Top 10 in 2010 to shoot (Astronomy, non telescope)

[mtbdudex]

[edit August 5, 2011]
Pict 8d in 2nd post below just made it onto NASA APOD!!!
My 15 minutes of fame....From techniques I learned here, thx Canon POTN gang.
http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap110805.html


I originally posted this Jan-04-2010 in the photo forum portion, which was "wrong" place for discussion/planning.
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/...d.php?t=805493
Asked to have it moved here but not moved, so I'm here now.

From that thread

With your help I'd like to make a to do list for 2010, call it the "Top 10 in 2010" related to astronomy.

This would be for people with DSLR, tripod, at least a lens up to 200mm, etc, but without telescope.
(I don't have one, and no $$$$'s for one this year)

Just for ref my gear: T1i, kit lens 18-55 & 55-250, 50 1.4, tripod, remote.

Purpose is general neat/cool shots of the moon and cosmos, and to learn about the moon/cosmos AND photography techniques (image stacking, PP, etc).
I'd like to involve my 3 kids to whatever extent I can to encourage their appetite for space.

Therefore I've consolidated the responses from that thread into below
(thx members Bernoulli, chris.bailey, siriusdogstar, Celestron, Adrena1in, SteveInNZ, troypiggo, xs5875, CalPiker, Jeff, 67champ ).

You've help make my 2010 assignment list, thx people.

I'll continue talk about success/failures/learning/technique here, post photos in the photo forum.

Top 10 in 2010 to shoot (Astronomy, non telescope); underline links to the posts in the photo sharing section.
Green = done, Orange = expected, Red = missed.
1. Full Moon; zoom lens; T1i + 55-250 kit @ 250mm Moon shots: 70-200 f2.8 L mkII + 1.4x + 2.0x TC's stacked
560 via 70-200 + 2x + 1.4x TC


2. Moon at various Phases; put 7-9 images into photo collage
3. Lunar X; zoom lens; images here

3a Lunar "X" challenge thread , 3b Lunar "X" on the wanning??
3c "X" 11/13 16:13 EST, 21:13 UTC

4. Moon illuminated by Earthshine ; zoom lens Moon by earthshine

5. Creative moon shots; Moonrise over lake /clouds; wide lens

...5a "spider web" around the moon....

5b moonrise over the tree line , 5c Moon reflection window & ISS + STS-131 streaking
5d Full moon in clouds

5e Full Moon a rising over the lake..Oct 22, 2010

6. total lunar eclipse Dec 20/21 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decembe..._lunar_eclipse ; Cloudy with a chance of meatballs was the weather Total Lunar Eclipse / Solstice
7. ISS, Space Shuttle, Iridium Flares ;wide lens, long exposures; try zoom on ISS (my 250mm lens not enough reach); images here

7a ISS + STS 131 tomorrow morning..(4/9 6am EDT)
7b July-4-2010 ISS captured (six 20 sec exposures)
7c Oct 20, 2010 Iridium 56 -6mag

7d ISS taken 10-26-2010 (4) 25 sec exposures @ 15mm

[edit: topics 8-11 moved to post #2 ]

Studies done:
a) Exposure time to see where image movement becomes visible for 50mm and 85mm lens (considering cropping the image); my conclusion 50mm good for 8 sec and 85mm good for 5 sec, some CA study done also

b) Tip on are clouds present in atmosphere for moon shots http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?p=12614828#post12614828

Resources used:
Baz's To help you with star trails and stacking
Troy's Get your astro software here

Tip on focus camera with live view:

I've had luck with live view, 10x, then manual focus until the brightest star you can find gets small/sharp as possible.
Sometimes that takes a back/forth on the focus ring until you find that center spot of focus.
Even if you have to crank up the ISO just to focus to show the star brightrest, then move it down for the actual shot.
Infinity marking on lens is a good start, but that varies on temp and zoom.

This will be a year long thread......

[edit 7/26/10] Now 7 months into 2010, I've got shots for 1, 2, 3 (Dec-09 actually), 5, 7, 8, and 9. [edit 8/27/10] added #11, got shots for #10 2 weeks ago as well

[edit 10/6/10] added #9d M31 [edit 10/22/10] added 7c Iridium flare, 9e/9f Orion/M42 , 10b Perseid meteor's

[edit 07/12/11] moved items 8-11 to post#2 below with 144pix sized images

[mtbdudex]

[edit] added posts #8 - 11 to this post for 144pix preview images

8. Star Trails ; wide lens, long exposures, stacking; images here

8a Loghome star trail (my 1st)
8b Geminid meteor shower night & Star Trails
8c South/North star trails from this weekend (Fri/Sat 2-4-2011)

8d lots of fireflies & star trail (2+ hrs images)


Pict 8d just made it onto NASA August 5, 2011 APOD!!!
http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap110805.html
Also featured in quite a few online places,
http://gizmodo.com/5828280/how-to-take-a-gorgeous-photo-like-this-on-a-perfect-summer-night
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=157214337689430&set=pu.157073074370 223&type=1&theater
and got paid by WSJ for them using it.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204777904576651272093000108.html?m od=WSJ_Books_LS_Books_8
(the WSJ version is a better PP that the NASA APOD submission, as I never expected it to be picked so just crunched the startrails and export)

9. Milky Way/Orion-M42/M31-Andromeda ; wide lens, long exposures, stacking; images here

9a Shooting the Milky Way: C&C for success strategies , 9b Milky way, star trails @ Northern Shore Lodge
9c MilkyWay: single 30 sec then CS5 vs DSS

