Images of the Month

Description: Picture taken by Glen Schaeffer NGC 7635, also called the Bubble Nebula, is an emission nebula in the constellation Cassiopeia. It is positioned close to the open cluster M52. The "bubble" is created by the stellar wind from a massive hot 8.7 magnitude young central star. Even with my 20" scope in dark skies, visually this is a very challenging object. Photographic Details: Date & Location: October 16th, 2009, Fort Mckavett, Texas. Scope: Obsession 20” f/5 on a Tom Osypowski Dual Axis Equatorial Platform, Orion 100mm f/6 Guidescope. Autoguider: Orion Starshoot Autoguider and PHD Guider software. Camera: Canon XS DSLR (self-modified), Canon's own capture software. Filters: None Conditions: Temp 55F, Humidity 82%, Winds calm, Transparency 8/10, Seeing 7/10. Exposures: 16 x 120sec @ 1600 ISO Sub Frames, 9 Darks average combined for master dark. Post-processing: 3904x2900 Raw files converted to Lossless 16-bit FITS, calibrated, aligned, and combined with ImagePlus 3.75. Final processing Adobe Photoshop CS.

Previous Images of the Month

Description: Picture taken by Swiss astrophotographer, Martin Mutti Galaxy M33 in the constellation Triangulum Date & location: September 30th 2009 Gurnigel, Switzerland Conditions: Temp 53F, Humidity 70%, Wind 0 mph Transparency 8/10, Seeing 8/10 Scope: 12.5'' Dobson f/4.5 "Ninja" http://www.aokswiss.ch/d/tel/spiegelteleskope/dobs/ninja320/ninja320.html Mount: Dual-axis Aluminum Platform by Equatorial Platforms. Camera: Canon EOS5d, IR-Filter modified by Baader Planetarium Baader Coma Corrector Autoguiding: SBIG ST-4 Guiding scope: 2.5'' f/13 with a 2x Barlow Exposures: 10 x 5min @ 800 ISO, 14 Darks, 12 Flats Processing: Pre-processing: Fitswork http://freenet-homepage.de/JDierks/softw_en.htm Post-processing: Photoshop CS4

Description: M27 - The Dumbbell Nebula Planetary Nebula Constellation: Vulpecula Distance: 1250 ly Link to more information 08-23-2009 Imaged at Soap Creek Valley Corvallis, Oregon 25" f/5 with Nova primary CCD Labs Q453 (QHY8) Camera with Televue Photo Paracorr and Hutech IDAS LPS-P2 filter 8 x 120 sec subframes acquired with Nebulosity 2.0 with Offset 90 and Gain 19 (30%) It was cool (49oF) Tom Osypowski Dual Axis Aluminum Eq. Platform Autoguided with PHD sofware 8" f/4 Guidescope CCD-Labs Q-guide camera with Televue Paracorr Image processing with ImagesPlus 3.75, PixInsight, and Photoshop CS4 Images Copyright by Bob Brunck

