Observational Astronomy - Revision history

Aplstudent: /* Observational Astronomy Spring 2016 */

2016-06-06T20:46:57Z

Observational Astronomy Spring 2016

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:46, 6 June 2016
Line 56:		Line 56:
	The manual has a good description of focusing and snapping your first pictures but it doesn't talk about post-processing the images in Astro FX at all. There are guides online for how to get good astronomy pictures but here are the basics. With a telescope that is aligned well and tracking accurately you have two options for good pictures. You can take long exposures to see the detail in faint objects or you can take a bunch of short exposures and stack them. If the telescope isn't tracking well the only option you have is taking a bunch of photos and stacking them. Astro FX will align and stack photos for you. After the composite photo is stacked you can use Astro FX's editing tabs or move over to Photoshop/GIMP to adjust contrast and such.		The manual has a good description of focusing and snapping your first pictures but it doesn't talk about post-processing the images in Astro FX at all. There are guides online for how to get good astronomy pictures but here are the basics. With a telescope that is aligned well and tracking accurately you have two options for good pictures. You can take long exposures to see the detail in faint objects or you can take a bunch of short exposures and stack them. If the telescope isn't tracking well the only option you have is taking a bunch of photos and stacking them. Astro FX will align and stack photos for you. After the composite photo is stacked you can use Astro FX's editing tabs or move over to Photoshop/GIMP to adjust contrast and such.

	Astro FX was frustrating to work with for me and doesn't have all the features I wanted so I used Maxim DL for stacking and post-processing. Otherwise [http://www.astronomie.be/registax/index.html Registax] is a free and powerful program that does much more than Astro FX too.		Astro FX was frustrating to work with for me and doesn't have all the features I wanted so I used [http://www.cyanogen.com/maxim_main.php Maxim DL] for stacking and post-processing. Otherwise [http://www.astronomie.be/registax/index.html Registax] is a free and powerful program that does much more than Astro FX too.

Aplstudent: /* Observational Astronomy Spring 2016 */

2016-06-06T20:45:53Z

Observational Astronomy Spring 2016

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:45, 6 June 2016
Line 56:		Line 56:
	The manual has a good description of focusing and snapping your first pictures but it doesn't talk about post-processing the images in Astro FX at all. There are guides online for how to get good astronomy pictures but here are the basics. With a telescope that is aligned well and tracking accurately you have two options for good pictures. You can take long exposures to see the detail in faint objects or you can take a bunch of short exposures and stack them. If the telescope isn't tracking well the only option you have is taking a bunch of photos and stacking them. Astro FX will align and stack photos for you. After the composite photo is stacked you can use Astro FX's editing tabs or move over to Photoshop/GIMP to adjust contrast and such.		The manual has a good description of focusing and snapping your first pictures but it doesn't talk about post-processing the images in Astro FX at all. There are guides online for how to get good astronomy pictures but here are the basics. With a telescope that is aligned well and tracking accurately you have two options for good pictures. You can take long exposures to see the detail in faint objects or you can take a bunch of short exposures and stack them. If the telescope isn't tracking well the only option you have is taking a bunch of photos and stacking them. Astro FX will align and stack photos for you. After the composite photo is stacked you can use Astro FX's editing tabs or move over to Photoshop/GIMP to adjust contrast and such.

	Astro FX was frustrating to work with for me and doesn't have all the features I wanted so I used Maxim DL for stacking and post-processing. Otherwise [[Registax]] is a free and powerful program that does much more than Astro FX too.		Astro FX was frustrating to work with for me and doesn't have all the features I wanted so I used Maxim DL for stacking and post-processing. Otherwise [http://www.astronomie.be/registax/index.html Registax] is a free and powerful program that does much more than Astro FX too.

Aplstudent: /* Observational Astronomy Spring 2016 */

2016-06-06T20:44:31Z

Observational Astronomy Spring 2016

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:44, 6 June 2016
Line 51:		Line 51:

	To align the scope follow the instructions above making absolutely sure the base is level and stable. Once the telescope is mounted, power it on, wait for the GPS to sync, and choose the SkyAlign alignment option. SkyAlign uses three stars and the location given by GPS to figure out where the telescope is pointing. The first star is used by the scope to set the x-axis. The second star is used to set the y-axis and the third star is a check to make sure the first two are mapped correctly. Ideally the first two stars you pick will be low in the sky and about 90 degrees apart. The key to getting a successful alignment is making sure your stars are perfectly centered in the eyepiece. A trick for this is to get a star close to the center and then unfocus the telescope until the star is a large circle in the eyepiece. Once you do this it should be easier to get it perfectly centered. Take your time and get it right. Once you have the telescope aligned you can use either Stellarium or the handheld to select objects to view.		To align the scope follow the instructions above making absolutely sure the base is level and stable. Once the telescope is mounted, power it on, wait for the GPS to sync, and choose the SkyAlign alignment option. SkyAlign uses three stars and the location given by GPS to figure out where the telescope is pointing. The first star is used by the scope to set the x-axis. The second star is used to set the y-axis and the third star is a check to make sure the first two are mapped correctly. Ideally the first two stars you pick will be low in the sky and about 90 degrees apart. The key to getting a successful alignment is making sure your stars are perfectly centered in the eyepiece. A trick for this is to get a star close to the center and then unfocus the telescope until the star is a large circle in the eyepiece. Once you do this it should be easier to get it perfectly centered. Take your time and get it right. Once you have the telescope aligned you can use either Stellarium or the handheld to select objects to view.

