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CellistOnTheRoof Astro 🪐
Registrace 6. 02. 2014
A cellist with her head in the clouds.
Welcome to my astrophotography diary from Brighton, UK - England’s finest cloud factory!
For more of my astrophotography, please see my Instagram: @cellistontheroof
All photos have been taken and processed by me.
Welcome to my astrophotography diary from Brighton, UK - England’s finest cloud factory!
For more of my astrophotography, please see my Instagram: @cellistontheroof
All photos have been taken and processed by me.
Simple solar limb imaging - capture and process
This is how I do close-ups of the solar limb with my 40mm Lunt and ZWO ASI174mm - including a Powermate/Barlow, and using IMPPG for processing!
zhlédnutí: 1 642
Video
What do I need for planetary imaging?
zhlédnutí 4,2KPřed 3 měsíci
A run through my planetary imaging equipment necessities and nice-to-haves! Together with the following two videos on setting up, and imaging and processing, these pretty much show my entire process beginning to end. If you're hoping to get started with planetary imaging, these may provide some starting points and inspiration. Good luck!
Simple planetary imaging start - capture and processing basics
zhlédnutí 3KPřed 5 měsíci
Planetary imaging from coastal England sometimes seems like a fool's errand, but I am in love with it, and wanted to share my process! As always, this is just what works for me, but hopefully gives someone a starting point. After an unbelievably poor weather all throughout autumn and winter, I'm hoping to get some opportunities to record some better captures!
Installing a ZWO EAF to a RedCat/SpaceCat 61 WIFD
zhlédnutí 2,3KPřed 5 měsíci
A short video on how I installed ZWO's EAF to my SpaceCat 61 with the new internal focuser design. Not the most straightforward thing for me, so there's a "don't do what I did" included! Thankfully it all works now. You can find the diagrams and installation instructions I show on screen here in the manual: cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0675/5752/3673/files/Manual-Redcat-61-WIFD.pdf?v=1709691518
Highlights of European Astrofest in London 2024
zhlédnutí 775Před 7 měsíci
A short video about a day out in London for the 2024 European Astrofest. It's a big conference with talks and all sorts of vendors and exhibitors, and this year they hosted their inaugural imaging competition sponsored by Celestron. My image of the solar system planets was shortlisted and exhibited at the hall, unfortunately I didn't win, but it was really nice to see among some great astrophot...
Setting up for planetary imaging - Camera, ADC, Barlow
zhlédnutí 11KPřed 10 měsíci
Setting up my SCT for planetary and lunar imaging, including the ADC and Barlow. For all who have been confused about what goes where, does it need backfocus, why they can't find it, how does guiding work, how does the ADC word etc - here is my whole quick setup process. I tried my best to show everything as clearly as I could, sometimes not as easy when recording in the dark and half the stuff...
Solar imaging with a small Lunt H-alpha telescope - capture and processing
zhlédnutí 10KPřed rokem
How I image and process the whole solar disc with a 40mm Lunt For anyone who loves their new hydrogen alpha solar telescope and are into solar disc imaging like me, I hope this can inspire some ideas about creating your own workflow or get someone started! In this video I run through setup, capture, and processing to get an inverted Sun image, which I personally like. The photo I’ve got in this...
Setting up a Lunt 40mm Hydrogen Alpha solar telescope
zhlédnutí 10KPřed rokem
Small 40mm Lunt from box to mount I encountered a few small snags setting up my new dedicated solar telescope, and wanted to share with you all how I got around them. I've recently moved on from a Coronado PST to a 40mm Lunt (ouch, wallet), because the PST wasn't playing ball when it came to focusing, and I'm looking to get the whole solar disc in frame. The Lunt had a few small things to resol...
Celestron CPC 800 vs 925 - size and portability
zhlédnutí 16KPřed rokem
If you’re like me, and you’ve been trying to decide whether the CPC 8” or 9.25” are portable enough for you before you commit, I’ve decided to make video about how they compare in size and what it’s like to manoeuvre them. I’m pretty average size and fitness, so hopefully this will be helpful for those who are wondering whether they can lift them up and set the down easily! The CPC series is ab...
How I stack and process photos of the International Space Station
zhlédnutí 3,6KPřed rokem
A quick follow up on my previous video about capturing the ISS, which you can watch here: czcams.com/video/KuX2Y99xGTA/video.html I show my short and simple process of stacking and processing ISS photos, using PiPP, Autostakkert!3, Registax6, and GIMP. My process is by all means not the only one out there, and I will inevitable refine and change as I learn more, but it works for me and hopefull...
How I photograph the International Space Station
zhlédnutí 27KPřed rokem
This is my process of capturing the ISS with a telescope and planetary camera using manual tracking. It is by all means not the only way, and I will probably change and refine it over time as I learn more, but this is what currently works for me and I've been invited to share it! The equipment used here is: Celestron CPC800 - 8" Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope on a dual fork alt-az Go-To mount ZWO...
