A first time for everything

Ishtim · 7th Feb 2007, 12:12 AM

As one grows older "first time" things become more rare and of course more meaningful. Most of you know (or will quickly figure out) that I like to do astronomy stuff. The problem is that there is never enough time in the day (I mean night) to really enjoy it. Either it's cloudy, or I am just too damn tired to stand outside all night pushing the shutter release on my camera.

Recently, I "paid" myself for doing some odds and ends around the house. My reward was to get a new telescope just for imaging. I ended up getting what I call a "baby scope". It has an apeture of 80mm (3.15in.) and focal length of 600mm (f7.5) APO - "a glorified telephoto lens", that I have mounted "piggy-back" on top of big brother, the 3556mm (14in.) apeture. See pic (not my pic but you should get the idea).

After several weeks of cloudy nights, the last weekend in January, I was able to set it up, and open the telescope for its "first light". I spent a good while looking around at things that are familiar before I stuck the old 300D into the eyepiece hole. After some focusing and goofing around I thought I would try my luck at the elusive horse head nebula. I knew about where it was in the sky, I had just never seen it with my own eyes. I scanned the sky over and over but could not see it using the BIG scope so I set the timer and started a 3 minute exposure at ISO 800 ...tic... ...toc... ...tic... ...toc... ...tic... ...toc...
I downloaded the image to my notebook, and .... nothing!

Again, I hit the shutter..... I could see stars abundant as can be but no horsehead. I checked my star charts, scooted the scope over a bit and tried again. This time I shot 5 consecutive 3 minute exposures. I figured that could post process the images and sum the data by stacking each picture. About a half hour later..... POOF! there it the sneaky little horsehead along with the neighbouring "Flame" nebula. WOOT! I had done it! No it's not a Hubble pic, but I am damn proud of it and thought I would share it with you... I converted it to B&W to help out with the contrast.

peaz · 7th Feb 2007, 12:32 AM

WOW.. Nice!

You might want to check this out. http://www.breezesys.com/DSLRRemotePro/index.htm
That way you can control the DSLR from the notebook itself.

zicovsky · 7th Feb 2007, 01:39 AM

amazing! i want one!

ZuePhok · 7th Feb 2007, 12:15 PM

x1000

Chai · 7th Feb 2007, 12:24 PM

What's the focal length of the big one?

strawroot · 7th Feb 2007, 12:30 PM

wow i want that one

Ishtim · 7th Feb 2007, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by peaz

WOW.. Nice!

You might want to check this out. http://www.breezesys.com/DSLRRemotePro/index.htm
That way you can control the DSLR from the notebook itself.

I use a similar software called DSLRFocus. http://http://www.dslrfocus.com/ along with a home made cable that uses the pc's serial port. The USB cable only allows a max 30 sec exposures. With serial or paralell cable exposure time is unlimited. the software also talks to you as exposure time progresses.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chai

What's the focal length of the big one?

The "Big" one's focal length is 3556mm (~140 in.)

Falcone · 7th Feb 2007, 11:32 PM

Great toy.

Can this see all the lunar modules on the moon?

peaz · 9th Feb 2007, 12:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ishtim

I use a similar software called DSLRFocus. http://http://www.dslrfocus.com/ along with a home made cable that uses the pc's serial port. The USB cable only allows a max 30 sec exposures. With serial or paralell cable exposure time is unlimited. the software also talks to you as exposure time progresses.

The "Big" one's focal length is 3556mm (~140 in.)

ah. that's even more cool! The only way to get the D70 to 'shutter-lock' is the use the bulb mode with a remote control shutter. haha.

But what i love with these software is the time lapse capability!

