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All images below are arranged in chronological order -
most recent at the top of the list. Please be patient - it may take some time
to load all the thumbnail images in your web browser.
All images were acquired from my home in Victoria,
British Columbia, Canada unless otherwise noted - Lat:
48° 26' 45" Long: 123° 21' 30" Elev: 43m.
My Aurora images are
not included on this page.
Take the time to
adjust your monitor
before viewing my online photos, and you will see them at their best.
| Image |
Date/Time |
Description |
Settings |
 |
2006.10.16
8:08pm PDTLocation:
Fairfield Community Centre
Lat: N48-25 Long: W123-21 Elev: 76m |
Comet C/2006 M4 Swan I
managed to use 9 images for this stacked image of Comet C/2006 M4 Swan
despite being finally skunked by heavy clouds drifting into the field.
There is a hint of twin tails at the 1 and 2 o'clock positions in the image.
Considering the brightness of this comet's core, it should yield spectacular
images if I can find darker skies and acquire more images. |
Camera:
Canon 30D, 30 seconds, ISO 3200, Canon EF 400mm f/5.6L
telephoto operating at f/6.3, WB:daylight, IDAS
LPS filter, 9 images. Camera piggybacked on LX200R, normal tracking, no
guiding. Image Processing: ImagesPlus:
9 raw images converted to FITS, aligned and
stacked using sigma clipped average 1.4, moderate contrast stretch through Digital
Development, then saved as 48 bit TIF. NeatImage: default NR
settings. Corel PhotoPaint: 48 bit TIF image converted to 24 bit RGB, cropped
& resized to 580x718 jpg.
|
 |
2006.08.27
12:38am |
M101, Pinwheel Galaxy
I acquired images of M101, Pinwheel Galaxy over
two nights. It is a very difficult object to
image, mainly because its surface brightness is so low.
Perhaps if I acquire another 25 images, I might be able to reduce the noise
somewhat. M51 and M102 are targets of mine that present similar imaging
difficulties. |
Camera:
Canon EOS 30D, 60 sec exposures, ISO 3200, WB:daylight, 25 raw
images.
Scope: LX-200R 8", f/10, alt-az
mount. Camera at prime focus.
Image Processing: ImagesPlus:
25 raw format images converted to lossless FITS
format, calibrated using dark frame & flat frame. Aligned using shift &
rotate, stacked
using Adaptive Addition 2.8, moderate Digital
Development, converted to 48 bit TIFF. Corel PhotoPaint:
48 to 24 bit TIFF conversion, cropped, and saved as 24 bit jpg. |
 |
2006.08.25 1:10am
Location: Cattle
Point, Lat: N48-26-19 Long: W123-17-36 Elev: 7m |
M45,
Pleiades
This image of the Pleiades is taken when they were only 20°
above the horizon in the NE sky after midnight. Despite the heavy moisture
content in the air, I continued to take images, fighting off the dewing as
best I could.
This is my first image of the Pleiades where I have captured some nebulosity
surrounding this well-known cluster, so it represents my
best result to date for this cluster. |
Camera:
Canon EOS 30D, 45 sec exposures, ISO 3200, WB:daylight, Canon f/5.6
400mm L series telephoto (efl=640mm) operating at f/6.3,30 raw images, LDAS
LPS filter.
Scope: LX-200R 8" Ritchy-Chrétien, alt-az mount.
30D camera piggybacked on LX-200R. Guiding using Meade LPI & Meade Envisage
software.
Image Processing: ImagesPlus:
the original 18 raw format images converted to lossless FITS
format, calibrated using dark frame & flat frame, and graded - all
18
passed. Aligned using shift &
rotate, stacked
using Adaptive Addition, moderate Digital
Development, converted to 48 bit TIFF. Neat Image defaults used. Corel PhotoPaint:
48 to 24 bit TIFF conversion, midtone stretch, resized and saved as 24 bit
RGB jpg. |
 |
2006.08.25 12:15am
Location: Cattle
Point, Lat: N48-26-19 Long: W123-17-36 Elev: 7m |
NGC6960, Western Veil Nebula
This image of NGC6960, the Western Veil Nebula
(aka the Witch's Broom Nebula) is also taken from
Cattle Point last night . This is my first image of the Veil Nebula, since
previous telescope platforms did not permit me to expose for long enough to
see such a faint image. Now with the combination of the Canon 30D operating
at ISO 3200 and the LX-200R autoguiding, it is possible to gather
significantly more photons.
As you will see, this image passes the limits of the Alt-Az mount, since
obvious field rotation is visible due to the 2 minute
exposure times. Nonetheless, the image represents a good start to
photographing more faint objects. I could mount the LX-200R on my wedge, and
eliminate the field rotation problem...something to work on in the future! |
Camera:
Canon EOS 30D, 2 minute exposures, ISO 3200, WB:daylight, Canon f/5.6
400mm L series telephoto (efl=640mm) operating at f/6.3,19 raw images, LDAS
LPS filter.
Scope: LX-200R 8" Ritchy-Chrétien, alt-az mount.
30D camera piggybacked on LX-200R. Guiding using Meade LPI & Meade Envisage
software.
Image Processing: ImagesPlus:
the original 19 raw format images converted to lossless FITS
format, calibrated using dark frame & flat frame, and graded - all
19
passed. Aligned using shift &
rotate, stacked using Adaptive Addition 3.0,
aggressive digital development, converted to 48 bit TIFF. Corel PhotoPaint:
midtone stretch, 48 to 24 bit RGB jpg. |
1200x565 image (130k jpg)
1600x753 image (199k jpg) |
2006.08.18 11:27pm
Location: Cattle
Point, Lat: N48-26-19 Long: W123-17-36 Elev: 7m |
M31, M32, M110, Andromeda
Galaxy, NGC 206 M31,
Andromeda Galaxy dominates this image with lots of dark lanes and mottling
visible. M32 galaxy is visible in the lower part of M31's arms. M110 galaxy
sits high above M31 centre-top of the image, and finally NGC206 galaxy is
discernable in the right side of M31's arms.
The attached image is a stack
of 30 images exposed for 2 minutes at ISO 3200, taken
over two nights. This is the deepest
image of Andromeda I've managed to acquire to date, mainly due to using
guiding (for the first time). |
Camera:
Canon EOS 30D, 2 minute exposures, ISO 3200, WB:daylight, Canon f/5.6
400mm L series telephoto (efl=640mm) operating at f/6.3,30 raw images, LDAS
LPS filter.
Scope: LX-200R 8" Ritchy-Chrétien, alt-az mount.
30D camera piggybacked on LX-200R. Guiding using Meade LPI & Meade Envisage
software.
Image Processing: ImagesPlus:
the original 34 raw format images converted to lossless FITS
format, calibrated using dark frame & flat frame, and graded - 30
passed. Aligned using shift &
rotate, stacked
using Averaging, moderate Digital
Development, converted to 48 bit TIFF. Neat Image defaults used. Corel PhotoPaint:
colour temperature warmed by 2,000°K, 48 to 24 bit TIFF conversion, and saved as 24 bit jpg. |
 |
2006.07.26 Location: Cattle
Point, Lat: N48-26-19 Long: W123-17-36 Elev: 7m |
M27, Dumbell Galaxy
I was testing my new Meade LX-200R 8"
Ritchy-Chrétien (third light), so I decided to image an object I've already
imaged before so I could compare.
This photo of Dumbell Nebula is a stack
of only 6 images out of 30, however increasing my exposure time from 45
seconds to 60 seconds and increasing ISO from 1600 to 3200 gave me a bit
more signal to work with than my previous photo despite only using 6 images. |
Camera:
Canon EOS 30D, 60 sec exposures, ISO 3200, WB:daylight, 33 raw
images.
Scope: LX-200R 8", f/10, alt-az
mount. Camera at prime focus.
Image Processing: ImagesPlus:
33 raw format images converted to lossless FITS
format, calibrated using dark frame & flat frame, and graded - 6
passed. Aligned using shift &
rotate, stacked
using Adaptive Addition 2.5, moderate Digital
Development, converted to 48 bit TIFF. Corel PhotoPaint:
48 to 24 bit TIFF conversion, cropped, and saved as 24 bit jpg. |
 |
2006.07.21
12:20am Location:
Observatory Hill, Lat: N48-31 Long: W123-25 Elev:
78m |
M31, M32, Andromeda
Galaxy This is the deepest
image of Andromeda I've managed to acquire to date. The dark lanes are
easily visible |
Camera:
Canon EOS 30D, 30 sec exposures, ISO 3200, WB:daylight, 30 raw
images.
Scope: LX-90 8" SCT, f/6.3, alt-az mount.
Camera prime focus on LX-90.
Image Processing: ImagesPlus:
the original 30 raw format images converted to lossless FITS
format, calibrated using dark frame & flat frame, and graded - 20
passed. Aligned using shift &
rotate, stacked
using Adaptive Addition 2.5, moderate Digital
Development, converted to 48 bit TIFF. Corel PhotoPaint:
48 to 24 bit TIFF conversion, and saved as 24 bit jpg. |
 |
2006.07.20
11:16pm Location:
Observatory Hill, Lat: N48-31 Long: W123-25 Elev:
78m |
NGC7331, Deer Lick Group
This is
a new and
interesting object for me. In addition to the
large galaxy NGC7331 which dominates this image, several satellite galaxies
are also visible: NGC7335, NGC7336, NGC7337 and NGC7340. There was not much
to see visually, but this group photographs quite well.
|
Camera:
Canon EOS 30D, 30 sec exposures, ISO 3200, WB:daylight, 50 raw
images.
Scope: LX-90 8" SCT, f/10, alt-az mount.
Camera prime focus on LX-90.
Image Processing: ImagesPlus:
the original 50 raw format images converted to lossless FITS
format, calibrated using dark frame & flat frame, and graded - 29
passed. Aligned using shift &
rotate, stacked
using Adaptive Addition 2.5, moderate Digital
Development, converted to 48 bit TIFF. Corel PhotoPaint:
48 to 24 bit TIFF conversion, and saved as 24 bit jpg. |
 |
2006.07.15
11:55pm Location:
Observatory Hill, Lat: N48-31 Long: W123-25 Elev:
78m |
M82, Cigar Galaxy
I'm very pleased with this image, my first
try at imaging this object. There is a signifcant amount of detail,
colour and dark lanes visible in this irregular galaxy. |
Camera:
Canon EOS 30D, 30 sec exposures, ISO 3200, WB:daylight, 44 raw
images.
Scope: LX-90 8" SCT, f/10, alt-az mount.
Camera prime focus on LX-90.
Image Processing: ImagesPlus:
the original 44 raw format images converted to lossless FITS
format, calibrated using dark frame & flat frame, and graded - 37
passed. Aligned using shift &
rotate, stacked
using Adaptive Addition 3.5, aggressive Digital
Development, converted to 48 bit TIFF. Corel PhotoPaint:
48 to 24 bit TIFF conversion, cropped and saved as 24 bit jpg. |
 |
2006.07.15
11:25pm Location:
Observatory Hill, Lat: N48-31 Long: W123-25 Elev:
78m |
M81, Bodes Galaxy
I'm not quite as pleased with this image
as the M82 image above, but it is still a good first effort. This pair of
galaxies occupy the same part of the sky, and as can been seen in the photo
below, a widefield image of the two results in a beautiful and interesting
perspective on this area of the night sky. |
Camera:
Canon EOS 30D, 30 sec exposures, ISO 3200, WB:daylight, 30 raw
images.
