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CellistOnTheRoof Astro 🪐
เข้าร่วมเมื่อ 6 ก.พ. 2014
A cellist with her head in the clouds.
Welcome to my astrophotography diary from Brighton, UK - England’s finest cloud factory!
For more of my astrophotography, please see my Instagram: @cellistontheroof
All photos have been taken and processed by me.
Welcome to my astrophotography diary from Brighton, UK - England’s finest cloud factory!
For more of my astrophotography, please see my Instagram: @cellistontheroof
All photos have been taken and processed by me.
Simple solar limb imaging - capture and process
This is how I do close-ups of the solar limb with my 40mm Lunt and ZWO ASI174mm - including a Powermate/Barlow, and using IMPPG for processing!
มุมมอง: 1 397
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What do I need for planetary imaging?
มุมมอง 3.5Kหลายเดือนก่อน
A run through my planetary imaging equipment necessities and nice-to-haves! Together with the following two videos on setting up, and imaging and processing, these pretty much show my entire process beginning to end. If you're hoping to get started with planetary imaging, these may provide some starting points and inspiration. Good luck!
Simple planetary imaging start - capture and processing basics
มุมมอง 2.3K3 หลายเดือนก่อน
Planetary imaging from coastal England sometimes seems like a fool's errand, but I am in love with it, and wanted to share my process! As always, this is just what works for me, but hopefully gives someone a starting point. After an unbelievably poor weather all throughout autumn and winter, I'm hoping to get some opportunities to record some better captures!
Installing a ZWO EAF to a RedCat/SpaceCat 61 WIFD
มุมมอง 1.6K3 หลายเดือนก่อน
A short video on how I installed ZWO's EAF to my SpaceCat 61 with the new internal focuser design. Not the most straightforward thing for me, so there's a "don't do what I did" included! Thankfully it all works now. You can find the diagrams and installation instructions I show on screen here in the manual: cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0675/5752/3673/files/Manual-Redcat-61-WIFD.pdf?v=1709691518
Highlights of European Astrofest in London 2024
มุมมอง 7165 หลายเดือนก่อน
A short video about a day out in London for the 2024 European Astrofest. It's a big conference with talks and all sorts of vendors and exhibitors, and this year they hosted their inaugural imaging competition sponsored by Celestron. My image of the solar system planets was shortlisted and exhibited at the hall, unfortunately I didn't win, but it was really nice to see among some great astrophot...
Setting up for planetary imaging - Camera, ADC, Barlow
มุมมอง 10K9 หลายเดือนก่อน
Setting up my SCT for planetary and lunar imaging, including the ADC and Barlow. For all who have been confused about what goes where, does it need backfocus, why they can't find it, how does guiding work, how does the ADC word etc - here is my whole quick setup process. I tried my best to show everything as clearly as I could, sometimes not as easy when recording in the dark and half the stuff...
Solar imaging with a small Lunt H-alpha telescope - capture and processing
มุมมอง 9K10 หลายเดือนก่อน
How I image and process the whole solar disc with a 40mm Lunt For anyone who loves their new hydrogen alpha solar telescope and are into solar disc imaging like me, I hope this can inspire some ideas about creating your own workflow or get someone started! In this video I run through setup, capture, and processing to get an inverted Sun image, which I personally like. The photo I’ve got in this...
Setting up a Lunt 40mm Hydrogen Alpha solar telescope
มุมมอง 9K11 หลายเดือนก่อน
Small 40mm Lunt from box to mount I encountered a few small snags setting up my new dedicated solar telescope, and wanted to share with you all how I got around them. I've recently moved on from a Coronado PST to a 40mm Lunt (ouch, wallet), because the PST wasn't playing ball when it came to focusing, and I'm looking to get the whole solar disc in frame. The Lunt had a few small things to resol...
Celestron CPC 800 vs 925 - size and portability
มุมมอง 14Kปีที่แล้ว
If you’re like me, and you’ve been trying to decide whether the CPC 8” or 9.25” are portable enough for you before you commit, I’ve decided to make video about how they compare in size and what it’s like to manoeuvre them. I’m pretty average size and fitness, so hopefully this will be helpful for those who are wondering whether they can lift them up and set the down easily! The CPC series is ab...
