j2012-12-15_03-26_rgb_mp

One of my tops of this season.
Sadly the collimation was off, I think there's some slack in the optical train after the filter wheel that I hope to fix with some new adapters.  The seeing wasn't perfect, perhaps only average.  My cooling power supply has died and not been replace.  Some of these will get fixed and the results should be BETTER!

Rest of the season is here: https://picasaweb.google.com/108750361778865447048/AstronomySolarSystemJupiter2012#

Telescope name - Did you know?

In honor of the upcoming "The Hobbit" movies, I am re-watching the "Lord of the Rings" DVDs.  I almost called my telescope "Shadowfax"

I still like Akule!  (http://maphilli14.webs.com/apps/blog/show/4136009-names)

Venus Transit - "Virtual Star Party Style"

The montage image:

The animation:

And the live replay:
Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=t79iec2b-3M#t=2942s
Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AcC5iqNypj4

Comet 168p/Hergenrother

I managed to find the comet in it's early phases on October 12, 2012 around 0430UTC.  It shows a good amount of tail in this 30s x 34 = 17min total exposure. The comet trailed during this duration and what you see is a composite of both a star align and comet align.  Towards the right of the frame you can see a galaxy or two which I identified as: KUG 2351+271, a 15th magnitude gem.

Here is the full field of view:

and a full camera resolution of 0.5 arc sec per pixel:

Astrobin listing with platesolve RA/DEC:
http://www.astrobin.com/24739/

Growing list of comets I've photographed:
https://picasaweb.google.com/108750361778865447048/Comets#

New animation method

So I figured out a nice way to script the animation!  I touched this  set of 14 rgb captures VERY minimally during the day today.  From this AM, processed automatically and gtk-recordmydesktop using a sikuli script to move the static tiff images at a set pattern of slow and faster loops.  w00ts!

Today was day 4 in a row and the best seeing of the season, for certain I have a LARGE backlog of data to test against the new scripts.

Something very strange that I noticed while capturing was Europa was unseen and nearly invisible, despite the good conditions. Then over the course of the session it became bright, contrasty and very prominent!

Here's the 'final' image

Little Dumbbell

Bad, NOISE and lack of darks killed this images.  A few good things... OAG works flawlessly with some PHD tweaks **AND** stars are clear down past 17th magnitude.  Next stop, Eris, yes the  status killer!  Thanks  

Jupiter in just above average seeing

j2012-09-27_09-23_rgb_mp