Pete, I realize you and several other members are actually members of both
societies but for whatever reason, within my own narrow mindedness, I keep
linking you to only ASSNE. I had just assumed you were responding on behalf of
ASSNE so I just wanted to be sure that someone on behalf of Skyscrapers at least
responded.
I also noticed the character " ' " was scrambled in my earlier post, probably
because I cut and pasted from outlook to cox webmail. I guess something with
that character wasn't compatible.
As far as the image processing presentation that was mentioned offline, If I
hear from Steve and he's willing, I'll put him in touch with the proper person
on this end to get it scheduled to coincide with the CCD workshops. Photoshop
can look intimidating to the casual user but it provides so much flexibility and
really isn't that difficult once you know the steps.
Bob F.
---- barringtonri <pecorp@...> wrote:
> Another clarification. I'd expressed a willingness to discuss this with
Samantha as a member of Skyscrapers who just happens to also be a member of
ASSNE.
>
> Pete
>
> --- In skyscrapers_rias@yahoogroups.com, "Starman" <bob_napier@...> wrote:
> >
> > Just a clarification:
> >
> > "Seagrave" refers to Seagrave Memorial Observatory and is operated and owned
by Skyscrapers, Inc.
> >
> > Bob N.
> >
> > > I’m sure I speak for both ASSNE and Seagrave when I say that both
societies are here to help you in any way we can.
> >
> >
> > --- In skyscrapers_rias@yahoogroups.com, <bforgiel@> wrote:
> > >
> > > Samantha,
> > > My name is Bob Forgiel and I coordinate some of the events for Seagrave. I
had mentioned to Bob N. that either Pete or Seagrave would have no problem in
helping you out so for now you can decide how you want to do this and Bob Napier
can put you in contact with either Pete (ASSNE) or myself at (Seagrave).
> > >
> > > I’m sure you will find that either Seagrave or ASSNE will both have
members working with either CCD and/or DSLR imaging. I personally use a CCD
imager. It’s more sensitive than DSLR but provides a much smaller image and
field of view. Some of us in the Yahoo group have setup photos in our galleries.
Now that you’re a member of the group you can browse through the galleries
and see what some of the members are doing.
> > >
> > > I actually work a street over from the school so I can probably safely
assume that other than the moon (Lunar) and Jupiter, you don’t get much use
out of the scope you mentioned. During the winter months you’ll be able to
observe the Orion Nebula quite easily but I would imagine that in East
Providence your neighbors would think you’re spying on them when you put a
scope in the yard.
> > >
> > > Regardless of where you receive your mentoring you should obviously take
advantage of some of the upcoming items at Seagrave. We will have some CCD
workshops coming up that you should look into. I recently did a presentation
for our members on the basic CCD cameras, filters, etc... for CCD
astrophotography and later on will be giving another one that goes a little
deeper into the capture and image processing. You will find that Seagrave is
open every clear Saturday night and you’ll be able to meet some of the
members attending as well as getting some eyepiece time.
> > >
> > > I’m sure I speak for both ASSNE and Seagrave when I say that both
societies are here to help you in any way we can.
> > >
> > > Bob Forgiel
> > > Seagrave
> > >
> > >
> > > ---- Samantha <samanthaviall@> wrote:
> > > > Hello! I'm Samantha, the senior seeking a mentor. I've had spotty access
to a computer, but I've been receiving your e-mails, and I appreciate the
support you've all been showing.
> > > > I'm a senior at East Providence High School. I need to have my senior
project done by January, so a majority of the mentoring would take place in the
autumn and winter. I need to double-check, but I'm pretty sure I need around
8-10 hours with a mentor.
> > > > I've chosen astrophotography for my senior project because of an
interest I've developed in astronomy. I've been passionate about photography for
a few years now, but over the summer I started getting into stargazing. The idea
that we can see Jupiter almost every night in the summer months was completely
fascinating, and it wasn't long after that that I discovered astrophotography.
Our senior project teacher told us that we should choose something that we
enjoy, but requires exploring something we don't know much about.
Astrophotography seems like the perfect choice.
> > > > For equipment, I have a Nikon D80 and a sad little telescope that I
got at a yard sale for $7.00. It's good for seeing details of the moons surface,
but that's about it. My birthday is coming up in October, however, and I've
asked for a mount so I can attach my really nice camera to my not-so-nice
telescope (fingers crossed!)
> > > > I'm hoping that when working with a mentor (whoever it may be) will be
able to teach me about different equipment (axis motors, filters, etc) and how I
can use things that I already know about photography (shutter speeds and lenses)
to take great astrophotos.
> > > > Thank you so much for your support, and I look forward to hearing from
you!