Description: This is the famous Whirlpool galaxy M51 / NGC 5194. This was one of the first galaxies that knocked my socks off when I first observed this with my 20" Obsession scope in a dark sight. I've always wanted to photograph this galaxy but due to its location in the northern sky, it has always been a challenge since guiding with an equatorial platform is very limited toward the northern sky. Luck would have it that I had great polar alignment and the galaxy was high in the sky for this shot. This galaxy is located about 37 million light years. It is located just off the handle of the Big Dipper in the constellation Canes Venatici. Photographic Details: Date & Location: March 20th, 2009, Fort Mckavett, Texas. Scope: Obsession 20” f/5 on a Tom Osypowski Dual Axis Equatorial Platform, Orion 100mm f/6 Guidescope. Autoguider: Orion Starshoot Autoguider and PHD Guider software. Camera: Canon XS DSLR (self-modified), Canon's own capture software. Filters: None Conditions: Temp 54F, Humidity 29%, Winds calm, Transparency 8/10, Seeing 8/10. Exposures: 17 x 120sec @ 1600 ISO Sub Frames, 9 Darks average combined for master dark. Post-processing: 3904x2900 Raw files converted to Lossless 16-bit FITS, calibrated, aligned, and combined with ImagePlus 3.75. Final processing Adobe Photoshop CS. Images Copyright 1999-2009 by Glenn Schaeffer  Description: Spiral Galaxy NGC 3628 is located 35 million light years away from us in the constellation Leo. This edge-on galaxy is part of the Leo Trio together with M65 & M66. Because of the gravitaional "tug" from the other galaxies around it, the disk of this galaxy appears to be warped. There is also an extremely faint tail of material to the left rim of the galaxy that appears to be orphan stars thrown off into space by a gravitational encounter. Photographic Details: Date & Location: March 19th, 2009, Fort Mckavett, Texas. Scope: Obsession 20” f/5 on a Tom Osypowski Dual Axis Equatorial Platform, Orion 100mm f/6 Guidescope. Autoguider: Orion Starshoot Autoguider and PHD Guider software. Camera: Canon XS DSLR (self-modified), Canon's own capture software. Filters: None Conditions: Temp 54F, Humidity 29%, Winds calm, Transparency 8/10, Seeing 8/10. Exposures: 14 x 120 sec @ 1600 ISO Sub Frames, 9 Darks average combined for master dark. Post-processing: 3904x2900 Raw files converted to Lossless 16-bit FITS, calibrated, aligned, and combined with ImagePlus 3.75. Final processing Adobe Photoshop CS. Images Copyright 1999-2009 by Glenn Schaeffer

This image of M42 was taken by Bob Brunck with a 12.5" f/4.8 Dob on a Dual-axis Aluminum Platform with a Canon 40D (un-modded) and a Televue photo Paracorr, at ISO 800. It is the combination of 6 x 10s, 6x30s, 6 x 60s, and 6x 120s image frames processed in ImagesPlus and Photoshop CS4. The exposures were autoguided with a piggy-backed 8" reflector.

NGC 253 by Glenn Schaeffer The Sculptor Galaxy, also known as NGC 253 or Silver Coin Galaxy, is an example of an edgewise intermediate spiral galaxy in the constellation Sculptor. The Sculptor Galaxy is known as a starbust galaxy, which means that it is currently undergoing a period of intense star formation. At 8.0 magnitude, this is one of the brightest galaxies in the sky. The Sculptor Galaxy is viewable through small telescopes and even through binoculars. Photographic Details: Date & Location: October 23rd, 2008, Fort Mckavett, Texas. Scope: Obsession 20” f/5 on a Tom Osypowski Dual Axis Equatorial Platform, Orion 100mm f/6 Guidescope. Autoguider: Orion Starshoot Autoguider and PHD Guider software. Camera: Canon 20D DSLR (non-modded), homemade serial control shutter release cable, and DSLR Shutter from Stark Labs. Filters: None Conditions: Temp 41F, Humidity 29%, Winds calm, Transparency 9/10, Seeing 7/10. Exposures: 57 x 60sec @ 3200 ISO Sub Frames, 23 Darks average combined for master dark. Post-processing: 3504x2336 Raw files converted to Lossless 16-bit FITS, calibrated, aligned, and combined with ImagePlus. Final processing Adobe Photoshop CS.

M104 by Glenn Schaeffer Date and Location: April 4th, 2008, Fort Mckavett, Texas. Scope: Obsession 20? f/5 on a Tom Osypowski Dual Axis Equatorial Platform, Orion 100mm f/6 Guidescope. Autoguider: SC1 Mod Celestron Neximage Cam, Shoestring GPUSB guide port interface adapter, and Guidemaster software. Camera: Canon 20D DSLR (non-modded), homemade serial control shutter release cable, and DSLR Shutter from Stark Labs. Conditions: Temp 49F, Humidity 29%, Winds calm, Transparency 9/10, Seeing 7/10. Exposures: 64 x 60sec @ 3200 ISO Sub Frames, 10 Darks average combined for master dark. Post-processing: 3504x2336 Raw files converted to Lossless 16-bit FITS, calibrated, aligned, and combined with ImagePlus. Final processing PhotoImpact Pro

	Henrik Bondo is an amateur astronomer in Denmark who specializes in lunar photography. He recently received a new Dual-axis Aluminum Platform for his 20" Obsession, and has sent some "First Moonlight" pictures taken with the scope on his new Platform. Mr. Bondo's interesting website is at: http://inet.uni2.dk/~d120588/henrik/FirstMoonlight.html
A mosaic of ten images taken with a 20" Obsession Telescope on a Dual-axis Aluminum Platform. Click on the image to see the remarkably detailed full shot.	Deslandres region of the moon photographed on subsequent nights.