My 10 inch Meade is heavy, more than that its blessed awkward to line up the stud that threads into the base. I 3d printed a tray that matched the shape of the base and screwed onto the tripod head. Its now so much easier to put the scope up onto the tripod and it feels safe. Years ago in anothe rlife in Massachusets I used Celestron and hated the mount set up. I machined a coupler that allowed the scope to just drop onto the tripod. I am certain an adapter could be printed that would make youir life far easier. Any way enough waffle.
HI, Im in Crawley with a 10 inch Meade SCT and the viewing is no better. I fully agree with you regarding the huge range of cameras available from just one maker. I have just ordered a ZWO camera but fully intend on continuing using my modified webcam and modified DSLR as backups. Great videos thank you.
Hi, almost-neighbour! Yes we aren’t blessed when it comes to skies, but we do what we can. Hope the new camera treats you well.
Hey you have the camera I just bought! I'm hoping to learn how to get good planetary images. I just got my first scope (it's only 500mm). It looks like you have a great setup. I will watch through your other videos to see what I can learn. I have tons of deepspace tools, but none for planetary (in fact: all planets are completely excluded from nina 😢).
Nice video, thank you! I feel like you got a returned or demo telescope. A new telescope should arrive in absolutely pristine condition. No dust, no mars, and certainly no chips! Sounds like Lunt's quality control is seriously lacking.
I felt like that too, but more from the retailer than Lunt. However as they said it wasn’t, it was a matter of keeping it as is, or returning and waiting for ages for another one - I’m glad I kept it.
Any reason why you don't focus on a star first with a bahtinov mask, then move the telescope to the planet? Does adjustment of the ADC affect the focus?
Fine focus for me is always the very last step after everything has been done. While adding stuff to the imaging train, I find that defocusing makes it easier to find and center the target, and for adjusting the ADC I don’t need to be finely focused, by eye is food enough. After everything, if you prefer to use a Bahtinov on a star and focus that way, why not! Hope that answers it.
@@CellistOnTheRoof Thanks for the reply. Makes sense. I have not used the Sharp Cap focusing tool, so that might be just as good, or better!
Lovely scopes. I prefer to use an EQ mount though. I do have my 12" dobsonian go to alt/az obviously and it's fine for planetary imaging etc.
One of the best and most complete tutorials I've seen on planetary astrophotography. I really liked that you took your time and related your direct experience, which is always more helpful than reciting rules of thumb. Thanks for a really excellent video, I learned a lot.
Thanks for the kind words, really glad it was helpful!
Very helpful demonstration. Thanks!
Did the cute cat plushie come with it? I need one as it looks just like my cat George. 😊
Yes the plushie came with it 😊
@@CellistOnTheRoof thanks! I think I must buy one now 😁
Continue your channel
I’m so glad I stayed until the end . Except now I want one haha
🥹🥹
Small is 8 and below, 9.25 is medium on my scale, large are the 10 and 11, and 12,14& 16 are very large 😂
Is there a reason you don't use an UV/IR cut filter on your camera?
Hi, I do and I mention it at 2:40 😊
A word of warning about the 2 screws at around 2 minutes 50 seconds, from my experience. Do not totally unscrew or remove the 2 hidden screws, just loosen them slightly and you can slide the knob off. If you unscrew them too far they could fall out under the knob and jam the mechanism!
The Lunt40 certainly punches above its weight. I have just put a shorts collection of prominences together that I took with mine if you'd care to look 👍
Ok Lunt is better than CORONADO.
Great shot. Best I have seen from that size telescope. Eight inch or ten?
Thanks! This was 8”.
I am a 65-year-old man, 6'-0" tall (1.83 m) and with average strength for my age. I have a CPC-800 that I bought in 2007 and a CPC-1100HD that I bought in 2017. The 8" has always been quick and easy for me to lift and mount to the tripod. When I got the 11", I immediately felt much less confident getting it onto the tripod. For me, it wasn't so much the weight (although I did have to be more careful about using the proper lifting technique), but the bulk. Getting the mount base centered on the tripod pin became much more difficult. Fortunately, there is a solution: the Starizona Landing Pad. I had bought the 11" through Starizona and had seen this item on their website, but I didn't give it much thought. However, after one night out with the 11", I ordered the Landing Pad. It has been a godsend
Thanks, and I agree with the bulk being difficult to manoeuvre. Starizona landing pads look great but they aren’t sold here at all, so I’ll have to practice my weight lifting with the 925 in the meantime!
Thought you must be in England… the rooflines and chimneys tell the tale :-) Thank you for your excellent, very helpful videos :-)
Can you piggyback this Lunt onto an wedge mounted C8-avoiding the need for a dedicated mount?
