Telescope: Meade Mak 7 @ f/30, Orion Atlas EQ-G
Camera: ZWO ASI294MC Pro, 0C, GSO 2” 2x ED Barlow
Filter: Highpoint Scientific IR cut filter
Seeing: poor, 2/5, smoke, haze
Exposure 5x(3min x 25ms), gain 400, saved as SER
White Balance: Nebulosity Automatic
Software: SharpCap Pro, AutoStakkert, Registax, WinJUPOS, Nebulosity, Photoshop
I’ve decided to use the period between the waxing and waning gibbous moon to work on my planetary imaging starting with an evaluation of different equipment combinations. I started with my C11, which it where I expect to end up, but I also want to spend some time with my C9.25 and Mak 7. Of these I am particularly interested in the Mak 7 as it has the best optics that I have seen in a consumer telescope and I’m interested in how it stacks up against my larger options.
This is the first test image taken with the Mak 7 and it almost didn’t happen. I usually limit my imaging to the eastern sky as my house blocks most of the sky on the west side of the meridian. To catch Jupiter before it reaches the meridian I need to catch it before about 3:45. On this morning I stepped outside around 3:00 and found a solid cloud cover almost all the way to the southern horizon, so I parked my scope, pulled off the expensive bits, and covered everything up. I stepped outside again a little after 4:00 and found that the clouds had moved northward enough that Jupiter was in clear air, though it was past the meridian and I was close to losing it behind my house. I quickly pulled the covers off, put everything back on, powered everything up, set the focus, and grabbed five 3 minute sequences. The seeing wasn’t very good and I was surprised that it turned out as well as it did. I’ll probably leave my gear in this configuration for the remainder of this imaging opportunity. Next month I may stick with the Mak 7 and switch to a more conventional planetary camera like the ASI462MC and a 2.5x Powermate.
So much to try, so few clear nights!
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