Imaging planets with a cam made for DSO (183c)

[nitram100]

Hi guys, just wondering if it's possible to take decent images of Jupiter or Saturn tonight with my camera the Altair Astro 183c Pro Hyper cam?

 

I've only used this camera once since buying due to bad weather and managed to get a small image of M57.

 

It will be used with a F4.8 newtonian. Is it possible to add a barlow to the scope to get a closer image? As the calulators I have used, the planets seem to come up very small.

 

Thanks for any advice!

[vlaiv]

Yes, it is possible.

Do look up a few tutorials on youtube of how to do it (lucky planetary imaging).

Use ~F/10 (so x2 barlow), and use ROI to achieve good frame rate - you don't really need more than 640x480 for the planet or possibly 800x600 for Jupiter with its moons in one shot.

[nitram100]

Awesome thanks so much for the reply. I've been reading about what software to use and I have seen some good results with my cam people using autostakkert for planets ? Do you recommend any particular software?

 

I was using APT for my deep sky stuff.

[vlaiv]

Yes, Autostakkert!3 is the norm (there is even version 4 coming out, but it is still early beta stage, so for the time being - stick with v3) for stacking.

Most people use either SharpCap or FireCapture for capturing.

Use about 3-4 minute videos (use SER format). Capture in Raw / don't debayer at the moment of capture - software will do that in special way when stacking.

Use about 5ms exposure, even if image seems too dim - again, after stacking you'll process the image and it will look nice.

You need something like 30000-40000 frames and then you can decide how much you want in stack - usually around 5-10% but that will depend on seeing conditions.

Use Registax 6 or AstroSurface for wavelet processing (sharpening) of the image.

[nitram100]

6 hours ago, vlaiv said:

Yes, Autostakkert!3 is the norm (there is even version 4 coming out, but it is still early beta stage, so for the time being - stick with v3) for stacking.

Most people use either SharpCap or FireCapture for capturing.

Use about 3-4 minute videos (use SER format). Capture in Raw / don't debayer at the moment of capture - software will do that in special way when stacking.

Use about 5ms exposure, even if image seems too dim - again, after stacking you'll process the image and it will look nice.

You need something like 30000-40000 frames and then you can decide how much you want in stack - usually around 5-10% but that will depend on seeing conditions.

Use Registax 6 or AstroSurface for wavelet processing (sharpening) of the image.

Thank you so much for that info! Really appreciated.

 

I will have to order something as I just realised my camera will not attach to my ultma 1.25" barlow. I may need to buy a 2" barlow lense or get some kind of adaptor, such as a 1.25" to 2" adaptor.

Thanks for any more info!

 

[vlaiv]

24 minutes ago, nitram100 said:

I will have to order something as I just realised my camera will not attach to my ultma 1.25" barlow.

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/adapters/astro-essentials-1-25-inch-t-mount-camera-nosepiece-adapter.html

[nitram100]

Legend, thank you for all the help mate.

[nitram100]

my first shot of a planet, bit out of focus and tracking wasn't great but I'm happy to have caught something at all! Thanks for the advice, much to learn.