SharpCap Forums

From astronomy.com: Currently visible to observers in the Northern Hemisphere, the best time to view C/2022 E3 is in the early morning just a few hours before dawn. The comet's brightness now stands at about magnitude 7, making it easily visible through binoculars or any small telescope. And if the ...

NB imaging became easier for me after I purchased an electronic filter wheel (ZWO EFW 5-filter, but if I were to do it again I'd choose the 8-filter model.) I stopped trying to plate solve with NB filters. So now I choose a Wideband filter (LRGB). Once centered, I switch to the NB filter and then fo...

Hi Tim, Well I think that all three are spectacular! I've grown very fond of HSO. I read your paragraph regarding 8 spikes versus 4. I think I have a solution. A question first: Am I correct in assuming that you acquired an RGB stack (for the stars) for each session and then combined them? If yes, t...

Hi Doug, Magnitude 14 is pushing the limit for my 71mm refractor for a 60-second integration. Do you recall the approximate SNR of the target variable? I like to reach SNR 100 if possible Also, what is the Full Well Depth of your camera? Mine is only about 15000e- so I have to be careful with the ma...

Hi Tim,

Yes, a 25-inch Cassegranian on a massive fork mount under an observatory dome. According to my arithmetic, a 10000mm focal length.

Brian

Also, I should have remembered that Cepheids undergo color changes as they pulsate: "Cepheids are very luminous, massive variables with periods of 1 -70 days. They are named after the first-such pulsating variable, δ Cephei discovered by John Goodricke in 1784. Cepheid light curves are distinct...

Hi Tim, Great question. I'll take a stab it. What you say may be true for Cepheids as long as you know with accuracy the QE curve of your sensor, however there may be enough variation in the radiation in the population of Cepheids that you can not achieve accuracy of 0.001 magnitudes which is the go...

Hi Doug,

I've only owned refractors but I've toyed with the idea of purchasing an RC8. Others have said to stick with refractors as they are solid and reliable. I yearn for a larger aperture but prices for a 100mm+ APO are astronomical. What would you suggest?

Thanks,
Brian

Doug,

Beautiful!

Hi Doug,

I'll definitely check out your Qatar-1. It was on my bucket list but clouds always thwarted my efforts.

Brian