Re: Spaceships and astronomy
Originally Posted by SultanOfSwing
(Post 11838286)
That being said, a decent telescope with a computer controlled mount and a decent way to attach a CCD or a camera to it does sound appealing if I ever was to have the funds.
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Re: Spaceships and astronomy
Originally Posted by Shard
(Post 11838070)
.... I always end up thinking that once I've had a good view of the main planets I would lose interest. I love gazing at the night sky but am not convinced that a telescope would be that much of a gain.
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Re: Spaceships and astronomy
Originally Posted by steveq
(Post 11838415)
The cost of entry to astrophotography is very cheap these days. Any decent DSLR can do fantastic wide-field deep sky shots, and if you look for "Frame stacking" software, you can add pictures together, and not need a tracking mount.
I haven't tried constellations yet, I have yet to find somewhere that is both dark enough, and with enough of an unobstructed view for that to work well. But I will one day. I'm not much into post processing though, so I might go for the star trails kind of picture, rather than attempting deep sky objects.
Originally Posted by Pulaski
(Post 11838425)
I agree. I appear to be in a minority on this thread, so far at least, in that my interest is in reading about astronomy and astrophysics, not looking through a telescope.
Though, I could sit on this site for hours: Astronomy Picture of the Day Just look at that picture of Pluto for today's entry. I never thought we'd have pictures like that when I used to read my astronomy books growing up. This was before Voyager showed us even what Uranus and Neptune looked like, of course. Deep space observation and cosmology are certainly beyond fascinating, but I think the Solar System is still where my heart lies. |
Re: Spaceships and astronomy
Originally Posted by SultanOfSwing
(Post 11838434)
APOD: 2015 October 5 - Orion Over and Under Tibet |
Re: Spaceships and astronomy
Originally Posted by steveq
(Post 11838485)
As for that picture, was that just a DSLR/wide angle lens/timed exposure on a tripod deal? No additional adornments? Obviously some post processing/image stacking might have been needed but it kind of makes me more anxious to have more of a go at astrophotography myself now. |
Re: Spaceships and astronomy
Originally Posted by SultanOfSwing
(Post 11838286)
Another thing that a lot of people don't realise too is that while you can see a great many deep sky objects through 8+" telescopes, your eye will only see them in monochrome. It takes a camera and a long exposure to resolve the colours that we see in astronomical photographs. Planets do appear in full colour though.
I see your point but honestly I could have sat and stared at even that view of the moon I got through the 10" reflector at the library for nights on end, I imagine that Jupiter or Saturn could keep me entertained for years. Mars is supposed to look pretty good as well. That being said, a decent telescope with a computer controlled mount and a decent way to attach a CCD or a camera to it does sound appealing if I ever was to have the funds. You may well have seen it, but there is an excellent You Tube of the moon's surface from the Japanese Kaguya program. Very high definition. |
Re: Spaceships and astronomy
Originally Posted by SultanOfSwing
(Post 11838494)
As for that picture, was that just a DSLR/wide angle lens/timed exposure on a tripod deal? No additional adornments? Obviously some post processing/image stacking might have been needed but it kind of makes me more anxious to have more of a go at astrophotography myself now.
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Re: Spaceships and astronomy
It does seem stacked. That red band, Bernards Loop, is interesting. Never heard of that before.
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Re: Spaceships and astronomy
Originally Posted by Shard
(Post 11838520)
That's great that your library has a 10" that you can use. I have thought of tagging along at the local astronomy club, and may do someday. I know what you mean about being able to gaze at the moon/planets for hours on end...it's quite special to be able to do that. I get a fantastic view of Jupiter in the summer sky which even with my naked eye never fails to awe me.
You may well have seen it, but there is an excellent You Tube of the moon's surface from the Japanese Kaguya program. Very high definition. That club does have regular events where they set up their telescopes and binoculars and let people come along and have a look. Star parties, I think they're called.
Originally Posted by steveq
(Post 11838548)
IIRC, it's stacked. What gets me about the shot is the REFLECTION in the water !
That reflection is amazing though. The patience required to get something like that is something I am not in ready supply of, unfortunately :lol:
Originally Posted by Shard
(Post 11838570)
It does seem stacked. That red band, Bernards Loop, is interesting. Never heard of that before.
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Re: Spaceships and astronomy
I saw Orion from my back window two nights ago. Very low, feet practically at the horizon, very square (belt horizontal) and very bright. Quite amazing. I've seen it hundreds of times obviously, but never quite so "lined up".
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Re: Spaceships and astronomy
If you have no telescope how will you see the Mothership when it comes to take you home ?
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Re: Spaceships and astronomy
Originally Posted by scot47
(Post 11839553)
If you have no telescope how will you see the Mothership when it comes to take you home ?
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Re: Spaceships and astronomy
Anybody else do a Astronomy O Level? I remember observations from the back garden on the outskirts of London were not that successful.
At 10,000 ft nearly and with the nearest light pollution of consequence 60 miles away you can walk out and feel you can pick the stars from the sky above. Never though of looking at what telescopes are available now, hmmm. |
Re: Spaceships and astronomy
Originally Posted by Boiler
(Post 11842074)
Anybody else do a Astronomy O Level? I remember observations from the back garden on the outskirts of London were not that successful.
At 10,000 ft nearly and with the nearest light pollution of consequence 60 miles away you can walk out and feel you can pick the stars from the sky above. Never though of looking at what telescopes are available now, hmmm. |
Re: Spaceships and astronomy
Sadly my books are now long since gone nod oubt to Oxfam, sadly it was also a very long time ago. One of the few O Levels I liked.
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