Scope: LX-90 8" SCT, f/10, alt-az mount.
Camera prime focus on LX-90.
Image Processing: ImagesPlus:
the original 45 raw format images converted to lossless FITS
format, calibrated using dark frame & flat frame, and graded - 37
passed. Aligned using shift &
rotate, stacked
using Adaptive Addition 3.5, very aggressive Digital
Development, converted to 48 bit TIFF. Corel PhotoPaint:
48 to 24 bit TIFF conversion, cropped and saved as 24 bit jpg. |
 |
2006.07.08
1:15am Location:
Observatory Hill, Lat: N48-31 Long: W123-25 Elev:
78m |
M3, Globular Cluster
I have
found that the brighter Globular Clusters can be observed from my
light-polluted location at home, so given that we were at the Centre of the
Universe with an almost Full Moon staring at us, I decided to try imaging
M3. Again, I used ISO 3200 at 30 second exposures, however when I
graded the 30 original images, there were only 17 keepers. I have a feeling
the higher rejection rate was caused by poorer seeing and perhaps the CU
deck was vibrating a bit.
|
Camera:
Canon EOS 30D, 30 sec exposures, ISO 3200, WB:daylight, 30 raw
images.
Scope: LX-90 8" SCT, f/10, alt-az mount.
Camera prime focus on LX-90.
Image Processing: ImagesPlus:
the original 30 raw format images converted to lossless FITS
format, calibrated using dark frame & flat frame, and graded - 17
passed. Aligned using shift &
rotate, stacked
using Adaptive Addition 2.5, moderate Digital
Development, converted to 48 bit TIFF. Corel PhotoPaint:
48 to 24 bit TIFF conversion, and saved as 24 bit jpg. |
 |
2006.07.03 Location: Cattle
Point, Lat: N48-26-19 Long: W123-17-36 Elev: 7m |
M81 & M82 Widefield
This beautiful widefield image covers a 6°
field of view, with M81 and M82 framed by the stars in the surrounding sky.
I piggybacked my Canon 30D with 400mm telephoto lens on my LX-90 telescope
and used the scope's tracking. |
Camera:
Canon EOS 30D, Canon EF 400mm L telephoto, 30 sec exposures, ISO 3200, WB:daylight, 30 raw
images.
Scope: Camera & 400mm telephoto
piggybacked on LX-90 8" SCT
Image Processing: ImagesPlus:
the original 31 raw format images converted to lossless FITS
format, calibrated using dark frame & flat frame, and graded - 31
passed. Aligned using shift &
rotate, stacked
using Adaptive Addition 2.7, moderate Digital
Development, converted to 48 bit TIFF. Corel PhotoPaint:
48 to 24 bit TIFF conversion, and saved as 24 bit jpg. |
 |
2006.07.01
12:25am Location: Cattle
Point, Lat: N48-26-19 Long: W123-17-36 Elev: 7m |
NGC7000 - North America
Nebula The
North America Nebula is a very large, very diffuse nebula, with lots of
infrared emission which my camera is not particularly sensitive to.
Nonetheless, I wanted to try imaging this nebula using my Canon 400mm
telephoto lens.
I had to push the
processing quite a bit to emphasize the red, however I'm quite pleased with the
result.
This is my second experiment with shooting at ISO
3200 for this image, and again, after my first attempt with the Trifid
Nebula, it appears that image noise is not noticable, despite pushing the
30D' sensor to its limit. |
Camera:
Canon EOS 30D, 30 sec exposures, ISO 3200, WB:daylight, Canon f/5.6
400mm L series telephoto (efl=640mm) operating at f/6.3,30 raw images.
Scope: LX-90 8" SCT, alt-az mount.
Camera piggybacked on LX-90.
Image Processing: ImagesPlus:
27 of the original 30 raw format images converted to lossless FITS
format, calibrated using dark frame & flat frame, graded, aligned using shift &
rotate, stacked
using Adaptive Addition 3.0, aggressive Digital
Development, midtone red emphasized (1.3 vs 0.8 for the other colours), converted to 48 bit TIFF.
Corel PhotoPaint:
48 bit to 24 bit RGB conversion, moderate saturation, mid-tone
enhancement, and saved as 24 bit jpg. |
 |
2006.07.01
12:25am Location: Cattle
Point, Lat: N48-26-19 Long: W123-17-36 Elev: 7m |
Milky Way Galaxy -
Sagittarius to Deneb The
Milky Way is a very large galaxy and happens to be the galaxy our solar
system resides in. So we get to see the Milky Way from the inside
looking out...or in this case the bottom of this image shows the inner-most
portion of our Milky Way Galaxy. The Perseus Arm spans the middle of the
image.
I took this image from an urban
location facing SE, hence the orange coloured light pollution near the
horizon (bottom of image). I used a super wide angle Canon 10-22mm
lens set to its widest field of view - yielding about 100° top to bottom of
this frame.
|
Camera:
Canon EOS 30D, 60 sec exposures, ISO 3200, WB:daylight, Canon EF-S
10-22 zoom f/3.5-5.6 lens at 10mm (efl=16mm) , 7 raw images.
Scope: LX-90 8" SCT, alt-az mount.
Camera piggybacked on LX-90.
Image Processing: ImagesPlus:
7 raw format images converted to lossless FITS
format, calibrated using dark frame & flat frame, aligned using shift,
rotate & scale, stacked
using Adaptive Addition 2.5, moderate Digital
Development, converted to 48 bit TIFF.
Corel PhotoPaint:
48 bit to 24 bit RGB conversion, size reduced by 50% and saved as 24 bit jpg. |
|
|
2006.07.08
1:15am Location:
Observatory Hill, Lat: N48-31 Long: W123-25 Elev:
78m |
M3, Globular Cluster
I have
found that the brighter Globular Clusters can be observed from my
light-polluted location at home, so given that we were at the Centre of the
Universe with an almost Full Moon staring at us, I decided to try imaging
M3. Again, I used ISO 3200 at 30 second exposures, however when I
graded the 30 original images, there were only 17 keepers. I have a feeling
the higher rejection rate was caused by poorer seeing and perhaps the CU
deck was vibrating a bit.
|
Camera:
Canon EOS 30D, 30 sec exposures, ISO 3200, WB:daylight, 30 raw
images.
Scope: LX-90 8" SCT, f/10, alt-az mount.
Camera prime focus on LX-90.
Image Processing: ImagesPlus:
the original 30 raw format images converted to lossless FITS
format, calibrated using dark frame & flat frame, and graded - 17
passed. Aligned using shift &
rotate, stacked
using Adaptive Addition 2.5, moderate Digital
Development, converted to 48 bit TIFF. Corel PhotoPaint:
48 to 24 bit TIFF conversion, and saved as 24 bit jpg. |
|
|
2006.07.01
12:25am Location: Cattle
Point, Lat: N48-26-19 Long: W123-17-36 Elev: 7m |
NGC7000 - North America
Nebula The
North America Nebula is a very large, very diffuse nebula, with lots of
infrared emission which my camera is not particularly sensitive to.
Nonetheless, I wanted to try imaging this nebula using my Canon 400mm
telephoto lens.
I had to push the
processing quite a bit to emphasize the red, however I'm quite pleased with the
result.
This is my second experiment with shooting at ISO
3200 for this image, and again, after my first attempt with the Trifid
Nebula, it appears that image noise is not noticable, despite pushing the
30D' sensor to its limit. |
Camera:
Canon EOS 30D, 30 sec exposures, ISO 3200, WB:daylight, Canon f/5.6
400mm L series telephoto (efl=640mm) operating at f/6.3,30 raw images.
Scope: LX-90 8" SCT, alt-az mount.
Camera piggybacked on LX-90.
Image Processing: ImagesPlus:
27 of the original 30 raw format images converted to lossless FITS
format, calibrated using dark frame & flat frame, graded, aligned using shift &
rotate, stacked
using Adaptive Addition 3.0, aggressive Digital
Development, midtone red emphasized (1.3 vs 0.8 for the other colours), converted to 48 bit TIFF.
Corel PhotoPaint:
48 bit to 24 bit RGB conversion, moderate saturation, mid-tone
enhancement, and saved as 24 bit jpg. |
 |
2006.06.30
11:20pm Location: Cattle
Point, Lat: N48-26-19 Long: W123-17-36 Elev: 7m |
M20 - Trifid Nebula The
Trifid Nebula
is a diffuse emission nebula with two distinct parts - one emitting red
light and one part reflecting blue light. It is situated in the
richest part of the Sagittarius section of the Milky Way, and is only 2°
away from M8, Lagoon Nebula (see below).
The sky was very stable
over Juan de Fuca Strait, yielding some very good images. This is my
first try at photographing the
Trifid Nebula, and I'm quite pleased with the
result.
I experimented with shooting at ISO
3200 for this image, and I'm quite pleased with the result. After applying
dark & flat frames, the image noise was not noticable, despite pushing the
30D' sensor to its limit. |
Camera:
Canon EOS 30D, 30 sec exposures, ISO 3200, WB:daylight, 30 jpg
images (raw).
Scope: LX-90 8" SCT, f/6.3, alt-az mount.
Camera prime focus on LX-90.
Image Processing: ImagesPlus:
the original 30 jpg format images converted to lossless FITS
format, calibrated using dark frame & flat frame, graded, aligned using shift &
rotate, stacked
using Adaptive Addition 2.5, aggressive Digital
Development, converted to 48 bit TIFF. NeatImage used to reduce noise
(defaults). Corel PhotoPaint:
48 to 24 bit TIFF conversion, moderate saturation, contrast, mid-tone
enhancement, and saved as 24 bit jpg. |
 |
2006.06.29
12:15am Location: Cattle
Point, Lat: N48-26-19 Long: W123-17-36 Elev: 7m |
M27 - Dumbell Nebula The
star in the centre of the Dumbell Nebula is the source of the
sphere of gas which makes up this dramatic celestial object.
I have improved on my previous attempt
at imaging this nebula in 2004 (see below), mainly because of increased ISO.
My LX-90 was obviously having trouble tracking this object, since after
grading the 30 original images, only 10 could be used to produce this image.
Nonetheless, I'm very pleased with this image. The only improvement
would be to boost the red response, however this would require use of a CCD
imager or a modified dSLR with the infrared filter removed.
|
Camera:
Canon EOS 30D, 45 sec exposures, ISO 1600, WB:daylight, 30 raw
images.
Scope: LX-90 8" SCT, f/10, alt-az mount.
Camera prime focus on LX-90.