The Dumbell Nebula (M27) and Ring Nebula (M57)

Images by Bob Brunck
Date and Location: August 9, 2007 from Soap Creek Valley, at Corvallis, Oregon
Imaging Scope: Obsession 25" f/5 on a Tom Osypowski Dual Axis Aluminum Equatorial Platform
Guide Scope: Orion 8" f/4 with a 2x Barlow
Autoguider: Phillips ToUcam Pro II, Shoestring Astronomy GPUSB guideport adapter, and PHD guiding software
Camera: Canon EOS 10D at prime focus with a Lumicon minus-violet filter (keeps out dust and moisture)
Exposures for M57: 9 x 120 sec at ISO 800, 3 x 120 sec Darks
Exposures for M27: 6 x 120 sec plus 3 x 180 sec at ISO 800, 3 x 120 sec Darks and 3 x 180s Darks
Processing: Raw files converted with Photoshop CS3 to 16bit TIFs. Calibrated, aligned, and combined in Images Plus. Final color and luminance adjusted in ACDSee. The original 3036 x 2024 pixel image was resized to 67% and a 1024 x 768 crop taken for the final image.

The Horsehead Nebula (B33)

Photographic Details:
Date & Location: March 16th 2007, Fort Mckavett, Texas.
Scope: Obsession 20” f/5 on a Tom Osypowski Dual Axis Equatorial Platform, Orion 100mm f/6 Guidescope.
Autoguider: SC1 Mod Celestron Neximage Cam, Shoestring GPUSB guide port interface adapter, and Guidemaster software.
Camera: Canon 20D DSLR (unmodded), homemade serial control shutter release cable, and DSLR Shutter from Stark Labs.
Filters: None
Conditions: Temp 63F, Humidity 48%, Winds 2-5 mph, Transparency 8/10, Seeing 7/10.
Exposures: 35 x 60sec @ 3200 ISO Sub Frames, 9 x 60sec Darks.
Post-processing: 3504x2336 Raw files converted to Lossless 16-bit FITS, calibrated, aligned, and combined with ImagePlus. Slight wavelet filtering with Registax 4. Final processing PhotoImpact Pro.
Image by Glenn Schaeffer

The Helix Nebula (NGC 7293)

The HelixDescription:The Helix Nebula (also known as NGC 7293) is a planetary nebula about 650 light-years away in the constellation Aquarius. It is one of the closest planetary nebulae to Earth. The Helix has often been referred to as the Eye of God and also as the "Eye of Sauron" due to its resemblance to said object in the "Lord of the Rings" movie. This was shot during the fall trip to Fort McKavett Texas where dark skies are the norm. Photographic Details:
Date: October 20th 2006
Scope: Obsession 20” f/5 on a Tom Osypowski Dual Axis Equatorial Platform, Orion 100mm f/6 Guidescope
Autoguider: SC1 Mod Celestron Neximage Cam, Shoestring GPINT-PT guide port interface adapter, and Guidemaster software.
Camera: Canon 20D DSLR (unmodded), homemade serial control shutter release cable, and DSLRControl remote shutter software.
Filters: None
Conditions: Temp 54F, Humidity 40%, Winds 5-10 mph, Transparency 8/10, Seeing 7/10
Exposures: 20 x 60sec @ 3200 ISO Sub Frames, 21 x 60sec Darks
Post-processing: 3504x2336 Raw files converted to Lossless 16-bit FITS, calibrated, aligned, and combined with ImagePlus. Slight wavelet filtering with Registax 3 as well as color balancing with histogram function. Final processing PhotoImpact Pro.
Image by Glenn Schaeffer

