Post by Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe on Oct 18, 2009 23:07:29 GMT -6
Imaging Jupiter thru a 5" SCT and a 4" Refractor
I took advantage of this somewhat clear evening to catch Jupiter and put the new 5" Celestron SCT thru it's Jovian paces. It wasn't the best of nights for planetary observing, a bit windy and hazy, but it's the first clear night in a very long time. I set up by the Adler Planetarium at 7:30 pm - in the shadows.
Receiving the 5" SCT used, there seems to be a bit of haze, at least to me. Fellow Chicago Astronomer Steve, who joined me this evening, likes the views thru it. He brought along his 4" refractor and the battle of the scopes had begun.
I dig refractors as well, as I almost exclusively use the mighty 4" Nikon Refractor at the Adler...which provides exceptional razor sharp views. I preferred the views in his refractor over my SCT, but planetary observation is always better in refractors...and better contrast.
So..
I attached the Canon Powershot S3 via T-mount to Steve's refractor using 2" eyepieces - a hefty piece of glass and took some exposures. Then a couple on mine using 1.25 eyepieces. Our tracking on both scopes were a bit off, even with polar alignment and tracking motors operating, but short exposures were good enough for this trial run.
On the left were two shots thru my 5" SCT and the left thru Steve's 4" refractor. Both comparable to each other...and focusing was difficult, as the LCD screen is not suited for precise focusing...and the scopes were buffeted by winds coming off the lake. Check out the color differences between the two scopes, but in both, the "flattening"of the planet is clearly visible.
Banding was good and satellites clearly visible, but no GRS.
At about 9:00 pm, we ceased observing and packed our equipment away and headed out for some late dinner and laughs.
It was an ok session, but there will be more trial astrophotography practice shots soon and better than the samples above.