Moon Shot

[Thor002]

Hi all, I'm new to astrophotography, I've been observing through telescopes for years but really never tried shooting any photos. I picked up a 50D and thought it might be fun to start taking some pics through my Meade LXD75 8" SC. I picked up a Canon mount for the telescope and shot some pics. Lots of heat diffraction made for poor viewing but I managed to get a few decent images, let me know what you think! Also, I want to move on with doing more pics, planets, deep sky objects, any good photo stacking software specifically for astro photo that you can recommend? thanks!

MOON (http://members.cox.net/mikepo/moon.jpg)

[Celestron]

Well for your first time i think you did well . However at full size it looks like your scope may need a very slight amount of adjustment on Collimation . But then again i know that it is very hard to get perfect focus with an SCT so your collimation maybe ok . Practice will make you better tho ! Did you focus throught the Viewer or use Live View ??

[Thor002]

Thanks, it probably could use a collimation adjustment, I've had it 5 years, use it quite a bit (haul it around in my car) and have never adjusted anything on it. I downloaded a program called DSLR Remote which allows me to hook my computer up to my camera and wirelessly make adjustments to shutter speed, live view set up, ASA settings and shutter operation via my Ipod touch. With the live view function on the camera I can see the image live on the Ipod touch screen. I think it will really help when it comes to fine focusing the images, I'm 6'4" and have a hard time getting low enough behind the camera to focus comfortably. That's my plan anyhow! I like being able to immediately view the images on my laptop once the image has been taken - I think it will make getting things dialed in less tedious. I want to start working on Jupiter next week.

[Celestron]

You should be able to see your images on your laptop easily . It will help you alot . 6'4" is pretty tall and getting down can be a problem . But enjoy the best you can and have fun ! Keep posting !