesn't come close to the 5184 x 3456  of the 550D or the 6000 x 4000 of the 2000D )

I will get round to trying it for some close-up stuff one day , whenever the weather clears up and gives me a decent bit of blue to play in that is ...  will only get a few moments again today unfortunately.

Edited May 11, 2023 by Steve Ward

[Rusted]

Thanks.

It would be interesting to see a direct comparison in image quality between your DSLRs and the Altair 174.
Just balancing such heavy cameras on a telescope must be difficult. Sag at the focuser is not the least of your problems.
I presume you use a wireless shutter release? Can you monitor what is on the sensor via a larger screen?
This is where you can choose your moments of good seeing with close-ups.

We'll all look forwards to your eventual foray into H-alpha.

[Steve Ward]

55 minutes ago, Rusted said:

Thanks.

It would be interesting to see a direct comparison in image quality between your DSLRs and the Altair 174.
Just balancing such heavy cameras on a telescope must be difficult. Sag at the focuser is not the least of your problems.
I presume you use a wireless shutter release? Can you monitor what is on the sensor via a larger screen?
This is where you can choose your moments of good seeing with close-ups.

We'll all look forwards to your eventual foray into H-alpha.

Weight-wise there's not a lot in it , about 500g with the dummy battery supplying power for the Canon and 320g for the fan-cooled 174 , the Tal focuser's not the best but its been shimmed pretty solid.

The camera , mount and focuser are all controlled via the laptop at the end of 5m cables , none of this sitting out in full sunshine under a blanket for me.

The camera is controlled via Canon's EOS Utility software giving full control of settings and monitoring the Liveview on screen.

The focus is run via one of Dion of Astronomy Shed fame's focus motor boxes controlling a Skywatcher Focus Motor  (https://stargazerslounge.com/topic/205489-autofocus-motor-to-tal-100rs-quick-and-cheap-and-simple/#comment-2178986 )

And a long extension lead on the HEQ5Pro Synscan handset lets me tweak framing should my alignment be a little off , as is usually the case having plonked the tripod down roughly pointing N-S ... !

 

[Rusted]

Thanks. I see you've been doing this for some time. 

My image of you down on your knees on the lawn. Squinting upwards into the viewfinder. Was completely unfounded.

Your technique also explains why you are so successful. 😊