			The new camera is a Celestron Nightscape 8300. To use you will have to install the Astro FX software on a computer and start it up. Plug in the cables to their respective places. You should hear the shutter on the camera click and the cooling fan should start automatically. Sometimes the program doesn't recognize the camera right away. If you unplug and plug the usb cable back in it should recognize it. Astroimaging is much easier when using the flip mirror so you can flip back and forth between an eyepiece and the camera.

			The manual has a good description of focusing and snapping your first pictures but it doesn't talk about post-processing the images in Astro FX at all. There are guides online for how to get good astronomy pictures but here are the basics. With a telescope that is aligned well and tracking accurately you have two options for good pictures. You can take long exposures to see the detail in faint objects or you can take a bunch of short exposures and stack them. If the telescope isn't tracking well the only option you have is taking a bunch of photos and stacking them. Astro FX will align and stack photos for you. After the composite photo is stacked you can use Astro FX's editing tabs or move over to Photoshop/GIMP to adjust contrast and such.

			Astro FX was frustrating to work with for me and doesn't have all the features I wanted so I used Maxim DL for stacking and post-processing. Otherwise [[Registax]] is a free and powerful program that does much more than Astro FX too.

Aplstudent: /* Observational Astronomy Spring 2016 */

2016-06-02T21:40:44Z

Observational Astronomy Spring 2016

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:40, 2 June 2016
Line 50:		Line 50:
	Many of the instructions for setup are still the same but some hints for aligning the scope may be helpful. We have some new equipment too. We have a battery pack so we can take the telescope away from an outlet and we have a new camera that excels at deep sky photography.		Many of the instructions for setup are still the same but some hints for aligning the scope may be helpful. We have some new equipment too. We have a battery pack so we can take the telescope away from an outlet and we have a new camera that excels at deep sky photography.

	To align the scope follow the instructions above making absolutely sure the base is level and stable. Once the telescope is mounted, power it on, wait for the GPS to sync, and choose the SkyAlign alignment option. SkyAlign uses three stars and the location given by GPS to figure out where the telescope is pointing. The first star is used by the scope to set the x-axis. The second star is used to set the y-axis and the third star is a check to make sure the first two are mapped correctly. Ideally the first two stars you pick will be low in the sky and about 90 degrees apart. The key to getting a successful alignment is making sure your stars are perfectly centered in the eyepiece. A trick for this is to get a star close to the center and then ~~unfocusing it~~ until it is a large circle in the eyepiece. Once you do this it should be easier to get it perfectly centered. Take your time and get it right. Once you have the telescope aligned you can use either Stellarium or the handheld to select objects to view.		To align the scope follow the instructions above making absolutely sure the base is level and stable. Once the telescope is mounted, power it on, wait for the GPS to sync, and choose the SkyAlign alignment option. SkyAlign uses three stars and the location given by GPS to figure out where the telescope is pointing. The first star is used by the scope to set the x-axis. The second star is used to set the y-axis and the third star is a check to make sure the first two are mapped correctly. Ideally the first two stars you pick will be low in the sky and about 90 degrees apart. The key to getting a successful alignment is making sure your stars are perfectly centered in the eyepiece. A trick for this is to get a star close to the center and then unfocus the telescope until the star is a large circle in the eyepiece. Once you do this it should be easier to get it perfectly centered. Take your time and get it right. Once you have the telescope aligned you can use either Stellarium or the handheld to select objects to view.

Aplstudent at 21:39, 2 June 2016

2016-06-02T21:39:14Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:39, 2 June 2016
Line 46:		Line 46:
	</gallery>		</gallery>

	~~The second main difference is that there is no longer~~ a ~~working CCD camera available to use with~~ the telescope. ~~So all sections~~ above ~~regarding setting up~~ the ~~computer, Stellarium~~ and ~~connecting~~ the telescope to the ~~computer can be disregarded~~. If the ~~procedure for setting up~~ the ~~tripod mentioned above~~ is ~~followed,~~ the ~~eyepiece~~ is ~~attached~~ to the star ~~diagonal and telescope as described~~ the ~~telescope~~ will be ~~ready for~~ alignment~~(again,~~ the ~~instructions~~ for ~~that are above)~~ and then ~~observations~~ can ~~be made!~~		== Observational Astronomy Spring 2016 ==

			Many of the instructions for setup are still the same but some hints for aligning the scope may be helpful. We have some new equipment too. We have a battery pack so we can take the telescope away from an outlet and we have a new camera that excels at deep sky photography.

