Post by -=CROMAN=- on Apr 17, 2012 7:23:30 GMT -6
The skies cleared up rather nicely last night over South Elgin. So I setup in the driveway to test out my new KWorld DVD USB capture device for the SCB-2000. I also utilized the Gstar-EX capture software( www.myastroshop.com.au/guides/gstar/index.htm)
I had a small list of objects to test with. NGC 4565, M51, Orion Nebula, eskimo nebula and Saturn. I used Orion as my first real test target with the new software and capture card.
Orion was low on the horizon but I managed to get some footage of it before it disappeared behind the my rooftop. I had the frame integration on the camera set to x512 and manually adjusted the brightness and contrast within the Gstar program to cut back on light from street lamp in the cul-de-sac. This video is only 4 seconds in length so you will have to pause it to get a good look at the colors. I was able to pull out some nice purples, greens and dark blues from the nebula.
My camera still has the OEM IR filter in place. This needs to be taken out ASAP and replaced with a proper IR/Cut filter. i ordered one from Orion but it is on backorder.
Next up is the Eskimo Nebula. Unfortunately it is only 1 second long so you will have to pause.
Next up is M51. The video for this is not worth posting due to the length. I was confused as to the correct method of collecting frames with the Gstars application but I have since figured it out! Next time will be much better. Anyway, when I slewed the C8 to M51 it was beautiful even with the light pollution! M51's spiral arms slowly began to form on my screen as well as the nerdish grin on my face. This is exactly why I am doing what I am.
Next on my hit list was NGC 4565. I was so impressed with Bill's photo from last week out at Conway that I just had to see if I could capture it as well. My results were a bit mixed. I had changed so many settings on the camera and software that I think I did more harm than good. This image is not great but you can pick out some structure.
Lastly... Saturn. When I imaged this Saturn was relatively low and directly over the supernova streetlamp in the cul-de-sac but it turned out ok. I wish I had a barlow! Well I do but not a 1 1/4". This would have been much better with some magnification and a proper collimation on the C8. But her it is....
There is a steep learning curve with the camera and software but I think I made some good progress in the couple hours I was outside last night.
I had a small list of objects to test with. NGC 4565, M51, Orion Nebula, eskimo nebula and Saturn. I used Orion as my first real test target with the new software and capture card.
Orion was low on the horizon but I managed to get some footage of it before it disappeared behind the my rooftop. I had the frame integration on the camera set to x512 and manually adjusted the brightness and contrast within the Gstar program to cut back on light from street lamp in the cul-de-sac. This video is only 4 seconds in length so you will have to pause it to get a good look at the colors. I was able to pull out some nice purples, greens and dark blues from the nebula.
My camera still has the OEM IR filter in place. This needs to be taken out ASAP and replaced with a proper IR/Cut filter. i ordered one from Orion but it is on backorder.
Next up is the Eskimo Nebula. Unfortunately it is only 1 second long so you will have to pause.
Next up is M51. The video for this is not worth posting due to the length. I was confused as to the correct method of collecting frames with the Gstars application but I have since figured it out! Next time will be much better. Anyway, when I slewed the C8 to M51 it was beautiful even with the light pollution! M51's spiral arms slowly began to form on my screen as well as the nerdish grin on my face. This is exactly why I am doing what I am.
Next on my hit list was NGC 4565. I was so impressed with Bill's photo from last week out at Conway that I just had to see if I could capture it as well. My results were a bit mixed. I had changed so many settings on the camera and software that I think I did more harm than good. This image is not great but you can pick out some structure.
Lastly... Saturn. When I imaged this Saturn was relatively low and directly over the supernova streetlamp in the cul-de-sac but it turned out ok. I wish I had a barlow! Well I do but not a 1 1/4". This would have been much better with some magnification and a proper collimation on the C8. But her it is....
There is a steep learning curve with the camera and software but I think I made some good progress in the couple hours I was outside last night.
