1st ISS attempts 127mm Mak+SPC 4th+9th April

[AztecastroMcJ]

heres my 1st attempts of capturing ISS using 127mm mak with SPC 900 webcam,

settings were 1/25expo and 90%gain 10fps,

i focused on Arcturus bit before capture,

conditions on both occassions were fairly cloudy

but ISS was still easily spotted

i managed to get it on few frames while moving scope,

and few frames with scope not moving which are the most clear ones though ISS is VERY small

this was really fun to do and was great that i got something to show for my efforts

trying to view away from scope + start capture + look in finder +use remote 4 slewing+check laptop is VERY challenging LOL

the 2-3m passes seemed like 20-30secs

seen lots of amazing shots from others, so realise there not very good but i'm still really happy with results

4th april 4 frames while scope moving

9th april 4 frames with scope moving and approx 10 when scope NOT moving from 2m avi's

more details see pics n avi's

1st vid is 6sec realtime

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4VbcmRmGgE

2nd is half speed and brightness increased so 12sec

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YqX-N10WETE

comments, tips + advice appreciated

James

[StarlightKnight]

James

I've got lots of shots like yours !!!!!

It really is a lot of fun.

The key seems to be shutter speed - the faster the better - you need to get below 1/100 secs if you are to have any real chance of a sharp image - preferably closer to 1/250 !! - although I am not sure if that is possible with your set up.

The other parts of the technique are :

accurate alignment of finder and scope

turn gain / gama down - its too easy to burn it out

don't bother using remote - just release the clutches and guide by hand

position crosshair ahead of path of ISS and let it drift through cross hair

then frantically try to get it again !!!

The fun really starts when it goes overhead and you have to try to find it again if you're using an equatorial mount.

Happy hunting

Don

[AztecastroMcJ]

Cheers Don

Thanks for advice and tips, will bear them in mind, if i try again

James

[Hypernova]

I have been advised to go really fast with the shutter speed because the ISS moves so fast, 1/1500th of a second is good apparently to minimize motion blur and it does the trick but you'll have to bump up the gain quite a bit. The trick is finding that balance and I still haven't quite got it yet

[Jaffa007]

A fine effort that man! You can see definate shape to the Station, unmistakable!

Well done, looking forward to the next batch :-)