Remote Planetary Imaging from your Backyard

Losmandy's own Brian Valente shows his DIY 'home observatory' and how to use some techniques from deep space imaging (DSO) to make planetary imaging easier and faster.
This is more of an intermediate "tips on how I do it" rather than a definitive tutorial on planetary imaging. Hopefully this will give you some ideas on how to do planetary without having to brave mosquitoes and bugs. and still get some great planetary images.
#losmandy #tutorial #astrophotography

[@georges.5612]

Finally, SharpCap guiding. It's one of those things I knew existed, attempted at 3 am, but was too addled by tiredness, DEET, and Diet Mountain Dew to make work.

[@lovettrealtor]

"just a camera I had available, an ASI1600" - that's quite the guidecam, even on a flawed guidescope! Fun stuff, thank you for sharing and all your help!

[@brianvalente]

haha yeah, well i could have done it with a small guidescope and guide camera, but i gotta use what i already own :)

[@nikulsuthar]

110°F for days together? Is it safe to leave ZWO cameras out all day under covers during such high temperatures?

[@joeulowetz3546]

What is the box between the Optec focuser and the ASI662MC camera?

[@jean-noelferrier4621]

Dear Brian, thank you for this tuto. What is the black box under the guide scope ?

[@joeulowetz3546]

I assume it is a NUC PC of some kind since it is running Windows. I also noticed what looks like a WiFi router to its right.

[@matadorbeagles1120]

Thanks Brian! Is your pier just Hiti Bolted/Redhead Anchored into a concrete slab without a concrete pier and footer below grade? If so, do you notice any vibration that gives issues doing remote imaging and you aren't in the area around the pier?

[@brianvalente]

Great question! I use Simpson Titen HD screws and basically screwed them into the slab. I haven't noticed any vibrations because I avoid being in the area while imaging, which I think is part of the value of this approach. Mine is a temporary setup so I did not invest the time and resources to isolate the piers.

[@michael.a.covington]

(1) Is that Windows 11?
(2) How do you focus?

[@brianvalente]

1) yep 2) i have an autofocuser attached, enable planet disk stabilization, and focus by eye.

[@rafaberrios8142]

Is that an electric ADC?

[@rafaberrios8142]

My goodness it is!!
A video explaining how you got this beauty to work would be beyond!!
No one knows about these!
You recommend????