Post by -=CROMAN=- on Apr 9, 2012 10:23:55 GMT -6
The skies were clear over Tinley Park Friday night so I decided to have a go with the SCB-2000 video camera. I used a GSO 0.5 focal reducer in front of the CCD to make the C8 a bit faster for imaging and had C8 mounted to the Atlas.
After a very accurate polar alignment I attached my telrad and camera to the C8 and rebalanced everything. The first issue I encountered was that the Dazzle capture device decided not not work! I uninstalled and reinstalled the drivers, rebooted, killed 2 chickens but to no avail... blank screen! The temperature was about 41 degrees with a nice stiff wind at my back.
I had an older LCD tv with me as well and decided to use that. Success! That SCB menu was on the screen and I went about applying the recommended settings from the growing group of SCB user on the net.
After everything was completed I performed my 3 start alignment for the Atlas utilizing the camera and LCD screen. I used Sirius as my first alignment star noticed that the background was quickly becoming overexposed. Sirius was visible as a very bright star on the screen but as the frame integration progressed the background became washed out and grainy. I reset the integration and a few other settings and things became more tolerable. I continued my alignment and was ready to begin.
The first object, although low on the horizon, was M42. As the camera began to resolve the field the trapezium popped into view. After a few seconds the screen became grainy, bright white like before. The nebula was visible but it seemed impossible to find the correct setting combination to keep the contrast dark and allow M42 to be shown. I have watched a few videos of this on youtube and these folks did not seem to have the same issues I was encountering. Perhaps a light pollution filter would have been appropriate at the time? My location wasn't the darkest and I suspect that had a lot to do with problem I encountered.
I began looking for something a bit higher in the atmosphere. I found NGC 2244 ( Rosette Nebula ) around 29 degrees above the horizon and slewed the mount to it. Once again I began resolving the core stars and just as some detail began to emerge the screen began to white out as before. I set the frame integration from 8 seconds to 3 seconds and the screen became darker but i lost the emerging detail.
I began toying with the settings on the LCD itself to see if I could compensate but the menu system was horrendous and I think I actually did more damage.
I reset the LCD and SCB camera settings to default and began again. The wind was blowing harder and it was getting much colder. The final object was the double cluster. I slewed the Atlas and the Double was centered perfectly on the screen. I adjusted a couple of setting on the camera and the double popped out on the screen! The frame integration was set lower so the screen was darker. Still not what I was expecting to see but getting a bit better.
There is a steep learning curve and as with anything else the proper equipment i s required. I ordered a Baader Planetarium IR/UV cut filter to see if that will help it out a bit. I also ordered a new USB dongle type frame grabber that has proper drivers for Windows 7.
I have also read that folks are utilizing a software package called Deepsky Imaging from deepsky2000.com. While this camera is not officially supported I have seen the results and they aren't too shabby. At minimum I intend to have a working system for our Outreach events this summer.
I'll writeup another report when my equipment comes in and I can get out to Conway with Paulie. Perhaps I can get Bill to bless the setup?
