Tuesday, September 4, 2018

Schroter's Valley and Aristarchus


Data acquired on 8/6.  Through the 13.4" f/4.7 dob handheld.   Used the QHY5L-II, my guide camera.   Shot around 40 minutes of video, but had only maybe 2-3 minutes of usuable frames.   Stacked with Autostakkert, processed in PS.

Initially, I tried using wavelets in Registax to enhance the sharpness, but I found that it blew out details more readily than using the Raw Camera Filter in PS.

There is a sharp drop-off in detail outside the central 1/3 area.   Partly, this is due to the fact the
central area is raised like a mesa.   I found the focus to be extremely shallow -- the slightest movement made it unusable.  I also think the outer areas are suffering from coma as well.  So, I definitely plan to use the Paracorr next time.    Another thing to mention is that the dynamic range of the QHY5L is awful.   All the peripheral areas of the original frame are either blown out or in complete darkness.


Friday, July 27, 2018

Sunday, June 17, 2018

Milky Way again with T4i


Canon T4i, 18-55mm kit lens, F/4.5.   ISO 6400 (!!!)  80 x 12 sec exposures, 33 darks, 100 bias, 30 flats.   Shot at Winona with Jeff.



Saturday, June 9, 2018

Milky Way



Canon 6D with 50mm f/1.4 @ f/4, ISO 3200, 60 x 3 min lights, darks, flats, bias.   Shot at Winona and Wupatki sites.

Friday, April 13, 2018


Cutting the pieces for the Ross Null tester...




Testing the fit of the Ross Null lens.  It looks like I have about 1/8 inch space around the diameter.  I plan to put in cork supports and spacers in the gaps.  I have saran wrap down to prevent any wood dust or particles from directly touching the BK7 glass.