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Posts Made By: Alex McConahay

December 20, 2008 02:15 PM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Deep Sky

Advice / information on CCD

Posted By Alex McConahay
Why is it that you want a CCD instead of a good video based camera?

It seems to me that much of the good planetary imaging that goes on is done with video/webcam based imagers.

I may be wrong, of course--just interested.

Alex

December 20, 2008 02:19 PM Forum: Digital SLR AstroPhotography

ImagesPlus 210A

Posted By Alex McConahay
Images Plus is still pretty current. I think it is in release 2.75 or something.

If you are talking about release 2.10, it is of an earlier generation. THey are well past that by now. And as far as camera control, the program has been redesigned. It still offers the same functionality as it used to (with certain additonal features like automatic focusing) as far as any given camera, but if there is a camera that has been added after its original publication date, it may not be drivable from the 2.10 product.

It is always easy to get a hold of Mike Unsold and ask--just go to the Yahoo group or email him.

Alex

December 24, 2008 07:55 PM Forum: Star Parties

MIdwestern Star Parties for Spring?

Posted By Alex McConahay
April 19 to 26--Texas Star party is one of the big ones.

Alex

December 25, 2008 05:22 AM Forum: AstroMart FAQ

User profile update

Posted By Alex McConahay
See over there on the left, --the box where it says "My Account"

In the bottom of the box it says, "Account Menu"

Click on that and follow to the Edit Profile.

Does that do what you want?

Alex

December 31, 2008 04:25 AM Forum: Digital SLR AstroPhotography

Seeking advice on an eclipse

Posted By Alex McConahay
The important thing about viewing an eclipse is to enjoy the view. Take pictures if you can, but don't let it get in the way of the visual experience.

I took the attached using a Ranger and a 20 D. Details are at:

http://www.alexastro.com/Alex%20Home%20Page/Articles/Ranger_20D%20Eclipse.pdf


December 31, 2008 04:31 AM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Solar System

Eclipse Advice sought

Posted By Alex McConahay
I took the attached with my Ranger and a Canon 20D. Checklist is at:
http://www.alexastro.com/Alex%20Home%20Page/Articles/Ranger_20D%20Eclipse.pdf


January 1, 2009 05:56 PM Forum: ASTRONOMY

Kid's Telescope Advice

Posted By Alex McConahay
My experience with star parties for kids--and I have lots, is that a driven mount is good. It means you don't have to keep butting in and adjusting things. And a good quality refractor (not necessarily APO) is quite nice. It is big enough to pick up all the objects you can really see from the city, and relatively easy to carry around. There are a jillion good refractors to choose from about 80-90 mm.

Also important is a short (two step) ladder with a top that rises up to three or four feet. IT can be used by short people to get to height, and by tall people to lean against. (It gives people a place to grab besides the scope.)

Alex

January 5, 2009 05:18 PM Forum: Digital SLR AstroPhotography

JPEG conversion

Posted By Alex McConahay
Any of the common movie making programs will do it.

I use Windows Movie Maker.

The key to it is getting enough exposures in the first place. At 8 or so frames per second, you need 480 frames to make a minute long movie! Another thing to remember is that you will be using probably 640 x 480 at most, so you probably do not need to have pictures any bigger than that. I use 30 second exposures, with five second intervals, (and small jpg's)and then I put them in Windows Movie Maker at 8 frames per second with a minimum of transition time between them, fading one to another.

I have one of the moon rising above Mt. Palomar. I'll put it on my website, and post a link.

Alex

January 6, 2009 06:33 AM Forum: Digital SLR AstroPhotography

JPEG conversion

Posted By Alex McConahay
I forgot, I already had one of my movies on my website. But I added another tonight just for you!

My website is at http://www.alexastro.com/

If you go to the SOlar System section,

http://www.alexastro.com/Alex%20Home%20Page/SolarS/solarsindex.html

You will find a link to a movie about COmet 73P moving through the solar system.

ANd if you go to the Celestial Landscapes section, you can see the moon rising over Palomar Mountain.

http://www.alexastro.com/Alex%20Home%20Page/Landscapes/Landsindex.html

Hope you enjoy them. THey really are relatively easy to do.

Alex





January 7, 2009 08:55 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

OT - A Fish with Catadioptric Eyes

Posted By Alex McConahay
It may be "news" to you and me, Alan, but I suspect Bob's Knobs already has a catalogue out with collimating screws for them.

Alex

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