Jupiter, Io, Ganymede Shadow Transit 2016-03-07-22:59 to 2016-03-08-02:02 UTC

[The Thing]

Image date, time and location:        2016-03-07-22:59 to 2016-03-08-02:02 UTC Manche, France
Telescope aperture and focal ratio:   Meade LX90 8" UHTC, Moonfish X2 ED Barlow, Pierro Astro ADC
Camera and filters used:              QHY5L-II Colour, Baader Neodymnium 2"
Processing applied:                   Sharpcap, PIPP 2.5.5, AutoStakkert2!, Registax 6

Workflow:
1- find planet on CCD
2- capture 70x120s videos in SER non-debayered format using Sharpcap or Firecapture using WinJupos file naming convention (see
3- use PIPP to stabilize, crop, and quality filter the captures and output to SER non-debayered files
4- drag files on Autostakkert2!. It will show the first frame of the first video. Analyse, set options, output to TIF and set Alignment points - less is more. Stack. All Videos dragged will be processed
5- drag first TIF into Registax. Make sure Settings, Automatic Processing is set to 'Align to Wavelet'. Set up wavelets and other options. make sure Hold Wavlet Setting is checked (VIP). Save as PN to original folder.
6- drag each TIF in turn onto Registax, it will process the file. If using Gamma adjustment you have to click on it's window to apply it (bug?). Save as PNG
7- go back to PIPP, clear Source files list and drag the PNG files onto it. Set mode to Join Files and Planetary Animation. You can deselect most other settings as they are not needed. On the animation tab set up the options e.g framerate. On the Output tab set the output folder etc. The Do Processing.
8- If you are a glutton for this sort of task you could have de-rotated each TIF in WinJupos before the Registax stage to get more detail as there is a bit of smudging even in a 2 minute video of Jupiter.


To replay, right click and select Open in a New Tab, then you can use the Refresh button to replay.

[RobertM]

That's a really impressive result Duncan, there's almost some detail on the moons as well.  Do you think you'll be a glutton and de-rotate in Winjupos just for that extra detail ?

It's good of you to list out all the workflow steps too which I might try if we ever get any clear skies again !!!  Must admit I miss doing some planetary work

Robert

[The Thing]

I might do the WinJupos thing. Maybe tomorrow!

I wish we could replace files on the Gallery as I have tweaked a couple of frames that didn't get the Gamma tweak in Registax and trimmed the dodgy edges. Maybe I'll just stick it up there with no info...

[MarkS]

That's a great result Duncan.

I love those moons transiting with their shadows.

Your workflow has worked well.

It looks like the seeing conditions were a bit variable (as usual!)

Mark

[The Thing]

It looks like the seeing conditions were a bit variable (as usual!)

Mark

Thanks Mark and Robert.

There were some misty patches and the focus shifted as it got down to -2.5C (coldest here this year) and of course as it got cold I went inside to have a wee dram and warm up, came out 20 mins later and had to refocus. Remarkably tracking (unguided) was good enough that Jupiter was still in the FoV However I think the biggest improvement to the image now will be to put in a belt drive as on my HEQ5 as it gets rid of higher frequency vibrations from the steppers. So Mark, 47 or 48 teeth?

[MarkS]

However I think the biggest improvement to the image now will be to put in a belt drive as on my HEQ5 as it gets rid of higher frequency vibrations from the steppers. So Mark, 47 or 48 teeth?

Definitely 48 teeth - it gives the best chance of overcoming periodic error.  But it means you can no longer use the handset.  You'll be forced to use EQMOD for ever.

Mark

[Fay]

What a good video Duncan! you are good at this planetary lark!

Fay

[JohnP]

Really good Duncan I like it. Why is Jupiter so fuzzy on edges - just curious.. John

[The Thing]

Really good Duncan I like it. Why is Jupiter so fuzzy on edges - just curious.. John

First, there is the natural reduction in light coming back to Earth from the edges due to the spherical nature of the reflector i.e. Jupiter.
Second, same effect means more side on view through the atmosphere (it's not a solid surface) at the edges - less detail. If you see the same level of detail to the edges it means they have probably trimmed a bit off.
Third, I have used the De-ringing function in Registax as after wavelet sharpening there is a dark side ring and a light side ring to be 'smoothed' away. I've probably overdone it a bit :]

Here's an example from the well known Chris Go who images from the Phillipines.

