Search found 1325 matches

by oopfan
Sat Dec 09, 2023 1:27 am
Forum: Solar and Lunar Imaging
Topic: Tips needed for imaging the 2024 solar eclipse
Replies: 15
Views: 12580

Re: Tips needed for imaging the 2024 solar eclipse

I've photographed two eclipses in my lifetime: 1973 in Africa and 1991 in Mexico. If you are in the path of totality be prepared for a stunning experience that no words can express. Place a white sheet on the ground and watch what happens at the moment of totality. I used Kodachrome slide film (a sl...
by oopfan
Sun Nov 26, 2023 3:40 pm
Forum: Deep Sky Imaging
Topic: Excessive Star Glow
Replies: 9
Views: 6553

Re: Excessive Star Glow

I'll hazard a guess: 1. Moisture. 2. Chromatic aberration. If possible try shooting through different colored filters to see if it mitigates the effect. I have a 400mm refractor that can't focus Blue to save its life. Ended up having to shoot with a Wratten #12 (minus Blue) for luminance. If it's #2...
by oopfan
Sat Sep 30, 2023 5:04 pm
Forum: Planetary Imaging
Topic: x2 Barlow v. Frame Rate
Replies: 10
Views: 8024

Re: x2 Barlow v. Frame Rate

Mike, Frame rate is primarily dependent on exposure, so if the exposure is 1 sec then frame rate is 1 per sec. However, 1 ms exposure doesn't yield 1000 fps! Why? It depends on the time it takes the camera to clock the pixels out of the sensor and over the wire to the laptop. That's why you will fin...
by oopfan
Sat Sep 30, 2023 12:01 pm
Forum: Planetary Imaging
Topic: x2 Barlow v. Frame Rate
Replies: 10
Views: 8024

Re: x2 Barlow v. Frame Rate

Hi Mike, The point I wanted to make is if your camera had larger pixels and the resolution without the Barlow was 1.0 arc-second per pixel, then yes definitely go with a high-quality Barlow, however, that is not the case. The other factor is your seeing conditions. If you are on a mountain top, then...
by oopfan
Wed Sep 27, 2023 4:15 pm
Forum: Planetary Imaging
Topic: x2 Barlow v. Frame Rate
Replies: 10
Views: 8024

Re: x2 Barlow v. Frame Rate

I'm not the expert on planetary but I think I'm in the ballpark with my analysis. The bottom line is that you are better off without the Barlow. For a 10" aperture (254mm) Dawes' Limit is 0.46 arc-seconds, Rayleigh Limit is 0.54 arc-seconds. So given exceptionally stable skies and perfect optic...
by oopfan
Sun Sep 24, 2023 8:19 pm
Forum: General Discussions
Topic: Minimum RAM for SharpCap
Replies: 4
Views: 3142

Re: Minimum RAM for SharpCap

The Sv305 uses the tried and true IMX290 sensor. I have one but it's from Altair Astro. It is a 2 mega-pixel sensor (1920 x 1080). My Windows laptop has 4GB of RAM but I don't LiveStack. Works great. I can't say if 4GB is enough for LiveStack, so I'd recommend 8GB of RAM to be safe. However, if you ...
by oopfan
Sat Sep 16, 2023 10:59 pm
Forum: Gallery
Topic: Salt and Pepper Cluster + Bubble
Replies: 2
Views: 5359

Re: Salt and Pepper Cluster + Bubble

Hi Nick,

Great image! Very nice kit. Love the mount! You invested some serious money and it shows.

Brian
by oopfan
Wed Sep 06, 2023 2:18 pm
Forum: Tutorials
Topic: Picking the correct exposure for Deep Sky
Replies: 78
Views: 126463

Re: Picking the correct exposure for Deep Sky

Robin, Full Well at Gain 56: 21.6ke- using High Gain Mode 40.0ke- using Extended Full Well Mode Read Noise at Gain 56: 1.7e- using High Gain Mode 7.1e- using Extended Full Well Mode I absolutely agree! That's a huge improvement. I'd even suggest using High Gain Mode with all filters, not just NB. ED...
by oopfan
Tue Sep 05, 2023 12:07 pm
Forum: Tutorials
Topic: Picking the correct exposure for Deep Sky
Replies: 78
Views: 126463

Re: Picking the correct exposure for Deep Sky

Hi Allen,

Just curious, what scope do you have? From the numbers shown you could really benefit from a faster scope given your dark skies.

Brian
by oopfan
Sun Aug 27, 2023 12:20 pm
Forum: How do I?
Topic: Starting with very basic resources, need advice
Replies: 10
Views: 2038

Re: Starting with very basic resources, need advice

Hi, You may be confusing 'Celestial Equator' with 'Local Meridian'. Your Local Meridian divides the eastern and western halves of your sky. The dividing line is the Great Circle connecting three points: the South Celestial Pole, the Zenith, and the North Celestial Pole. The Zenith is the point in Sp...