> > > > -Samantha Viall
> > > >
> > >
> >
>
>
I think it was last winter when I first tried the Orion narrowband filters and
haven't used them since. I remember having issues with them so I finally had a
chance to mess around a little more with them. I can absolutely confirm that
although some literature indicates the Orion narrowband filters are par-focal,
that is far from the truth. I think it's better described as non-focal. The oIII
filter requires a fair amount of back focus and thus result in a different size
image. When combining the Ha, oIII and sII images, nothing lines up and all
three images are slightly different sizes. I did a quick test image of C33 and
then figured the proper scale for each channel. Since the size needs to be
changed, it's obviously best done before the data is converted into an 8 bit
format. I uploaded the narrowband image of C33 to my photos section. It's barely
1/3 of the required exposure time but was enough to get an idea how the filters
work. Weather permitting, I'll be going back to this object again for some
longer exposure times.
Hello all! I was just wondering if you were meeting tonight. It's really
overcast, so I doubt it, but I thought I would double-check.
-Samantha Viall
Sent from my iPhone
Hi Samantha,
I just saw your message, but there is no meeting tonight for the CCD
Astrophotography Workshop. Weather conditions cancellation.
Our web page had posted the cancellation notice:
http://www.theskyscrapers.org
Bob N.
--- In skyscrapers_rias@yahoogroups.com, Samantha Viall <samanthaviall@...>
wrote:
>
> Hello all! I was just wondering if you were meeting tonight. It's really
overcast, so I doubt it, but I thought I would double-check.
>
> -Samantha Viall
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
For piggybacking a DSLR camera, I have a Meade piggyback camera mount that fits
my 8" Meade but do we have one kicking around that fits the 12" Meade at
Seagrave?
I traditionally open up my observatory and bribe the trick-or-treaters with a
Mars bar if they look thru the scope and tell me what they see. But tonight, as
with most of this year's nights, it's a wipe out.
Has anyone seen any firm statistics on few clear nights we've had this year?
Pete
Hi Bob, there was a camera adapter on the 12" Meade. It should still be around!
Ask one of the trustees to check the cabinets. It could also be floating around
in the Meade/Patton shed.
Hope that helps!
Tracey
--- In skyscrapers_rias@yahoogroups.com, "Bob" <bforgiel@...> wrote:
>
> For piggybacking a DSLR camera, I have a Meade piggyback camera mount that
fits my 8" Meade but do we have one kicking around that fits the 12" Meade at
Seagrave?
>
Has anyone had any experience with a Dob platform? I am thinking about trying to
build one using a small stepper motor and drive control with a linear ball-screw
or linear guides. I just haven't found any sites where anyone has tried to
design in this type of control accuracy.
Clear Skies
Tracey
First attempt at imaging with filters. The images, using a Meade DSI
Pro, were taken and processed with Nebulosity. Some areas are blown
out. My next attempt will be to reduce the exposure time and increase
the number of frames.
Image of NGC 7635
<http://groups.yahoo.com/group/skyscrapers_rias/photos/album/626392805/p\
ic/2080511224/view>
Lloyd
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Not bad, you caught a lot of the surrounding detail.
Do you capture in the FITS format? There's a lot that can be done in post
processing, especially when you capture in Fits. The Meade Image processing
software can be a challenge since the instructions are not too good but it
recognizes the fits format and will provide good results. The only limitation is
that it won't let you add a luminescent layer.
Bob F.
---- Lloyd Merrill <lbmerrill001@...> wrote:
>
> First attempt at imaging with filters. The images, using a Meade DSI
> Pro, were taken and processed with Nebulosity. Some areas are blown
> out. My next attempt will be to reduce the exposure time and increase
> the number of frames.
>
> Image of NGC 7635
> <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/skyscrapers_rias/photos/album/626392805/p
> ic/2080511224/view>
>
> Lloyd
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
I've now received 2 email about Portsmouth so let me clarify.
Portsmouth Middle School requested that we side with caution and just pick
another date. I realize it will probably be mainly clear but we're rescheduling
at their request. We'll be going over a few dates with them and then they'll be
back on the schedule.
Also, don't forget to mark your calendars and sign up for the Christian Home
Educators visit to Seagrave Observatory on Friday, December 11th. If you can
make it, contact me so we can figure the best way to structure the night.
Bob Forgiel
I observed 19 geminids over a 45 minute time between about 3:00 and 3:45 AM Dec.
14. My view was restricted since I viewed toward Providence through a window
from inside - too cold to stand outside.
About one third of the 19 meteors were between about 0 and -1 magnitude and were
visible for about and estimated two thirds the distance from zenith to horizon.
The rest were in the 2nd or 3rd magnitude range with much shorter trails.