[The Thing]

However I think the biggest improvement to the image now will be to put in a belt drive as on my HEQ5 as it gets rid of higher frequency vibrations from the steppers. So Mark, 47 or 48 teeth?

Definitely 48 teeth - it gives the best chance of overcoming periodic error.  But it means you can no longer use the handset.  You'll be forced to use EQMOD for ever.

Mark

Just got a quote for one pulley - costs more than the kit! I think 47 teeth will have to do.

[JohnP]

Cheers Duncan appreciate explanation  and all makes sense. John.

[The Thing]

This has had flats applied in PIPP and 'Variable Transparency Recovery' in AutoStakkert then WinJupos De-rotation. 70 frames, each 50% of 2000. I'm very happy with this!

[JohnP]

I'm very happy with this!

So you should be.. its excellent - There are some parts where the detail is superb (example just as first moon gets to 1/2 across surface)...

Nice - John

[MarkS]

Wow - even better!

What is variable transparency recovery?

Mark

[RobertM]

Wow - even better!

What is variable transparency recovery?

Mark

My thoughts exactly.

[The Thing]

Variable Transparency Recovery attempts to even out the effects of transparency of the sky i.e. crud that makes the video have different levels on different sections. It may do other things. There is no documentation! But it worked in this case making the stacked frames better. I could have tried Ultra-Smooth MAP Recombination as well, who knows what that is, but I have used it before and it is goooood on good data. And that's before you get to the Experimental stuff

BTW The rugby was excellent. Permanent power and networking is being laid to my obsy! And clear skies!!

[RobertM]

BTW The rugby was excellent. Permanent power and networking is being laid to my obsy! And clear skies!!

I must be with the wrong company    Who's laying in those clear skies to the obs for you ?

Robert

[The Thing]

BTW The rugby was excellent. Permanent power and networking is being laid to my obsy! And clear skies!!

I must be with the wrong company    Who's laying in those clear skies to the obs for you ?

Robert

I think it's the plumbers Anyway last night it did the usual, fog rather than cloud this time. Maybe better luck tonight.

[Fay]

Glad at least you are enjoying yourself Duncan

[The Thing]

Processed identically except the unsharpened stacked images were derotated in WinJupos, then wavelet sharpened in REgistax before being animated in PIPP. I also created a couple of intermediate images for ones I'd missed by getting WJ to generate an image from two others.

BTW it's Io and EUROPA - what a lashup by me.

I think a couple of frames are exceptional now considering the optics. What do you think?

[Fay]

thats extra special Duncan! you have done it well. I can see I will have to up my game!!

[Fay]

what do you mean, 70x120 sec videos? is that 70 separate ones?

[The Thing]

Yes Fay, 70 x 120s -> 70 videos to stack (takes 10 mins in AutoStakkert2! with a bit of drag and drop to load the vids), 70 images to de-rotate individually which is a pain, then sharpen individually which is also a pain. Must try Mark's DECON3 next...

[Fay]

A good tuition subject for an imaging meeting

[MarkS]

Another excellent one Duncan!

You seem to be getting some good nights of data!

Mark

[MarkS]

Did you see this about a possible impact?
http://www.cloudynights.com/topic/531865-possible-asteroid-impact-on-jupiter-confirmation-needed/

Unfortunately I wasn't imaging at the time.

Mark

[RobertM]

That's another great video Duncan, you're really getting some good data.

Does anyone else use an Atmospheric Dispersion Corrector?

Edited!

Robert

[MarkS]

Does anyone else use an Atmospheric Dispersion Corrector?

I'm planning to get one some time.  However, Jupiter is high enough at the moment for it to not be much of an issue.

Mark

[The Thing]

Does anyone else use an Atmospheric Dispersion Corrector?

I'm planning to get one some time.  However, Jupiter is high enough at the moment for it to not be much of an issue.

Mark

Having used FireCapture v2.5 new colour channel alignment tool for the first time this week (enable Debayer and Histogram) I can say that even at the current max altitude there is a fair bit dispersion going on. The tool means you can set your ADC to exactly align the dispersed colour. Excellent and easy. You can have FC automatically turn off Debayer when you capture (since you want RAW data).

[JohnP]

Excellent image Duncan - John

[The Thing]

Thanks for all your kind comments.