Home Forums RAC Main Forum General Discussion Observing tonight?

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  • #12152
    jlmanatee
    Participant

      Any chance of Eagle Bluff Saturday night?

      #12153
      Mike C:
      Keymaster

        I would be up for Eagle Bluff tonight. Does anyone know if its open for us? If not I would be up for Keller.

        #12154
        jlmanatee
        Participant

          Even though the Moon is almost full, I'm going to head to Keller tonight to do some narrow band imaging.

          #12155
          fealeybob14
          Participant

            A bit distorted and probably a bit out of focus but here's a recent view of Venus.  The "half moon" phase I think is accurate.  Freezing fingers prevented me from trying to get a better shot!


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            #12156
            John Attewell
            Participant

              Way to go!  Even though there temperature is so cold, I've noticed that the relative humidity has been very high so that could account for most of the "fuzz" around the image.  Besides the atmospheric reflection, the high relative humidity could also cause some problems with condensation on the lens/mirror – once it's on the equipment it takes a really long time to evaporate – which was probably long after your "frozen fingers!"

              #12157
              fealeybob14
              Participant

                Agree and thanks John. I tried Venus again on Jan 18th (or the 17th) this time using eyepiece projection and the Canon Rebel T5.  This camera is supported by the digiCamControl program which allows a live view and good exposure/ISO controls.  Even so the result was only fair.  Some chromatic aberration and fuzziness was present on images.  The attached was enhanced in Photoshop Elements.  The crescent shape of Venus is now evident.  Over next 2 months Venus will be very interesting with a rapidly enlarging diameter and falling % illumination.


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                #12158
                fealeybob14
                Participant

                  Another Venus attempt tonight (2/3/2017).  Skies clear and cold but fair amount of turbulence.  Experimented with ISO and exposure times (best was ISO 200 at 1/20 sec).  Best image below, strongly enhanced in Photoshop Elements to sharpen and rotated 180 degrees.


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                  #12159
                  Josef Ch
                  Participant

                    Beautiful picture! wow! Thanks Bob!

                    #12160
                    fealeybob14
                    Participant

                      Another moon pix taken at sunset on 2/5/2017.  Same setup as Morning Moon above.  Not sure the moon's colors are correct but it looked a little better in color than with the color removed.


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                      #12161
                      ellenvega
                      Participant

                        Eagle Bluff is available tonight! But not Saturday night. Some of us are planning on being there!

                        Moonrise after midnight, temps in low 50's and then 40's throughout the evening. 

                        #12162
                        Mike C:
                        Keymaster

                          I can be there! Got to take advantage of the weather while I can!

                          #12163
                          drneilmb
                          Participant

                            Greetings from Decorah, Iowa. I'm a fairly new telescope nut and I wonder if you will be doing any observing at Eagle Bluff this weekend as listed on the schedule on your web page? If so, I will try to drive up to join you.

                            I built a 4.5" f8 reflector last month and I've been having so much fun that I'd love to share the experience with others.

                            -Neil

                            #12164
                            ellenvega
                            Participant

                              Hi Neil and welcome!  Unfortunetly, we are under a blizzard warning tomorrow and part of Saturday so nothing going on this weekend.  Keep an eye on this forum though, as we get closer to spring we'll hopefully have some nice weather Dark Sky weekends.

                              #12165
                              drneilmb
                              Participant

                                Thanks for the reply and stay safe and warm everyone.

                                #12166
                                fealeybob14
                                Participant

                                  It's not much warmer tonight but at least there's no snow in the forecast!  Nice western sky with the moon and Venus well placed for observing.  The image below combines both but in reality they were not that close together.  Venus is a bit distorted and the moon a bit overexposed (forgot the moon filter) but both presented interesting targets for the camera.


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