I purchased a copy of WebCamScheinern (WCS) about a year ago. It's pretty
simple to use. The only problem that I have is getting the very last
adjustment out of it. When I think I have the perfect alignment and I retest
it I seem to have over shot my adjustment. I then correct and I've gone too
far the other way. That being said it brings the mount to very close to polar
alignment. I also have a copy of PemPro that also has a polar alignment
feature. Like WCS the last few adjustments on the Titan are very sensitive to
over correction.
Â
Lloyd Merrill
Windsong Observatory
Cumberland, RI
________________________________
From: JimH <jim@...>
To: skyscrapers_rias@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Wed, December 23, 2009 9:11:48 AM
Subject: [skyscrapers_rias] Drift align using a webcam, DSI, Imaging Source, etc
Â
I haven't tried this yet but it looks rather simple. http://wcs.ruthner.
at/index- en.php
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Mike Brown's Planets blog discusses some of the dwarf planets and now a new one
was just discovered from the southern hemisphere.
http://www.mikebrownsplanets.com
2009 YE7 was discovered about 10 days ago, Dec. 17, 2009, and is quite bright
(absolute brightness) for an object of its size at more than 50 AU from the sun.
However, it is still quite faint at 20th magnitude apparent brighness and a
tough one to image.
Wikipedia has some very preliminary information about it at:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2009_YE7
Bob N.
There is a new comet coming into the inner solar system from a direction near
the sun, so it isn't easily visible and one of the dangers of something striking
the earth without much warning. This comet could possibly be bright enough to be
seen during daytime after it rounds the sun and heads back out into the solar
system.
Here is the NASA web site with the animated movie images:
http://sohodata.nascom.nasa.gov/cgi-bin/soho_movie_theater
When you get to the above page, click on LASCO C3, fill in 100 for the "latest N
images" for animation, then click on SEARCH. You can see the comet coming in
toward the sun from about the 7 PM clock position.
If you keep looking, you should see the comet emerge from passage behind the
sun's occulting disk on the SOHO Observatory. This should happen in the next
day or so if the comet survives the close passage by the sun.
Bob N.
NO ONE SHOULD TRY TO OBSERVE A COMET THIS CLOSE TO THE SUN UNLESS THEY ARE VERY
EXPERIENCED SOLAR OBSERVERS AND KNOW THE DANGERS OF ACCIDENTALLY LOOKING AT THE
SUN!!!
It is also just reported by other observers that the comet did not survive close
passage around the sun....and that it disintegrated.
See also the Spaceweather web site:
http://www.spaceweather.com/
Bob N.
--- In skyscrapers_rias@yahoogroups.com, "Starman" <bob_napier@...> wrote:
>
> There is a new comet coming into the inner solar system from a direction near
the sun, so it isn't easily visible and one of the dangers of something striking
the earth without much warning. This comet could possibly be bright enough to be
seen during daytime after it rounds the sun and heads back out into the solar
system.
>
> Here is the NASA web site with the animated movie images:
>
> http://sohodata.nascom.nasa.gov/cgi-bin/soho_movie_theater
>
> When you get to the above page, click on LASCO C3, fill in 100 for the "latest
N images" for animation, then click on SEARCH. You can see the comet coming in
toward the sun from about the 7 PM clock position.
>
> If you keep looking, you should see the comet emerge from passage behind the
sun's occulting disk on the SOHO Observatory. This should happen in the next
day or so if the comet survives the close passage by the sun.
>
> Bob N.
>
Posting at request of Skyscrapers member, Al H.
**********************************************************
I was having some fun playing with the Mars Rover image site.
You can make your own 3D images from the stereoscopic NAV camera images saved
on the web site. You Need Photo shop; But it is really easy!
Google "How to make a 3D RGD image", and you can see a couple of cool tutorials.
You can adjust the depth perception to match your
eye.. WORKS AWESOME!
Image files from the NaV Camera list right and left cameras with the letters "L"
for left and "R" for right on the 4th from the end digit in the file name.
http://marsrovers.jpl.nasa.gov/gallery/all/spirit.html
1. Copy both files to hard disc.
2. Open both with Photoshop
3. Convert the left image to "GRAYSCALE" by going to "IMAGE>MODE>GRAYSCALE
4. Turn on the "Channels" window by going to "WINDOW>CHANNEL"
5. Hold down shift key and select "BLUE and GREEN channels only.
6. go to Right image
7. Turn Image to grayscale same as above. BTW website photos from NAV are
already in Grayscale.
8. SELECT>ALL and copy.
9 . Switch back to left image - PASTE
10. On channels window select "RGB" - This will highlight all channels.
11. Don the RB 3D glasses and view image.
12. You can change the perspective by selecting the move tool from the standard
tool window - re-aling channels. whereever. Where Left and Right images
coincide exactly will be the plane of the screen ,, anything behind will go "IN"
and
anything in front will "STICK OUT"
Really Cool! It's like walking around on MARS!
