Hello, my name is Joe and this is my first post. I have been playing around with astrophotography for awhile now but my site here in southeastern MI is so light polluted that I haven't been able to do much. A few weeks ago I purchased a Phillips SPC900NC webcam and also downloaded K3CCD and Registax software and thought I'd give it a try attached to my Celestron 11" SCT. Was I impressed as to what can be accomplished. Attached is my first attempt at Saturn. Hope I posted this correctly.

http://jaless.smugmug.com/photos/290836930_FYDir-L.jpg

http://jaless.smugmug.com/photos/291442347_KucfW-M.jpg

Joe from Howell

What a fantastic picture. Thank you for sharing

Nice pics, good color. Now just add a little more focal length, for image capture size (scale). Combine that with some good seeing, and you'll be on your way.

Robert

Very good start.

-V

Thanks guys I appreciate your comments,

Robert, I did have a 2x barlow in the mix but removed it because I was having problems finding Saturn. Turned out my flipmirror wasn't aligned properly. It took me about 30 minutes to find anything. Guess this is all part of learning.

Thanks again,

Joe from Howell

Joe, an excellent picture composition! Really!

and thanks for sharing

best regards

__________________
clear skies

If you want to make an apple pie from scratch, you must first create the universe. CARL SAGAN

Mak: Pass the pepperoni please.
Fazor: "Hail, Bautainia! We pledge our hearts to thee! Science and woo, some babbling too, and astron-oh-meee!"
slang: And it made ash out of yew and tree.

Joe that is awesome!! Is it really that easy? I might have a go myself!

clop

A great post. Thanks for sharing.

__________________
Kind regards
Matt
LXD75 SN 8" f/4, DSI II pro

The most exciting phrase to hear in science, the one that heralds new discoveries, is not Eureka! (I found it!) but rather, "hmm.... that's funny...."
Issac Asimov

Thanks for looking everyone,

CLOP, I started with an 11" SCT and a flipmirror so I had the expensive parts already. If you want to attempt this I recommend the Phillips SPC900NC webcam or a webcam with a CCD imager not CMOS. I also highly recommend K3CCD, free for 35 days then $49 registration fee for camera operations and Registax for stacking the images which is freeware but I'm sure there is other software out there. These are just what I used. Stacking is really the key. The image of Saturn were 1200 separate AVI images stacked with Registax software. BTW, the first image was pretty much done with Registax in full automatic mode with some manual Wavelet adjustments at the end. You will also need a PC of some type to attach and control the camera. I used a notebook for its portability to the outside.

Finding Saturn was my big problem because of the size of the sensor. It helps to make sure everything is aligned before you start. Focusing is also an issue that will need to be addressed but the K3CCD software does have an option that helps with this.

This certainly was fun doing and the results are better than I would have believed with a $70 camera. BTW, you will need and adapter to attach the camera to the scope, $25 and an infrared filter to replace the one from the original camera lens that will be removed, $18.

Well worth giving it a try and as shown the results can be amazing even for a webcam beginner.

Joe

Joe,

Great results for your first try. I'd agree that additional focal length is worth trying.

My trick for finding planets (with a ToUCam or DMK) with longer focal length is to slowly move up the barlows. I'll center the planet without the barlow, then put on a 2x, recenter, then 3x, recenter, then 4x. It helps to crank the gain up really high as you move up, so you can see the planet even when it is slightly out of the field of view.

HTH,

--Andy

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Observatorio de la Ballona

Where did you get your adaptor and filter from?

clop

CLOP, the adapter and filter came from Adirondack.

Here is the adapter.
http://www.astrovid.com/prod_details.php?pid=3322

Good luck.

CLOP,

Sorry, here is the filter anso from Adirondak.

http://www.astrovid.com/prod_details...querystr=UV/IR

Joe

Andy, Good idea think I will have to try that. Just ordered a JMI focuser to add to the mix. Got tired of mirror shift especially with such a small sensor.

Thanks for the Advice,

Joe

CLOP, I ordered the adapter and filter from Adirondak Astronomy.

Best of Luck,

Joe

Hi Joe, Your on the right track!, Welldone it's getting difficult to image getting fainter as the days goes by but by when jupiter comes into view you will be much experienced and looking forward to see images. Clear Skies

JAICOA, Thanks for the words of encouragement,

I'm looking forward to Jupiter. May even get up early in the next few week to try my hand at it. Should be fun.

Thanks Again,

Joe from Howell

Hi Celstar,

Great result for a first attempt at the ringed planet. You certainly have the aperture to increase your focal ratio and get a larger image - under good conditions of course.

Thanks for sharing - it really helps other newcomers to see what can be achieved without spending a fortune - it also encourages other newcomers to post their results.

Regards
Shevill

__________________
Shevill Mathers, Southern Cross Observatory - Tasmania 42 South.
Hon. Associate School of Maths & Physics
University of Tasmania
http://www.astrotasmania.com-a.googlepages.com/home

Shevill, thanks for the comments. Now if the weather would cooperate and my JMI focuser would come in I may have something else to post.

Joe from Howell