Astronomy
Updates
***07/14/06***
I purchased another camera, the SXV-H9. It is 50% larger than my old camera, and has smaller pixels for greater resolution. I am very pleased with the results, and am now trying to sell my old one!
***09/15/05***
I have now converted my camera to monochrome, and added an automatic color filter wheel. The monochrome chip I installed, is 4 times more sensitive than the color chip originally installed. The color filter wheel will allow me to take color images by rotating Red, Green, Blue, and clear filters. The software will then incorporate these images into one color version. I will have more control over the processing. In addition, I have a Hydrogen Alpha filter, which only allows the light from a very narrow wavelength to pass. This particular wavelength specifically targets the light that is given off by emission nebula, as they burn Hydrogen Alpha gas, and makes them stand out much more clearly against the night sky.
***07/25/05***
Well, the bug bit again! To take better wide field images, I purchased a Celestron 80ED refractor.
This
will also serve as a guide scope for my LX200, and is piggybacked on it. I
have been attempting to image fainter nebulae, and I think that I have reached
the limits of my camera, and of the light pollution in my area. I have
ordered a light pollution filter, but if it doesn't work, I think I will be
looking for a more sensitive camera.
***03/15/05***
Well, this Winter was quite slow for imaging, as we had clouds or fog for almost 1.5 months straight! I did make some improvements, and added some equipment, however. I sold the 70mm refractor, and added an 85mm f/11 version, for more light grasp, and longer focal length. I added an adapter, so that I can take widefield images with my old SLR camera lenses. First results are promising. Guiding with a separate guide cam and scope gives much more sensitivity than self guiding, but with MUCH more headaches regarding setup and guiding accuracy. I am slowly working out the bugs, and my latest effort in the DSO section is one of my best yet. At some point in the not so distant future, I will most likely be selling my camera and buying a larger and more sensitive model, so that I can image larger objects in greater detail. Finally, I sold my Canon A70 adapter and EP, so my Canon is permanently retired from astroimaging.
***11/09/04***
Well, I haven't been able to image much, but I HAVE spent some more $$! I decided that, while the auto guiding of the STAR2000 was almost flawless, I wanted to eliminate the amp glow it created in the images, and to gain back the exposure time lost to guiding. (Half the total exposure time!) I, therefore, decided to purchase a separate guide scope and guide camera. I now own an Orion 70 mm refractor, and a long exposure modified QC3000 Pro webcam. After a few weeks of trying to make an adapter to run the webcam on something other than a parallel port, I am ready to try out my new system, but the weather isn't cooperating! I also purchased a Kendrick Dew Removal controller and Dew-Not heater straps, to keep the dew off my scopes during the long hours outside this Winter. No more using Sande's hair dryer!
***7/29/04***
With the arrival of Cassie last month, my calendar has been a little full, but I have started to image again, and get the hang of the MX7-C. See my new images in the DSO page!
***5/24/04***
I just got my first "true" CCD camera, the Starlight Xpress MX7-C one-shot color camera. With this camera I will be able to image most all those DSO's out there. (Provided I figure out how to use it) This camera both images AND autoguides the telescope, correcting for drive errors, and keeping the object being imaged precisely centered.
In addition, I had to purchase an equatorial wedge for my scope, which will allow for polar alignment; a must for long exposure photography. I also have gotten an F/6.3 focal reducer, to lower the "power" of the scope, so that I can fit the larger objects in the Field of View, AND to reduce the exposure times required by about 50%.
Assuming that I can learn how to use the new equipment before the baby gets here, I will have some images to post soon.
***Update 03/20/04***
I just purchased a Phillips ToUcam 840 Pro II webcam, the weapon of choice for planetary imaging. Having to have all the lenses between the planets and my Canon A70, coupled with the inability to shoot enough images in the required amount of time, lead me to this purchase. My first efforts were unspectacular, but hinted of the potential of the new setup. My latest effort at Jupiter last night, was very good, and lead me to believe that Saturn will be even better, as soon as the weather cooperates. As soon as I master the planetary imaging, my next step is to purchase another imaging device, and start shooting the DSO (Deep Space Objects) such as nebula, galaxies, and clusters. Please see the images section for the latest Jupiter and Saturn pics with my new camera.
***UPDATE 1/19/04***
Well,. the new year came,
and, guess what...I got another, larger scope. The Meade LX200 Schmidt-Cassegrain Catadioptric
8" Reflector. 
It
has the same computerized features as my 114GT, BUT...it is twice as large, has
better optics, a MUCH sturdier tripod, and much better tracking
capabilities. With this scope I will not only be able to see much fainter
objects, but will be able to take infinitely better photographs. As of
1/19/04, I just received it, and it is still overcast, so I don't anticipate
having any photos to post for another couple of weeks. This scope should
last me for quite some time, until I decide to set up my own observatory!
Though I have to admit that I have been
interested in Astronomy for 15 years or so. Just ask Martin or Duane who
was the only person ever to receive an A+ in the Astronomy course at Delta
College! (Inside Joke) The recent 
Mars
frenzy just prompted me to purchase a scope and get back into the scene.
At the left was my first new toy. It is a 4" Newtonian reflector, which is
actually rather small for viewing most deep sky objects such as nebula and
galaxies. However, it was a very good price, and has computerized GoTo
capabilities, which allow it to automatically slew to specific points, making it
easy to find objects in the sky. I can enter "Saturn" into the
hand controller, and Voila! 
The scope points right to it! I can also control it with my laptop computer. Yes, I am a Geek! This is my "intro" model; to ensure that I am really interested enough before I try to talk Sande into a much larger, and more expensive, scope! I have had some beautiful views of Mars, Saturn, the Andromeda Galaxy, and the Orion Nebula, among others. By the way, Sande has been out on our deck; looking at Mars, Saturn, and other objects. She had some difficulty discerning the details of Saturn, which is perfect rationale for getting a larger scope! Hopefully early next year, I will get a new one, and start getting more serious about Astrophotography. Until them, I will be trying to adapt our digital camera to the current scope, and see what I can photograph. I will post any pictures on the website.
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