I've made several already,,
Regards & Clear Skies All
Al
Count me in! Glenn
From: skyscrapers_rias@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:skyscrapers_rias@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of JimH
Sent: Monday, February 01, 2010 11:32 PM
To: skyscrapers_rias@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [skyscrapers_rias] Skyscrapers movie night
This IMAX film opens in March. Is anyone interested in going?
http://www.imax.com/hubble/
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
"Award winning science journalist Kelly Beatty will deliver a public
lecture "The Sputnik Years" TOMORROW, Feb 18, at the Ocean Explorium, 174 Union
Street in New Bedford, as part of their monthly Cosmic Voice series.
Informal reception starts at 6:15, lecture at 7:00 pm, Q&A afterwards. Bio and
lecture summary below. So whether you were around to witness Sputnik zoom
overhead or came on the scene after the space age was in full swing, come hear
this fascinating tale of how the U.S. space program came to be -- and where it's
headed in the future."
"The Sputnik Years"
"This retrospective will explore the events leading up to Sputnik's launch, the
political fallout that led to America's response (Explorer 1), the formation of
NASA, and the crucial role that amateur astronomers played in tracking the first
satellites."
----
"Kelly Beatty has been explaining the science and wonder of astronomy to the
public since 1974. An award-winning writer and communicator, he
specializes in planetary science and space exploration as Senior
Contributing Editor for Sky & Telescope magazine. Beatty is also on the
astronomy faculty at the Clay Center Observatory in Brookline, Massachusetts. He
holds a Bachelors degree from the California Institute of Technology and a
Master's degree in science journalism from Boston University.
Beatty enjoys sharing his passion for astronomy with a wide spectrum of
audiences, from children to professional astronomers, and you'll
occasionally hear his interviews and guest commentaries on National Public
Radio. During the 1980s he was among the first Western journalists to gain
firsthand access to the Soviet space program. Asteroid 2925 Beatty was named on
the occasion of his marriage in 1983, and in 1986 he was chosen one of the 100
semifinalists for NASA's Journalist in Space program. He received the American
Astronomical Society's Masursky Award for meritorious service to planetary
science (2005), the American Geophysical Union's Robert C. Cowen Award for
Sustained Achievement in Science Journalism (2009), and AAS's inaugural Jonathan
Eberhart Planetary Sciences Journalism Award (2009)."
This film is supposed to start today, but the only place nearby that is playing
it is at New England Aquarium.
--- In skyscrapers_rias@yahoogroups.com, "JimH" <jim@...> wrote:
>
> This IMAX film opens in March. Is anyone interested in going?
>
> http://www.imax.com/hubble/
>
Jupiter apparently has lost its S. Equatorial belt, at least temporarily.
Jupiter has been on the other side of the sun from earth and this recent event
happened during its passage behind the sun as seen from earth. Jupiter can be
seen in the morning sky before dawn.
Recent images can be found at the web site below:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1277734/Jupiter-loses-stripes-sci\
entists-idea-why.html
Isn't that what happened to Jupiter in the movie 2010 just before it imploded?
--- On Thu, 5/13/10, Starman <bob_napier@...> wrote:
From: Starman <bob_napier@...>
Subject: [skyscrapers_rias] Jupiter Loses S. Equatorial Belt
To: skyscrapers_rias@yahoogroups.com
Date: Thursday, May 13, 2010, 7:52 PM
Â
Jupiter apparently has lost its S. Equatorial belt, at least temporarily.
Jupiter has been on the other side of the sun from earth and this recent event
happened during its passage behind the sun as seen from earth. Jupiter can be
seen in the morning sky before dawn.
Recent images can be found at the web site below:
http://www.dailymai l.co.uk/sciencet ech/article- 1277734/Jupiter-
loses-stripes- scientists- idea-why. html
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
The image of M13 in the Scituate Observatory photos folder (and this group's
home page temporarily) is somewhat like you would see through Skyscrapers' 12 or
16-inch SCT scopes on a good dark sky night. A very descriptive article of M13,
"It's Full of Stars!", by Dave H. is in the June, 2010, issue of the
Skyscrapers' newsletter.
The article about M13 can be read on the Skyscrapers' web site:
http://theskyscrapers.org
Information about remote, online robotic telescopes, that are accessible via the
Internet, (including Scituate Observatory) can be found here:
http://shareyoursky.com/directory/index.html
Bob N.
Two amateurs have observed, imaged and video recorded a bright flash impact on
Jupiter. This is the second impact within the last year. One amateur is the
australian who detected the last impact on Jupiter within the past year. The
other amateur who video recorded the impact is in the Philippines.
Information and video of the impact is on:
www.spaceweather.com
Amateurs around the world can view Jupiter in the early morning hours above the
eastern horizon.
Bob N.
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