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Posts Made By: Floyd Blue

March 31, 2008 11:18 PM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Deep Sky

Tonight is clear, so off to Wind Wolves Preserve!

Posted By Floyd Blue
Well, it is clear and warm to day, with predictions for good weather tonight. So a friend and I are off to try to collect some photons. I am going to try to get Leo's Triplet tonight. Seeing is suppose to be good, so maybe I can get some good detail!
My friend is bringing a 15" Dob so I get to do viewing while the camera is busy. Hope it as nice as they say it will be. 65°f right now with nothing but sunshine. Should be a low of 50°f while we are there, so pretty comfortable.
Will post an image if all goes well.
grin

April 2, 2008 12:06 AM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Deep Sky

Last nights image

Posted By Floyd Blue
Hello all,
Well I went out with the intension of taking Leo's Triplet, but by mistake I set the mount to M86 instead! shocked
Oh well, Leo will be next! wink
Here is what I got for my efforts. Hope your like it. Lots of galaxies in this shot, but some are not as bright as the others. Must be 30 in there if you look. grin

April 2, 2008 06:48 PM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Deep Sky

M86 and Friends Final Image.

Posted By Floyd Blue
I had more time to do the processing on this one, here is the final
for this shot in full size and resolution.
I tried to bring out more of the galaxies in the frame, now you should
be able to count at least 22, but there are more but they are small!
http://www.astrophotogallery.org/displayimage-120-0.html
Hope you like this one, I feel it is about as good as I can make it.
I am posting a smaller version of it here too.

April 3, 2008 11:58 PM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Deep Sky

Ok, one more please! :^)

Posted By Floyd Blue
Ok, so I am really pushing it here, but I am trying to learn how to process and bring out details. Here is my attempt at this and I would like serious opinions on whether the effort was justified.
This is the same data, re oriented to proper position from what I can tell and then re processed with the galaxies in mind.
Did it work can you see more without loss of anything?

April 7, 2008 08:08 PM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Deep Sky

Friday night at LAAS Leo's Triplet

Posted By Floyd Blue
Hi all,
Well, I made it to the Los Angeles Astronomical Society's site, set up on my new pier and got to do some imaging.
This first image is Leo's Triplet. I have M101 that is not processed yet, but I will post it soon.
What do you think?

April 7, 2008 10:58 PM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Deep Sky

LAAS Saturday night, M101

Posted By Floyd Blue
Hi,
Ok, here is the M101 from Saturday night.
Conditions were not good that night cwy , but the image is OK.

April 7, 2008 11:07 PM Forum: Equipment Talk

My new trailer modification

Posted By Floyd Blue
Hi all, posted this on RV forum, but thought it might be correct for this one too.
Made this tent extension for my Cargo Trailer, so that the ramp becomes the bedroom floor and the trailer is extended by 5.5 feet.
Makes for comfortable overnight when observing. 12v and AC power, with red lights and white as well as a folding desk.

April 9, 2008 06:43 PM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Deep Sky

Re: First Image

Posted By Floyd Blue
Hi Jim,
It looks pretty good really, especially for a first shot.

To criticize it, the stars are over saturated, making them colorless. Could be post processing or the settings in the capture software.

Focus is just slightly soft, not bad, but could be sharper.

Background might be a little dark, probably clipping the black point a little.

The New CCD Astronomy by Ron Wodaski is a good book that is pretty easy to follow and gives lots of good information.

Most of us did not get a very good first shot, so yours looks a lot better than my first. You will get a little experience and it will all come together. grin

April 13, 2008 09:12 PM Forum: CCD Imaging and Processing/Deep Sky

Next imaging setup, 127ED

Posted By Floyd Blue
Hi All,
Well, I set up the Meade 127mm ED APO last night to see if the camera would come to focus and also to check the balance, tracking and guiding with this scope on the G-11.
Looks like it will work just fine with the same guide scope and all the same camera setup too.
Here is a shot of it in the back yard.

April 23, 2008 05:51 PM Forum: Politics

Its a long way to Tipperary!

Posted By Floyd Blue
Winning by 10% is not a slam dunk if you ask me. There were so few that voted out of all those that could vote. Plus it was a state that was expected to go Hillary, so no surprise. But it is a long way for her to go to get ahead of Obama at this point. Rather than look at the primaries, one must look at the Super Delegates if you want to see the future. They will decide this thing, because neither will get the delegate required in just the primaries.
Don't get me wrong, I am not a Obama supporter, heck I am not a Democrat! wink But, this race is not over until the fat lady sings. 8)

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