astrophotography
Several years ago I bought a telescope, a really nice one (Takahashi FS-102). Unfortunately, I haven't really used it very much, perhaps I bought just a bit too much telescope. It's probably 50 pounds of stuff that can't be conveniently moved all at once. I think I can count on one hand the number of nights I've used it so far. (This will change.)
Today was one of those nights. I got home shortly after sunset, a bit too late to get any good sunset pictures. But I noticed the moon was fairly bright and crisp. So I decided to drag out the telescope to see if I could get any pictures through it. This involves simply placing a digital camera (Canon S110 in my case) up to the eyepiece and taking a picture (with the camera set to infinite focus). I'd never tried this before, but had seen others do the same with good results.
Anyway, I got some reasonably nice pictures of the waxing crescent moon. Click on the picture for a few more.
Today was one of those nights. I got home shortly after sunset, a bit too late to get any good sunset pictures. But I noticed the moon was fairly bright and crisp. So I decided to drag out the telescope to see if I could get any pictures through it. This involves simply placing a digital camera (Canon S110 in my case) up to the eyepiece and taking a picture (with the camera set to infinite focus). I'd never tried this before, but had seen others do the same with good results.
Anyway, I got some reasonably nice pictures of the waxing crescent moon. Click on the picture for a few more.
Fucking spectacular! That's what I say! :-)
Now, find the fittings needed to bolt your camera to your telescope, equip it with a tracker (if it doesn't already have one), and take some other cool pics! :-)
Now, find the fittings needed to bolt your camera to your telescope, equip it with a tracker (if it doesn't already have one), and take some other cool pics! :-)
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ghewgill
2003-10-28T19:56:17Z
Thanks! I have a really nice equatorial mount for my telescope, so that's under control (though I couldn't make it work correctly last time I tried to use it, but I suspect that was just me). I'm not sure whether there is an easy way to bolt a digicam to a telescope though.
I might have to go all out and get a real CCD imager. Some day, I will. :)
I might have to go all out and get a real CCD imager. Some day, I will. :)
cetan
2003-10-29T06:24:33Z
The problem with "real" CCD imagers is all the liquid nitrogen you have to keep around to get rid of the thermal noise.
ghewgill
2003-10-29T06:53:47Z
I only said real, not hard core. :) I've seen some that use Peltier coolers to keep the imaging element cool enough. I'm sure there is a middle ground that I can get into without having to spend an arm and a leg.
cetan
2003-10-29T07:28:26Z
If you're going to go...go all the way!
dbaker
2003-10-28T19:54:14Z
Incredible! Very nice.
goulo
2003-10-28T20:31:30Z
Sankta feko, ĉi tiuj bildoj bonegas!
Nun mi volas vidi vian forvidilon! (Kaj kompreneble, vidi per ĝin. :)
Nun mi volas vidi vian forvidilon! (Kaj kompreneble, vidi per ĝin. :)
ghewgill
2003-10-29T06:54:40Z
Aŭ vere, per ĝi. :)
goulo
2003-10-29T07:14:57Z
Damne! Kial mi estas tiel akuzativebria? :)
eng1ne
: Nice!2003-10-28T22:17:06Z
Gorgeous.
So, these shots are gonna make it into your next version of the earth simulator right, as an extension? ^_^
So, these shots are gonna make it into your next version of the earth simulator right, as an extension? ^_^
ghewgill
: Re: Nice!2003-10-29T06:58:00Z
Thanks! As for xearth, well, it's xearth, not xmoon. Though the latter might make a nice screensaver...
novi
2003-10-29T08:41:28Z
very very nice, i say. for a starter on astrophotography, those moon pictures are great. but i don't do astrophotography, i just like to look at them and wish i could do it. and wish that i had a decent telescope and a nice digital camera instead of a refurbished digital camera. my digicam has a sticker on it that says refurbished. i thought it was funny.
yeah, i added you to my friends, hope you don't mind. your journal looks interesting and fun.
:D
yeah, i added you to my friends, hope you don't mind. your journal looks interesting and fun.
:D
ghewgill
2003-10-29T10:16:15Z
Thanks and welcome. :) You can probably get decent pictures with most any digicam and telescope. Give it a try, I found it was pretty easy. The hardest part was getting the focus right.
x_archer_x
2003-11-02T17:27:34Z
Wow. Goregous.
ameya_raine
2004-06-10T20:30:26Z
wow, i think the pictures are amazing!
Adn if that was only your first time taking the photos.
First the moon, next... saturn and its rings would be very cool!!
I was wondering if i could use one of the pictures as my LJ icon??? Of course i would credit you in my journal...
Fire_faerie
Adn if that was only your first time taking the photos.
First the moon, next... saturn and its rings would be very cool!!
I was wondering if i could use one of the pictures as my LJ icon??? Of course i would credit you in my journal...
Fire_faerie
ghewgill
2004-06-11T20:07:23Z
I think I'll have to acquire more toys before I can take pictures of the planets. It's on my list though.
Feel free to use my pictures in your icon.
Feel free to use my pictures in your icon.
2003-10-28T19:33:43Z