9d M31/Andromeda DSS 57 frames @ 10 sec, 85mm
9e M31/T1i/50mm/f1.4/via DSS

9f Orion/M42 via T1i/50mm lens/DSS

9g Orion/M42 via T1i/DSS @ 85mm

10. Meteor Showers; Lyrids Apr 22 , Perseids Aug 12/13, Geminids 12/14; wide lens; long exposures, stacking

10a Perseid meteor shot Tues 8/10 (caught 2) , 10b Aug 13, 2010 Perseid meteor's - captured 4
10c Geminid meteor shower

11. Jupiter and 4 moons ; 11a Jupiter and 4 moons (thx BlakeG! and GuitarFreak) late Thur Aug 26




Iridium Flares 101, need help here.
I was on Heavens-above planning my Iridium Flare shot, I had a great one coming tonight 9:12pm EDT, -8 mag. I was "dead center" as I could be.
http://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_Fq...%203-29-10.jpg

I got the 18-55 lens mounted on my T1i, took a few test shots. I was trying to capture the full moon AND the Iridium Flare into same shot.
Test shot, it was going to be close if the lens angle was wide enough or not, with the moon at the bottom and the flare at the top, I was prepared to quickly re-compose the shot higher, since 58 deg is just above mid way towards directly above me.:
http://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_Fq...U/_MG_5447.jpg

So, I'm watching the sky, quite a few planes along the usual flight corridor to Detroit Metro, then I see it, the Iridium flare, boy is it BRIGHT.
I quickly realize need to re-compose, tilt the camera angle more up on the tripod, and release the 2 sec timer for the shot, here is what I got......sky full of stars but missed the Iridium flare ....sad
Thats an airplane on bottom RH, and I think a reflection of moon via lens.

So, do all these Iridium flares last only a few seconds??
I was prepared for a short duration, but not this short, it lasted I'd say 4-5 seconds max..
Cool to see, next time I need to be taking continuous time exposures from t-minus 2 minutes until it passes??

[hollis_f]

Originally Posted by mtbdudex

So, do all these Iridium flares last only a few seconds??

Yup, just a few seconds as the solar panels of the satellite are just at the right angle to reflect the Sun down to you. Luckily, they're fairly common so you shouldn't have to wait long for another go.

When we finally get some clear skies here in the UK I'll be aiming to capture one on video.

[mtbdudex]

I'd just like to say this is a great forum with helpful members.
I'm amazed at the images posted by so many members here, and at the help/guidance I've gotten by reading what others have accomplished.

Now 7 months into 2010, I've got shots for 1, 2, 3 (Dec-09 actually), 5, 7, 8, and 9.
I've updated my "Top 10 in 2010" color coded with links to threads in the picture sharing section.

[martyn_bannister]

Hi all, first post here.

Well, I sort of got no 7 - ISS transit of the Sun.... Using a welding glass as a filter in quite cloudy conditions.

Here

Full size image at: dpreview

Despite the dust all over the sensor and the very heavy sharpening, you can just make out the ISS left of centre. My first and only attempt at this so far

Also an Iridium flare:

[mtbdudex]

Marty - nice captures, this is the talk forum section, you should re-post your photos in the photo sharing section for wider feedback. Good job @ Iridium Flare!

Added #11 "Jupiter and 4 moons" (thx BlakeG! and GuitarFreak), now I have to go Iridium Flare "hunting"....with setting my camera on continuous shooting in proper direction (from Heavens-above) should ensure me more chance @ success next time I try.

[mtbdudex]

[edit 10/22/10] added 7c Iridium flare, 9e/9f Orion/M42 , 10b Perseid meteor's to 1st post.

Learned a lot past 10 months, later I plan to summarize the shots took, lens/camera settings in a table for myself and others as handy ref chart.
(Christmas 2010 holiday thing to do.....)

[mansalim]

subscribe

[troypiggo]

Must say I have to applaud your vision and dedication to achieving the goal you set yourself at the beginning of the year. Well done mate.

[mtbdudex]

Originally Posted by troypiggo

Must say I have to applaud your vision and dedication to achieving the goal you set yourself at the beginning of the year. Well done mate.

Thx Troy, its been fun learning so much and a continued challenge.
Still 2 months left in 2010 before the 2011 list of new goals!

[mtbdudex]

I added 144pix "click-able" images next to links as quick previews in posts 1 and 2.

Even though the original title was "Top 10 in 2010 to shoot (Astronomy, non telescope)", as I take more non telescope shots I'll add them here as placeholder and lesson learned, with their techniques.

Since I just got my new telescope, I'll have to ponder a "Top 10 to shoot (Astronomy using 8" SCT )" as my next assignment and challenge.
Probably beak that up into organized categories....

[Harm]

very nice, i've been silently following your progress.

[mtbdudex]

Originally Posted by Harm

very nice, i've been silently following your progress.

From a 20k+ poster I take that as a compliment!
I really like POTN community, as I learn try and help/give back so others can grow like I have.
This is my all things Canon home, + much other great resources and sub-forums here.


I'm still pondering what "pure astro forum" to join.
I'm a member of both cloudy nights and astronomyforum.net, so far I'm just a lurker on cloudy nights but have posted on astronomyforum.net a few times.

Not sure where I'll have as my dedicated astro forum, I'll choose 1 as my home and lurk at the other.
I really don't like to "double post" among multiple forums, done it a few times but try and stay away from doing that now, unless its helpful.

[troypiggo]

G'day again. As I mentioned above, admire your commitment to this project and great work. As far as astro forums I'm familiar with, cloudy nights is good, but I find the community and interface much more like POTN on ice in space http://iceinspace.com.au

[mtbdudex]

Pict 8d lots of fireflies & star trail (2+ hrs images) just made it onto NASA August 5, 2011 APOD!!!
My 15 minutes of fame....From techniques I learned here, thx Canon POTN gang.

Link here:
http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap110805.html