How I stack and process photos of the International Space Station
มุมมอง 3.5Kปีที่แล้ว
A quick follow up on my previous video about capturing the ISS, which you can watch here: th-cam.com/video/KuX2Y99xGTA/w-d-xo.html I show my short and simple process of stacking and processing ISS photos, using PiPP, Autostakkert!3, Registax6, and GIMP. My process is by all means not the only one out there, and I will inevitable refine and change as I learn more, but it works for me and hopeful...
How I photograph the International Space Station
มุมมอง 27Kปีที่แล้ว
This is my process of capturing the ISS with a telescope and planetary camera using manual tracking. It is by all means not the only way, and I will probably change and refine it over time as I learn more, but this is what currently works for me and I've been invited to share it! The equipment used here is: Celestron CPC800 - 8" Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope on a dual fork alt-az Go-To mount ZWO...
Cool info, note that it's suggested to use some LocTite (Brand Name in US) it takes a very small drop to pervent the small set screws from coming loose when temps change or thru the night of imaging. It's not permanent, here in the USA it's blue as they make RED Don't use as it needs heat to remove the small set screws, where the normal blue will be undone easily. I saw in 1 of you Solar Videos that you call it Thread locker...Agreed for what these items cost should be used! Also ZWO in the first few years did include "Thread locker set screws in the EAF box, but stopped as just about every ZWO EAF video on TH-cam they did not use them....LOL
Wonderfully helpful video. I have the Redcat 51 WIFD, and you were able to clear up where the two hidden screw were hiding 😊 Muchos Gracias
Really glad it was helpful! It took me longer that I care to admit to do it myself 😄
I’m new to this & it looks blooming brilliant fun. What’s the starting point of size & cost to see minimum detail? Hopefully it doesn’t cost a bomb .
Hi! It does take quite a lot of focal length but something like a Skywatcher Skymax127 and a small planetary camera could resolve panels etc! I bought my stuff second hand which makes it even cheaper. I’d say about £250 for a used Skymax127 with a mount, and maybe £150-200 for a used planetary camera?
@@CellistOnTheRoof brilliant. AMF absolutely, that's what I'd plan for sure. 2nd hand. Those prices don't sound too scary.
Thank you for showing your process
but what about the optimal BF?
What’s BF, sorry? Edit: just realized you meant back focus! No need to worry about that at all in planetary, you’re only using a tiny portion of the sensor and not looking for a flat field. The camera can just plug into the visual back and that’s it.
@@CellistOnTheRoof i want to use for imaging with apc sensor
It's great that you proved to the nay sayers who don't believe that the Earth is a sphere! If the International Space Station 🚉 is real then the footage of the Earth 🌎 is real🎉
What is your opinion of a light pollution filter. I'm near a large city and light pollution is a real factor in my seeing conditions. Can this filter be used in conjunction with an UV and infrared cut filter.
It’s not needed at all. Planets are bright enough and exposures are so quick that light pollution doesn’t affect imaging. If you’re using an IR pass with it, it could ruin the IR by cutting the wavelengths you’re after!
@@CellistOnTheRoof Thank you for taking the time to answer my question, definitely helpful to me.
Thank you for sharing this useful info, I'm currently thinking of getting a 174 for my Lunt LS50 as the 290 I'm currently using doesn't give a full solar disc. Nice image by the way.
Thanks, really pleased if it can be useful! You’ll love the 174, it’s great.
awesome catch! like the processing also! well done. thanks!
Thank you too!
Quality graph not to bad !!!! Wow I rarely get 100f over 75% out of 20,000
It’s rare but it does happen! I think late morning is best time, high in the sky but before the air gets too hot.
I have just photographed the Sun in white light using Baader Solar Film and a 25 mm Pocket Borg refractor and loads of big sunspots .
Thank you for another excellent tutorial. I always find your tutorials easy to follow and very helpful.
Thanks! That’s really nice to hear.
Incredible! I have always been terrified to try this myself. Well done!!!
Thanks! You should go for it, now’s such a good time!
Very cool!
Thanks for the guidance on how to take and process hydrogen alpha images. As always your posts are interesting and helpful to aspiring astrophotographers like myself. I enjoy your presentations and always come away with new knowledge that I can put to use. Looking forward to a great summer of astronomy and more of your posts.
Nicely done once again! Another thing that can help with Facebook compression is to save your images as PNG files. This doesn't always work but more often than not gives you a better result.
