Finally Finished Jupiter 2011/2012 Season

A total observation count of 28.  Of which, some were only live streamed on Google+ or not processed because of just terrible seeing.

Rest of season here: https://picasaweb.google.com/108750361778865447048/Jupiter2011

Some highlights include winning the November 2011 Cloudy Nights Imaging Contest Finals: http://www.cloudynights.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php/Cat/0/Number/4959350/page/0/view/collapsed/sb/5/o/all/fpart/1

The almost lost ones are here, starting with this nice gem of Io transiting the GRS!

Happy New Year - 2011 Solar System Review

I did not get out as much this year as I did last, mostly due to bad weather all around.

I missed Venus and my consolation is I can get the transit next year! 

Also no asteroids, dwarf planets or comets for me.

Highlights are 2 contest winners and a whole year with the new scope, Akule!

Thanks and happy 2012!!

with labels

and FULL SIZE.....http://www.astrophotogallery.org/yearly-solar-system-mashups/p8757-2011-solar-system-best-of-mashup.html

Mike

3 GREAT nights on Jupiter Nov 7-9, 2011

We finally got a break and some nice seeing from November 7th to the 9th.  I got a shot of Uranus on the 2nd night which I'll post later.

As always click to get full size and here is the rest of this season!

Night one's 2 shots:

and the seeing deteriorated later

2nd and BEST night!

Moons with reference:

and monochrome channels:

I knew the progress of the High Pressure moving overhead meant peak on the 2nd night, but the forecast for the 3rd was good.  I knew it couldn't be as good as the 2nd night and I only stayed out for 1.5hrs on the 3rd night.  Managed one nice shot:

Some good seeing, nearly the best for Jupiter in early Nov., 2011

My best Jupiter of the season so far

Finally some clear skies and mostly steady air.  Not the best over the course of the past 4 nights, but avg to above avg and since it's been quite some time and having had rain for a week plus, I'll take what I can get.  I reworked my processing routine to include some Registax6 wavelets before performing deconvolution in AstraImage.  I found it takes the edge ringing out quite a bit.  One of these day's I'll finish my v9 routine for posting and sharing.  Here's the old routine (http://maphilli14.multiply.com/journal/item/84/Michael_A._Phillips_Planetary_Processing_Routine_version_8.1)

As always, click for full sized images:

rest of this season is here:

http://maphilli14.multiply.com/photos/album/197/Astronomy_-_Solar_System_-_Jupiter_-_2011

Jupiter 20110913 1009UT

Feeling good about this, but plenty more to eek out of this new scope! Only above avg seeing on this, the wasn't even a full arc of airy disk around nearby Aldebaran.

As always, click for full sized images:

and 100% sized

rest of this season is here:

http://maphilli14.multiply.com/photos/album/197/Astronomy_-_Solar_System_-_Jupiter_-_2011

TIA

Mike

PS Mercury too, but process later, more good seeing tomorrow am

Jupiter in avg seeing

I'm finally gaining some rhythm with the new scope and weather.  

I hope to be ready for lost sleep and some good seeing.  SOMEDAY!

Click for large view and rest of season:

http://multiply.com/slideshow/maphilli14:photos:197/3

ATTENTION: I am switching my photos and videos

As soon as I catch up with all my 'existing' photos and videos I will start using Google Plus (G+) for new photos and videos.  You may have already started receiving them there.  If not, let me know and I'll be sure to add you to my circles and send a G+ invite.  Over on G+ the photos and videos autoupload from the cell phone in very high quality (8MegaPixel cam) and 1080p videos, and in nearly realtime.

It's been fun Multiply, but it's time to upgrade!

Astronomy stuff may land here or in Picasa Web albums... not sure yet, but do use the main page for astro stuff, http://maphilli14.webs.com/

Mike

1st Jupiter of the 2011 season 20110710

1st of the season and 1st for the new scope.

I've also been building my v9 processing routine that relies on Sikuli for total automation.  Note quite there yet, but getting closer.  

I took many captures and was able to sort them quickly to find the best one to focus on.  

I've got lots to learn about processing at this monster scale.  This is only a 125% resize and it's quite early still.

Click for full size:

Rest of season here, will go here:

http://maphilli14.multiply.com/photos/album/197/Astronomy_-_Solar_System_-_Jupiter_-_2011

Use the RSS feed here:

<http://maphilli14.multiply.com/feed.rss

Mike

Astronomy - Solar System - Jupiter - 2011

Saturn...a little something

I've been out a bit trying to improve my collimation skills and hoping to ride the seeing forecast.  I've got collimation somewhat under control, but still holding out for seeing.  Perhaps I can get a little help from my cooling project.  Detail on that later, 1st the best of the past 3 times out.

Click to enlarge.

Enjoy the rest of the season here:

http://maphilli14.multiply.com/photos/album/179

Mike

1st presentable Saturn photo in many moons...still tweakin my setup

Saturn 2011 05 09 in avg seeing

Chomping at the bit for good seeing I braved a couple nights of average seeing with no clouds or rain to grab this decent shot.

I installed some fans on the cell and practices my collimation techniques in weeks prior and still have some work to do, as the tiny star test in the lower left corner can attest to.

Here's a video from the next night, to be posted later in better collimation but worse seeing

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQb5AdQoW38

Click to enlarge

I did forget about the meridian flip, i'm N/S reversed!  SORRY

Akule's 1st *real* shot at Saturn

After some long streaks of poor Astronomy weather but good people weather (aka warm and breezy) we finally got a break here in NC.  I put a simple indoor/outdoor thermometer on the mirror to measure the air and mirror temp.  I need some active cooling.  I couldn't keep the scope less than 2.5°F above ambient.  Still, the forecast of 4/5 seeing worked well and I am VERY happy with the results.

As always, click to zoom and here's the rest of the Saturn 2011 season.

http://maphilli14.multiply.com/photos/album/179/Astronomy_Solar_System_Saturn_2011

Also, here is the telescope's vital stats, details, construction and photos

http://maphilli14.webs.com/akulesvitalstats.htm

Astronomy / Solar System / Saturn / 2011

1st Saturn season for me with the Flea3 and with Akule (http://maphilli14.webs.com/akule.htm)