2nd attempt at Saturn with SPC webcam

[Spikey]

Well I managed to get out again last night and make the most of the cloudless skies. Initially I was messing about with the DSLR trying to get a first attempt at a DSO - M51 in this case as it was pretty much overhead at the time. As that was a dismal failure (unsurprising with an Alt-Az mount and unsure tracking) I gave up and went for Saturn which was rising nicely.

I'm really pleased with this for a second attempt as I've managed to get Cassini and some storm detail. All in all I managed to get sharpcap to capture 6mins 39 seconds of Saturn dancing with the cam through the standard skywatcher barlow at 640x480 - 10fps.

I'm still not much use with Registax so I reckon there's more to be had out of this particular capture - All part of the fun and learning curve though !

I might go for a 3x TAL and mod the focusser with the plumbing part to see if I can get a better fine focus.

[Space Cowboy]

There is something wrong here...that's far too good for a 2nd attempt!

Well done Simon that's one of the best I've seen with the skymax! For sure the 3x Tal will be a good addition.

[JB80]

That's a great effort

[Dreamsphere]

A very detailed result. Congratulations!

What capture software are you using with your SPC webcam please?

[Spikey]

Hi Martin and thankyou - I'm using Sharpcap to capture the frames and Registax to stack the result. I have a quick play with the wavelets in Registax, nothing scientific just by visual and thats about it.

As I'm new to imaging there's a fair amount of guesswork on my behalf. I'm keeping all my captures so when I've got a bit more of a clue I can have a go with them again.

[Dreamsphere]

Thanks for the info. I find the learning curve a little easier if I can emulate the success of others and it seems to avoid some of the pitfalls by learning from other people's mistakes.

In the meantime, keep guessing. You're doing a great job!

[bm1980]

great image mate, better than my attempts at saturn. I have just bought a 2x barlow (but not had chance to use yet ,dam clouds) and have a similar scope, thanks for posting, images like these really show what a 127 mak is capable in the right hands. If i manage to capture saturn as good as yours with my 2x barlow i will be more than happy. Keep up the good work

Regards

Ben

[Spikey]

Thanks Ben - I'm not sure about the right hands bit

Check out BigAl1's images with the 127 Mak they are much better than mine.

[Beyond_Vision]

You really have taken to this like a duck to water. Keep up the good work

Regards

Kevin

[bigal1]

Great image cassini and storm showing up

[RogerTheDodger]

Very nice indeed

[JamesF]

Well done. That's positively sickening I shall start a new thread with my poor effort from last week.

James

[astroimpulse]

Lovely lovely

Looking forward to your next lot

[Spikey]

Thanks for all the comments.

I thought you might like to see exactly the same capture but re-processed using much higher wavelet settings, I was fairly aggressive with them all. Kind of resembling an old graphic equaliser

It looks quite a lot different ! I like the subtler colours on this.

Couldn't get out last night but I'm hoping for cloud free tonight for Take 3.

cheers

Simon.

[Taff]

Hi' That's a nice and clear capture with you' nice colour.Mark

[mario11]

well done

[RogerTheDodger]

I still haven't managed to get the focus that good, well done on a nice image

[MorningMajor]

Love that shot Spikey - will try to match it next time!!