Lunar Imaging
Lunar imaging is similar to planetary imaging (Figure 17). Fast exposure times are required due to the high brightness of the moon. Similar tech- niques used to align and stack plan- etary images can also be used for lunar image processing.
The current phase of the moon will dic- tate the exposure setting due to the vast difference in brightness during each
phase. | Figure 17. Lunar imaging. |
Solar Imaging
Warning: Always use a full aperture Solar Filter when observing the Sun.
With a properly fitting
(Filters available through Orion. Check the catalog or OrionTelescopes.com for more information).
Solar imaging, like Planetary and Lunar imaging requires fast frame rates and exposure times.
Figure 18. Deep Space Imaging.
Terrestrial Imaging
Nature and scenic imaging is possible with SSAIO when used with the wide field lens, fish eye lens or a telescope.
When using with a telescope the aperture may need to be stopped down (reduced in size) in order to reduce the brightness during daytime.
Deep Space Imaging
Long exposures of up to 10 minutes give the user the ability to capture Galaxies, Clusters, Nebulas, Comets and even asteroids (Figure 18).
Note: Long exposures will require a tracking mount with decent polar alignment. For best results a guide camera should also be used.
The longer the exposure the higher the amount of noise and hot pixels there- fore automatic dark frame subtraction can be used to calibrate images real time (Figure 13) thereby vastly reducing the post processing time later on. This fea- ture also gives the best live view.
Select FWHM and double click on a bright star. A green box will appear around the star and in the Focus tool window one can see a magnified view of the star (Figure 8). Using the value displayed at the top of the screen as your guide, adjust focus to get this number as small as possible. When finished focusing, the exposure can be set to a higher desired value.
Take as many frames as possible for combining later in post processing software such as RegiStax. This will reduce noise and give best details.
Digital Video Finder
Figure 19: The SSAIO configured as a digital finder.
Focusing can be tricky with long exposures therefore it is recommended to first start with a shorter exposure in order to frame your target and get best possible focus.
Use the zoom tool and the FWHM focus tool in order to achieve best focus.
Included with the SSAIO is a finder bracket (with adjustable thumb screws) and an 8mm wide field lens (Figure 19). The bracket attaches to a standard finder scope saddle found on the majority of telescopes.
Loosen the thumb screw on the lens and rotate end of lens to focus. Once focused locked down using thumb screw.
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