Observing DSOs(Deep Sky Objects) such as galaxies, nebulae, star clusters can look like fuzzy something or others through a telescope, albeit way better than with our naked eyes.
SGAG would like to help our observers at our outreach star parties to see the DSO as more than a fuzzy something or other; and do it in real time. To do this we are learning to use EAA (Electronic Assisted Astronomy) equipment and techniques. Currently, our lead investigator, Ken Simons, has been working through the many issues involved with the software and methods to obtain reasonably decent images. This page is showing some of the progress being made as of June 28, 2019.
We are using the Mallincam DS10c Color Camera. Ken is using his Laptop and his Meade LX200 8" SCT Telescope. We've used the clubs LX90 8" SCT Telescope too. We were able to try the camera on Erics 4" APOchromatic Refractor during the LDS Young Womens Camp star party at Red Mountain Trail Head on June 26. We were able to use Kens 8" LX200 at Pineview Stake star party at Kolob Reservoir on June 27.
Ken is making great strides in perfecting the process. We've come a long way since our first attempts at figuring this stuff out at our May Social Party at Dick Stones place.
A simple explanation of what the observer is seeing. The first 5 second picture is taken and displayed on a monitor screen. It might look like a fuzzy. The next picture is taken and added or averaged with the first and the image displayed on the screen improves. With each additional image taken the object viewed on the screen gets brighter, clearer, and more pronounced until finally we save the last result. By the way, this is all done automatically by the computer software once Ken hits the go button.
All these images are created using a stack of only ten images of 5 second exposures. Some are using the additive stacking method while some are using the averaging stacking method. Not bad for short exposures and few images.
M13 Globular Cluster - Erics APO Refractor
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M81 Bode & M82 Cigar Galaxies - Erics APO Refractor
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NGC6992 Veil Nebula - Erics APO Refractor
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M27 Dumbell Nebula - Kens LX200 SCT
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M13 Globular Cluster - Kens LX200 SCT
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M57 Ring Nebula - Kens LX200 SCT
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M104 Sombrero Galaxy - Kens LX200 SCT
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M51 Whirlpool Galaxy - Kens LX200 SCT
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