Image Processing: ImagesPlus:
10 of the original 30 raw format images converted to lossless FITS
format, calibrated using dark, flat & bias frames, aligned using shift/rotate/scale, stacked
using Adaptive Addition 2.7, aggressive Digital
Development, converted to 48 bit TIFF. NeatImage used to reduce noise
(defaults). Corel PhotoPaint:
48 to 24 bit TIFF conversion, moderate saturation, mid-tone
enhancement, and saved as 24 bit jpg. |
 |
2006.06.24
12:43am Location: Cattle
Point, Lat: N48-26-19 Long: W123-17-36 Elev: 7m |
M8 - Lagoon Nebula &
NGC6530 cluster The Lagoon Nebula
is a diffuse emission nebula, second only to M42 the Orion Nebula. This
nebula envelops the very bright NGC6530 star cluster, and is situated in the
richest part of the Sagittarius section of the Milky Way.
The last time I imaged this nebula was
in 2004 (see below), and at the time I thought mounting the LX-90 on a wedge
and lengthening exposures would yield better results. I have since
learned that more shorter exposures using a higher ISO is preferable.
Moving from the Canon 300D to the 30D dSLR has allowed me to increase the
ISO and with the help of dark frames, actually achieve lower noise and
gather more photons for a much-improved image this time. |
Camera:
Canon EOS 30D, 30 sec exposures, ISO 1600, WB:daylight,
30 jpg images (large/fine setting).
Scope: LX-90 8" SCT, f/10, alt-az mount.
Camera prime focus on LX-90.
Image Processing: ImagesPlus:
the original 30 jpg format images converted to lossless FITS
format, calibrated using dark frames, graded, aligned using shift &
rotate, stacked
using Adaptive Addition 2.4, moderate Digital
Development, star size reduced by 0.9, 2x2 bin image size reduction,
converted to 8 bit TIFF. Corel PhotoPaint:
8 bit TIFF annotated and saved as jpg. |
 |
2006.03.29
11:08am-12:30pm Local Time (UT +1 hr)
Location: Eclipse Camp, Sahara Desert south of Jalu, Libya
N28°13' 48" E21°30' 43" Elevation 124m |
Total Solar Eclipse
I observed this Total Solar Eclipse from
the Sahara Desert, south of Jalu, Libya with a group from the Royal
Astronomical Society of Canada. I estimate there were some 1,500 to 3,000
people at the Eclipse Camp. This "city" was setup by the Libyan
government in the Sahara especially for this event.
Timings
 | First Contact: 11:08am |
| Second Contact: 12:26pm |
| Third Contact 12:30pm |
| Fourth Contact: 1:50pm |
| Totality duration: 4 min 3 secs |
|
Camera:
Canon Digital Rebel 300D, Canon 400mm L series telephoto (efl=640mm), 47
images taken between 11:08am and 12:53pm Local Time (UT +1 hr). All phased
images taken using Baader solar filter: 1/2000 sec, f/5.6; ISO 400. All full
eclipse images taken without solar filter: exposure varied from 1/2000 sec
to 1/50 sec, f/5.6, ISO 400. Image Processing:
Neat Image smoothing of Second and Third Contact images. Corel PhotoPaint X3
- up-sample Second & Third Contact images by 50%; down-sample phased
images by 50%; crop and insert all in composite. |
 |
2006.03.29
Second Contact: 12:26pm Local Time (UT +1 hr)
Location: Eclipse Camp, Sahara Desert
south of Jalu, Libya N28°13' 48" E21°30' 43" Elevation 124m |
Total Solar Eclipse -
Second Contact, Diamond Ring, Solar Flares
The Diamond Ring I observed for this Total
Solar Eclipse was nothing short of spectacular. I am very pleased with
the image, which is essentially unprocessed, as it came out of the camera.
There are several solar flares visible, in addition to the plasma streaming
off the Sun.
Totality lasted 4 minutes and 3 seconds as
predicted, during which I was taking photos periodically and observing the
event with my binoculars without solar filters (which felt odd). |
Camera:
Canon Digital Rebel 300D, Canon 400mm L series telephoto (efl=640mm), single
image taken without solar filter: 1/2000 sec, f/5.6, ISO 400. Image Processing:
Neat Image smoothing. Corel PhotoPaint X3
- up-sampled image by 50%; cropped. |
 |
2006.03.29
Third Contact: 12:30pm Local Time (UT +1 hr)
Location: Eclipse Camp, Sahara Desert
south of Jalu, Libya N28°13' 48" E21°30' 43" Elevation 124m |
Total Solar Eclipse -
Third Contact, Diamond Ring, Bailey's Beads
This is another Diamond Ring I observed
for this Total Solar Eclipse - again quite spectacular! I am very
pleased with the image, which is essentially unprocessed, as it came out of
the camera.
After Third Contact, I took a few more
images, but then shut my camera off and just observed the remainder of the
event with my binoculars with solar filters. We had over an hour to sit back
and enjoy the phases as the Moon slid past the Sun, eventually revealing the
whole solar disk at Fourth Contact. |
Camera:
Canon Digital Rebel 300D, Canon 400mm L series telephoto (efl=640mm), single
image taken without solar filter: 1/500 sec, f/5.6, ISO 400. Image Processing:
Neat Image smoothing. Corel PhotoPaint X3
- up-sampled image by 50%; cropped. |
 |
2005.09.23
8:34am PDT |
The Moon in morning daylight
There is a wide range of colours
visible on the lunar surface in this image, and due to the stable early
morning air, the image has excellent resolution. The beautiful blue
sky background sets off the lunar colours. |
Camera:
Canon EOS 300D, 1/430 sec, ISO 200, f/6.3, WB:daylight, Canon EF 400mm L
series telephoto, circular polarizing filter. Image Processing:
Neat Image: default auto profile. Corel PhotoPaint:
3072x2048 image cropped to 642x649. Moderate contrast stretch, saturation
and contrast, and adaptive unsharp applied. |
 |
2005.09.23
8:34am PDT |
The Moon in morning daylight
This is the same image as above, but
illustrates how different processing can produce radically different
resulting images. In this version, the colour balance was normalized
to eliminate the strong blue bias of the original image. Although some
detail is lost along the eastern limb, the enhanced colours in the mares and
along the terminator make for a fascinating image. |
Camera:
Canon EOS 300D, 1/430 sec, ISO 200, f/6.3, WB:daylight, Canon EF 400mm L
series telephoto, circular polarizing filter. Image Processing:
Neat Image: default auto profile. Corel PhotoPaint:
3072x2048 image cropped to 786x811. Colour balance auto normalized and adaptive unsharp applied. |
 |
2005.09.10
2:27pm PDT |
Giant Sunspot 798
Sunspot 798 generated X17 class solar
radiation, causing widespread aurora and radio and satellite outages. |
Camera:
Meade LPI Imager, 0.003 sec, Gain 100, Offset 0, 54 images taken over
43
seconds.
Scope: ETX-60AT refractor, f/5.8,
std diagonal, Identiview solar filter.
Image Processing: AutoStar Suite
Envisage
- images auto stacked - Align & Combine, Hard Edge filter. Min Quality 70%, Eval Count 10. Corel PhotoPaint
- create image insert to highlight
sunspot detail.
|
 |
2005.09.06
9:40pmLocation:
Observatory Hill, Lat: N 48-31 Long: W123-25 Elev:
78m |
M31 Andromeda Galaxy -
M32 & M110 companion galaxies
The Andromeda Galaxy has a very bright
core and faint dark lanes in its outer extremities, making it very tricky to
image successfully. I have worked on it this year over the late
summer, and finally took a series of images which I was happy with.
I used my new Canon 400mm f/5.6 telephoto
and Canon Digital Rebel 300D. The camera/lens setup was piggybacked on
my LX-90 using normal tracking, no guiding.
|
Camera:
Canon EOS 300D, 60 sec & 90 sec exposures, f/6.3, 400mm fl, ISO 800, WB:daylight,
5 images.
Scope: LX-90 8" SCT, alt-az mount.
Camera piggybacked on LX-90.
Image Processing: ImagesPlus:
the best original 5 Canon raw format images selected and converted to 48 bit TIFF image, shifted, stacked
& rotated using Adaptive Addition, aggressive Digital
Development. Corel PhotoPaint:
48 bit resulting image converted to 24 bit image; resized & cropped
original 3072x2048 image to 1375x826 image size. |
 |
2004.08.16
10:10pmLocation: Cattle
Point Lat: N 48-26 Long: W123-18 Elev:
7m |
Double Cluster in
Perseus - NGC884 & NGC869
The Double Cluster in Perseus is one of
the finest examples of open clusters visible from the northern hemisphere.
This is my latest image taken at prime
focus with my LX-90 using an f/6.3 focal reducer.
|
Camera:
Canon EOS 300D, 30 sec, ISO 800, WB:daylight, 16 images.
Scope: LX-90 8" SCT, f/6.3,
prime focus, alt-az mount.
Image Processing: ImagesPlus:
the best original 16 Canon raw format images selected and converted to 48 bit TIFF image, shifted
& stacked using Median Combine, moderate Digital
Development. Neat Image: moderate reduction of noise. Corel PhotoPaint:
48 bit image converted to 24 bit image; resized & cropped to 1200x775 image size. |
|
 |
2005.07.24
8:30am PDT |
The Moon & aircraft in morning daylight
Perhaps this image isn't quite as
dramatic as my Lunar
Eclipse & Occultation Aircraft image, however this is my first published
image using my new Canon EF 400mm L series telephoto lens. The
resolution of details on the aircraft is outstanding, and the low contrast
lunar features are captured just the way it appeared on the western morning
sky. |
Camera:
Canon EOS 300D, 1/2500 sec, ISO 200, f/8, WB:daylight, Canon EF 400mm L
series telephoto. Image Processing: Corel PhotoPaint:
3072x2048 image cropped to 1130x1173. Moderate contrast stretch and adaptive
unsharp applied. |
 |
2005.07.03
5:51pm PDT |
Large Sunpots 783, 786,
smaller Sunspots 781, 782, 785, 788
Although sunspots 783 and 786 are large,
they only generated M-class emissions. |
Camera:
Canon 300D Digital Rebel, 1/800 sec, ISO 800, WB:daylight.
Scope: Tele Vue TV-76 apochromatic refractor, f/6.3,
std diagonal, Identiview solar filter.
Image Processing: Corel PhotoPaint
- original 3072x2048 image resized to 872,842, moderate contrast
stretch and adaptive unsharp applied. Full resolution image inserts added to highlight
sunspot detail. |
 |
2005.06.27
10:20pm PDT |
Venus - Mercury - Saturn
In the evening twilight, Mercury and
Venus are
high in the NW sky and only 1°apart. Saturn is below the pair near the
horizon.
|
Camera:
Canon EOS 300D, f/5.6, 1/3 sec, fl=200mm, ISO 400, WB:daylight. Image Processing:
Corel PhotoPaint:
3072x2048 image reduced to 800x590 size, moderate contrast stretch,
saturation enhanced and adaptive unsharp applied. |
 |
2005.06.22
10:13pm PDT |
Venus - Mercury - Saturn
In the evening twilight, all three
planets are
high in the NW sky: Saturn - Venus - Mercury (left to right).
|
Camera:
Canon EOS 300D, f/5, 1/6 sec, fl=100mm, ISO 400, WB:daylight. Image Processing:
Corel PhotoPaint:
3072x2048 image reduced to 800x460 size, agressive contrast stretch and
saturation enhanced. |
This is a black & white negative version
of the above colour image |
2005.01.04
9:41pm PSTLocation:
Bruno Quennville's place. Lat: N 48-29 Long: W123-18 Elev:
37m |
C/2004 Q2 (Machholz)
This image shows the bright central core
and the large, blue-green coma of Comet Machholz.
