Imaging The Moon and Jupiter with a Celestron NexStar 4SE and the Astromania SGCMOS Series Telescope CMOS Camera

 Though the skies were mucky due to forest fire smoke and a first quarter+ Moon I needed to get some tests done with my new small pier for one of my telescopes, in this case a Celestron NexStar 4SE SCT.

Since this was a test of polar alignment I decided to use a focal reducer and my small Astromania SGCMOS Series Telescope CMOS Camera (link to it on Amazon) to do some quick imaging of the Moon and Jupiter. Please note that because of the focal reducer the magnification is reduced from what it would be if I did not use the focal reducer. Next time I will remove the reducer and post comparative images then. 

Also, instead of taking a single shot, I used the video mode and captured from 500 to 1,000 frames which I then ran through PIPP and AS!3 software, which I had it select only the top 10% of the sharpest frames and apply sharpening through. This method works great for bright objects like the Moon and planets, as you will see.

Here are the results:

The Moon

Five Apollo missions were sent this this portion of the Moon: Apollo 11, 14, 15, 16 and 17. 

The darker patches are Mare Imbrium (far left of center), Mare Serentatis (left of center), Mare Crisium (upper right), Mare Tranquillitatis (just right of center), Mare Fecunditatis (far right of center) and Mare Nectaris (lower right).

The southern regions of the Moon including Tycho and Clavius.

The region around the interesting and giant crater Copernicus (just down from center)

Jupiter

Given that I was using a focal reducer which introduced some abberations and reduced the size of Jupiter on the camera sensor, I was still able to tease out some of the larger cloud bands. The Great Red Spot was not visible at the time of this image. Maybe next time...

Crescent Moon and a visit to the Patterson Observatory in Sierra Vista, Arizona

 

Crescent Moon taken September 10, 2021

Scope: Celestron NexStar 4SE (Maksutov-Cassegrain) at prime focus (f/13 - 1325mm)

Camera: Canon T3i

Exposure: ISO 200 - 1/6 sec

On September 9, 2021 my wife and I visited the public viewing night at the Patterson Observatory  located on University of Arizona Sierra Vista Campus. The Huachuca Astronomy Club (HAC) volunteers operates the observatory and hosts Public Viewing Nights. The Patterson Observatory is listed as a NASA Space Place and has a 16 foot dome, housing a Ritchey-Chretien  telescope of 20” aperture.

We were able to view both Jupiter and Saturn through this scope but the "seeing" was less than desirable. In astronomy, seeing refers to the degradation of the image of an astronomical object due to turbulent airflows in the atmosphere of Earth that may become visible as blurring, twinkling or variable distortion. (source: Wikipedia). There are brief moments when more detail is visible.

There were smaller scopes that were pointed at the Moon and Venus as well.

I plan to become a member of the club shortly and participate in their activities.

A "low tech" quick imaging session of an early Moon, Venus, Jupiter and Saturn.

 While still working on a pier for my smallest telescope (Celestron 4SE) I thought I would take the opportunity and do a little "low tech" imaging (after last night's thunderstorm).

The Moon was just 7 degrees above the horizon and Venus was higher up and further south.

The Moon was very thin, only 3% illuminated by the Sun. If I was still at my old observatory in La Pine, Oregon this shot would never have been possible due to the tall pine trees all around my old observatory!

Venus (upper left) and the Moon (right center) in the west

Taken Sept. 8, 2021 at 7:16 pm MST

from Eastern Sierra Vista Observatory

Canon T3i with 55mm f/8 at ISO 800

Exposure time: 1/2 sec      Tripod mounted

(Click on image for a larger view)

Venus' 66% phase is just visible in this cropped image:

Jupiter and Saturn were making their way up in the sky behind our tall tree:

Taken Sept. 8, 2021 at 7:21 pm MST

from Eastern Sierra Vista Observatory

Canon T3i with 55mm f/8 at ISO 3200

Exposure time: 1/6 sec      Tripod mounted

(Click on image for a larger view)

Taken Sept. 8, 2021 at 7:03 pm MST

from Eastern Sierra Vista Observatory

Canon T3i on a Celestron 4SE at prime focus

f/13 at ISO 800 Exposure time: 1/10 sec      

(Click on image for a larger view)

The Moon was also being illuminated by the Earth,

called "Earthshine". (Tomorrow night this will be even more apparent)

Taken Sept. 8, 2021 at 7:03 pm MST

from Eastern Sierra Vista Observatory

Canon T3i on a Celestron 4SE at prime focus

f/13 at ISO 800 Exposure time: 1 sec      

(Click on image for a larger view)

In the Beginning: Eastern Sierra Vista Observatory

 Hi, all !

Welcome to my new blog for my new observatory site in eastern Sierra Vista, Arizona which is about 80 miles southeast of Tucson, Arizona.

For years I have wanted to have an unobstructed view of the southern skies after living in La Pine, Oregon where my southern view was obstructed by a neighbor's 60 foot tall pine trees! Now that I have retired from full time pastoral ministry we were able to make the move in late May, 2021.

Now I have to build a whole new control room and telescope observatory.

Let the project begin!

My southern horizon now!

The first thing I had to deal with is the fact that there can be some pretty fierce winds when thunderstorms roll through so I have to rethink of how I plan to deal with it... not to mention that there are some strong downpours when it does rain... and that coupled with the high winds is a challenge. Stay tuned!

So initially you will find photos of the process on this blog but by the end of September, 2021 I hope to begin posting my astrophotography
from this new location!

Be sure to bookmark this page and check in once in a while!

By the way, my old blog is still up and maybe you will find some useful info there... until Google decides to delete it for non-activity. It is located at:

https://lapineobservatory.blogspot.com/