Can’t see why not, but I’d cover that C8 with some reflective cover if it’s in the Sun for a while - my CPC used to get very hot when I used it for white light, and the plastic covers are all black!
When you removed the grub screw to get to the two hidden screws so you could remove the thermometer, you did not show reinstalling that top grub screw after tightening down the EAF coupler. Did you not replace that top grub screw? Hope that made sense. Thanks for the video. Just ordering the 61 WIFI. I am guessing I should order some spacers to fit between the scope and the dovetail plate. Enjoyed your video.
Hi! No, I didn’t replace that grub screw, instead I used that hole as an additional mounting point for the EAF mounting plate! Hope that makes sense? Good luck with your 61, I guess spacers do make sense if you want to keep the thermometer or want the EAF not to sit below the dovetail!
@@CellistOnTheRoof thanks. Makes perfect sense.
Hi Ivana, That's a great tutorial! Just a note - if you keep the selection box small for your initial fine-tuning, you'll see L-R changes in real-time as you move the slider (and you can always draw the box around some other region of interest in the image). Also, since Feb last year, ImPPG can process RGB images (I've been using it on Jupiter to good effect) - go check out the latest version.
Thanks very much, all very good to know!
9.25" is small medium! You must have some rich friends :) I consider my 8" Newtonian 'biggish' though I also use it for deep sky and on an equatorial mount. Being 1200mm focal length, so physically quite long, if you go any bigger you need a serious mount. That's Newtonians though. I've never really considered an alt az but I guess they are fine for planetary (which is what I do most of). More videos please - would love to see some 'in the field' imaging - the planets should be back soon. Also some more on the software. I tend to use ASI studio as its simple and seems to do the job. Does Sharpcap/Firecap offer practical advantages? Plus how about some cello music to accompany? I grew up listening to my brother practising cello :)
Yes isn’t it crazy how 8” and 9.25” can be considered small or medium when they’re so physically large - but you should see what people out there are using! Almost every amazing planetary image I see is done with 12” and upwards. ASIAIR does indeed do the job, but not as well as a laptop/PC with dedicated capture software. 32GB can fill up very quickly with planetary, it only captures AVI, and you won’t get the same framerates unfortunately!
@@CellistOnTheRoof ASI Studio is the PC/Mac software that comes with their cameras. It does .ser. It's very easy to use and also does a good job with stacking if you have good data. With dodgy data I use Autostakkert 4 and Wavesharp which is the 'successor' to Registax. I should try out some of the extra features in Sharpcap/Firecap though, if it ever stops raining.
Thank you so much. The instructions that come with the Redcat for removing the focuser knob are terrible and impossible to follow. Your video made it clear.
Thanks, really glad it was helpful! I didn’t even get any instructions with mine!
Some really useful, practical tips there thanks. That telescope is a bit of a beast! :)
I miss my solarmax 60
You are any astro nerds dream girl. Not trying to be creepy, you are just a rare breed.
Great workflow thank you.
Thank you for the video, very helpful and informative. For visual only, would you say there's a noticeable difference between Coronado PST and Lunt 40?
Thank you! I personally found the Lunt a little clearer and brighter visually, but the PST was wonderful as well!
You could probably handle the CPC1100, it is only a few lbs heavier, 5 or 6 maybe 7. 9.25 has this magical formula for a sharper jmage and flatter field with its slightly slower primary hence the longer length to width ratio. But I love the C11, i had mine on a g11 mount, and only had to lift the 27lb tube (maybe 28-29lbs with the adm accessory rail on top and the 2" AP visual back, which I left on the scope, it threaded onto the larger 3.25" rear cell so the baffle wasnt obstructed like it is when using the 2"sct thread plate. This is not an issue on the 8 and 9.25. Unfortunately, tweakers broke into my storage and got all my scopes and accessories, along with most of my guitars and basses, ( luckily I had several in hoc at the time so I didnt lose all of them) and racks and racks of audio gear and all my amps except for one that lived in my car. Since tweakers don't know about anything other than sharks and taking apart VCRs, they left the g11 trjpod that looks like a bunch of random pipes, the counterweights and adm and losmandy 3 pt piggyback rings, which I was able to trade straight across for a 1991 meade 10" lx premier so I could at least have something that was close to the c11, though much harder to setup and transport, and without goto. Not that i really need goto, but it was nice to have on the c11.
Oh that’s really awful. I’m sorry you had that happen. I’m not really fussed about the CPC1100 because my conditions here really can’t justify the cost and hassle, the 925 will do just fine - if it ever clears up enough to use it again!
You can use ascom on a cpc.