This image was taken with no Moon in the
sky, so the darker skies helped achieve better results, although there is no
visible tail, even when examining the negative
grayscale image. Darker sites yield images with a
wisp of two tails (ion tail and debris tail).
Star trails resulted in this image, since
the comet moves quite rapidly through the sky, and I was tracking the comet
for imaging purposes.
|
Camera:
Canon EOS 300D, 90 sec, ISO 800, WB:daylight, IDAS
LPR filter, 14 images.
Scope: LX-90 8" SCT, f/6.3,
prime focus, polar alignment (wedge), normal tracking, no guiding.
Image Processing: ImagesPlus:
original 48 bit raw format converted to 48 bit tiff, aligned and
stacked using Normalized Average, moderate contrast stretch through Digital
Development. Corel PhotoPaint: image converted to 24 bit RGB &
cropped to 750x712. Alternate black and white negative image created. |
|
Click on image for full field view |
2005.01.04
11:00pm PSTLocation:
Bruno Quennville's place. Lat: N 48-29 Long: W123-18 Elev:
37m |
C/2004 Q2 (Machholz),
Hyades, Pleiades
This widefield image shows Comet Machholz
as it approaches the Pleiades, with the Hyades off to the South (left).
This image was taken with no Moon in the
sky, so the darker skies helped achieve better results, although there is no
visible tail, even when examining the negative
grayscale image. Darker sites yield images with a
wisp of two tails (ion tail and debris tail).
|
Camera:
Canon EOS 300D, ISO 800, f/5.6, 55mm fl, WB:daylight, IDAS
LPR filter. Camera piggybacked on LX-90 SCT. 10 images - 3 at 90 sec &
7 at 60 sec.
Scope: LX-90 8" SCT, f/6.3,
prime focus, polar alignment (wedge), normal tracking, no guiding.
Image Processing: ImagesPlus:
original 48 bit raw format files converted to 48 bit tiff, aligned and
stacked using Normalized Median, moderate contrast stretch through Digital
Development. Corel PhotoPaint: image converted to 24 bit RGB &
cropped to 800x571. |
 |
2004.12.27
9:31pm PSTLocation:
Astronomy Café, Bruno Quennville's place. Lat: N 48-29 Long: W123-18 Elev:
37m |
C/2004 Q2 (Machholz)
This is my first image of a comet. Comet
Machholz is a very bright comet at magnitude 5.5, and is forecast to
brighten over the coming weeks.
This image was taken with a Full Moon, so
I look forward to taking more images of Comet Machholz from darker skies.
There is a bright core and a rather large
blue-green coma, despite the full Moon. There is no
visible tail.
|
Camera:
Canon EOS 300D, 200mm fl, f/5.6, 90 sec, ISO 800, WB:daylight, IDAS
LPR filter, single image.
Camera piggybacked on LX-90 SCT. Image Processing: ImagesPlus:
original 48 bit raw format converted to 48 bit tiff, aggressive
contrast stretch through Digital
Development, 2x2 bin (avg), applied. Corel PhotoPaint:
image cropped to
606x496 & small image created after NeatImage run. NeatImage: moderate noise reduction applied. |
 |
2004.11.19
6:37pm PST |
First Quarter Moon
This image is also taken with my new
Tele Vue 76 apochromatic telescope.
|
Camera:
Canon EOS 300D, 1/200 sec, ISO 800, WB:daylight.
Scope: Tele Vue 76 3" apochromatic
refractor, f/6.3, variable camera adapter + 2.5x Powermate + 2 rings -
handheld. f/15.75, efl=1450.
Image Processing: ImagesPlus:
convert 48 bit raw to 24 bit RGB, moderate contrast stretch. Corel PhotoPaint:
3076x2048 image cropped and resampled to
750x705 size, moderate adaptive unsharp filter applied. |
 |
2004.12.18
8:57pm PST |
The "X" Feature - first quarter Moon
The "X" Feature was discussed in a
letter to Skynews (Canadian magazine) written by David Chapman from
RASC Halifax, NS, Canada. The image in the magazine was taken August
22, 2004, and a forecast was published that it would be visible again on Dec
18, 2004. Sure enough it was!
The crater closest to the "X" to the
right and down is Werner, which is 71km across.
|
Camera:
Canon EOS 300D, 1/320 sec, ISO 800, WB:daylight.
Scope: Tele Vue 76 3" apochromatic
refractor, f/6.3, variable camera adapter + 2.5x Powermate + 2 rings -
handheld. f/15.75, efl=1450.
Image Processing: ImagesPlus:
convert 48 bit raw to 24 bit RGB, moderate contrast stretch and gamma
adjusted to favour terminator. Corel PhotoPaint:
3072x2048 image rotated. 178x248 closeup image cropped out. Whole Moon image cropped
and resampled to
576x800 size. Neat Image: moderate noise reduction applied. PhotoPaint:
Composite image created. |
 |
2004.11.16
5:38pm PST |
Moon - 4 days old
This thin crescent Moon image is one
day older than the image below. This image is also taken with my new
Tele Vue 76 apochromatic telescope.
It is interesting to compare this image
with the one taken on 2004.07.20 using my Meade LX-90, although that image
was taken in poor seeing conditions. |
Camera:
Canon EOS 300D, 1/250 sec, ISO 800, WB:daylight.
Scope: Tele Vue 76 3" apochromatic
refractor, f/6.3, prime focus.
Image Processing: ImagesPlus:
convert 48 bit raw to 24 bit RGB, moderate contrast stretch, background
darkened. Corel PhotoPaint:
3076x2048 image cropped to
875x819 size, moderate adaptive unsharp filter applied. |
 |
2004.11.15
5:32pm PST |
3 day old Moon &
Earthshine
Earthshine is readily apparent in this
image of a thin crescent Moon. This image is my first taken with my
new Tele Vue 76 apochromatic telescope, and represents my best effort to
date for imaging earthshine. |
Camera:
Canon EOS 300D, 1 sec, ISO 800, WB:daylight.
Scope: Tele Vue 76 3" apochromatic
refractor, f/6.3, prime focus.
Image Processing: Corel PhotoPaint:
original 2048x1360 jpg image cropped to
749x621 size. No other processing done. |
 |
2004.11.05
6:18am PST |
Jupiter - Venus
In early morning twilight, this pair of
planets are striking in the SE sky. Jupiter is to the right of brilliant Venus by
0.6° - a very close conjunction..
|
Camera:
Canon EOS 300D, f/6.3, 1.3 sec, fl=200mm, ISO 400, WB:daylight. Image Processing:
ImagesPlus: Digital develop Canon Raw to 48bit tif, moderate contrast
stretch.
Corel PhotoPaint:
3072x2048 image cropped to 800x615 size, 48bit to 24 bit conversion. |
 |
2004.11.03
6:08am PST |
Jupiter - Venus
In early morning twilight, this pair of
planets are striking in the SE sky. Jupiter is below brilliant Venus by 1.5°,
with Zaniah (mag 4 star) above Venus and to the right by about the same
offset distance.
|
Camera:
Canon EOS 300D, f/6.3, 4 sec, fl=90mm, ISO 400, WB:daylight. Image Processing:
ImagesPlus: Digital develop Canon Raw to 48bit tif, 2x2 bin, contrast
stretch.
Corel PhotoPaint:
3072x2048 image cropped to 800x628 size, 48bit to 24 bit conversion. |
|
 |
2004.10.27
6:03pm to 10:00pm PDTLocation: Mt.
Tolmie, Victoria, BC, Canada |
Lunar Eclipse - start to finish
This composite image features the
Dash-8 aircraft crossing the eclipsed moon, but also shows the progress of
the eclipse from Moon rise over Mount Baker to when the partial eclipse
ended.
|
Camera:
Canon EOS 300D, from 1/200 sec to 2 sec, ISO 400, WB:daylight.
Scope: LX-90 8" SCT, f/6.3, prime focus.
Image Processing:Canon File
Viewer:
convert original Raw files to 48 bit TIF.
Corel PhotoPaint:
moderate sharpen, images cropped & reduced in size and moderate contrast
stretch and adaptive unsharp. |
|
2004 Astro-Photgraphy Award
RASC Victoria Centre
As featured on
Spaceweather.com and
space.com
Order an
8"x10" custom print of this photo |
2004.10.27
6:45pm PDTLocation: Mt.
Tolmie, Victoria, BC, Canada |
Lunar Eclipse & Occultation by Aircraft
What are the odds of an aircraft
passing in front of an eclipsed Moon? Here a Dash-8 turboprop aircraft
flying from Seattle to Victoria crosses the partially-eclipsed Moon.
Photo taken after umbral contact and before
the total eclipse began. Moon light can be seen shining through the cabin
windows, and also the turboprop exhaust is apparent as it distorts the lunar
image behind the aircraft. |
Camera:
Canon EOS 300D, 1/80 sec, ISO 400, WB:daylight.
Scope: LX-90 8" SCT, f/6.3, prime focus.
Image Processing:Canon File
Viewer:
convert original Raw files to 48 bit TIF.
Corel PhotoPaint:
moderate sharpen, original 3072x2048 image cropped & reduced to
800x678 size. |
|
2004.10.27
6:02pm PDTLocation: Mt.
Tolmie, Victoria, BC, Canada |
Lunar Eclipse rises over Mount Baker
The Lunar Eclipse was already underway
when the Moon rose here on the west coast of Canada.
The Moon is rising over Mount Baker in
Washington State, USA, which is due east from our vantage point here in
Victoria, BC, Canada. |
Camera:
Canon EOS 300D, 1/250 sec, ISO 400, WB:daylight.
Scope: LX-90 8" SCT, f/6.3, prime focus.
Image Processing:Canon File
Viewer:
convert original Raw files to 48 bit TIF.
Corel PhotoPaint:
moderate contrast stretch, original 3072x2048 image cropped & reduced to
738x625 size (1st image), and 800x580 (2nd image). |
|
 |
2004.10.26
8:55pm PDT |
Full Moon -
98% phase
This image of the Moon shows the
distinctive colour variations in the Mares or Seas - a result of several
lava flows in the Moon's distant past when it was volcanic.
This image (and others) are practice
for the Lunar Eclipse tomorrow night. |
Camera:
Canon EOS 300D, 1/2000 sec, ISO 400, WB:daylight.
Scope: LX-90 8" SCT, f/6.3, prime focus.
Image Processing:ImagesPlus:
original Raw files processed and 2x2 average binned to reduce size of image.
Corel PhotoPaint:
Unsharp mask (radius-5), moderate contrast stretch, original 3072x2048 image cropped & reduced to
919x916 size. |
 |
2004.08.17
9:03pm PST |
Jupiter - Moon
Separation 3° - a 1 day old Moon shows
some Earthshine as it sinks into the West with its companion Jupiter just
south of it.
|
Camera:
Canon EOS 300D, f/5.6, 1/8 sec, fl=200mm, efl=320mm, ISO 800, WB:daylight. Image Processing:
Corel PhotoPaint:
original 3072x2048 image cropped & reduced to 800x533 size,
contrast & saturation adjusted slightly to enhance sky colour. |
 |
2004.08.16
10:10pmLocation:
Astronomy Cafe, Bruno Quennville's place. Lat: N 48-29 Long: W123-18 Elev:
37m |
M13 - Hercules Cluster
The Hercules Cluster is the biggest and
brightest globular cluster visible from the northern hemisphere.
