Jupiter in better seeing - 28/29 Nov 2024

[geoflewis]

Still not great seeing, but better than what the UK skies have offered up in recent weeks. It was freezing fog, so transparancy was poor, but in my experience fog often brings better seeing.

I used the IR 642 filter to get started when Jupiter was lower down and the seeing was less good, but then switched to native OSC for the 2 colour sets, either side of midnight. The seeing continued to be variable throughout the session, so I had to be a bit picky with the data, to optimise quality of the final stack. Europa also joined the scene after midnight.

My usual rig of C14, ASI462MC and ADC

[Kon]

The IR is spectacular with loads of nice details; you see real structure inside and outside the GRS on my big screen. The OSC look nice too under the conditions.

[geoflewis]

Thanks Kostas, yes I'm really pleased with my new IR642, as it shows more details than the 742, whilst still cutting through the poor seeing. Hopefully we will eventually get at least one night (or even part of one) with better seeing....🙏

[Space Cowboy]

Excellent IR shot Geof!

[geoflewis]

11 minutes ago, Space Cowboy said:

Excellent IR shot Geof!

Thanks Stuart. What would we do without IR? 🤔🙄

[Space Cowboy]

36 minutes ago, geoflewis said:

Thanks Stuart. What would we do without IR? 🤔🙄

You could always use IR for L in a LRGB combo.

[geoflewis]

2 hours ago, Space Cowboy said:

You could always use IR for L in a LRGB combo.

I could, but then I'd have to shoot IR alongside the OSC SERs (i.e. OSC, IR, OSC, IR, etc) or I'd have de-rotation issues with the IR being out of sequence. That means constantly changing the filter and focus as I'm using a manual filter wheel. I also don't particularly like what IR does to the natural colours.

Edited Friday at 22:57 by geoflewis

[bosun21]

Lovely images Geof. As has been said the details on the IR image stand out. I can also see a marked improvement in the colour images with the better seeing. My IR filter is 685nm and I am now going to use it to capture half a dozen SER's each session. My next 5 days looks bleak but your images are giving me inspiration.

[geoflewis]

37 minutes ago, bosun21 said:

Lovely images Geof. As has been said the details on the IR image stand out. I can also see a marked improvement in the colour images with the better seeing. My IR filter is 685nm and I am now going to use it to capture half a dozen SER's each session. My next 5 days looks bleak but your images are giving me inspiration.

Thanks. It's definitely been a struggle, but the IR keeps saving the session. The 642 is new to me, but so far I much prefer it to the 742. Your 685 should give excellent results, so I'd definitely give it a run out.

I think that a lot of the UK was under cloud last night, but apart from the freezing fog (and it really was freezing) my part of East Anglia was clear with high pressure overhead and the jetstream off over the North Sea, so I had to give it a try. I took a look with the native OSC, but immediately swapped to the IR filter as the seeing just wasn't cutting it. Things improved somewhat as Jupiter gained elevation, hence the longer run with OSC, but it was still far from ideal. At no time was the image stable on my laptop screen, so deciding on best focus was a slow tedious experience, but I think I got it as close as possible.

[bosun21]

11 hours ago, geoflewis said:

deciding on best focus was a slow tedious experience,

Yes I know. It's amazing to me how fast the focus changes. I check it every capture and tweak it when required now. It keeps us on our toes I suppose.

[geoflewis]

4 hours ago, bosun21 said:

Yes I know. It's amazing to me how fast the focus changes. I check it every capture and tweak it when required now. It keeps us on our toes I suppose.

My toes are worn out 😉. Focus shift is a function of this interminable poor seeing. If ever we get good seeing then focus is much easier and holds steady for a continuous sequence of captures. Yes please 🙏 

[Space Cowboy]

19 hours ago, geoflewis said:

I could, but then I'd have to shoot IR alongside the OSC SERs (i.e. OSC, IR, OSC, IR, etc) or I'd have de-rotation issues with the IR being out of sequence. That means constantly changing the filter and focus as I'm using a manual filter wheel. I also don't particularly like what IR does to the natural colours.

I know what you mean but desperate times sometime need desperate measures. I've dug out my old eyepiece wheel so I can use mono and osc cams combined. Worked a treat with Saturn many years ago but as you say Jupiter is a different animal.

[geoflewis]

2 hours ago, Space Cowboy said:

I know what you mean but desperate times sometime need desperate measures. I've dug out my old eyepiece wheel so I can use mono and osc cams combined. Worked a treat with Saturn many years ago but as you say Jupiter is a different animal.

I’ve never heard of an eyepiece wheel, so how does that work? I use a filter wheel and shoot IR with the OSC camera.

[Space Cowboy]

1 hour ago, geoflewis said:

I’ve never heard of an eyepiece wheel, so how does that work? I use a filter wheel and shoot IR with the OSC camera.

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/baader-planetarium/baader-q-turret.html?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAjKu6BhAMEiwAx4UsAizSVFnr9lcmWohv70NzoTjgA0BIraCZ0l0BgZ0lV0p4EvlvzwDFhxoCdfoQAvD_BwE