Yidoboy Posted December 30, 2010 Share Posted December 30, 2010 Hi everyone. I've just invested in a 6" Skywatcher Explorer and am desperate to get to know what is where and when! I have managed some half decent shots with my mobile and video camera but trying to hold these still against the eyepiece is something of an art!If anyone has any advice (software, skycharts etc) please do let me know. One question I have is what would be good for planetary shots? I have heard a lot about webcams but am unsure....Thanks very much Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BAZ Senior Posted December 30, 2010 Share Posted December 30, 2010 Hi Yidoboy, welcome to the forum.Have a look at Stellarium, it's a free and very useful programme. StellariumIam not sure about the imaging side of it, but there are some helpful people on here that know about that sort of thing.Clear skies! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
li'l john Posted December 30, 2010 Share Posted December 30, 2010 Hi Yidoboy, there's an Imaging Section in the lounge, sounds ideal for you. Welcome to the lounge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesM Posted December 30, 2010 Share Posted December 30, 2010 Hi Yidoboy and welcome to the forum.I would most definitely recommend that you purchase "Making Every Photon Count" by the forum's own Steve Richards before making any further purchases. It will provide you with all the knowledge you need starting from the ground up and will also give you an overview of what you need to get the quality of pictures that you're after. There are no short cuts in producing good images and like everything else - you get what you pay for and imaging isn't cheap.Clear skiesJames Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wilsmaboy Posted December 30, 2010 Share Posted December 30, 2010 Hi Yidoboy welcome to SGL - I agree with L'IL John - I've been reading the Imaging Posts most of the day !! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donkeyears Posted December 30, 2010 Share Posted December 30, 2010 Hi Yidoboy and welcome to the forum, as regards webcams, have a look at this site as these webcams are supposed to be good.Buy Cheap online from Morgan Computers (Buy Cheap online from Morgan Computers) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nightfisher Posted December 30, 2010 Share Posted December 30, 2010 welcome to sgl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Presland Posted December 30, 2010 Share Posted December 30, 2010 hi welcome to sgl from bedfordshire,another vote for stellarium,loads of imaing advice on here as well Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bizibilder Posted December 30, 2010 Share Posted December 30, 2010 Hello Yidoboy and welcome to SGL!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Astro_Baby Posted December 30, 2010 Share Posted December 30, 2010 Hi and welcome from me too Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russell.D71 Posted December 30, 2010 Share Posted December 30, 2010 Welcome to SGL Yidoboy from the Lizard area ConwallRussellMember of Cornwall A.S. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moogy Posted December 30, 2010 Share Posted December 30, 2010 Hi yidoboy.....enjoy your scope Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Black Knight Posted December 31, 2010 Share Posted December 31, 2010 Hi Yidoboy. Yeah, many people use webcams to take lunar and planetary images. It might seem counter-intuitive, but it works. The basic process is to take a short AVI, perhaps a few minutes, then stack each individual frame using software like the freely available Registax (just Google it).Some people have achieved amazing results using nothing more than the aforementioned setup (not me, I hasten to add ). Have a trundle around the lunar and planetary imaging sections to get blown away . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beyond_Vision Posted December 31, 2010 Share Posted December 31, 2010 Welcome to SGL RegardsKevin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phillc Posted December 31, 2010 Share Posted December 31, 2010 Hello Yidoboy and a warm welcome to SGL.phillc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave S Posted December 31, 2010 Share Posted December 31, 2010 Welcome aboard.Dave... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Spock Posted December 31, 2010 Share Posted December 31, 2010 Hello and welcome to SGL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rusty Strings Posted December 31, 2010 Share Posted December 31, 2010 Hi and welcome from me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldfruit Posted December 31, 2010 Share Posted December 31, 2010 Hi and welcome to SGL. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnh Posted December 31, 2010 Share Posted December 31, 2010 Welcome Yidoboy.JohnH. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SeedyF Posted December 31, 2010 Share Posted December 31, 2010 Hello and welcome from me too Firstly - does Yidoboy mean you're a spurs fan? That might influence how helpful I am I too have a Skywatcher Explorer 150 (6"). I got the connector to attach a canon DSL to it direct which is good for moon shots. As others have suggested a webcam is excellent for moon and planetary shots. Many of us have the Philips SPC880/900. They are excellent for the money, you can get them for £10 here Cheap Philips SPC880 webcam - 49269 - discounts & offers. You will need an eyepiece adapter as well - there is a link on the morgan computers webpage. And I put a two or three times barlow in between to get a decent size image. If you take a 30-60 second AVI through the webcam then process it using Registax. This website provides some useful introductions to the technique Webcam Astrophotography Tutorial for Planets. To capture the AVI lots of us use a piece of software called SharpCap which is developed by one of the forum, it's really easy to use. Just search the forum imaging section for it.Finally being able to track the motion of the stars is a must for a 30 second exposure. Not sure if you have a motorised mount but keeping a planet in view without one might prove pretty tricky. Good luck and clear skies! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michigander Posted December 31, 2010 Share Posted December 31, 2010 Welcome to SGL, Yidoboy!Dana Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kris h Posted December 31, 2010 Share Posted December 31, 2010 Welcome to SGL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brendan of Borg Posted December 31, 2010 Share Posted December 31, 2010 Hello and welcome! Happy New Year! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brantuk Posted December 31, 2010 Share Posted December 31, 2010 Hi Yidoboy and welcome to SGL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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