			To align the scope follow the instructions above making absolutely sure the base is level and stable. Once the telescope is mounted, power it on, wait for the GPS to sync, and choose the SkyAlign alignment option. SkyAlign uses three stars and the location given by GPS to figure out where the telescope is pointing. The first star is used by the scope to set the x-axis. The second star is used to set the y-axis and the third star is a check to make sure the first two are mapped correctly. Ideally the first two stars you pick will be low in the sky and about 90 degrees apart. The key to getting a successful alignment is making sure your stars are perfectly centered in the eyepiece. A trick for this is to get a star close to the center and then unfocusing it until it is a large circle in the eyepiece. Once you do this it should be easier to get it perfectly centered. Take your time and get it right. Once you have the telescope aligned you can use either Stellarium or the handheld to select objects to view.

Aplstudent: /* Observational Astronomy Spring 2015 */

2015-06-02T20:18:58Z

Observational Astronomy Spring 2015

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:18, 2 June 2015
Line 46:		Line 46:
	</gallery>		</gallery>

	The second main difference is that there is no longer a working CCD camera available to use with the telescope. So all sections above regarding setting up the computer, Stellarium and connecting the telescope to the computer can be disregarded. If the procedure for setting up the tripod mentioned above is followed, the eyepiece is attached to the star diagonal and telescope as described the telescope will be ready for alignment(again, instructions above) and then observations can be made!		The second main difference is that there is no longer a working CCD camera available to use with the telescope. So all sections above regarding setting up the computer, Stellarium and connecting the telescope to the computer can be disregarded. If the procedure for setting up the tripod mentioned above is followed, the eyepiece is attached to the star diagonal and telescope as described the telescope will be ready for alignment(again, the instructions for that are above) and then observations can be made!

Aplstudent: /* Observational Astronomy Spring 2015 */

2015-06-02T20:18:02Z

Observational Astronomy Spring 2015

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:18, 2 June 2015
Line 46:		Line 46:
	</gallery>		</gallery>

	The second main difference is that there is no longer a working CCD camera available to use with the telescope. So all sections above regarding setting up the computer, Stellarium and connecting the telescope to the computer can be disregarded. If the procedure for setting up the tripod mentioned above is followed, ~~and if~~ the eyepiece is attached to the star diagonal and telescope as described the telescope will be ready for alignment(again instructions above) and then observations can be made!		The second main difference is that there is no longer a working CCD camera available to use with the telescope. So all sections above regarding setting up the computer, Stellarium and connecting the telescope to the computer can be disregarded. If the procedure for setting up the tripod mentioned above is followed, the eyepiece is attached to the star diagonal and telescope as described the telescope will be ready for alignment(again, instructions above) and then observations can be made!

Aplstudent: /* Observational Astronomy Spring 2015 */

2015-06-02T20:15:25Z

Observational Astronomy Spring 2015

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:15, 2 June 2015
Line 40:		Line 40:
	This is a continuation of the Observational Astronomy project during spring term of 2015. Many of the instructions for the use of the telescope are the same, however some key parts have changed or are missing. The differences will be explained, meaning anything not mentioned is the same and the instructions above can just be followed.		This is a continuation of the Observational Astronomy project during spring term of 2015. Many of the instructions for the use of the telescope are the same, however some key parts have changed or are missing. The differences will be explained, meaning anything not mentioned is the same and the instructions above can just be followed.

	The first main difference is that the eyepieces for the telescope are different. Like before you just need to attach the star diagonal that is mentioned above to the visual back (the hole on the back end of telescope). Once you put the eyepiece in the star diagonal slot, tighten the screw to fasten it ~~to the star diagonal~~. Below on the left are are the two new eyepieces for the telescope, they are both Celestron with 40mm and 30mm focal lengths. On the right is an image of the proper set up of the star diagonal attached to the visual back with the eyepiece screwed in.		The first main difference is that the eyepieces for the telescope are different. Like before you just need to attach the star diagonal that is mentioned above to the visual back (the hole on the back end of telescope). Once you put the eyepiece in the star diagonal slot, tighten the screw to fasten it. Below on the left are are the two new eyepieces for the telescope, they are both Celestron with 40mm and 30mm focal lengths. On the right is an image of the proper set up of the star diagonal attached to the visual back with the eyepiece screwed in.
	<gallery class="center" caption="" widths="300px" heights="300px">		<gallery class="center" caption="" widths="300px" heights="300px">
	File:Lensesforwiki.jpg\|The two new eyepieces, the 40 mm eyepiece on top and the 30 mm eyepiece below.		File:Lensesforwiki.jpg\|The two new eyepieces, the 40 mm eyepiece on top and the 30 mm eyepiece below.