This is my first image taken at prime
focus with my LX-90 in polar alignment using the wedge. No Periodic
Error Correction was used, which is apparent when the larger image is viewed
- there are some jaggies.
Despite this problem, this image is still
my best to date of M13.
|
Camera:
Canon EOS 300D, 2 mins, ISO 800, WB:daylight, 20 images.
Scope: LX-90 8" SCT, f/10,
prime focus, polar alignment (wedge).
Image Processing: ImagesPlus:
the best original 7 Canon raw format images selected and converted to 48 bit TIFF image, shifted
& stacked using Adaptive Addition (4 lighter), aggressive Digital
Development. Corel PhotoPaint:
48 bit image converted to 24 bit image; 3072x2048 image size cropped to
770x625. |
 |
2004.08.13
10:10pmLocation: Dominion
Astrophysical Observatory, Victoria, BC Lat: N 48-31 Long: W123-25 Elev:
78m |
M11 - Wild Duck Cluster
The Wild Duck Cluster is my favourite open
cluster.
|
Camera:
Canon EOS 300D, 30 sec, ISO 800, WB:daylight, 8 images.
Scope: LX-90 8" SCT, f/10,
prime focus.
Image Processing: ImagesPlus:
original 8 Canon raw format images converted to 48 bit TIFF image, shifted, rotated
& scaled, stacked using Adaptive Addition (4 lighter), aggressive Digital
Development. Corel PhotoPaint:
48 bit image converted to 24 bit image; 3072x2048 image size cropped to
772x625. NeatImage: moderate noise reduction applied. |
Diagram from
www.spaceweather.com |
2004.08.13
5:10pm PDT |
Huge Sunpot 649
Smaller Sunspots 652, 657, 660
Sunspot 649 is even more huge than 652
(see image below), although to date no aurora are attributed to this
sunspot. X-class emissions are likely from this sunspot, but it
remains to be seen if they hit the Earth's atmosphere. |
Camera:
Meade LPI Imager, 0.003 sec, Gain 43, Offset 73, 20 images taken over
150
seconds.
Scope: ETX-60AT refractor, f/5.8,
std diagonal, Identiview solar filter.
Image Processing: AutoStar Suite
- images auto stacked - Align & Combine, Hard Edge filter. Min Quality 70%, Eval Count 10. Corel PhotoPaint
- shift colour to orange/yellow and create image inserts to highlight
sunspot detail. |
 |
2004.08.12
12:53amLocation: Lochside
Drive at Jane's Farm, Central Saanich, BC Lat: N 48-33 Long: W123-23 Elev:
23m |
Perseid Meteor
This rainbow coloured meteor is my first image of a meteor. It
strikes me that photographing meteors is like fishing - you cast your line
and hope for the best. I got lucky with my first try!
|
Camera:
Canon EOS 300D, 30 sec, ISO 800, WB:daylight, single image. Image Processing: ImagesPlus:
original 8 bit jpg format has aggressive Digital
Development applied. Corel PhotoPaint:
original 2048x1360 image cropped to
477x349 and contrast stretched. NeatImage: moderate noise reduction applied. |
 |
2004.07.24
12:16amLocation: Victoria
Fish & Game, Malahat, BC Lat: N 48-31 Long: W123-34 Elev:
345m |
M8 - Lagoon Nebula
NGC6530 - Open Cluster
The Lagoon Nebula fills the frame,
including the dark lane between the two parts of the nebula. On the
left side of the dark lane is an open cluster of stars - NGC6530.
The Lagoon Nebula looks beautiful through
a Lumicon Deep Sky filter, however this filter cannot be used photographically with my
setup.
This is my first image of the Lagoon Nebula.
It needs more signal, so next time I will setup my LX-90 on a wedge and
polar align. This will allow me to take longer exposures, which should
greatly help the signal to noise ratio in the resultant image.
|
Camera:
Canon EOS 300D, 60 sec, ISO 800, WB:daylight, 8 images.
Scope: LX-90 8" SCT, f/10,
prime focus.
Image Processing: ImagesPlus:
original 8 Canon raw format images converted to 48 bit TIFF image, shifted, rotated
& scaled, stacked using Adaptive Addition (4 lighter), aggressive Digital
Development. Corel PhotoPaint:
48 bit image converted to 24 bit image; 3072x2048 image size cropped to
800x556. NeatImage: moderate noise reduction applied. |
 |
2004.07.23
11:33pmLocation: Victoria
Fish & Game, Malahat, BC Lat: N 48-31 Long: W123-34 Elev:
345m |
M17 - Swan Nebula
The Swan Nebula looks beautiful through a
Lumicon OIII filter, however this filter cannot be used photographically with my
setup.
This is my first image of the Swan Nebula.
It needs more signal, so next time I will setup my LX-90 on a wedge and
polar align. This will allow me to take longer exposures, which should
greatly help the signal to noise ratio in the resultant image.
|
Camera:
Canon EOS 300D, 60 sec, ISO 800, WB:daylight, 7 images.
Scope: LX-90 8" SCT, f/10,
prime focus.
Image Processing: ImagesPlus:
original 7 Canon raw format images converted to 48 bit TIFF image, shifted
& rotated, stacked using Adaptive Addition (4 lighter), aggressive Digital
Development. Corel PhotoPaint:
48 bit image converted to 24 bit image; 3072x2048 image size cropped to
750x713. NeatImage: moderate noise reduction applied. |
 |
2004.07.23
11:05pmLocation: Victoria
Fish & Game, Malahat, BC Lat: N 48-31 Long: W123-34 Elev:
345m |
M27 - Dumbell Nebula
The Dumbell Nebula looks beautiful through a Lumicon
Deep Sky filter, however this filter cannot be used photographically with my
setup.
This is my first image of the Dumbell Nebula.
It needs more signal, so next time I will setup my LX-90 on a wedge and
polar align. This will allow me to take longer exposures, which should
greatly help the signal to noise ratio in the resultant image.
|
Camera:
Canon EOS 300D, 60 sec, ISO 800, WB:daylight, 8 images.
Scope: LX-90 8" SCT, f/10,
prime focus.
Image Processing: ImagesPlus:
original 8 Canon raw format images converted to 48 bit TIFF image,
shifted, rotated & scaled, stacked using Adaptive Addition (4 lighter), aggressive Digital
Development. Corel PhotoPaint:
48 bit image converted to 24 bit image; 3072x2048 image size cropped to
762x600. NeatImage: moderate noise reduction applied. |
|
 |
2004.07.20
10:25pm PDT |
Moon - waxing crescent, 11% phase
Mare Crisium is
the well defined Mare in the centre position, with Mare Fecunditatis below
it - less well defined. Atlasis the
small but easy to see crater
near the top of the terminator.
Colour fringing is caused by the poor
seeing conditions, and low altitude of the Moon.
|
Camera:
Canon EOS 300D, 1/30 sec, ISO 800, WB:daylight.
Scope: LX-90 8" SCT, f/6.3, prime focus.
Image Processing:
Corel PhotoPaint:
Unsharp mask (radius-5), moderate contrast stretch, original 3072x2048 image cropped & reduced to
750x710 size. |
Diagram from
www.spaceweather.com |
2004.07.13
5:40pm PDT |
Sun
Multiple sunspots: 642, 644, 646, 648,
649. |
Camera:
Meade LPI Imager, 0.003 sec, Gain 43, Offset 70, 51 images taken over
50
seconds.
Scope: ETX-60AT refractor, f/5.8,
std diagonal, Identiview solar filter.
Image Processing: AutoStar Suite
- images auto stacked - Align & Combine, Hard Edge filter. Min Quality 70%, Eval Count 10. Corel PhotoPaint
- shift colour to orange/yellow and create image inserts to highlight
sunspot detail. |
 |
2004.07.13
12:08amLocation:
Astronomy Cafe, Bruno Quennville's place. Lat: N 48-29 Long: W123-18 Elev:
37m |
M31 - Andromeda Galaxy &
M32
This is my best image of M31 to date, and
the only image I have felt is worthy of publishing. There is a dark lane
just visible on the lower left limb of M31
No wedge was used, however the field rotation is
barely visible.
|
Camera:
Canon EOS 300D, 60 sec, ISO 800, f/5.6, fl=200mm, WB:daylight, 11
images.
Scope: LX-90 8" SCT, f/6.3,
prime focus.
Image Processing: ImagesPlus:
original 11 Canon raw format images converted to 48 bit TIFF image, shifted
& rotated, 11
images stacked using Adaptive Addition (lighter), moderate Digital
Development, contrast stretch, and 10 iterations of Richardson Lucy. Corel PhotoPaint:
48 bit image converted to 24 bit image; 3072x2048 image size cropped to
1693x1305 image size cropped to 736x593 for website display. |
 |
2004.07.03
11:24pm |
M13 - Hercules Cluster
wide-field image
This is a wide-field image of the M13 area
of the sky. 2° field-of-view
Since no wedge was used, the telescope
was not polar aligned, therefore some field rotation is visible in this
image (stars near the edge of the frame are oblong shaped).
M13 would show more stars clustered if
longer exposures and polar alignment were used, however this is my best
image of M13 to date. |
Camera:
Canon EOS 300D, 60 sec, ISO 800, f/5.6, fl=200mm, WB:daylight, 12
images. Camera piggybacked on LX-90 tracking M13, no wedge. Image Processing: ImagesPlus:
original 12 Canon raw format images converted to 24 bit TIFF image,
3072x2048 image size cropped to 1693x1305, shifted, rotated, scaled, 12
images stacked using Adaptive Addition moderate Digital
Development & contrast stretch. Corel PhotoPaint: 1693x1305 image size
cropped to 800x587 for website display. |
 |
2004.05.19
10:40pm Local New Zealand timeLocation:
The countryside near Warkworth, New Zealand.
Lat: 36° 24' S
Long: 174° 40' E |
Milky Way -
Southern Cross Region
In the Southern Hemisphere at this time of year, the Milky Way was at its
best, just as it is in the wintertime in the Northern Hemisphere. This image
shows off a great deal of structure in the nebulosity, dark lanes, and
superb features such as Eta Carinae, the Southern Cross,
Coalsack dark nebula, and many very
bright nebulae and star clouds. Unaided eye observations of the Milky
Way were superb in the LVM 6.0 skies. Using my 9x63 binoculars revealed
amazing colours and detail in the huge number of nebulae along this portion
of the Milky Way.
