ISS 27 July 2008

[MarkS]

Modified Canon EOS 350D on Celestron C11 at F10.
Single frame of 1/2000sec at ISO 800

[Daniel]

Thats awesome man, Im definitely going to try that myself next chance I get, by the way did you guy's see the big flare up once it crossed southwards, really impressive

[Carole]

That's even better than your previous ISS images.

Appreciate the tips on when ISS space station passes over and transit of red spot.

Carole

[Mike]

Incredible detail Mark.

[MarkS]

I improved my technique for this image: I tied a broom handle to the scope! 

This gave me much improved control for manually tracking the ISS across the sky.

Now I have better control, my next step will be to add a x2 Barlow

[Mike]

Can you not set it all up with a laser pointer and just track the ISS with the laser? Then again I guess that would interfere with the image.

[Rocket Pooch]

Excellent image, also you are now a pure british inventor, anyone using a broom handle to monitor a multi billion dollar space station deserves the title of excentric as well.

Chris


P.S. How long was the broom handle and does it affect the image scale?

[MarkS]

Let me clarify:
I used the finderscope as a sighting device.
I used the (slightly shortened) broom handle as a steering device.

[JohnP]

Mark - that is excellent you certainly set the mark when it comes to imaging the ISS - Have you tried sending these off to any of the mags? - well done... John

[Ian]

good stuff Mark. Do you have a licence for a sawn-off broomstick?

I can hear TonyG muttering about mothers in law, but I can't quite make out what he's saying...

[MarkS]

The same image but with mild deconvolution applied.  Bizarrely, this simultaneously sharpens the image and reduces the noise.

Before and after:

[RobertM]

Another stunning picture Mark, that really is impressive.  Great idea using the broom handle it must have made a big difference.

How many frames did you manage to catch and how many were usable ?

[Fay]

Really fantastic Mark, lovely image!!!!

Fay

[MarkS]

Thanks for all your comments.

Robert, I took about 60 frames.  Only 21 actually had the ISS in frame and only 4 or 5 of these were usable.  The broom handle worked well for controlling the mount but I need to attach the shutter trigger button more securely to it - I was fumbling rather.

[MarkS]

Had another go tonight (29 Jul). The orientation was similar but it was not quite so clear:



Again, Canon EOS 350D, 1/2000s at ISO 800 on the C11 at F10

[Fay]

You are so clever Mark.  I knew you would be trying for it. It was a nice sight going over tonight.

[RobertM]

You out in your nightie again Fay !

[MarkS]

Fay,

What on earth do your neighbours think?

Mark

[Fay]

You cannot see into our garden, Mark. You make me sound like Miss Marple, Robert!!!

[JohnP]

Mark - Excellent again. Have you see APOD for today?? May be another challenge - I guess there must be a site that predicts transits from your location - although, I suspect you could probably work it out for yourself

Cheers,  John

[MarkS]

Yes, I believe there is actually a site that calculates ISS transits across the face of the moon and sun.

[Mike]

You cannot see into our garden, Mark. You make me sound like Miss Marple, Robert!!!

Actually, I just google earthed your garden and it's not a pretty sight! 

[Fay]

Gosh, I was younger then as well Mike. Being that Google Earth is a couple of years ou of date!

[Rocket Pooch]

Well your in the calendar this year me thinks!