7th Feb 2007, 12:12 AM	#1 (permalink)
Ishtim Super Moderator Join Date: 14 May 2003 Location: Alabama, USA Posts: 3,765 Reputation: 3333 Rep Power: 43	A first time for everything As one grows older "first time" things become more rare and of course more meaningful. Most of you know (or will quickly figure out) that I like to do astronomy stuff. The problem is that there is never enough time in the day (I mean night) to really enjoy it. Either it's cloudy, or I am just too damn tired to stand outside all night pushing the shutter release on my camera. Recently, I "paid" myself for doing some odds and ends around the house. My reward was to get a new telescope just for imaging. I ended up getting what I call a "baby scope". It has an apeture of 80mm (3.15in.) and focal length of 600mm (f7.5) APO - "a glorified telephoto lens", that I have mounted "piggy-back" on top of big brother, the 3556mm (14in.) apeture. See pic (not my pic but you should get the idea). After several weeks of cloudy nights, the last weekend in January, I was able to set it up, and open the telescope for its "first light". I spent a good while looking around at things that are familiar before I stuck the old 300D into the eyepiece hole. After some focusing and goofing around I thought I would try my luck at the elusive horse head nebula. I knew about where it was in the sky, I had just never seen it with my own eyes. I scanned the sky over and over but could not see it using the BIG scope so I set the timer and started a 3 minute exposure at ISO 800 ...tic... ...toc... ...tic... ...toc... ...tic... ...toc... I downloaded the image to my notebook, and .... nothing! Again, I hit the shutter..... I could see stars abundant as can be but no horsehead. I checked my star charts, scooted the scope over a bit and tried again. This time I shot 5 consecutive 3 minute exposures. I figured that could post process the images and sum the data by stacking each picture. About a half hour later..... POOF! there it the sneaky little horsehead along with the neighbouring "Flame" nebula. WOOT! I had done it! No it's not a Hubble pic, but I am damn proud of it and thought I would share it with you... I converted it to B&W to help out with the contrast.

7th Feb 2007, 12:32 AM	#2 (permalink)
peaz ARP Webmaster Join Date: 13 Oct 2002 Location: http://atpeaz.placidthoughts.com/ Posts: 8,584 Reputation: 1673 Rep Power: 32	WOW.. Nice! You might want to check this out. http://www.breezesys.com/DSLRRemotePro/index.htm That way you can control the DSLR from the notebook itself. __________________ Ken Ng Tech ARP Follow me at Twitter Shoot and Earn Money from Stock Photography

7th Feb 2007, 01:39 AM	#3 (permalink)
zicovsky I'm a regular Join Date: 11 Feb 2005 Posts: 306 Reputation: 132 Rep Power: 6	amazing! i want one! __________________ life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans.. Please SUPPORT RojakPot!

7th Feb 2007, 12:15 PM	#4 (permalink)
ZuePhok Hold me back! I can't stop posting!!! Join Date: 16 Dec 2002 Location: Floating Island Of Mandango Posts: 8,732 Reputation: 3155 Rep Power: 46	x1000 __________________ my motto: poison first, think later.

7th Feb 2007, 12:24 PM	#5 (permalink)
Chai Administrator Join Date: 6 Oct 2002 Location: Maranello Posts: 27,884 Reputation: 4630 Rep Power: 81	What's the focal length of the big one? __________________ Chai (Contributor & Forum Admin) http://www.techarp.com/

7th Feb 2007, 12:30 PM	#6 (permalink)
strawroot I Lurrrve Panda Biscuit! Join Date: 3 Jul 2006 Location: sitting next to da almighty boss Posts: 2,377 Reputation: 2100 Rep Power: 27	wow i want that one __________________ You know you're really trailer trash when... You think Genitalia is an Italian airline.

7th Feb 2007, 11:32 PM	#8 (permalink)
Falcone Official Mascot Creator Join Date: 18 Dec 2002 Location: Shanghai, See En Posts: 3,348 Reputation: 1878 Rep Power: 28	Great toy. Can this see all the lunar modules on the moon? __________________ I'm a noob, my photos sucks, but if you can live with that... http://www.pumpkinproject.com/ Flickr