ShahGazer Rambling about Astrophotography, Coding and Clouds

While doing a 30 sec exposure of myself in front of the giant 30" Dobsonian telescope, the very bright sporadic meteor appear right on top of the Pleiades! I saw it at the corner of my eye, but since the 30 second exposure was still in progress, I had to keep my excitement to myself until the exposure is finish! I was glad it turned out nicely. I've tried to photograph meteors for several years, and this was actually my very first successful shot!   What else can I say, an upside-down Orion rising, starry nights despite the Moon still up the sky and causing shadows around the observing site, big Dobsonians to view the southern sky and a meteor passing near the Pleiades! .... a picture perfect moment! Oh yeah, this was taken during the Post-Eclipse Star Safari event, organized by 3RF AUstralia, at Coonabarabran, Australia on the weekend of 17-18 Nov 2012.

This was my first full time hangout in Google+. It was a privilege to be part of the crew, helping out Peter Lake interviewing Dr. Carl Hergenrother, yes, the founder of the Comet 168P/Hergenrother. Some nice description on his work, especially on the soil sample return mission from asteroids in the near future. An interesting and rewarding experience. Looking forward for the next asia-pax version of Google+ Hangout soon.

I did a quick look at the current 4 sets of moon mosaic, and finally can compile a series of photos showing the different texture on the surface due to the angle of the sun. I've been wanting to do this for quiet a while. So, here it the first set, aiming at the craters Aristoteles and Eudoxus, at the northern tip (near Plato) of the moon

This is another moon mosaic, taken on the 30th July 2012. The moon is 11.42 days old. However, I had some teething problem when using the photomerge function in Photoshop CS3. It took quiet before it was finally solved this evening. Click here for the 2500 pixel version (50% reduced from the original size)

This is yet another mosaic of the Moon (12.48 days old), taken on the 31st July 2012. It's a combination of 69 video files, and took me almost a day to complete the mosaic!  I have reduced 50% from its original resolution. Somehow the link from the photo above goes to the 1600x1600 size. Click HERE for the 2500x2500 version .

This is the edited version from the previous 6.5 days old moon mosaic. I've pushed up the levels, curves and brightness to reveal more features, especially towards the terminator.

This is another moon mosaic. A total of 30 individual video files, stacked with Autostakkert, and merge in Photoshop. Unfortunately a couple of frames were way off focus. I should have check it much more closely during each shot. The moon's tone was also a bit tricky. I need to readjust slightly for almost half the video files, in order to avoid saturation. That however, created another headache in Photoshop, where I need to readjust the brightness again and again.

Finally, after almost a day of stacking and combining in photoshop, this is it. My latest Moon mosaic, from 21 individual video files.  I am very happy with the results, not perfect, but by far the most satisfying so far. Images were taken using the following equipment Skywatcher 120ED, f/15 (2x barlow) QHY IMG132E camera. EQ6 mount. Click HERE for the 'almost' full size. I'm not sure why when I uploaded to blogspot, the size were reduced when we click on the image above.

The many faces of AR 1520. Since the 6th of July, I've been blessed with good weather (somewhat), and managed to get a series of photo shots on the sunspot. Well, I missed the 11th, due to cloudy sky all day long. So, here there are in starting from the 6th until today. Note: prior to 8th July, spaceweather labelled this group as AR1529.  Or did I mistaken it with the smaller spot leading the group?

Ok, this one is huge! It nearly knocks my socks off when I took this video yesterday morning. The news at Spaceweather.com took me quiet a surprise, because the day before, it didn't appear anything special. Probably it was still on the other side of the limb. Fortunately, I recorded the emergence of AR1519 on the 6th of July, even though it was still unnamed at SDO/HDI website. It was interesting when +Peter Lake pointed out on my post in G+, that this spot could be the similar like the one in 1859 super flare. Well, let's see if it holds its greatness for the next few days.

Sunspot AR1515 is evolving nicely. This is a quick compilation of 4 days (missed a few in between). Hope I can get a complete set until the group disappear. 