Thanks! Yes that’s absolutely true. I do all my planetary in PNG but for some reason found the IMPPG PNG output a bit funny. Maybe I’ll find out down the line I’ve been doing something wrong all along 😄
@@CellistOnTheRoof Aha, OK, I mainly use Pixinsight for processing and creating the final image,. I also use Gimp and have noticed that the PNG's created by Gimp and Pixinsight can be quite different.
Cool! Sun is so interesting in hydrogen alpha.
Thanks, yes I think it’s absolutely mesmerizing!
Thanks for the video! After the installation I noticed that my focus knob doesn’t travel anymore the full range. The ReDCat 61 has the focus marking on the side from 0 to 50. After installing the EAF mine now goes to about 45. Did you have this issue?
Hi! I can’t say I’ve noticed any difference in my focuser travel with the EAF, either with the old helical focuser on the 51mm or the new WIFD 61mm. But with the correct spacing at the back, I’ve never really needed any range!
❤Another Great Video Ivana❤ 🌌Clear Skies From Rick in CA🌌
thank you for this video. question: I have the same telescope but have the ASI678 camera; how did you secure the camera directly onto the SCT? If I take out the diagonal, I just have the thread for the image train.
Hi! Sorry, I’m not exactly sure what you mean - the camera should have come with a 1.25” nosepiece which slots into the diagonal. If you take out the diagonal, that nosepiece just goes into the 1.25” visual back on the telescope!
@@CellistOnTheRoof Thanks. My SCT did not come with the 1.25" Visual Back piece from Celestron. I went ahead and purchased it to be able to secure the camera onto the scope. It was not mentioned on your video as a separate item to purchase that's all.
Ah right! The thing is, all SCTs I’ve seen around here come with the 1.25” visual back, so I didn’t think to mention needing it as it’s a part of package and usually included even if sold second hand. Glad you’re sorted, good luck with your imaging!
Do you sell the composite solar system image?
Hi! No unfortunately, I don’t sell any of my images. Maybe down the line!
I like your clear and concise videos.
Hi and thanks for an informative video, although as a beginner most of what you said was "over my head." Anyway, I'll eventually catch up. What length of USB 3 cable do comfortably use while imaging? I am new to this and have lots to learn. FWIW, I live in a Bortle 7-8 area. 😒
Hi, glad the video could be helpful! It’s a steep learning curve for sure. I didn’t have any issues downloading ZWO drivers for any of my cameras. I do use Chrome browser, maybe try a different one, or even saving the zipped file to cloud or something like Dropbox!
@@CellistOnTheRoof I apologize, I was able to get the drivers installed, so I edited my question above. Please see my question concerning USB 3.0 cables.
Glad you got it sorted. I use the standard cables that came with the cameras, one or two meters I believe. Planetary is perfect for us in high Bortle areas, as planets and moon don’t care about light pollution!
@@CellistOnTheRoof Thanks for the reply. I am just considering everything I need, and how close to my "rig" I need to be during capture. I see most folks a meter or two away, using a utility table for computer.
🔭Hi Ivana, Great video comparing both scopes. I just got the CPC 800 so that I have a field carry scope. Already have the CPC 1100 in my ObservaDome Observatory. The 11" "beast" replaces vintage C8 that was in there for years. It really helps to show how you need to lift these scopes on the tripods. Thanks Again❤
Thanks, really glad it was useful! Good luck, the observatory sounds amazing.
Appreciate your advice about dimming the captured image and using RAW8 and a area of 536x540. Just started taking with a ZWO ASI224mc and a Celestron 120mmx1000 achromat telescope. 80yrs of age and thought this would keep me busy. Not a lot yet due to very poor seeing because of smoke from a wild fire. Glad found your channel. Just ordered a UV/IR filter. Only have a Meade XL70 mount with a motor on RA. Hope to decent seeing soon, can't even see stars at the moment.
Why not using the ZWO capture soft ware ?
Hi! As brilliant as ZWO capture software is for deep space (I use ASIAIR myself), it just doesn’t have the bandwidth for planetary. Dedicated software on a laptop/PC is much faster and more adaptable.
❤❤❤ Hermosa
Do you play cello? I ask because your name...
Yes! Three years ago I thought it was a clever wordplay 😄 and stuck with it!
thurgau.astronomie.ch/oberherten/Medien/cellospiel.jpg 😀 thurgau.astronomie.ch/oberherten/
Looks like a must have. Ty
Keep the telescope dry as I've never known rain so bad ,hardly a day without rain for 11 months now.Mind we have had some unusual sky phenomena too during that 11 months; Nacreous Clouds in December 2023 and the Aurora Borealis in May 2024.
