First image - Jupiter

[Trevor-Austin]

Not quite sure what I've done wrong. Recognisable but that's about it. Used Sharpcap, Phillips 900 webcam, LX90, 2* barlow and registax.

About 600 images chosen from 1900 using registax at 80%

I know I've over processed but it was just too blurred.

I think the focus wasn't good enough, but not sure my scope really can focus this accurately, if its really the equivalent of a 6mm eyepiece then my 6mm eyepiece doesn't give a very good view anyway?

Is it also overexposed? too much gain/brightness?

[brianb]

I think you've underexposed but the basic issue is probably the awful seeing that goes with the current bout of unsettled weather.

[rawhead]

That's a cracking image for your first try

Try upping the gain a tad to cancel out the dreaded onion ring effect...

Cheers

[lukebl]

A good start, and you can just see the shadow of Europa appearing on the limb. I agree - more gain and greater exposure. Try to keep it at 10 fps or lower.

[Penguin]

Can I ask what size is your scope? Can I aspire to images like that with my 4.5" TAL-1? So far mine have been nowhere near as nice as that.

There is an 'Embarrassing Jupiter" thread in the Imaging forum that you might like to look at for more pointers.

--- Penguin

[Trevor-Austin]

its an 8" lx90.

Maybe the mistake I made was trying to get the live picture looking right?

Was very impressed with the LX's tracking hardly moved for 20 mins! But I have spent weeks tweaking waiting for the clouds to go

Maybe not as bad as I thought then. I did do it at 10 fps, maybe 5 next time? And dont have an IR filter yet, would that make a big difference?

[iamzoso60]

Thats way better than my first attempt.

[Penguin]

its an 8" lx90.

Ah, ok so maybe I should not expect that much from my 4.5" TAL-1. I am sure you could get much better with practice, if the blumming clouds get out of the way!

--- Penguin.

[oldfruit]

I think thats a great image for your first attempt.

[bcfcciderhead]

i would be well happy with that, your only get better the more you do it (so the mrs says ) and will get some great help from the forum

[John Beale]

That's a superb Pix of Jupiter. I would be proud to have captured one as good as that! Your first attempt? WOW!

[Trevor-Austin]

Thanks, feeling better about it now, wish the clouds would clear so I can have another go!

[themos]

The latest SharpCap has a live histogram function which should help you get the exposure just right. It also has an Overxposure function which highlights the areas that are saturating. Great Jupiter shot!

For focusing, SharpCap also offers a Focus function which gives you a measure of how good your focusing is. I think you're supposed to use it when previewing a star image, though. I used "Bahtinov grabber" (google it) and a Bahtinov mask and SharpCap's Sum-10-frames function which enhances the diffraction pattern (needs a star, though, not a planet).

[Trevor-Austin]

Oh that's good. I'll find those functions next time, hopefully tonight

I think that's the issue, underexposed as a whole but over exposed on the lights and therefore washed out.

[brianb]

live histogram function which should help you get the exposure just right

Just don't be tempted to pushing the top end of the histo right up to the saturation point. Leave it somewhere round about 3/4 so that there is room for sharpening (which has a natural contrast increasing effect) without burning out the highlights.

Moderate underexposure is fixable, moderate overexposure is not.

[brantuk]

Nice first image Trevor - better than a lot I've seen (including mine lol) - you're well on the way

[mark7331]

Yes cracking image Trevor. I too haven't been that successful with Jupiter. Nice one

[themos]

brianb, shouldn't sharpening tools work at higher precision anyway?

[Patw#73]

Since you bought and transported the scope have you collimated it?

[Trevor-Austin]

Hi Pat,

Sure have. Very easy process on this scope, as you know

Made quite a difference after its banging about getting it home!

[brianb]

shouldn't sharpening tools work at higher precision anyway?

I don't get this. Sharpening tools work by detecting small contrast changes and increasing the contrast in those areas. If the brightness of a pixel is already close to the saturation limit (255) and sharpening wants to increase it, that pixel gets burnt out ... and this is usually ugly as well as a loss of information.

[Trevor-Austin]

The latest SharpCap has a live histogram function which should help you get the exposure just right. It also has an Overxposure function which highlights the areas that are saturating. Great Jupiter shot!

For focusing, SharpCap also offers a Focus function which gives you a measure of how good your focusing is. I think you're supposed to use it when previewing a star image, though. I used "Bahtinov grabber" (google it) and a Bahtinov mask and SharpCap's Sum-10-frames function which enhances the diffraction pattern (needs a star, though, not a planet).

Not sure if I'm being dumb but I can't find any of those functions ?

[Trevor-Austin]

Found them although the focusser seems to do nothing other than give a reading of 12.65?

[themos]

brianb, I was thinking that tools work (or should) in 16-bit fixed point arithmetic at least, if not 32-bit fixed point or 64 bit floating point. So going higher that 255 is not a problem.