The lower image is a diagram showing the
various features annotated - from Starry Night.
|
Camera:
Canon EOS 300D, 30 sec, ISO 800, f/5.6, fl=18mm, WB:daylight. Image Processing: ImagesPlus:
original Canon raw format converted to 24 bit TIFF image, moderate Digital
Development. Corel PhotoPaint: Two images rotated and mosaicked together,
4208x3086 image size reduced to 800x587, contrast stretch to enhance
nebulosity and darken background, saturation increased to emphasize the
colours. |
 |
2004.04.22
8:57pm PST |
Venus - Moon
Separation 4° - a 2 day old Moon shows
some Earthshine as it sinks into the West.
|
Camera:
Canon EOS 300D, f/5.6, 1/6 sec, 165mm fl, ISO 800, -1EV, WB:daylight. Image Processing:
Corel PhotoPaint:
original 3072x2048 image cropped & reduced to 533x800 size,
contrast adjusted to enhance sky colour,
moderate adaptive unsharp. |
Starry Night Protm image showing star names for this image |
2004.03.30
8:15pm PSTLocation:
Summit Park, Victoria |
Venus - Pleiades - Mars
Venus is less than 1° south of the
Pleiades in this image, with Mars just above and to the left of Venus.
This is also a good illustration of how
much light pollution is present in Victoria's skies. |
Camera:
Canon EOS 300D, f/5, 15 sec, 18mm fl, ISO 400, WB:daylight. Image Processing:
Corel PhotoPaint:
original 2048x3072 image cropped & reduced to 550x800 size,
contrast & saturation adjusted and moderate adaptive unsharp applied to enhance
Pleiades. |
 |
2004.03.28
12:05am PST |
Jupiter Triple Shadow
This rare event shows three shadows of
Jupiter's moons: Ganymede, Io and Callisto. The moon Ganymede is visible as
a black spot on the planetary disk, and Callisto is visible in space offset
beside Jupiter. |
Camera:
Meade LPI Imager 0.354 sec, Gain 100, Offset 42, 235 images taken over 120
seconds.
Scope: LX-90 8" SCT, f/10, 1.25"
Everbright diagonal, 2.5 Powermate.
Image Processing:
AutoStar Suite - images auto stacked - Align & Combine. Min Quality 80%,
Eval Count 10, Medium Edge filter.
Corel PhotoPaint - original 640x480 image cropped & reduced to 346x368
size. Contrast stretch on Callisto. |
 |
2004.03.14
8:17pm PST |
Venus
This represents my best image of Venus to
date, and the only close up image showing the half phase. I am pleased with
this image, since Venus is such a difficult planet to photograph
successfully due to the high brightness of the planet. |
Camera:
Meade LPI Imager 0.008 sec, Gain 100, Offset 41, 302 images taken over 209
seconds.
Scope: LX-90 8" SCT, f/10, 2"
William Optic diagonal, 2.5 Powermate.
Image Processing:
AutoStar Suite - images auto stacked - Align & Combine. Min Quality 70%,
Eval Count 10, , Medium Edge filter.
Corel PhotoPaint - original 640x480 image cropped & reduced to 201x165
size. Contrast & saturation adjusted to enhance planetary colour. |
 |
2004.03.12
11:47pm PST |
Jupiter
There is an improvement of detail in the
polar regions, and the equatorial belts show about the same detail as the
Jupiter image taken 11 days previous (see below).
Location: Pearson College
Observatory, Metchosin, BC |
Camera:
Meade LPI Imager 0.17 sec, Gain 100, Offset 73, 27 images taken over 100
seconds.
Scope: LX-90 8" SCT, f/10, 2"
William Optic diagonal, 2.5 Powermate.
Image Processing:
AutoStar Suite - images auto stacked - Align & Combine. Min Quality 70%,
Eval Count 10, , Medium Edge filter.
Corel PhotoPaint - original 640x480 image cropped & reduced to 281x289
size. Contrast & saturation adjusted to enhance planetary detail and colour. |
 |
2004.03.01
9:30pm PST |
Jupiter
This represents my best image of Jupiter
to date, despite the focus being soft due to high cloud. Several festoons
and swirls in the upper equatorial belt are quite obvious in this image. |
Camera:
Meade LPI Imager 0.08 sec, Gain 100, Offset 18, 13 images taken over 122
seconds.
Scope: LX-90 8" SCT, f/10, 2"
William Optic diagonal, 2.5 Powermate.
Image Processing:
AutoStar Suite - images auto stacked - Align & Combine. Min Quality 80%,
Eval Count 10, EdgeHard filter.
Corel PhotoPaint - original 640x480 image cropped & reduced to 297x283
size. Contrast & saturation adjusted to enhance planetary detail and colour. |
 |
2004.03.01
8:55pm PST |
Jupiter
Io, Europa, Callisto, Ganymede
This is an odd configuration of Jovian moons, with all four
of the easily visible moons appearing on one side of the planet. |
Camera:
Meade LPI Imager. Moons: 0.25 sec, Gain 100, Offset 61, 107 images taken
over 104 seconds. Planet: 0.045 sec, Gain 83, Offset 6, 204 images taken
over 121 seconds.
Scope: LX-90 8" SCT, f/10, 2"
William Optic diagonal.
Image Processing: AutoStar Suite
- images auto stacked - Align & Combine. Min Quality 80%, Eval Count 10,
EdgeMedium filter. Corel PhotoPaint - original 640x480 image
cropped & reduced to 505x234 size. Original overexposed planetary image
replaced. Contrast & saturation adjusted to enhance planetary detail and
colour. |
 |
2004.02.18
|
M42 - Great Orion Nebula
This image is my best of the Orion Nebula,
showing a great deal of structure in the nebulosity, dark lanes, and very
distinct magenta and blue colours.
Focus is only marginal, partly caused
by the poor atmospheric conditions, and partly because I didn't use my
Stiletto focuser. This is
a single image. Normally a series of images would be taken and digitally
stacked, but cloud cover interrupted my work. |
Camera:
Canon EOS 300D, 60 sec, ISO 800.
Scope: LX-200 12" SCT, f/10, prime
focus.
Image Processing: ImagesPlus:
original 3072x2048 image 3x3 binned to 1024x682 size, moderate Digital
Development. Corel PhotoPaint: image cropped to 936x681, levels adjusted to
enhance nebulosity around the stars. |
 |
2004.02.11
4:47pm PST |
Sun
Sunspot 551 appears in the lower left
quadrant and smaller sunspot 554 appears in the upper right quadrant.
This is my second attempt at imaging
the Sun using the Meade LPI Imager. Using an LPI to image bright
objects such as the Sun makes the imaging process easy.
The Hard Edge Filter seems suited for
solar images to enhance the photosphere details, especially the sunspots.
|
Camera:
Meade LPI Imager, 0.006 sec, Gain 83, Offset 47, 17 images taken over 71
seconds.
Scope: ETX-60AT refractor, f/5.8,
std diagonal, Identiview solar filter.
Image Processing: AutoStar Suite
- images auto stacked - Align & Combine, Hard Edge filter. Min Quality 80%,
Eval Count 10. Corel PhotoPaint - original 640x480 image cropped
& reduced to 496x424 size, minor contrast stretch and colour enhancement. |
 |
2004.02.11
4:44pm PST |
Sun
Sunspot 551 appears in the lower left
quadrant and smaller sunspot 554 appears in the upper right quadrant.
This is my second attempt at imaging
the Sun using the Meade LPI Imager. Using an LPI to image bright
objects such as the Sun makes the imaging process easy.
The Edges Only Filter is an interesting
way to process solar images to emphasize just the sunspots and the solar
disk.
|
Camera:
Meade LPI Imager, 0.006 sec, Gain 83, Offset 47, 17 images taken over 71
seconds.
Scope: ETX-60AT refractor, f/5.8,
std diagonal, Identiview solar filter.
Image Processing: AutoStar Suite
- images auto stacked - Align & Combine, Hard Edge filter. Min Quality 80%,
Eval Count 10. Corel PhotoPaint - original 640x480 image cropped
& reduced to 510x474 size, minor contrast stretch. |
 |
2004.01.24
4:42pm PST |
Venus - Moon Conjunction - daylight
Separation 5° - Moon setting in the
West
Sunset 5:00pm, so this image was taken
about 20 minutes before sunset.
|
Camera:
Canon EOS 300D, f/5.6, 1/100 sec, 200mm fl, ISO 100.
Image: processed using Corel PhotoPaint: original 3072x2048
image cropped & reduced to 798x447 size, contrast & saturation
adjusted to enhance moon detail and sky colour, moderate adaptive unsharp. |
 |
2004.01.24
8:05pm PST |
Venus - Moon Conjunction - dark
Separation 5° - Moon setting in the
West
This image was taken the same day as
the one above, but about an hour before the Moon and Venus set in the west.
|
Camera:
Canon EOS 300D, f/5.6, 1/15 sec, 165mm fl, ISO 100.
Image: processed using Corel PhotoPaint: original 3072x2048
image cropped & reduced to 800x452 size, contrast & saturation
adjusted to enhance moon detail and darken sky, moderate adaptive unsharp. |
 |
2004.01.15
10:05pm PST |
Saturn
The striking pale yellow planetary colour
combined with the clearly visible equatorial band and darker south polar
region shows rare planetary detail for Saturn. The Cassini Division is
broad and dark, and the gray inner Crepe "C" ring is very obvious. The
different colours of the "A" and "B" rings is also very obvious in this
image.
This is my second attempt at imaging
Saturn at Prime Focus using the Meade LPI Imager. Saturn was near
zenith, and the air was as stable as I've ever experienced, so it was ideal
conditions for imaging.
I'm very pleased with this second
attempt at imaging Saturn with the LPI. It proves to me that the Meade
LPI Imager in combination with the 2.5x Powermate is an excellent
combination for imaging planets. |
Camera:
Meade LPI Imager, 0.16 sec, Gain 100, Offset 65, 202 images taken over 100
seconds.
Scope: LX-90 8" SCT, f/10, 1.25"
Everbright diagonal, 2.5x Powermate.
Image Processing: AutoStar Suite
- images auto stacked - Align & Combine. Min Quality 70%, Eval Count 10.
Corel PhotoPaint - original 640x480 image cropped & reduced to 232x176
size, contrast & saturation adjusted to enhance planetary and ring
detail and colour. |
 |
2004.01.15
11:18pm PST |
Jupiter
This is my first acceptable image of
Jupiter, and was taken Prime Focus with the Meade LPI Imager. Image
was taken while Jupiter was only at about 30° altitude in the SE sky, and
was taken through tree branches, so the image is certainly not the best it
could be.
I'm fairly pleased with this first
result, however I will try again when Jupiter is higher in the sky. I
will also use my 2.5x Powermate to increase the size of the planetary disk
(see Saturn image above) |
Camera:
Meade LPI Imager, 0.09 sec, Gain 100, Offset 22, 164 images taken over 91
seconds
Scope: LX-90 8" SCT, f/10, 2"
diagonal.
Image Processing: AutoStar Suite
- 164 images auto stacked - Align & Combine. Min Quality 70%, Eval Count 10.
Corel PhotoPaint - original 640x480 image cropped & reduced to 166x149
size, contrast & saturation adjusted to enhance planetary detail and
colour. |
No labels
Stars & planets labeled
As featured on Jan 9/04 -
SpaceWeather.com |
2004.01.05
12:32am PST |
Moon Halo
This is the first time I've captured this
often-observed phenomena, when ice crystals act like jewels in the
atmosphere, creating a halo around a bright, near full phase Moon. Due to
the identical interfacial angles of the ice crystals, the halos (lunar or
solar) all have a radius of 22° or 44° edge-to-edge in the photo.
