Astrophotos of Jupiter and Mars

Hello everyone, having owned a Meade DSi since 2004 and just recently have returned to it, I took some images last night of Jupiter and Mars and am not satisfied with them. I am including one of each here and both are hundreds of images. The images aren't sharp, so is it a focus issue or something else? The learning curve for the DSI software is quite high. I want to practice on planets before I move to DSO. Any input please and thanks. Jupiter was taken with a 2X barlow with an f:6.3 focal reducer. Mars without the barlow as I couldn't get it sharp. There is a tool in the software "magic eye focuser" which I will google and see if it can assist me.

Danny

Why are you using a focal reducer for planetary? That will reduce the size of your image.

Regarding the focus, that can be very tough. Registax has wavelet functions available, once the images are stacked. I've seen them help in cases that looked somewhat like yours.

Heya,

Don't use a focal reducer for planetary.

Focus on a star first, and get it as pin point as you can. This will aid on focus. Only do this after your scope has equalized with ambient temperature because as the temp changes, the focus will be off and need readjustment. I focus using BackyardEOS on a star using the focus aids on there (digital measurements), very helpful.

I capture video of planets at high magnification. I use BackyardEOS for this (capturing to AVI). You can just use native in-camera for this too if you wish.

Note, BackyardEOS is also for Nikon, BackyardNikon, just take a look, super useful for planet.

I use PIPP for planets to align the frames from the video. Free.

I then use Registax6 to stack the best images after alinment. I use Registax6 wavelets to sharpen it up at different levels. Free.

Planet & DSO are totally different and require vastly different tools and capturing techniques.

Very best,

Great thanks for the input guys. I used a focal reducer as I remembered reading that in order to use the DSI I needed to use a reducer but won't next time. Maybe tonight as it is gorgeous but very hot and humid so might not be the best night. I appreciate the input.

Just checked BackyardNikon and my D3300 isn't supported. Too bad as it looked promising.

Danny

SgtDannySgt wrote in post #18022065
Great thanks for the input guys. I used a focal reducer as I remembered reading that in order to use the DSI I needed to use a reducer but won't next time. Maybe tonight as it is gorgeous but very hot and humid so might not be the best night. I appreciate the input.

Just checked BackyardNikon and my D3300 isn't supported. Too bad as it looked promising.

Danny

referring to the bolded part

Yes, if you are imaging deep space objects ... not planets

the focal reducer, reduces the FOV size of large DS objects eg M42, so that they will "fit" within the small area of the DSi CCD chip
also, by dropping the f-stop from f10 ( of your SCT scope) to f6.3, it means you don't have to expose so long to get the same amount of light recorded

Planets are so small in the FOV compared to most DS objects (planetary nebulae and small galaxies excluded) that having a focal reducer in line
is making your planet look even smaller


Dave

Thanks for clarifying Dave. I just downloaded DigiCamControl on my laptop and made a mask for my LX200, so will be experimenting during my next session. I'll get it right... one day!

Danny

SgtDannySgt wrote in post #18022647
.............so will be experimenting during my next session. I'll get it right... one day!

Danny

all part of the fun of experimenting

D

Hello everyone, here is the latest image I took with the DSI, this time without the focal reducer. Still not sharp but I haven't post processed it yet. I have PIPP and Registax and will view tutorial in order to see what I can improve on.

Danny

And here is Mars. You can almost see a bit of white at the Southern Pole unless my eyes are playing tricks.

Danny

And here is the same image of post #8 above after a Photoshop CC sharpening. Any further input welcomed.

Danny

I can't imagine something 500,000,000 miles away being sharp. I'd say you did damn good.

SgtDannySgt wrote in post #18029404
And here is the same image of post #8 above after a Photoshop CC sharpening. Any further input welcomed.

Danny

Hosted photo: posted by SgtDannySgt in
./showthread.php?p=180​29404&i=i34165203
forum: Astronomy & Celestial

I've had many Jupiter images like that . Good capture , keep on posting !

Anytime you can recognize the object in the image... it's a good image!

On a night of good seeing (stable atmosphere) your scope should be able to get you amazing results. But on a night of poor seeing, it may not be possible to get any better regardless of what you do.

Thanks Guys!! Here is Mars, a before and after using Photoshop.

Danny

Finally Saturn. Couldn't bring out many features out of this one.