Image of the day

Captured by
RICHARD COFER

VdB 141 Ghost Nebula

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Posts Made By: John A. Maher

March 18, 2007 06:47 PM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Deep Sky

Image blending question

Posted By John A. Maher
Hi Paul,

Copy/paste the image of the nebula over the image of the trap. This will automatically create a new layer. F7 will bring up the layers control window.

Use the eraser and erase what you don't want on the nebula image exposing what you do want in the image underneath. Experiment with the erase type/size and amount. I use brush and start at 25% opacity.

If you haven't already aligned them use the adjustments in the layers box to make the top layer transparent enough to see both images and then align them. I use Ctrl A and the T which is Select all and transform. Just make sure you have selected the layer you want to move first. Also enlarge the image with Ctrl + and then using the arrow keys will give you a fine adjust. smile

March 29, 2007 09:22 PM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Deep Sky

Trifid Nugget and the TeleVue 60 for guiding

Posted By John A. Maher
Hi Bill,

I am sorry

NO HELP with the Tele but my FS60C requires about 8" of extensions to reach focus with out the reducer.

I would like to know whether your Nugget actually works.
grin
I would like to buy one but I was told that the drivers are still a problem and the unit does not work correctly. Please let me know how yours works.

April 6, 2007 11:22 PM Forum: Beginning Astronomy?

Prime focusing help

Posted By John A. Maher
Hi Mike, 8)

You need to find out where the image comes to focus and put the chip of the camera there.

The easiest way I know of is to point your telescope at the moon and with nothing attached to it and the focuser tube all the way in. Take a piece of white paper and place it in the light path coming from the rear of the scope. By experimenting with the distance of the paper to the back of your scope you will find it focuses on the paper at a certain distance from the rear of your scope. This is your back focus and you must work around this measurement. Anything between your camera chip and the back of the scope must add up to a measurement that puts the chip there. This "anything" can include, extension tubes, the t-ring, the space between the front of your camera and it's chip and how much you move your focuser draw tube out.

Regardless

Where the light comes to focus on a scope is where the chip/film needs to be. smile

April 13, 2007 01:15 PM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Deep Sky

M63 LRGB SXV H16

Posted By John A. Maher
Hi Dietmar,

Another very nice image from you smile


How long are your subframes

April 15, 2007 05:40 PM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Deep Sky

The Whirlpool

Posted By John A. Maher
Smoking image Dan smile

" Inspirling " LOL

What camera/scope combo. I am curious to know your pixel/arc seconds.

The detail is stunning.

April 16, 2007 12:48 AM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Deep Sky

M81

Posted By John A. Maher
Nice image Paul,

I usually like to do a few tests before I commit to a full color image myself.

I am a believer in the magic number for your scope/camera/subject combination. My E160 which is 3.3 seemed to like 10 minute subs for my M51 images. I use the information window in my software to see if I have maxed out pixels in areas of interest and work around that. Compare the information with really short ones and go long. smile With the Ha filter my FS60 loved 33 minute subs. The darks were hell though.

April 16, 2007 02:53 AM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Deep Sky

New scope first light M51

Posted By John A. Maher
Excellent image Jason

Colors look great on my LCD monitor

April 18, 2007 01:50 AM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Deep Sky

M 81

Posted By John A. Maher
Very nice Jim,

I especially enjoy your style of processing

April 18, 2007 04:28 AM Forum: Beginning Astronomy?

Green newbie needs help with photography

Posted By John A. Maher
Hi Mike, smile

I started with a dollar, a tree, my scope, and a DSLR during the day.

Much easier to work it out during the day with all that light. Just don't take any pictures of the one big star and keep the exposures short.

No viewing that star either. You'll know your getting it when you can see the details in the dollar on your images. The tree should be about 50 yards away.

Have fun. smile

April 19, 2007 09:13 PM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Deep Sky

AP 600E QMD and 9.25" OTA?

Posted By John A. Maher
Steven Jindra said:

Do you think the mount will be capable of excellent images at that focal length with this load (25#'s or so)? What about at 2300mm @ F10? Or am I asking too much?

Thanks for your thoughts.
Steven Jindra


I would say not excellent but good and YES you might be pushing it.

If this was true why would any of us spend the money we have on our mounts or manufacturers bother to put larger RA gears in mounts geared for photography. I am sure your will be able to capture some images but beefing up your mount will always make it easier to get the nicer ones and increases the chance for that excellent one.

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