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Posts Made By: Louis Marchesi

February 22, 2008 10:24 PM Forum: Beginning Astronomy?

Brightness Estimate

Posted By Louis Marchesi
Near the bottom of this web page, under the heading "Request for Observations" I found this "how-to" estimate brightness using reversed binoculars.

http://www.xs4all.nl/~carlkop/verdmaan/leclips2004b.html

February 22, 2008 10:47 PM Forum: Digital SLR AstroPhotography

Adobe Photo Shop

Posted By Louis Marchesi
Ed Fraini said:

What is the difference in Adobe Photoshop CS and Adobe Photoshop elements? If you just use ImagePlus what are you giving up?

Hi Ed,

This question seems to be among the most debated in the image processing world. Not unlike the reflector versus refractor "wars" we in the "astro community" have from time to time smile

This article might be worth a read to help you make up your mind:
http://www.graphic-design.com/Photoshop/vs_elements.html

For my money, the 16-bit support of CS3 is important versus, say the 8-bit support in Elements.

I have not used ImagesPlus in a while, but I imagine you'd be giving up quite a bit in terms of layers, masks, and other image tweaking tools that you'd enjoy in either Elements or Photoshop. In fact, I use my acquisition software (CCDSoft) to do calibration and alignment and finish my processing in Photoshop (color combining, curves, sharpening, etc).

I'm hardly an expert; perhaps others will chime in with sager advice.

July 26, 2008 09:44 PM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Deep Sky

M57 flat test

Posted By Louis Marchesi
Hi Charlie,

Nice shot.

Are you getting "flatter" images because you can better match your sky flats to your images because you can take the sky flat with the exact orientation of the camera? I'm a bit confused because you said the only processing you did was to "stretch" and do a little unsharp mask.

Are you using a Pyxis for a de-rotator? I'm thinking of getting one ...


July 30, 2008 02:03 AM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Deep Sky

My Frist Image of 2008; M13

Posted By Louis Marchesi
What is the "black hole" about 3 M13 diameters away, at "4 o'clock?" Processing artifact? Or am I finally losing it smile

September 22, 2008 11:56 PM Forum: Reflectors

Starmaster FX scopes

Posted By Louis Marchesi
Thanks, guys.

With the 16 I'll never need a ladder, so I think that's the way to go. And it should provide plenty of "oomph"; if I need to see extra deep I can amble over to my buddy's 20.

Now I gotta start saving my pennies smile

February 3, 2009 12:51 AM Forum: ASTRONOMY

The NGC-IC Project

Posted By Louis Marchesi
Judson Mitchell said:

For some reason I am unable to access the NGC-IC Project page.

http://www.ngcic.org/

Has anyone else experienced this problem. It is an excellent source site for me and one that would be missed.

Jud Mitchell

Seems down. The domain registration is good until July, but who knows? I sent an email off to Bob to see what's up, though that probably won't work too well if they're not hosted any more ...

February 3, 2009 12:58 AM Forum: Beginning Astronomy?

Magnitude

Posted By Louis Marchesi
Darryl Simmons said:

What is the lowest (highest?) magnitude that can be seen by the naked eye? A co-worked stated that "apart from Andromeda, everything we can see naked-eye is a part of our own galaxy".

Darryl

Just thought I'd add that your observing site is the key. When the magnitude system was created, 6th magnitude stars were the faintest that could be seen.

Stephen James O'Meara (in his Deep Sky Companions: The Messier Objects) says that he can see stars as faint as mag 8.4 from his 9000-foot altitude observing site in Hawaii. Another person at the Texas Star Party saw stars as faint as mag 7.9.

If you've read any of O'Meara's books or his columns, you know he's all about pushing the limits 8O

February 4, 2009 02:39 AM Forum: AstroMart FAQ

Re: 5 members, 5 ads, $32,000 Zero support

Posted By Louis Marchesi
Yeah, a nice "scarlet letter" to follow the user, their posts, and their ads. I can't wait either.

February 9, 2009 03:10 AM Forum: Deep Sky Observing

Trapezium E&F

Posted By Louis Marchesi
Congratulations!

I live in SE Pennsylvania and it can be hit or miss seeing the "E" or "F" stars in the Trapezium. Good seeing is the key, which comes scarce in these parts. Many times I failed to see them from my backyard, though I did eventually succeed.

Then, I took the scope to the Winter Star Party and all of a sudden they were "in my face." Easy as pie.

March 2, 2009 10:19 PM Forum: Bad to the Bone Autos

87 Subaru Brat

Posted By Louis Marchesi
Frederick Taylor said:

Finished refurbishing my restored Brat for the second time. Had it for 12 years and is my daily driver if I am not on the bike.

I love it, looks great! Scoobie owner myself smile

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