I would have to admit, solar imaging was always alien to me. I never could get a decent image using my old Toucam, Mallincam or DBK cameras. In fact I was so frustrated that I sold off my Coronado filters to a good friend of mine. Recently I got the chance to review a camera from QHY, called IMG132E. Check out the detail at QHY website. After a few test shots (on the Sun), I was totally blown away. The image was crisp and clear. Even when viewing live using the software provided, I was really impressed. And these are all through a Baader filter! Here a some of the images posted previously on my Google+. Wow! I could clearly see the granulation on the sun. The 'tentacles' in the sunspots were easily seen. These photos were stacked from a video capture in SER format. I'm not too sure why AVI does work. Stacked using AutoStakkert

In a rare event, I found myself to be extremely active imaging the sun for the past few days. Well, that is until the haze began to engulf the Klang Valley! Previous attempt to have a consistent record on the sun, was mostly hampered by the extreme heat at my home observatory. And it doesn't help with me having to view the DSLR LCD under the hot sun. I decided then, to finally buy Backyard EOS (BYE) , which will help me to control the DSLR remotely. I've already hooked up my EQ6 and Moonlite Focuser to my laptop, and controlling via EQMOD and FocusMax. So, the addition of BYE certainly helps. So, after conjuring a nice setup and with me hiding near the doorstep of my observatory, away from the heat and sun, I've managed to come up with a consistent set of images on the Sun. It so happen that sunspot AR1504 is evolving nicely, and quickly became my main target. So here are my collections. (descending order)

It's been 17 months since I started doing astrophotography seriously. Lot's of learning curve, failed attempt, frustration, joy and tears. Finally, the collection has grown into something worthy to share. Nothing spectacular, just some sim ple shots of 'Earth & Sky' , a combination of CCD dan DSLR imaging, narrow and wide field shots, from my home observatory (ShahGazer Observatory), on expedition and also online via iTelescope.net I hope all of you will enjoy it as much as I have. Dedicated to everyone who's been such a great help in giving tips, do's and don'ts 

I had a rather interesting Venus Transit expedition last week. Since I would be missing the ingress if viewed from Kuala Lumpur, I decided to go eastern, towards a city called Sandakan, in the state of Sabah. However, weather wasn't that promising during sunrise. I missed the ingress totally. Throughout the transit, there was only some occasional clear sky, whereas most of the time, several layers of clouds come and go in a rather chaotic manner. Anyway, I did managed to get some almost clean shot. I photographed using Canon 40D and the Skywatcher Equinox 80ED (F=500mm). Both mounted on the AstroTrac. Luckily I decided to use the Orion Accufocus, as it definitely help to have the image focused spot on. I started using the camera LCD for the earlier shots, and when the Sun was beginning to reach near zenith, I switched to Backyward EOS. So here are some of the photos during the trip. Unless otherwise stated, the photos were taken by me. Below: Yours truly with the imagin...

This is my humble attempt to get the highest resolution photo of the Moon taken from my home observatory. Incredible camera IMG132E. 2X barlowed my 120ED Skywatcher. Moon South Pole, my favorite spot.

This is a 4.5 minutes shot of Supernova 2012aw using iTelescope.net T5 telescope in New Mexico. The  glow from the upper right came from Mars! But just imagine that tiny dot of supernova 2012aw is like gazillion times brighter than Mars, and way-way back originating about 38 Million Light-Years ago!

(Click for 100%) Here is the final image of the moon taken yesterday. A mosaic of 23 video files. Unfortunately some of the files did not aligned well, and created some unfortunate bump at the lower left limb. However, I am quiet happy with the initial results. I have a 5x barlow waiting to be used with the scope, but the weather wasn't steady for planetary last night. Stars twinkling like mad! Date: 5th March 2012 Time: 16:30 UT (12:30am 6th March Malaysia) Moon 13.23 days old. illumination 93.5%.  Skywatcher 120ED, f/7.5,  Camera = DBK 21AU04.AS Stacked, stretched using Registax 6 and Photoshop CS3

(Note: I've adjusted the color balance from the previous photo) This evening, with the sky somewhat clear towards the west, I took Jupiter and Venus and add into my previous collection. All of them were taken within 24 hours. Seeing was very very bad. This is so far the best I can take from the video frames. Processed in Registax and Photoshop.

Angular size comparison between Mars and Saturn, taken last night. The seeing wasn't good, Saturn was still low at the horizon. Mars was pretty much overhead. I need to use 5X barlow to my Skywatcher 120ED scope, otherwise both are too small to show details. Finally got my DBK camera working nicely! Video was stacked in Registax, wavelength adjustment also with Registax. Final image was processed in PS.

