Pictures through my telescope...

Steve · 08-28-2009, 09:45 AM

Nice shots!
Back in my photog days, I use to really enjoy long exposure night shots. It wasa always thrilling to see what actually showed up on the film. Of course, that was back in the day when we used film, not digital stuff.

Footbag · 08-28-2009, 09:53 AM

You want more you got more! Two more of my better shots.... They can be seen in my gallery as well.

The Great Cluster in Hercules - M13

The Dumbell Nebula

RGD. · 08-28-2009, 10:53 AM

Always been fascinated with space photography! Thanks so much for sharing. Questions - you stated that you have several exposures. What determines your exposure times and the amount of? Also is there a correction in the scope between exposures - or is the distance between points A and B so great that none are required.

Ron

DonniePaul · 08-28-2009, 11:38 AM

Great Photos!

Thanks for sharing

Footbag · 08-28-2009, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RGD.

Always been fascinated with space photography! Thanks so much for sharing. Questions - you stated that you have several exposures. What determines your exposure times and the amount of? Also is there a correction in the scope between exposures - or is the distance between points A and B so great that none are required.

Ron

Good questions... The exposure length is determined by the brightness of the object. That said, light pollution can play a big factor in determining exposure length. The more light pollution, the shorter the exposures have to be otherwise the image gets overexposed. It's really a battle finding the sweet spot, but you can use the histogram on the camera to give you an idea.

As for correction, the scope itself tracks the object with its built in motor. This tracking is good enough for visual observing or short exposure photo's, but not for long exposure photography. For long exposures, I use another telescope mounted on my primary scope. This scope has a second camera which locks onto a star and sends corrections to the mount as the scope moves.

Only five years ago, this process was completely manual meaning you had to watch the same star through your telescope while making the corrections yourself. I've said it a few times already, but the technology is amazing.

08-28-2009, 09:45 AM	#1
Steve Dad Jokester Supreme Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Steve Location: 17 R 435648 3354895 Posts: 7,715 Trading: (6)	Re: Pictures through my telescope... Nice shots! Back in my photog days, I use to really enjoy long exposure night shots. It wasa always thrilling to see what actually showed up on the film. Of course, that was back in the day when we used film, not digital stuff. __________________ ...So don't sit upon the shoreline and say you're satisfied, Choose to chance the rapids and dare to dance that tide

08-28-2009, 09:53 AM	#2
Footbag I Need My Space Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Adam Location: NEPA Posts: 1,216 Trading: (7)	Re: Pictures through my telescope... You want more you got more! Two more of my better shots.... They can be seen in my gallery as well. The Great Cluster in Hercules - M13 The Dumbell Nebula

08-28-2009, 10:53 AM	#3
RGD. God Like Status Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Ron Location: Alexandria, Virginia Posts: 971 Trading: (1)	Re: Pictures through my telescope... Always been fascinated with space photography! Thanks so much for sharing. Questions - you stated that you have several exposures. What determines your exposure times and the amount of? Also is there a correction in the scope between exposures - or is the distance between points A and B so great that none are required. Ron

08-28-2009, 11:38 AM	#4
DonniePaul It's Cigar O' Clock! Join Date: Jul 2009 First Name: Don Location: North Haven CT Posts: 253 Trading: (4)	Re: Pictures through my telescope... Great Photos! Thanks for sharing __________________ You don't make salad with a chainsaw