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[tomlee]

Class 7–July 12, 2011 8pm-11pm

Image processing

• Stretches - screen & permanent
  
• Color balancing
  
• Aligning & stacking
  
• filtering

Monochrome CCD

• Advantages / disadvantages
  
• Filter wheels
  
• LRGB Filters
  
• Narrowband Filters
  
• Combining for color images

Hands On Lab – LRGB Astrophotography


In today’s class we discuss how to process images and what monochrome CCD can do in Astrophotography. The hands on lab is supposed to be using LRGB filters with the monochrome CCD but due to cloudy sky it did not happen.

Processing astro images is not any different than processing normal digital images. The main difference is shooting the flat, dark, light and bias frames for calibration before processing. So we just go through with the procedures in the software, Maxim DL in this case, and the last step is to stack them if your images have more than one frame.

There is really not much to say about CCD except it really is a sensor that has everything build upon and around it for astrophotography purposes. The LRGB filters are use to add colors back to the images being taken by the monochrome CCD.

Next week is . . . Final. Hey-hey!


Class 8–July 19, 2011 8pm-11pmPlanetary imaging

• Requirements for planetary imaging
  
• Planetary imaging with traditional cameras
  
• Planetary imaging with webcams and dedicated planetary imagers

Observatories

• Roll Off Roofs
  
• Domes
  
• Automation
  
• Total remote control / robotic operation

Hands On Lab – Planetary Imaging

[Paulie pchris00]

I haven't looked at tomorrow night forecast yet, but if it's clear, I might come down to Conway again after the class. We have a public viewing in Schererville tomorrow, so I won't be there early, but once that is over I'm going to try to get down to the observatory. If you're free Tom, maybe we can use the astrophoto lab for extra-curricular imaging. Deep sky or planetary, doesn't matter to me.

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

I think that it's cool to have Tom share his experiences in this class and perhaps conduct a imaging session soon.

[tomlee]

Jul 18, 2011 7:03:35 GMT -6 Paulie pchris00 said:

I haven't looked at tomorrow night forecast yet, but if it's clear, I might come down to Conway again after the class. We have a public viewing in Schererville tomorrow, so I won't be there early, but once that is over I'm going to try to get down to the observatory. If you're free Tom, maybe we can use the astrophoto lab for extra-curricular imaging. Deep sky or planetary, doesn't matter to me.

Paulie, the weather is going to be decent for observing so if you are coming down I will stay a little bit. . . but if somehow the class ends really early, before ten, then I may just head home. At any rate, I can't stay too late this time for my Wednesday time table.

However, I will be coming down some nights for sure when weather is nice and comfortable and the sky is clear. Plus, I need to get a couple of attachment for using DSLR.

[tomlee]

Jul 18, 2011 8:44:57 GMT -6 Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe said:

I think that it's cool to have Tom share his experiences in this class and perhaps conduct a imaging session soon.

What do you have in mind? Wanna have a session which we end it with a 24hr/fri-sat Chinatown cafe style late night snack. Actually, may be we find a spot to observe in the area.

[Paulie pchris00]

I think we might get rained out tonight. We have a public observing event in Schererville from 8:30-11. I will call you around 11 (unless it's raining or totally clouded out). Even best case scenario, I might not be at Conway until 11:30.

[tomlee]

Paulie, just call if things change. I do the same.

[Paulie pchris00]

Jul 19, 2011 10:23:43 GMT -6 tomlee said:

Jul 18, 2011 8:44:57 GMT -6 Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe said:

I think that it's cool to have Tom share his experiences in this class and perhaps conduct a imaging session soon.

What do you have in mind? Wanna have a session which we end it with a 24hr/fri-sat Chinatown cafe style late night snack. Actually, may be we find a spot to observe in the area.

Devoted imaging session (I can't contribute much there, but I'd like to watch and learn), and late night Chinatown cuisine? That's too much to resist. I'm in.

[tomlee]

Paulie, okay now you get to choose the day after I figure it out and will probably move this topic to another thread.

and . . . it doesn't have to be devoted to imaging only. We can do both!