Yet another new SPC900 Jupiter ! (30th)

[bus_ter]

Not as good as others I've seen with this camera, but my first effort Trying to find Jupiter on the sensor, and then trying to focus accurately was proving difficult!

[Worzsel]

I think that's brilliant, well done!

All these webcam images which have been made with he scope I have are really making me want one!

Oh dear oh dear!

[Space Cowboy]

Incredible first image with the Mak! You obliviously have a natural talent!

[RobertCL]

Yes, that's pretty good. What type of scope are you using for that?

[Mikea]

Blinkin' marvellous! Well done.

[zedds]

That`s a great first result. Well done.

[michael.h.f.wilkinson]

Very nice. Excellent result for a first try.

[Beulah]

Excellent!

Did you use a barlow, if so, which type?

[harry]

Amazing first pic

[Revs]

Well done bus_ter, that's a great image. You look to have done a good job with the focus, too. A shot to be proud of

EDIT: How many frame did you stack?

[bus_ter]

Wow thanks for all the positive feedback, it's very encouraging!

To answer some of he questions,

The telescope is a Skywatcher Mak 127. (seems to be the best budget planetary scope about, the same scope is also sold by Celestron, Orion and others..)

I used the included skywatcher 2x barlow for the above image. I also tried putting the Star Diagonal between the camera and barlow to act as a make shift extension tube and increase the image size. However at this magnification just touching the focus knob would knock Jupiter out of the picture. I need a more stable mount to go above 2x. (IMHO the Supatrak mount is at its limit with this scope)

I tried to focus the best I could, using the closest moon in the shot as a reference point. It was very difficult because everytime I touched the focus knob the image vibrated and I had to let it settle before evaluating and trying again.

One thing I've noticed is that the 'wavelets' in Registax will sharpen an image enough to make it look like it was in perfect focus, even if it's off. The final image giving less detail than one that was properly focussed. So don't let my final sharp image make you think I've achieved perfect foucus, because I'm pretty sure I didn't.

I captured about 600 frames for this image. I experimted with more and less but it didn't seem to make much difference.

I'm not that familar with Registax so used the default options for ALIGN, LIMIT, STACK. I have to say this process didn't really seem to improve the image at all. All the 'magic' happens with the Wavelets, which I adjusted to find the balance between a natural image and a sharp 'processed' image. The only other option I adjusted in Registax was the RGB align, which I let it do it's auto 'estimation' values.

Finally I opened in Photoshop and adjusted the brightness and Contrast to give a pleasing result.

If anyone has any advice to improve this image I will take it kindly ...thanks for listening!

[red dwalf]

nice , theres a moon on the right of the picture isn`t there ?

[bus_ter]

nice , theres a moon on the right of the picture isn`t there ?

Yes it is! I thought it was Io, but looking back at the time with Stellarium I think it was Europa popping out from behind

[Revs]

bus_ter, all I can recommend is that you fit an electric focuser to it. I did so last week and it's made focusing so easy, wobble free. Info is on the 'SkyMax 127's' group page

[Pete Presland]

nicely done lots of detail

[bus_ter]

I'm looking forward to trying this again when the Red spot comes back around to see how much detail I can pickup :-D

[AztecastroMcJ]

Great result esp for 1st effort

its very challenging even with 2x barlow keeping planet centered

well done

James

[northernlad]

A first effort, A FIRST EFFORT!! - good grief man, get yourself around mine and tutor me on how you did that. Depending on clear skies - humph.

That's is a cracking pic.