Which is best of for both planetary and DSO imaging?

[Gy Stargazer]

Would just like to ask which would be better.

CCD, DSLR or Webcam for getting images of DSO's and Planets.

Would like to get into Astrophotography so that my friends and family can see what i see.

Any help on the matter would be very much appreciated.

Scot

[Ant]

Hi Scot,

There isn't IMO a one stop solution to this question.

A webcm is an inexpensive way of imaging planets, the moon and the Sun (with the correct filter).

A standard webcam cannot do the long exposures needed for DSO.

A dSLR is good way to start with DSO's, will give some good results on the moon, but no good for planets.

A dedicated CCD will be just the ticket for DSO's, but I have no idea if they can capture quickly enough (short enough exposure) for planets and the moon.

With your mount / scope I would suggest the webcam route and start of with the planets and the moon.

You'll need a laptop out with the scope (and plenty of hard drive space).

HTH

Ant

[BlueAstra]

I'm not an expert but from what I've read I would say a cooled CCD with avi capability would do both. Cooled long exposures for DSO and avi's for planetary. If it exists. I'm using a Neximage (webcam) for planetary and DSLR for DSO.

[Gy Stargazer]

Ok thanks guys. Will look at a webcam and a CCD.

Will be the best of both then i figure.

Thanks.

Scot.