CCD vs Film? Lots of time vs no patience? Alright, this is your place to discuss all the astrophotography what's and what's not. You can discuss about techniques, accessories, cameras, whatever....just make sure you also post some nice photos here too!
Hi,
The seeing on Chinese New Year Eve was just great. I can see the whole M42 very clearly. Normally, I can't see M43 clearly at my observation site, but M43 was clearly visible on Chinese New Year Eve.
Anyway, I spent more time on polar alignment and test the ISO 800 setting of my camera. I take a few images with lots of time resting the camera between the shot to cool down the camera. The noise increase significantly compare to ISO400 setting. The below image is taken using ISO800 at 40 seconds exposure and after processing using PhotoShop to reduce the noise. The final image look a lots nicer after reduce to a smaller size... Also, I will try to process the other images taken using ISO800 at 46, 60 and 90 seconds to see will it look better than the current one.
Have a nice day and Happy Chinese New Year!!!
Yang Weixing "The universe is composed mainly of hydrogen and ignorance."
Every M42 image seen here is great and successful shot, despite challenged by severe light pollution. Do make it a point to bring your setup to darkskies this year. Then we can expect can expect to see a quantum increase in contrast and details by similar configuration. As it goes, images posted here contain a wealth of learning experience and inspiration for everyone. Great images, keep it up.
Happy CNY.
May your aperture grow
and vision bright.
Hi Weixing
Your shots are great. Not CCD class but very very decent for a digital camera. I can't get anywhere near such performance inspite of several attempts. Could the delta be due to :
1. My eyepiece? I am using a 15mm eyepiece via scopetronics adapter
2. My camera? perhaps the 4300 just is not within the same class performance as the older 4500? or perhaps settings no good?
3. My Scope aperture ? Your 1" extra in aperture made all the difference?
4. My mediocre astrophoto skill? (oohh..that hurts!) :-)
rich
The Boldly Go Where No Meade Has Gone Before Captain, RSS Enterprise NCC1701R United Federation of the Planets
blurblock wrote:When will you go stargazing the next time? I live in Tampines and been wanting to learn from the old birds ;)
Good point. I'm from Tampines as well. Had just began to put more time & not to mention, money, into stargazing. Would be good to compile a list of SingAstro member's locations. That way, it'll be easier to get a few ppl together in ur area & start a observation session.
blurblock wrote:When will you go stargazing the next time? I live in Tampines and been wanting to learn from the old birds ;)
Good point. I'm from Tampines as well. Had just began to put more time & not to mention, money, into stargazing. Would be good to compile a list of SingAstro member's locations. That way, it'll be easier to get a few ppl together in ur area & start a observation session.
A list of singastro members and their locations can be found at databases at the old Singastro website under yahoogroups. Members are listed under N-S-E-W and Central...
you need to be a registered member to access the database.
rich
The Boldly Go Where No Meade Has Gone Before Captain, RSS Enterprise NCC1701R United Federation of the Planets
Airconvent wrote:Hi Weixing
Your shots are great. Not CCD class but very very decent for a digital camera. I can't get anywhere near such performance inspite of several attempts. Could the delta be due to :
1. My eyepiece? I am using a 15mm eyepiece via scopetronics adapter
2. My camera? perhaps the 4300 just is not within the same class performance as the older 4500? or perhaps settings no good?
3. My Scope aperture ? Your 1" extra in aperture made all the difference?
4. My mediocre astrophoto skill? (oohh..that hurts!) :-)
rich
Hi Airconvent,
1. As long as you can take pictures of anything(building, moon and etc) using your eyepiece, then it should be OK. But I don't think your 15mm(98x) is suitable for nebulae shot, the magnification may be just too high for your ETX to maintain non-visible error in tracking.
2. As long as you can couple your camera with your eyepiece properly, it shouldn't be a problem. There isn't any special setting. You can counter check your settings with mine(shown above).
3. The 1" different won't have any significant impact... your optics may be better than mine anyway...
4. No much skill involve... just a lots of patient...
Have a nice day and happy Chinese New Year!!!
Yang Weixing "The universe is composed mainly of hydrogen and ignorance."
Airconvent wrote:A list of singastro members and their locations can be found at databases at the old Singastro website under yahoogroups. Members are listed under N-S-E-W and Central... you need to be a registered member to access the database.
Hi, thanks for the direction. Would it be possible to let me know of the exact name of the group? I did a search on Yahoo SG & the nearest group i turned up was "NTU Astro Comrades".
Oh yah, if this is the old SingAstro site, would the memberlist be up to date? Just wanna be sure. Thanks a bunch. Cheerios!
True_Atlantean wrote:
Hi, thanks for the direction. Would it be possible to let me know of the exact name of the group? I did a search on Yahoo SG & the nearest group i turned up was "NTU Astro Comrades".
Oh yah, if this is the old SingAstro site, would the memberlist be up to date? Just wanna be sure. Thanks a bunch. Cheerios!
Yes. Singastro started in yahoogroups and evolved to this present site late last year. The old one is still retained for the benefit of those who liked the yahoogroups' "push email" option whereby posts are mailed to your email address. You need to register in order to access it and the groups founders cum administrators (either Yiren or Remus) must approve your application before you can look at the folders. I suppose most of the member data there should still be intact...I don't think people shift house that often???
Airconvent wrote:You need to register in order to access it and the groups founders cum administrators (either Yiren or Remus) must approve your application before you can look at the folders. I suppose most of the member data there should still be intact...I don't think people shift house that often???
Yupz, managed to locate the Group site & I've submitted my application for approval. Now awaiting reply. Hope either Yiren or Remus is still 'onboard'?? Kekeke...
BTW, the memberlist on SingAstro(new) is pretty good too, just that location isn't displayed en mass. Cheerios!
Also, I will try to process the other images taken using ISO800 at 46, 60 and 90 seconds to see will it look better than the current one. 
"The universe is composed mainly of hydrogen and ignorance." 