大変良い動画で参考にさせていただきましたが、難しすぎて、温度計側のノブが外せんでした 外側のネジを外し、その中にある一つ目のネジを緩め、二つ目のネジを回そうとすると全く回りません また、もう一度一つ目のネジを回そうとしましたがこれも回りません、かなり謎です もうだめだと諦めました。私が不器用だからかもしれませんが、redcat61 へEAFの取り付けは難易度が高すぎます ちなみredcat51Ⅲも持っており、そちらも同じでうまく外せませんでした😂 残念ですが次に買う予定のAskarのFRA500にEAFは利用しようかなあと考えています
Hi there! I agree it can really be tricky with the internal screws. I think the important part is after the first screw to turn the knob very slowly while keeping the screwdriver touching the bottom to feel when it “sinks” into the second screw. If it doesn’t turn at all, maybe you’re not exactly on it! Good luck!
@@CellistOnTheRoof ご返事、ありがとうございます😊 諦めずに動画を見ながら、再度チャレンジしてみます
Cool info, note that it's suggested to use some LocTite (Brand Name in US) it takes a very small drop to pervent the small set screws from coming loose when temps change or thru the night of imaging. It's not permanent, here in the USA it's blue as they make RED Don't use as it needs heat to remove the small set screws, where the normal blue will be undone easily. I saw in 1 of you Solar Videos that you call it Thread locker...Agreed for what these items cost should be used! Also ZWO in the first few years did include "Thread locker set screws in the EAF box, but stopped as just about every ZWO EAF video on CZcams they did not use them....LOL
Wonderfully helpful video. I have the Redcat 51 WIFD, and you were able to clear up where the two hidden screw were hiding 😊 Muchos Gracias
Really glad it was helpful! It took me longer that I care to admit to do it myself 😄
I’m new to this & it looks blooming brilliant fun. What’s the starting point of size & cost to see minimum detail? Hopefully it doesn’t cost a bomb .
Hi! It does take quite a lot of focal length but something like a Skywatcher Skymax127 and a small planetary camera could resolve panels etc! I bought my stuff second hand which makes it even cheaper. I’d say about £250 for a used Skymax127 with a mount, and maybe £150-200 for a used planetary camera?
@@CellistOnTheRoof brilliant. AMF absolutely, that's what I'd plan for sure. 2nd hand. Those prices don't sound too scary.
Thank you for showing your process
but what about the optimal BF?
What’s BF, sorry? Edit: just realized you meant back focus! No need to worry about that at all in planetary, you’re only using a tiny portion of the sensor and not looking for a flat field. The camera can just plug into the visual back and that’s it.
@@CellistOnTheRoof i want to use for imaging with apc sensor
It's great that you proved to the nay sayers who don't believe that the Earth is a sphere! If the International Space Station 🚉 is real then the footage of the Earth 🌎 is real🎉
What is your opinion of a light pollution filter. I'm near a large city and light pollution is a real factor in my seeing conditions. Can this filter be used in conjunction with an UV and infrared cut filter.
It’s not needed at all. Planets are bright enough and exposures are so quick that light pollution doesn’t affect imaging. If you’re using an IR pass with it, it could ruin the IR by cutting the wavelengths you’re after!
@@CellistOnTheRoof Thank you for taking the time to answer my question, definitely helpful to me.
Thank you for sharing this useful info, I'm currently thinking of getting a 174 for my Lunt LS50 as the 290 I'm currently using doesn't give a full solar disc. Nice image by the way.
Thanks, really pleased if it can be useful! You’ll love the 174, it’s great.
awesome catch! like the processing also! well done. thanks!
Thank you too!
Quality graph not to bad !!!! Wow I rarely get 100f over 75% out of 20,000
It’s rare but it does happen! I think late morning is best time, high in the sky but before the air gets too hot.
I have just photographed the Sun in white light using Baader Solar Film and a 25 mm Pocket Borg refractor and loads of big sunspots .
Thank you for another excellent tutorial. I always find your tutorials easy to follow and very helpful.
Thanks! That’s really nice to hear.
Incredible! I have always been terrified to try this myself. Well done!!!
Thanks! You should go for it, now’s such a good time!
Very cool!
Thanks for the guidance on how to take and process hydrogen alpha images. As always your posts are interesting and helpful to aspiring astrophotographers like myself. I enjoy your presentations and always come away with new knowledge that I can put to use. Looking forward to a great summer of astronomy and more of your posts.
Nicely done once again! Another thing that can help with Facebook compression is to save your images as PNG files. This doesn't always work but more often than not gives you a better result.
Thanks! Yes that’s absolutely true. I do all my planetary in PNG but for some reason found the IMPPG PNG output a bit funny. Maybe I’ll find out down the line I’ve been doing something wrong all along 😄
@@CellistOnTheRoof Aha, OK, I mainly use Pixinsight for processing and creating the final image,. I also use Gimp and have noticed that the PNG's created by Gimp and Pixinsight can be quite different.
Cool! Sun is so interesting in hydrogen alpha.
Thanks, yes I think it’s absolutely mesmerizing!