This photo was taken on an especially cold January night for Victoria. The
temperature was -5°C (23°F). Saturn is visible at the 10 o'clock position,
Capella at 2 o'clock, Betelgeuse at 8:30, and Aldebaran at 6 o'clock - all
inside the ring. The three Orion belt stars are just visible outside the
ring at the 7:30 position - to the right of the trees. Below the Moon is an
aberration caused by internal reflections of the camera lens caused by the
overexposed Moon.
More info about halos:
Atmospheric Optics |
Camera:
Canon EOS 300D, 2 sec, ISO 800.
Lens: Canon 18-55 EF-S zoom,
fl-18mm, f/5.6
Image Processing: Corel
PhotoPaint - original 3072x2048 image size reduced to 800x533, moderate
contrast stretch to enhance the halo. |
 |
2003.12.29
9:29pm PST |
Moon - Day 14
Mare Nectaris is the big dark area.
Theophilus
is the crater in the top right corner.
This pair of images illustrate how the
seeing changes so dramatically from one moment to the next. Both
images are taken within a few seconds of each other, and yet the lower image
exhibits a huge gain in image clarity as compared with the image above due
to a momentarily stable atmosphere. |
Camera:
Meade LPI Imager, 0.062 sec, Gain 100, Offset 43
Scope: LX-90 8" SCT, f/10, 2"
diagonal.
Image Processing: AutoStar Suite
- single images, Edge Enhancement - Medium. Min Quality 80%. Corel
PhotoPaint - auto enhance.
The Autostar Suite's Edge Enhancement was
tried out on these images. There is little improvement over the image taken
below without Edge Enhancement applied. |
 |
2003.12.29
9:27pm PST |
Moon - Day 14
Mare Nectaris is the big dark area.
Theophilus
is the crater in the top right corner.
This image illustrates the amazing
resolving power of the LPI imager, despite the sensor only having 640x480
pixels.
|
Camera:
Meade LPI Imager, 0.062 sec, Gain 100, Offset 43
Scope: LX-90 8" SCT, f/10, 2"
diagonal.
Image Processing: AutoStar Suite
- single images. Min Quality 80%. Corel PhotoPaint - auto enhance. |
 |
2003.12.29
9:23pm PST |
Moon - Day 14
These two images of the same southern area
of the Moon illustrate how the seeing changes so dramatically from
one moment to the next. Both images are taken within a few seconds of
each other, and yet the lower image exhibits a huge gain in image clarity as
compared with the image above due to a momentarily stable atmosphere. |
Camera:
Meade LPI Imager, 0.062 sec, Gain 100, Offset 43
Scope: LX-90 8" SCT, f/10, 2"
diagonal.
Image Processing: AutoStar Suite
- single images. Min Quality 80%. Corel PhotoPaint - auto enhance. |
 |
2003.12.25
11:39pm PST |
Saturn
My first usable image of Saturn, and first
light for my new Meade LPI Imager.
The air was very stable this evening,
giving a perfect opportunity to image Saturn. |
Camera:
Meade LPI Imager, 1/5 sec, Gain 100, Offset 80, Histogram 60-95.
Scope: LX-90 8" SCT, f/10, 2"
diagonal.
Image Processing: AutoStar Suite
- 10 images auto stacked - Align & Combine. Min Quality 70%, Eval Count 10.
Corel PhotoPaint - original 640x480 image cropped & reduced to 144x127
size, contrast & saturation adjusted to enhance planetary & ring
detail and colour. |
 |
2003.11.29
11:29pm PST |
M45 - The Pleiades
This was the first time I used my new
Stiletto Focuser. This Ronchi screen focuser ensures a sharp focus
is achieved when using SLR or CCD cameras. I think this photo is the
sharpest starfield I have imaged to date. |
Camera:
Canon EOS 300D, 15 sec, ISO 800.
Scope: LX-90 8" SCT, f/6.3, prime
focus.
Image Processing:
Corel PhotoPaint: original 3072x2048 image cropped & reduced to 800x533
size, levels adjusted to enhance nebulosity around the stars. |
 |
2003.11.03
7:57pm PST |
Moon - Day 22
Mare Serenitatis is the big dark
area just above centre, with Mare Tranquillitatis about
the same size directly below. Mare Crisium is
smaller and off to the right. Copernicus is the largest crater
near the N-S mid point of the terminator. Mar
Imbrium is above Copernicus, and Archimedes is the large crater near the top
edge of the Mare.
Location: 3046 Jackson St., Victoria
Some might consider the lower embossed
image to be over processed, however I like it because the striations
in the lunar surface are greatly enhanced by the embossing. |
Camera:
Canon EOS 300D, 1/50 sec, ISO 100.
Scope: LX-90 8" SCT, f/6.3, prime
focus.
Image Processing:
Corel PhotoPaint: Unsharp mask (radius-5), original 3072x2048 image
cropped & reduced to 700x811 size, brightness reduced & contrast increased.
Lower image lightly embossed. |
 |
2003.11.03
12:54am PST |
Mars- Moon Conjunction
Separation 3° - Moon setting in the
West
|
Camera:
Canon EOS 300D, f/5.6, 1/4 sec, 135mm, ISO 800.
Image Processing:
Corel PhotoPaint: original 3072x2048 image cropped & reduced to
700x677 size. |
 |
2003.09.13
12:10am PDT |
Mars
This is my third try at imaging Mars, and
again, shows much more detail than my first two attempts. When this image
was taken, Mars had an apparent diameter of 24" and its magnitude is -2.6.
This image shows how much the south polar
cap has melted.
This image shows much truer colours than
my previous imaging attempts. This image closely resembles the image
observed through my scope's eyepiece. |
Camera:
Nikon Coolpix 4500, 1/30 sec, f/5.1, 32mm fl, ISO 400, max 4x optical
zoom.
Scope: LX-90 8" SCT, f/10, a-focal,
9.7mm Plossl eyepiece, Sirius NPC1 filter.
Image Processing:
ImagesPlus: 61
images aligned and stacked using normalized median. Original 2272x1704 image
cropped to 500x500. Minor enhancements made using Corel PhotoPaint prior to
final image being produced. |
 |
2003.08.04
9:48pm PDT |
Moon - Day 14
Mare Imbrium is the big dark area. Plato is the largest
crater above the Mare. Vallis Alpes is the straight line of mountains
visible near the terminator to the right of Plato. Cassini is the
funny looking crater with a crater inside it below Vallis Alpes. |
Camera:
Nikon Coolpix 4500, 1/38 sec, f/4.2, 23mm, ISO 400, 3x optical zoom
Scope: LX-90 8" SCT, f/10, a-focal,
12.4mm Plossl eyepiece
Image Processing:
Corel PhotoPaint: 1px Gaussian Blur, adaptive unsharpen, original
2272x1704 image reduced by 35%, desaturated. |
 |
2003.07.28
10:10 UT |
Mars
This is my second try at imaging Mars, and
shows much more detail than my first attempt. When this image was taken,
Mars had an apparent diameter of 23.05" and is magnitude -2.4.
This image shows a dimple in the polar cap
(read NASA's
Mars is Melting), and also reveals a green patch in the upper right
quadrant. The areas of orange colour are widespread in this image.
I finally solved the problem of the
blue-green fringe along the top. I aligned the red, blue & green
components of the image, then recombined them into a new composite image. |
Camera:
Nikon Coolpix 4500, 1/30 sec, f/5.1, 32mm fl, ISO 400, max 4x optical
zoom .
Scope: LX-90 8" SCT, f/10, a-focal,
9.7mm Plossl eyepiece, Sirius NPC1 filter.
Image Processing:
ImagesPlus: 71
images aligned and stacked, adaptive addition. Original 2272x1704 image
reduced by 50% in size and cropped. |
 |
2003.07.28
3:10am PDT2003.07.28
10:10 UT |
Mars
By late August, Mars will approach closer
to Earth than it has been (or will be) in thousands of years. This
summer offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to observe and image this
planet. When this image was taken, Mars had an apparent diameter of 21.5".
The polar cap is apparent in all but the
smallest of telescopes, and this image reveals a gray-green patch above the
polar cap. Above that is an orange patch, then a blue-green fringe.
I'm not sure what the fringe is, but I checked other telescopes at the time,
and every one seemed to display this fringe.
Location: Victoria Fish & Game, Malahat |
Camera:
Nikon Coolpix 4500, 1/250 sec, f/5.1, 32mm fl, ISO 400, max 4x optical
zoom & max digital zoom 3x.
Scope: LX-90 8" SCT, f/10, a-focal,
9.7mm Plossl eyepiece, Sirius NPC1 filter.
Image Processing:
ImagesPlus: 50
images aligned and stacked, adaptive addition. Original 2272x1704 image
reduced by 50% size and cropped. |
 |
2003.07.17
1:39am PDT |
Mars-
Moon Conjunction
Separation 0.3°
Location: 3046 Jackson St., Victoria |
Camera:
Nikon Coolpix 4500, f/5.1, 96mm, ISO 400, max 4x optical zoom & max
digital zoom 3x, 2x telephoto
Moon: 1/500 sec
Mars: 1/125 secImage
Processing:
Corel PhotoPaint: original 2272x1704 image reduced by 50% size.
Composite image. |
 |
2003.06.05
10:20pm PDT |
Moon -
Day 5
Theophilus crater - top right crater in group of three large craters near
centre of image.
Mare Nectaris - flat "sea", bottom right corner of image
Location: 3046 Jackson St., Victoria |
Camera:
Nikon Coolpix 4500, 1/11 sec, f/4.8, 29mm, ISO 400, max 4x optical zoom
Scope: LX-90 8" SCT, f/10, a-focal,
12.4mm Plossl eyepiece
Image Processing:
Corel PhotoPaint: auto enhance, adaptive unsharpen, original 2272x1704
image reduce by 35%, desaturated. |
 |
2003.05.27
5:13pm PDT |
Sun - Sunspots 365 (left) & 368
(right)
Location: 3046 Jackson St, Victoria
ScopeTronix Identi-View solar filter on the ETX-60.
Some structure is visible in the sunspot - dark interior, lighter exterior.
Structure also visible on the Sun's surface.
Image should be flipped L-R. |
Camera:
Nikon Coolpix 4500, 1/222 sec, f/5.8, 64mm, ISO 200, max 5x digital zoom
Scope: ETX-60 60mm refractor,
f/5.8, a-focal, 12.4mm Plossl eyepiece, Identiview solar filter
Image Processing:
ImagesPlus: auto stretch and 3x3 bin of original 2272x1704
image |
 |
2003.05.27
5:16pm PDT |
Sun
- Sunspots 365 (left) & 368 (right)
Location: 3046 Jackson St, Victoria
ScopeTronix Identi-View solar filter on the ETX-60.
Some structure is visible in the sunspot - dark interior, lighter exterior.
Structure also visible on the Sun's surface.