I rarely leave my telescope out, and even with the cover, it won’t be out if rain is forecast. This just in case I want it to cool down for morning imaging!
Cool!
I just got a Lunt 40 mm and am learning to get the best viewing with it. I am not sure if I want to get into astrophotography, but I am thinking about it. These results are amazing.
I’m 65 years old and own a vintage 1970 orange tube C5 (inherited from my surveyor grandfather) and a C8 Classic purchased in 1986-both are fully optioned, have dual tines and are equatorial wedge mounted. The C5 is so much easier to work with, to setup and transport. They say the best scope is the one you can most frequently and easily set-up to use… Regardless, am now looking at my first computerized C8, after having manually leveled , oriented the mount then aligned equatorially for so many decades, the options today are superb. I have to laugh when I see people giving poor online reviews due to modern Alt/Az mount alignment issues-if only they’d had to learn to do it the ‘proper’ way… Thanks for your great review :-) -the scopes look wonderful, wishing you clear, awesome views!
Nice tip, thank you.
Hope it can be of use!
I have a 50mm Lunt ordered. For visual use only, I don't understand the appeal of imaging; NASA will always produce way better images, and they're available one Google away. Glad you got yours to work in the end.
Too late, just received my asi eaf in the post today.....
I always fit a standard Skywatcher electric focuser motor on my SCT and Maksutov scopes. Makes focussing during planetary imaging so much better. I detest vibrations.
Over 40 years of back and forth focusing trying to find the sweet spot on my old SCT. This amazingly simple idea is a brilliant alternative to a fine focuser. Thanks!
Oh brilliant! Hope it can be helpful 😊
3D printed larger cog gives fine focus too. Great idea with the peg.
Awh, thanks for the shoutout Ivana!
🙌😊
love the 45 sec Myth ! good job, dont know till you try... im gonna sell my ASI120MC and look at the 662/585MC . looking forward to your next planet imaging. keep up the good work. cheers.
Im wanting the sharpest live footage of specifically Saturn. Do I need 16 inch Dob? What set up would you recommend?
Excellent video, and I really like your advice to be empirical about things. Just see what works well and what doesn’t. And for the many Mac users who need to go Windows for planetary, to keep the costs down, consider the reconditioned market. Two years ago on Amazon we found a reconditioned Dell Latitude with an i7 processor, 16GB of ram, and 512 solid state memory for just under $400. I ran it with Sharpcap and for processing PIPP, AutoStakkert, and Registax. Then over to my Mac for Photoshop. As I mentioned in a comment to your setup video, I’m going to try planetary with my ASIAIR+ and AM5-being empirical-but maybe it will work. If it doesn’t, I’ll likely use my Dell and Sharpcap again. By the way, you didn’t mention PIPP. It is often recommended although hard to find online these days, but I can’t see the advantage of using it in a workflow prior to using AutoStakkert. Do you have any thoughts about that?
Thanks! For a regular planetary workflow, I don’t use PiPP (Autostakkert does everything), however it’s irreplaceable for ISS and it also handily makes gifs, converts files, and can crop a series of images to a same size while centering the object. Unfortunately yes, it’s retired now, but I found it in a google cache! Good luck.
Wonderful video, Ivana! Thank you so much for sharing with us 😍
Thanks so much Vlado!!
I started out doing planetary using a 200P & modified Philips webcam (remember those?) I got some decent-ish results before moving onto a planetary camera which was far superior. Good tip about the clothes peg as I've used one on my 5" Mak before but the dew ring is definitely a must just a shame none are made for other brands like Meade of Skywatcher as I think they're definitely missing a trick there.
Superb capture. I ordered a Lunt 40 a few weeks ago and hopefully it will be delivered in mid June. Keep up the great work.
Thanks very much! Good luck, you’ll love it.
clothes peg => Brilliant idea why do you want 3D print a lever when you can do simple stuff...
Great video! Thanks!
can you link everything you mentioned?
Oh that’s a great idea, yes, I’ll put the links in the description soon.
What and awesome video. Love the way you explained all the equipment. Keep going and clear skies! Greets from Italy
Thanks very much!!
@@CellistOnTheRoof Youre welcome. Im coming from a lot of deep sky and building my first light entry level planetary rig with a skybox 127 :)