Astromart

April 26, 2006 01:48 AM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Deep Sky

M81

Thanks for the nice comments. I guess I need to bump the contrast on my work monitor, or maybe I am just being picky. smile

Jim

May 2, 2006 09:07 PM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Deep Sky

Hi all: I would like to find a simple script or program that would make my imaging system periodically auto focus during a long imaging sequence. When I am asleep for instance.

I am aware of full featured programs like CCD Autopilot and ACP, but I don't need all of the features available with these products, e.g. target acquisition, dome control, plate solves etc.

Basically, I want something that will require an autofocus after filter changes, or after every 5 images for example. I would still manually compose the image and set up an imaging sequence. I use Maxim DL and Focus Max. I think a simple ASCOM script might do it, but the programming is beyond me.

Thanks for any input.

Jim

May 3, 2006 02:04 PM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Deep Sky

Periodic Auto Focus

Posted By James Brown

Thanks for the input Ron and James. I'll look into CCD Commander. The $75.00 price tag is very appealing, when compared to learning how to write scripts!

Jim

May 6, 2006 06:23 PM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Deep Sky

M82

Posted By James Brown

This is a (L+Ha)(R+Ha)GB composite, the first time I have tried something that tricky. The mixing was done with Photoshop CS. Exposure times are 300,168,120,120 and 300 Ha. 15 minute subs for LRGB, 30 minutes for Ha.

TEC 140/G11/SXV-H9,Astrodon filters. Suburban, but transparent site. Seeing here is typically horrible! I hope you like this image.

Jim

September 19, 2006 01:14 AM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Deep Sky

M27

Posted By James Brown

Hi all:

Here is M27 taken with a TEC APO 140, Starlight Express SXV-H9, G-11 mount and Astrodon filters. The nebula itself is Ha (R) and OIII (GB). The background stars are regular LRGB. I merged the images using Photoshop's layers functionality. It seemed to work pretty well.

2.5 hours each of Ha and OIII, (30 minute subs) About 1.5 hours total for LRGB.

I hope you like it! Jim

September 19, 2006 07:53 PM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Deep Sky

M27

Posted By James Brown

Thanks!

September 20, 2006 02:44 AM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Deep Sky

NGC7380 in HaRGB

Posted By James Brown

Beautiful!

September 26, 2006 12:00 AM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Deep Sky

NGC281 - The Pacman

Posted By James Brown

Hi Tyler, I like this pac-man a lot. I particularly like the natural star colors along with the rich Ha nebulosity. Well done!

Jim

October 3, 2006 02:24 PM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Deep Sky

M16

Posted By James Brown

Here is an image of the Eagle Nebula I took September 25. It is basically an Ha-OIII-OIII image for RGB. I tried to work in regular RGB for the stars, but the star colors are not that dramatic. 1.5 hours of data each for Ha and OIII, 30 minute subs.

TEC 140
G-11
SXV-H9
Astrodon filters
Maxim DL for acquisition
Photoshop CS for processing.

I hope you like it!

Jim

October 4, 2006 03:24 AM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Deep Sky

Cocoon - IC 5146

Posted By James Brown

Here is the Cocoon Nebula taken September 26.

It is a (L+Ha),(Ha+R),G,B image. 2.5 Hr. Ha (30 minute subs). 55 min. LRGB with the L binned 1x1 and the rest 2x2.

I appreciate any comments or critique!

TEC 140
G-11
SXV-H9
Astrodon filters
Maxim DL for acquisition
Photoshop CS for processing.

Jim

p.s. this jpeg is also much less saturated looking when I view it on line, as opposed to when I open the compressed, posted image in Photoshop. Why is that? I am not comparing the jpeg to the original 16 bit image by the way. I would think the compressed images would look the same, whichever program opens them, but they really don't. :S

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Posts Made By: James Brown

M81

Periodic Auto Focus

Periodic Auto Focus

M82

M27

M27

NGC7380 in HaRGB

NGC281 - The Pacman

M16

Cocoon - IC 5146

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