 

The Great Orion Nebula is the brightest nebula visible to the naked eye, forming the middle part of the Hunter's sword in the famous constellation Orion. It is a breathtaking view in dark skies with my 20" Obsession where tendrils of gas can be appreciated. This is my “second light” with my Canon 20D and scope setup. I wanted to practice my imaging and processing techniques with an easy and bright target. The objective of this shot was to observe different ISO settings and the amount of noise from each. Because no flats or darks were taken and short shutter times, graininess was observed in the darker areas around corners of image. This shot shows the approximate FOV that my camera/scope has at f/5. Image by Glenn Schaeffer. Photographic Details:Date: January 30th 2006
Scope: Obsession 20” f/5 on a Tom Osypowski Dual Axis Equatorial Platform, Orion 100mm f/6 Guidescope
Autoguider: SC1 Mod Celestron Neximage Cam, Shoestring GPINT-PT guide port interface adapter, and Guidedog software
Camera: Canon 20D DSLR (unmodded), homemade serial control shutter release cable, and DSLRControl remote shutter software
Filters: None
Conditions: Temp 48F, Humidity 51%, Winds Calm, Transparency 7/10, Seeing 6/10
Exposures: 20 x 10sec @ 800 ISO, 18 x 10sec @ 1600 ISO, & 16 x 20sec @ 3200 ISO (no flats or darks)
Post-processing: 3504x2336 Raw files converted and resized 1200x800 (non-linear) using Canon’s Digital Photo Professional. Aligned, optimized, stacked, and stretched with Registax 3. Slight use of Wavlet filtering in Registax as well as color balancing with the Histogram function. ISO 800 & 1600 used for core region. Final processing in Photoimpact SE

Moon images take by Robert Schulz of Austria with a 12.5" Portaball Telescope on a Dual-axis Platform. Click images to view full size.

	Clavius	Heinzel	Hesiodus

Kopernikus	Plato	Ramsden-Marth

Glenn Schaeffer of Santa Fe, TX took these images of Mars. Here are his comments: "Thanks for the compliment. Of course you may use my Mars image for your site. Make sure you let your customers know that this was my "first" imaging session with your platform!!!!

I used 823 of 1232 and 585 of 902 frames respectively. Was track and stacked with Registax3 and processed with the waveletts filters. Final editing was done with Ulead Photoimpact SE.

I obtained f/20 by using my 2x Super Barlow coupled to an old 2x Meade Shorty barlow. Kinda of a poor man's 4x Powermate. Seems to work ok for me.

I've posted my results so far to my Club's user group (Johnson Space Center Astronomical Society), Toucam and Obsession Yahoo user groups. Been getting rave reviews with my image obtained with your platform. "

NGC 891	M27	M13
Click Images To Enlarge

All three of these images were taken by Bob Brunck through a 25" f/5 Obsession with a 4.0" diagonal on a Dual-axis Aluminum Platform. All were guided manually with an 8" f/4 scope, using a 10 mm illuminated reticle eyepiece and a 2x barlow. All were taken with a standard Canon EOS 10D with a minus violet filter, without a Coma corrector, all with ISO 800. M13 is the combination of 2 x 10 sec, 2 x 30 sec, and 3 x 60 sec exposures. NGC 891 was the average of 1 x 120 sec and 3 x 180 sec exposures. M27 is 3 x 120 sec. Images were combined and enhanced with ImagesPlus and ACDSee7.

Jupiter - Moon occultation.

Taken by Becky Coretti with Bill Williams, using a 15" Obsession and a Tom O Compact Platform.   A ToUCam was used with a TeleVue 4x Powermate.

Total Eclipse of the Moon on October 27, 2004.

This image was taken by Gary Meehan with a 12.5" Dobsonian on an Equatorial Platform. Gary says, "This was about a 6 second exposure using a Canon PowerShot A70 and a 40mm Tele Vue Plossl. There's no way I could have made this shot without such a terrific product!"