Aplstudent at 19:57, 2 June 2015

2015-06-02T19:57:17Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:57, 2 June 2015
Line 41:		Line 41:

	The first main difference is that the eyepieces for the telescope are different. Like before you just need to attach the star diagonal that is mentioned above to the visual back (the hole on the back end of telescope). Once you put the eyepiece in the star diagonal slot, tighten the screw to fasten it to the star diagonal. Below on the left are are the two new eyepieces for the telescope, they are both Celestron with 40mm and 30mm focal lengths. On the right is an image of the proper set up of the star diagonal attached to the visual back with the eyepiece screwed in.		The first main difference is that the eyepieces for the telescope are different. Like before you just need to attach the star diagonal that is mentioned above to the visual back (the hole on the back end of telescope). Once you put the eyepiece in the star diagonal slot, tighten the screw to fasten it to the star diagonal. Below on the left are are the two new eyepieces for the telescope, they are both Celestron with 40mm and 30mm focal lengths. On the right is an image of the proper set up of the star diagonal attached to the visual back with the eyepiece screwed in.
	[[File:Lensesforwiki.jpg\| ~~400px\|thumb\|left\| text here]]~~		<gallery class="center" caption="" widths="300px" heights="300px">
	[[File:Setuppicwiki.jpeg \|~~400px\|thumb]]~~		File:Lensesforwiki.jpg\|The two new eyepieces, the 40 mm eyepiece on top and the 30 mm eyepiece below.
			File:Setuppicwiki.jpeg\|The 40 mm eyepiece slotted into to the star diagonal which is attached to the visual back, this is how the telescope needs to be set up for observation.
			</gallery>

	The second main difference is that there is no longer a working CCD camera available to use with the telescope. So all sections above regarding setting up the computer, Stellarium and connecting the telescope to the computer can be disregarded. If the procedure for setting up the tripod mentioned above is followed, and if the eyepiece is attached to the star diagonal and telescope as described the telescope will be ready for alignment(again instructions above) and then observations can be made!		The second main difference is that there is no longer a working CCD camera available to use with the telescope. So all sections above regarding setting up the computer, Stellarium and connecting the telescope to the computer can be disregarded. If the procedure for setting up the tripod mentioned above is followed, and if the eyepiece is attached to the star diagonal and telescope as described the telescope will be ready for alignment(again instructions above) and then observations can be made!

Wikiuser: /* Observational Astronomy Spring 2015 */

2015-06-02T19:31:37Z

Observational Astronomy Spring 2015

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:31, 2 June 2015
Line 41:		Line 41:

	The first main difference is that the eyepieces for the telescope are different. Like before you just need to attach the star diagonal that is mentioned above to the visual back (the hole on the back end of telescope). Once you put the eyepiece in the star diagonal slot, tighten the screw to fasten it to the star diagonal. Below on the left are are the two new eyepieces for the telescope, they are both Celestron with 40mm and 30mm focal lengths. On the right is an image of the proper set up of the star diagonal attached to the visual back with the eyepiece screwed in.		The first main difference is that the eyepieces for the telescope are different. Like before you just need to attach the star diagonal that is mentioned above to the visual back (the hole on the back end of telescope). Once you put the eyepiece in the star diagonal slot, tighten the screw to fasten it to the star diagonal. Below on the left are are the two new eyepieces for the telescope, they are both Celestron with 40mm and 30mm focal lengths. On the right is an image of the proper set up of the star diagonal attached to the visual back with the eyepiece screwed in.
	[[File:Lensesforwiki.jpg]][[File:~~setuppicwiki~~.~~jpg~~]]		[[File:Lensesforwiki.jpg\| 400px\|thumb\|left\| text here]]
			[[File:Setuppicwiki.jpeg \|400px\|thumb]]

	The second main difference is that there is no longer a working CCD camera available to use with the telescope. So all sections above regarding setting up the computer, Stellarium and connecting the telescope to the computer can be disregarded. If the procedure for setting up the tripod mentioned above is followed, and if the eyepiece is attached to the star diagonal and telescope as described the telescope will be ready for alignment(again instructions above) and then observations can be made!		The second main difference is that there is no longer a working CCD camera available to use with the telescope. So all sections above regarding setting up the computer, Stellarium and connecting the telescope to the computer can be disregarded. If the procedure for setting up the tripod mentioned above is followed, and if the eyepiece is attached to the star diagonal and telescope as described the telescope will be ready for alignment(again instructions above) and then observations can be made!