The Markarian's Chain, centered on M86. This is a one-shoot-color ccd image using the iTelescope.Net T20 telescope in New Mexico. Total exposure of 26 minutes ( 6 x 260s ).

The Wishing Well Cluster, NGC 3532. This is one of my  favorite  open clusters. The view through my 10 inch Dob was simply awesome. The field of view simply littered with faint stars. In a way, it appears more like a beehive cluster! The photo was taken on 10th Feb 2012, the same date as when I took the Eta Carinae nebula . Telescope: SW 120ED CCD: QHY9 Mono w FW Mount: EQ6 with EQMOD LRGB: 900:300:300:300 seconds

I simply loved a daylight moon. The lack of contrast between the sky and the moon surface, especially at the Lunar Maria area somehow gave it a peaceful and kind of a sad, appearance. This shot was taken this morning (14 Feb 2012) using Canon 550D,  SW 80ED, ISO200 and 1/1600 sec exposure.

It's been almost a year since taking my first light with a CCD from my observatory. Back then, Eta Carina was my target. So, on the 10th of Feb, with the sky clearing up, I went down the memory lane and took another set of image of the nebula. The moon was high up in the sky, so the contrast wasn't great. The probably need to use shorter focal length to get a better view. This nebula is enormous! Telescope: SW 120ED CCD: QHY9 Mono w FW Mount: EQ6 with EQMOD LRGB: 900:300:300:300 seconds

This is another image of Comet C/2009 P1 Garradd taken today via iTelescope.net T16 telescope in Spain. The moon was high up in the sky, and created havoc with my RGB channels! However, individually the comet came out quiet nicely. I decided to process the Luminance set for this blogpost. The comet was passing by a 13.7 magnitude galaxy, NGC 6283. Another perfect example of size and distance between 2 objects in space. The inset was a zoomed view towards the top part of the comet's nucleus. The resolution of the TOA150 scope managed to catch some nice spiral structure of the galaxy. Hopefully by tomorrow I will complete the astrometry position of the comet, and see how fast it moved in between each Luminance's frame. TELESCOPE         iTelescope.Net T16 TOA-150             INSTRUMENTS SBIG ST-L-11K 3 CCD Camera

I would like to thank iTelescope.net for listing me alongside all the sifus of astrophotographers under the members in focus section of the iTelescope.net website. It came as a surprise, especially after a chaotic week of chasing Eros and Comet Garradd. What more can I say, thank you very much to iTelescope for giving such honor!  Clear skies ahead!

The iTelescope.net network was buzzing with users trying frantically to get online to any telescope available in order not to miss the close encounters between Comet Garradd and M92. My original plan was to booked a session at the Spain telescopes, but unfortunately due to bad weather, the observatory was closed.  So now, I have use the New Mexico scopes, but the traffic there was pack jammed with reserved bookings or currently in use. After patiently waiting and watching for any free telescope... for about 2 hours, I finally got hold of the T14 telescope . I was really lucky to have the imaging session uninterrupted. So here is the result. Object: Comet Garradd (C/2009 P1) and M92 Date: 2012-02-03 between 10:36 - 11:26 UTC                            iTelescope.Net T14 Tak FSQ 106mm   SBIG ST-L-11K 3       L 4 X 300 sec R 3 X 100 sec...

Finally i got to test my modded Canon 40D. The sky wasn't great. High thin clouds were apparent, but since this is the best night since.. well, 'forever' ! ... I just couldn't pass it. I was scrambling most of the time, to familiarizes myself with the buttons on the 40D. Need to get a used to it, after using 550D for so long. But eventually, with the help of a couple of video tips on youtube, I am finally ready for the shots. Since I don't have the remote cable, I am stuck with the 30 sec shots. I did some 10 shots, and choose the best 7 of it. My processing steps are as follows: 1. Convert CRW files to TIF, using Canon DPP software. 2. Stacked using MaxIm DL. 3. Levels and Curves adjustment using Photoshop. The final photo was the best I can push for, otherwise the noise will be too hard to handle. I was pretty pleased with the performance of the modded 40D. Comparing it with  the QHY9 CCD, well.. I don't think it's a fair comparison. I can ...