Original session April 19, 2019 Willis, Emily Brett and fiancé Keith from England

The original observing/video session is detailed in a previous log -- this log concerns the "re-creation" of their session, both for me to learn more about the software, and also to acquire some images to further "visualize" their experience and to send along to them.

equipment:
     
Explore Scientific ES127ED APOchromatic refractor
Atik Infinity Astronomical Video Camera, .5 reducer (f/3.75) and software
simple day-after post-processing in Photoshop

The night of April 26 was clear and calm.  I opened the observatory, hooked up everything and aligned the mount from the west side of the pier and toward Sirius.  Using Sirius and its star-filled FOV, I focused the Atik Infinity, and centered using the convenient green crosshairs and then initialized the DSC's.

The first object was M42.  The DSC's got close, but not right on.  This indicates that at a future time I need to "tweak" the polar alignment.  I reinitialized the DSC's ("warp = 0") and began to image the setting nebula.  I tried a lot of software toggles, and finally came upon a good exposure (I believe exposure = 30 seconds, binning (color) = 1, effective f/l ~ 952 divided by 2 = 476 (f/3.75), FOV indicator in AstroPlanner used for estimate of view.) 

The image improved dramatically as I stacked perhaps 8 exposures.

I clicked the record button to attempt to record the session, and at the end saved the final stacked image as well, employing the toggle "unprocessed."  Details learned here include making sure to set up before-time folders for saving and playback (2 different folders!).  I didn’t do this (and further complicated the process by moving the created folder later), and so only had the unprocessed images to work with.  More below after the images as to the next-day post-processing.

The image has been converted to B&W (color rendering of this Atik Infinity camera is fair at best, and the image has been post-processed both in CCDStack2 (DDP and deconvolution) and then moved to Photoshop on the Mac for levels (drop-down menus), etc.  I post-processed crudely and quickly to kind-of duplicate what I might do for future guests.  I'm quite pleased with the result. Click this text to compare this image to my latest M42 high-resolution photograph, taken through the ES127ED refractor and employing the Canon XSi DSLR.

The next object I tried was M41, but was unsuccessful in aiming it up.  This is due partially from the small size of the chip, but mostly because the polar alignment needs a "tweak," as above, especially since I was so close-by.

Here the color seems OK, although that brownish-magenta background is a bit disturbing.  One thing that is obvious is that the stacking routine contained in this software is superb, especially considering that the mount wasn't following all that well.  Note the smallness and roundness of the stars.  Very good!

I then moved over to the Leo triplet of galaxies.  Emily, Keith and I were unable to find them, but, because I was now more familiar with the setup, I did find them, and, after crudely centering by using a highly-binned quick exposure, centered them exactly to my satisfaction.  I began to image, but had to stop soon, "reload" and try again.  The reason was twofold:

1 -- Some clouds apparently came over and initially degraded the image.

The next subject was M81/M82.  During Emily and Keith's session, we saw the edge of M81 but I was unable to center it.  This time there was no problem, and really the process of imaging went very smoothly.  Also, after running it through CCDStack2 and bringing it into the Mac, I was able to rid the background of errant color -- I'm really quite happy with this image.  Additional comments for all images below this log narrative.

The final subject of the session would be M51, the Whirlpool galaxy.  This was also the final object in the session with Emily and Keith, and was a fitting and spectacular conclusion to the night.  Here everything went well at first, but I noticed the rejection of many images in the stack.  This was due to clouds coming over, and not to focus degradation -- during this follow-up session I did refocus once (just before M81/M82), which helped immensely.  I used all of the tools within the simple software, and employed the electric focuser as well.  Results were excellent.

Post-processing of this image was difficult, as I had to retrieve only part (only five images) of the saved stack before restacking in DSS and additional post-processing in CCDStack2. Also, of course, I converted to B&W. After this image acquisition, I closed up and came inside.

Further comments:

1 -- I need to change-out the 1 1/4--inch reducer with a 2-inch setup to eliminate the vignetting. This is due, I very strongly believe, not to the reduction of .5, but instead due to the image being cut off by the 1 1/4-inch arrangement. I have ordered a 2-inch .5 reducer and extension tubes to attain the correct spacing. I will employ also the extension tubes that came with the telescope.

2 -- I need to learn/re-learn the "save" conventions of the software, and attempt to also record the whole session, for playback and also to retrieve data if necessary.

3 -- It would be advised to save both the "on-screen" and "unprocessed" versions of the stacked final images. I note that CCDStack2 doesn't see the unprocessed image (the software apparently creates a compressed .fit or .tif file -- so I have learned that I need to bring this image into PS Elements on the Windows 7 laptop just to convert the image to a readable format (16-bit, .tif, uncompressed must be checked).

4 -- I need to fully employ the available focusing routines (all very good) and refocus during a longer session. This is no problem, even with a brighter star. Just keep the exposure down, so as to not "fill up the well." This process is far easier than with other software I have used.

5 -- The stacking function (it adjusts "on the fly" for slight movements or failures in the mount!) is excellent. And after 5-10 stacks (not a lot in my opinion) background noise is virtually non-existent and very few hot pixels are present. Dark frames for this camera are really unnecessary for the level of expectation from a video CCD Sony chip ICX825 / 1392 x 1040 (1.4 MP). Remarkable results!

6 -- And, of course, I need to "re-tweak" the polar alignment.

To be blunt, this process of video observing is perhaps more enjoyable (and certainly more productive and "savable") than just using eyepieces. I thought I would never say it, but "video killed the (not radio but visual) star." Visual astronomy is dying.

Webmaster's note: This log compilation is typical of every observing session, whether visual, video or photographic. Otherwise, I'd likely forget the details of all of the wonderful experiences I've had under the beautiful dark skies of northern New Mexico!