Jupiter taken through a 15" Obsession on a Compact Platform by Becky Coretti and Bill Williams at 1:15 AM EST on Feb. 7,2004. They used a Phillips ToUcam Pro 240K. The images were combined with Registax and processed in Photoshop by Tony Hallas. Here are Becky's comments: "Ganymede has detail!! Woohoo! The shadow of Ganymede is seen to it's immediate left. The shadow below Ganymede's is not a shadow at all - rather it is Callisto, whose dark features make it appear as if there are two shadow transits! Kinda cool, huh?

Thank you so much for your excellent workmanship. The platform is beautiful and exceedingly functional!"

Comet Linear c/2002 T7. This is a combination of 20 - 30 second exposures taken by Doug Askew through an 18" Obsession Telescope riding on a Dual-axis Aluminum Equatorial Platform. Doug used an SBIG ST-5c to autoguide the exposures.

M76. This is a combination of 9 - 60 second exposures, taken with the same equipment as used for the Comet Linear image.

Saturn imaged with a Philips ToUcam using a 15" Obsession on a Compact Equatorial Platform. Photo by Becky Coretti and Bill Williams.

Mars imaged with a Philips ToUcam using a 15" Obsession on a Compact Equatorial Platform. Photo by Becky Coretti and Bill Williams

A movie of Mars rotating, taken by Robert Schulz in Vienna, Austria. Click to download the image. Warning: It is a large file. Mr. Schulz used a 12.5" Portaball Telescope on a Dual-axis Equatorial Platform. Here are his comments:

"Your platform is excellent. The frame of the webcam is only 40arcsec wide, and tracking must be perfect to obtain such results. With the two axis fine correction, centering of a planet is a snap. Thank you for this beautiful, technical, and precise platform...it is as important as the optic itself!"

NGC 4298	NGC 4565	NGC 4725
M91	M88	NGC 4244
M51		M10
CCD images by Doug Askew with an 18" Obsession on a Dual-axis Aluminum Platform. All are multiple UNGUIDED exposures taken with a Starlight HX9 camera. (Click image for a larger view.)

M51

taken by Doug Askew with an 18" Obsession on a Dual-axis Aluminum Platform. The image is a combination of 20 10sec unguided exposures taken with a Starlight HX9 CCD camera."

The Helix Nebula. One hour exposure on Kodak Multispeed Ektapress at prime focus of 12.5" f/5 with coma corrector and ST-4 autoguider. Photo by Del Johnson

M42 - Photo by Del Johnson. 45 minute exposure using Fuji ISO 100 Superia print film. 12.5" f/5 prime focus with Lumicon coma corrector and ST-4 autoguider, off-axis.

Leonids streaking through Orion. Photo taken with an Olympus 50mm lens at f2.8, piggy-backed onto a Dob on a Platform. Exposure was 10 minutes unguided, using Fuji 400 print film. Picture by Tom Osypowski. Image scanning and processing by Hallas Digital Services.

M42 -- the Orion Nebula. This image is a digital composite of two negatives taken on Ektar 1000 print film. Exposure of each negative was 7 minutes. The telescope was a 16" f5 Dob on a Dual-axis Equatorial Platform. Guiding was done with the Platform's hand control through a separate guide scope. Images by Tom Osypowski. Scanning and image processing by Tony and Daphne Hallas at Astro Photo.

M65, M66 and NGC 3628 in Leo by Del Johnson. Prime focus of 12.5" f/5 reflector using the Lumicon Coma Corrector. Summation of three separate one hour exposures on Kodak 35mm Multispeed Ektapress print film, autoguided with ST-4 CCD. Negatives scanned and digitally stacked by Astro Photo.

Horsehead Nebula: 60 minute exposure at prime focus of a 12.5" f/5 reflector with a Lumicon coma corrector, Kodak PJM Ektapress Multispeed film. Guided with an ST-4.

M13: a 10 minute exposure through a 16" f5 Dobsonian on a Dual-Axis Equatorial Platform, Ektar 1000 film. Image taken by Tom Osypowski. Image scanned and digitally processed by Jim Eiselt.