Post by Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe on Nov 5, 2009 8:46:58 GMT -6
AstroImaging Mars, Saturn and the Moon
The cloud cover that blanketed Chicago - lifted after midnight, and the skies looked pretty good for some astronomy and maybe some astrophotography.
Taking out the C5 at 3:30 am, I set up out outside my garage and put on some classical tunes. It was rather chilly out (35°), but it was still on till dawn.
It's rather quiet at 3:30 am in a Chicago alley...
I targeted Mars first, since it was high up and I haven't used the C5 to view it yet. I was pleasantly surprised at the orange disk in the 25mm eyepiece. Kicking it up to a 10mm, I could discern the polar ice cap and terrestrial markings on the planet. Quite cool...
I attached the Canon Powershot S3 via T-mount on the C5 and had a hell of a time centering it and locating the image on the LCD viewfinder. Taking time to precisely aligning the polar finder on the mount, I set the motor tracker and fished around for Mars...and finally found it via the camera screen.
Without a filter, the images came out...ok...
The Southern ice cap is clearly captured digitally, as are darker terrestrial markings. Did I catch Sitris Major...?
A difficult time focusing, but I did manage to get some half decent shots. Mars was clearer and sharper than what the pics relay. Satisfied, I went to the next target of the early morning...Saturn.
Saturn had already risen and cleared roofs, so I took a chance in targeting it and maybe even shooting some images...
The C5 does a good job in capturing Saturn and her rings...again sharper and clearer that what shows in the images, but I was pleased that the rings were showing considering their near-edge on position.
Using the same 10mm eyepiece, Saturn was easier to target via camera and never disappoints.
This was my first time successfully capturing Mars & Saturn on camera..and with the motor drive on the C5 scope, it made it much more easier and less of a hassle...although it wasn't that easy.
One can catch the transit of rings against the planet and visually, some slight banding...but not captured on camera. Titan was also visible, but I did not go fishing for it.
The Moon was shining brightly and sinking in the west, displaying after Full Moon atrifacts..so I took some nice shots...
I compared the two finderscopes - (The 63.5mm & the 60mm)...and like the images that the 60mm provides better - albeit smaller images...
There seems to be some achromatic aberration on the 63.5 mm and none on the smaller scope....so I think I will mount that one on the C5 and the 63.5mm on my 4.5" kick-around reflector.
I took a leisurely tour of the lunar surface and snapped away at interesting light & shadow lunarscape scenes...
[/IMG]
[/center]
On my next shoot, I'll identify the lunar features, but good shots of Copernicus and Tycho here. I like the C5's ability to image the Moon and the motor drive really helps in taking the images.
At around 6:00 am, the sun was rising and my session for this day was over. I was cold, back ached, but it was a nice quiet time with me, planets and the Moon - by ourselves.
These next few days will be nice and warm....certain to encourage more early morning astrophotography...