Image should be flipped L-R. |
Camera:
Nikon Coolpix 4500, 1/202 sec, f/5.6, 30mm, ISO 200, max 5x optical zoom
Scope: ETX-60 60mm refractor,
f/5.8, a-focal, 12.4mm Plossl eyepiece, Identiview solar filter
Image Processing:
ImagesPlus: auto stretch and 3x3 bin of original 2272x1704
image |
 |
2003.05.08
4:11pm |
Sun
- Sunspot 351
Location: 3046 Jackson St, Victoria
My first try at using my new ScopeTronix Identi-View solar filter on the
ETX-60. Some structure is
visible in the sunspot - dark interior, lighter exterior ring.
Structure also visible on the Sun's surface.
Image should be flipped L-R. |
Camera:
Nikon Coolpix 4500, 1/116 sec, f/4.7, 28mm, ISO 200, Noise Reduction OFF
Scope: ETX-60 60mm refractor,
f/5.8, a-focal, 12.4mm Plossl eyepiece, Identiview solar filter
Image Processing:
None - cropped down from original 2272x1704 |
 |
2003.05.08
12:30pm |
Sun
- Sunspot 351
Location: 3046 Jackson St, Victoria
My first try at using my new ScopeTronix Identi-View solar filter on the
ETX-60. Some structure is
visible in the sunspot - dark interior, lighter exterior ring.
Structure also visible on the Sun's surface.
Image should be flipped L-R. |
Camera:
Nikon Coolpix 4500, 1/82 sec, f/4.1, 22mm, ISO 200, Noise Reduction OFF
Scope: ETX-60 60mm refractor,
f/5.8, a-focal, 9mm Kellner eyepiece, Identiview solar filter
Image Processing:
None - cropped down from original 2272x1704 |
 |
2003.03.17
9:26pm |
M42 - Great Orion Nebula - Trapezium
Location: 3046 Jackson St, Victoria
My first try at using
ImagesPlus - using dark frames to calibrate the images, and stacking
images to improve the signal to noise ratio. This image shows an
obvious improvement over my previous M42 images (below). There is some
obvious structure in the Trapezium's nebulosity. |
Camera:
Nikon Coolpix 4500, 30 sec, f/4.5, 27mm, ISO 400, Noise Reduction ON
Scope: LX-90 8" SCT, f/6.3 focal
reducer, a-focal, 26mm eyepiece
Image Processing: 11x30 sec, avg
dark frame calibration stacked (adaptive add), originals 2272x1704 jpg |
 |
2002.11.29
11:09pm |
NGC869 & NGC884 - The Double Cluster
Location: Sandy Barta's place,
Astronomy Cafe
Both clusters are in the field of view
this time, and my focus skills are improving! |
Camera:
Nikon Coolpix 4500, 57 sec, f/2.6, 8mm, ISO 400, Noise Reduction ON
Scope: LX-90 8" SCT, f/10, a-focal,
40mm eyepiece
Image Processing: retouched,
cropped image of original 2272x1704 jpg |
 |
2002.11.29
10:42pm |
M45 - The Pleiades
The three brightest blue stars: Alcyone
(upper left), Merope (lower left), Maia (middle right).
Location: Sandy Barta's place,
Astronomy Cafe
I didn't have a wide enough field of
view to see the whole group, even with the 40mm eyepiece. Next time, I'll
use the focal reducer for a wider field.
|
Camera:
Nikon Coolpix 4500, 132 sec, f/2.6, 8mm, ISO 400, Noise Reduction ON
Scope: LX-90 8" SCT, f/10, a-focal,
40mm eyepiece
Image Processing: retouched,
cropped image of original 2272x1704 jpg |
 |
2002.11.01
11:48pm |
M42 - Great Orion Nebula
Location: Sandy Barta's place,
Astronomy Cafe |
Camera:
Nikon Coolpix 4500, 59 sec, f/3.2, 31mm, ISO 200, Noise Reduction ON
Scope: LX-90 8" SCT, f/10, a-focal,
26mm eyepiece, Lumicon Deep Sky filter
Image Processing: retouched,
cropped image of original 2272x1704 jpg |
 |
2002.11.01
11:50pm |
M42 - Great Orion Nebula
Location: Sandy Barta's place,
Astronomy Cafe |
Camera:
Nikon Coolpix 4500, 58 sec, f/3.2, 14mm, ISO 400, Noise Reduction ON
Scope: LX-90 8" SCT, f/10, a-focal,
26mm eyepiece, Lumicon Deep Sky filter
Image Processing: retouched,
cropped image of original 2272x1704 jpg |
 |
2002.10.30
11:38pm |
Saturn
Location:
Summit, Victoria |
Camera:
Nikon Coolpix 4500, 1/4 sec, f/5, 31mm, ISO 200, Noise Reduction ON
Scope: LX-90 8" SCT, f/10, a-focal,
26mm eyepiece
Image Processing: un-retouched,
cropped image of original 2272x1704 jpg |
 |
2002.10.16
10:41pm |
M32, NGC 221, the small, 9th
magnitude round galaxy found next to M31, the Great Andromeda Galaxy.
This is my one of my first attempts at
deep space astro photography using my new LX-90 scope and my new Nikon
Coolpix 4500 digital camera. My technique needs work, but it is an
acceptable image.
Location:
Summit, Victoria |
Camera:
Nikon Coolpix 4500, 58 sec, f/3.6, 17mm, ISO 400, Noise Reduction ON
Scope: LX-90 8" SCT, f/6.3, Focal
Reducer, a-focal, 26mm eyepiece
Image Processing: un-retouched,
cropped image of original 2272x1704 jpg. Resized for web page display. |
 |
2002.10.16
10:31pm |
Double Cluster, NGC 869 and NGC
884, although I think only NGC884 is in the photo. (??)
This is my one of my first attempts at
deep space astro photography using my new LX-90 scope and my new Nikon
Coolpix 4500 digital camera. My technique needs work, but it is an
acceptable image.
Location:
Summit, Victoria |
Camera:
Nikon Coolpix 4500, 32 sec, f/3.8, 20mm, ISO 400, Noise Reduction ON
Scope: LX-90 8" SCT, f/6.3, Focal
Reducer, a-focal, 26mm eyepiece
Image Processing: un-retouched,
cropped image of original 2272x1704 jpg. Resized for web page display. |
 |
2002.10.16
10:55pm |
Ring Nebula, M57, 9th magnitude
This is my one of my first attempts at deep space astro
photography using my new LX-90 scope and my new Nikon Coolpix 4500 digital
camera. My technique needs work, but it is an acceptable image.
Location:
Summit, Victoria
|
Camera:
Nikon Coolpix 4500, 58 sec, f/3.6, 18mm, ISO 400, Noise Reduction ON
Scope: LX-90 8" SCT, f/6.3, Focal
Reducer, a-focal, 26mm eyepiece
Image Processing: un-retouched,
cropped image of original 2272x1704 jpg. Resized for web page display. |
 |
2002.10.16
11:09pm |
Ring Nebula, M57,
9th magnitude
This is my one of my first attempts at deep space astro
photography using my new LX-90 scope and my new Nikon Coolpix 4500 digital
camera. My technique needs work, but it is an acceptable image.
Location:
Summit, Victoria
|
Camera:
Nikon Coolpix 4500, 58 sec, f/3.6, 18mm, ISO 400, Noise Reduction ON
Scope: LX-90 8" SCT, f/10, a-focal,
26mm eyepiece
Image Processing: un-retouched,
cropped image of original 2272x1704 jpg. Resized for web page display. |
 |
2002.09.18
10:10pm |
Moon -
Only 3 days away from a full moon (Day 12). The great crater of Tyco
with white, spoke-like rays is obvious in the lower right of the sphere.
This was my first opportunity to try out
the
DigiSnap 2000 electronic shutter release. The focus is noticably
sharper, as compared with the image below, mainly due to not having to touch
the scope to trip the camera shutter.
Location:
Summit, Victoria |
Camera:
Nikon Coolpix 4500 1/37 sec f/4.9 30mm, ISO 100. Auto Exposure -1.0EV.
Scope: A-focal through a 9mm
eyepiece on the ETX-60 60mm refractor.
Image Processing: 2272x1520
image cropped and re-sampled to 794x506 pixels. Converted to 16 bit gray
scale, sharpened and equalized. |
 |
2002.08.26
10:59pm |
Moon -
The waning gibbous moon (day 19), low in the eastern sky.
This was my first opportunity to try out my new
Scopetronix Digi-T
adapter, which now allows me to use my Nikon Coolpix 950 digital camera "afocal"
with my ETX-60 telescope. Next time out I'll work on achieving better
focus, but this isn't a bad first try.
Location:
Summit, Victoria |
Camera:
1/6 sec f4 20mm - Nikon Coolpix 950 at ISO 80 800x600
Scope: A-focal through a 9mm
eyepiece on the ETX-60 60mm refractor.
Image Processing: sharpened and
equalized, and the amber hue enhanced a bit. |
 |
2002.08.10
9:39pm |
Venus
Venus is super bright in the western
sky, and is accompanied with another crescent moon.
Location: Peacock Hill, top of Tolmie
Ave, Victoria |
Camera:
1 sec f3.8 18mm - Nikon Coolpix 950 at ISO 100 800x470 |
 |
2002.06.11
10:21pm |
Venus-Moon-Jupiter
Looking WNW. Venus is super
bright and Jupiter is dim (beside the Crescent Moon). The moon is only
at day 2 of its cycle.
Location: Peacock Hill, top of Tolmie Ave,
Victoria |
Camera:
1/2 sec f4 20mm - Nikon Coolpix 950 at ISO100, 1191x1061 |
 |
2002-05-15
10:10pm |
Jupiter-Moon-Saturn-Mars alignment
(Mercury is below the horizon), looking
WNW. Capella is the bright star at a perpendicular from Saturn off
the line of planets ...but what is that crescent shape between Saturn and
Capella?? The streak in the sky (lower left) is just an aircraft con
trail, not a comet!
Location: Peacock Hill, top of Tolmie Ave,
Victoria |
Camera:
5 sec f/2.4 50mm, Minolta XD-11 SLR, Fuji
Superia X-TRA ISO 400 35mm film scanned at 1000 dpi
[Microtek 35t+ film scanner] |
 |
2002-05-15
10:10pm |
Jupiter-Moon-Saturn-Mars
alignment
(Mercury is below the horizon), looking
WNW. Capella is the bright star at a perpendicular from Saturn off
the line of planets.
Thanks to David Lee, President of the
local RASC Victoria
Chapter for solving the mystery. The crescent shape was an image
of the moon in a wrong location, caused by an internal lens reflection of
the overexposed moon. For this image, I cut and pasted the reflected
image on top of the flared image, producing a more pleasing rendition of the
planetary alignment.
Location: Peacock Hill, top of Tolmie Ave,
Victoria |
Camera:
5 sec f/2.4 50mm, Minolta XD-11 SLR, Fuji
Superia X-TRA ISO 400 35mm film scanned at 1000 dpi
[Nikon Super Coolscan 4000ED
film scanner] |
|
 |
1996-09-15 |
There are a series of 5 frames, showing the eclipse all
the way from the red ball stage (mostly obscured), through to 75%
emergence.
Location: 3046 Jackson St, Victoria |
Camera:
35mm Fujichrome 100, Minolta
XD-11 SLR, 200mm telephoto. A range of exposure times were used,
depending on the stage of the eclipse. |
Take the time to
adjust your monitor
before viewing my online photos, and you will see them at their best.
|
