Orpington Astronomical Society

Astronomy => Astrophotography => Topic started by: MarkS on Jan 07, 2009, 06:34:20

Title: The Inevitable Copernicus
Post by: MarkS on Jan 07, 2009, 06:34:20
Yes, I know Copernicus has been done to death, but for me, I've never attempted it before.

Canon EOS 350D on Celestron C11.  Eyepiece projection using 15mm eyepiece.
Each sub was a 1 second exposure at ISO 100

The 8 best frames (out of 80) stacked in AviStack then subsequently deconvolved and resized.

Maybe adding more frames would bring out more detail - I don't know.  I've more more data for the surrounding area which I'll process later.

(http://homepage.ntlworld.com/the_shelleys/Astronomy/coper060109.jpg)

Title: Re: The Inevitable Copernicus
Post by: Mac on Jan 07, 2009, 07:08:35
Very nice indeed.
Title: Re: The Inevitable Copernicus
Post by: RobertM on Jan 07, 2009, 08:05:15
That looks superb Mark.
Title: Re: The Inevitable Copernicus
Post by: Fay on Jan 07, 2009, 08:10:10
Fantastic, Mark. Really nice
Title: Re: The Inevitable Copernicus
Post by: Tony G on Jan 07, 2009, 10:45:01
Mark,

How can you do this to death, as you have said, it's the first time for you, and this is only one of hundreds to image, and as you are aware at certain stages, the light makes objects like craters look very different from one day to the next and even over a few hours.
I personally don't think you can 'do to death' any object in the heavens, as you will always be trying to get that better image, and may I say what an great image that is Mark.

Tony G

PS That was rather a sensible thread from me, no joke or innuendo's, must be the flu.
Title: Re: The Inevitable Copernicus
Post by: Mike on Jan 07, 2009, 11:03:06
Very nice indeed Mark. Lovely crisp detail and contrast. I don't care how many times i've seen images of this object they are always nice to look at and you always spot something you didn't notice before.
Title: Re: The Inevitable Copernicus
Post by: Daniel on Jan 07, 2009, 12:39:02
Lovely image mark, really crisp, im suprised you managed such an amazing picture from eyepieve projection.
I have a 4x powermate you could borrow some time if you want, would be very interesting to see what you come up with without eyepiece projection.

Daniel
:O)
Title: Re: The Inevitable Copernicus
Post by: JohnP on Jan 07, 2009, 12:43:04
Yep agree with all the comments - even Mr. 'call me sensible' G.... The image has a real 3D feel to it - looks really good - I assume you put your new program to good use... I have downloaded it but not a chance to play yet...

Cheers,  John
Title: Re: The Inevitable Copernicus
Post by: MarkS on Jan 07, 2009, 13:40:03
Thanks for your comments.   I'm very pleasantly surprised by what can be achieved with eyepiece projection.  It still hasn't reached the diffraction limited resolution of the C11 (which is approx 0.5 arcsec) but it's certainly the closest I've come so far.  It was helped by the excellent seeing last night.

The image contains only the red channel - I've yet to add the blue and green channels (which are more blurry and hence require a different deconvolution).  When I do so, I'm hoping I can push the final resolution still further.  Yes John, it was done with my own software.

The 15mm eyepiece gave approximately 6x magnification i.e. approx F60 at an effective focal length of 17 metres! 

Tony G - you're absolutely right - moon craters can never be "done to death".  They're always different and interesting.
Title: Re: The Inevitable Copernicus
Post by: Mike on Jan 07, 2009, 13:53:57
Mark what do you mean it is only the Red Channel? Did you not use your DSLR?
Title: Re: The Inevitable Copernicus
Post by: MarkS on Jan 07, 2009, 14:52:35

Yes, it was definitely my DSLR. 

The Bayer matrix has Red, Green & Blue pixels - I stripped out the red pixels from the raw data and created an image from those.  So if the DSLR has 3400x2400 pixels (approx) then the subsequent red channel has 1700x1200 pixels i.e. half as many in each direction.
Title: Re: The Inevitable Copernicus
Post by: Fay on Jan 07, 2009, 15:32:55
Mark, it is weird how you look at it once & the middle is raised & then not. It is so clear, the detail is amazing. 
Title: Re: The Inevitable Copernicus
Post by: Whitters on Jan 07, 2009, 19:44:58
And all the little craters and lumps 'n bumps around the crater rim. Fantastic!

Tony carefull now, you never know where lyrical waxing will take you.
Title: Re: The Inevitable Copernicus
Post by: MarkS on Jan 09, 2009, 20:06:13

I've now processed the best 20 frames.  It has brought out just a tiny bit more detail and allows the image to be shown at a greater size.

(http://homepage.ntlworld.com/the_shelleys/Astronomy/coper060109v3.jpg)
Title: Re: The Inevitable Copernicus
Post by: Fay on Jan 09, 2009, 20:47:16
Wonderful, Mark, so much fine detail!!!!!
Title: Re: The Inevitable Copernicus
Post by: Tony G on Jan 09, 2009, 20:57:55
Mark,

Excellent image and well processed, I'm sure you can see footprints to the left of the crater.  :)

Tony G
Title: Re: The Inevitable Copernicus
Post by: Ian on Jan 09, 2009, 21:54:14
you been sniffing thermite fumes again Mr.G?

They're clearly bicycle tracks.
Title: Re: The Inevitable Copernicus
Post by: Whitters on Jan 11, 2009, 16:42:02
Stunning!