Mars and other solar system objects 2020

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!
hhzhang
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Re: Mars and other solar system objects 2020

Post by hhzhang »

Never give up shooting -- even when the clouds are bothering you!

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hhzhang
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Joined: Sun May 10, 2020 4:11 pm
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Re: Mars and other solar system objects 2020

Post by hhzhang »

2020-12-20

The great conjunction is fast approaching -- yet the weather has not been cooperative.

Today, Sun set behind clouds and it seemed to be another disappointing evening. Would I totally miss the event? (The conjunction moment will actually happen in the early morning of Dec 22 Sg time -- maybe only west Africa has a good chance to witness it then) .
It feels like a miracle when some clouds cleared a small window -- not really clear but the two giants were shinning literally shoulder to shoulder.

I decided not to bother with my larger telescope system -- setting it up would cost at least 15 minutes -- probably the only time the targets would be visible.

So I brought out the light-weight tracker+scope and tried to catch some photos despite the poor conditions -- from the equipment to the atmosphere seeing -- the target was at such a low altitude.

A few minutes elapsed before the clouds rolled in again!

The result might not be beautiful but hey I am happy because I beat all the odds and returned not-empty-handed.

[HDR version]
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[Non-HDR version]
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ckwhy
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Joined: Sun Aug 16, 2020 6:09 pm

Re: Mars and other solar system objects 2020

Post by ckwhy »

Very nice shots! And thanks for labeling the moon. I had no idea what the moons are called. I also tried to capture this shot last evening. Between sunset and the planets being over the horizon, it really is counting minutes! Hope you get nice shots to share today.

Clear skies!
hhzhang
Posts: 730
Joined: Sun May 10, 2020 4:11 pm
Favourite scope: 115mm APO

Re: Mars and other solar system objects 2020

Post by hhzhang »

No catch of the great conjunction last evening. The system was set up and tuned but the clouds did not give chance.

Captured some images of the moon behind high clouds. With a 3x extender, I attempted the limit resolution of the system.

Full view of the first quarter moon.
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The cam looks through the 3x:
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Closer up (50% original pixel size).
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hhzhang
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Joined: Sun May 10, 2020 4:11 pm
Favourite scope: 115mm APO

Re: Mars and other solar system objects 2020

Post by hhzhang »

2020-12-22

The great conjunction -- finally there were some moments of gap between the clouds for a sight for the event. The super turbulent air and the scarce visibility of the target however means it is not going to be any high quality imaging. But photos of the great conjunction nonetheless.

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hhzhang
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Joined: Sun May 10, 2020 4:11 pm
Favourite scope: 115mm APO

Re: Mars and other solar system objects 2020

Post by hhzhang »

Another cloudy evening. But enjoyed a moment of sunset.

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One sunspot. Needs a close look to see it.
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hhzhang
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Joined: Sun May 10, 2020 4:11 pm
Favourite scope: 115mm APO

Re: Mars and other solar system objects 2020

Post by hhzhang »

2020-12-26T01:11 UTC

A cluster of sunspots.

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hhzhang
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Joined: Sun May 10, 2020 4:11 pm
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Re: Mars and other solar system objects 2020

Post by hhzhang »

Sunspots 2020-12-28

Slight changes from two days ago.

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Airconvent
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Re: Mars and other solar system objects 2020

Post by Airconvent »

Nice conjunction capture! Seems you are moving on to the sun :)
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hhzhang
Posts: 730
Joined: Sun May 10, 2020 4:11 pm
Favourite scope: 115mm APO

Re: Mars and other solar system objects 2020

Post by hhzhang »

Airconvent wrote: Mon Dec 28, 2020 4:49 pm Nice conjunction capture! Seems you are moving on to the sun :)
That's because the sun has become active while the moon is quite dormant.
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