Added RGB to my previous post on M27. Big crop to take out the rotation between images.
12 x 5 minute subs plus 30% of luminous added in photoshop. Seems OK but a bit grainy.
Geoff
changing guide camera on CCDSPEC spectroscope
I have had 2 x QHY6 cameras attached to my CCDSPEC spectroscopy but as this camera uses an ASCOM driver only one camera can be seen by my laptop at a time which means that in order to use a camera as well in the eyepiece port for finding and guiding on faint object whilst spectrums are taken I need to use 2 x laptops at same time (one for spectra and one for guide camera). What a nuisance! Today u have changed the QHY6 camera in the guide port to a T7C camera (clone of ZWO ASI120MC – uses same drivers) and using a 1.25 inch extension tube focused on the spot and confirmed that both cameras can be used simultaneously in my Dell Windows 10 laptop.
- QHY6 camera for spectra – take photos with Nebulosity 4 and use ASCOM driver. Camera plugs onto USB 3.0 port on laptop.
- T7C camera in guide port on CCDSPEC. This uses ZWO driver and use SharpCap (currently I have version 3.1.5220 installed). This camera does NOT work when plugged onto USB 3.0 port so needs to be plugged onto USB 2.0 port on laptop.
I have also picked up another of Damian’s habits = which is labels over everything!
Andy
Sun 18/11/2019
First glance at the GONG web-site this morning seemed to show very little, but closer inspection revealed the active region still there near the meridian on the southern hemisphere, and a rather faint prominence on the north-western limb.
International Astronomy Show 15-16/11/2019 at Stoneleigh
Several of us attended IAS – talks were good, reduction in the range of exhibitors but generally 10% and sometimes 20% off goods on sale. Still worth the trip and hope it continues long term!
Patrick Moore’s old car was present.
Andy
Sun today – – – 16/11/2019
The active region is still there plus an interesting prominence.
Sun today – new active region 13/11/2019
A new active region has developed, that from its magnetic polarity seems to be a member of the new sunspot cycle, cycle 25.
Mercury transit
I was trying to find some decent images of the Mercury transit from the UK. There weren’t that many!
This one looked good:
https://spaceweathergallery.com/indiv_upload.php?upload_id=157372
And then there is the good old faithful Pete Lawrence! (Not sure where from, though)
https://britastro.org/node/19812
But this one takes the prize!
https://britastro.org/node/19855
Transit of Mercury 11/11/2019
Managed to catch the first few minutes of the transit before having to go out.
The first image is poor as it was culled from only a few frames of the raw avi. At least its early, between 1st and 2nd contact.
Similarly the prominences were derived from only a few frames.
The second and third are better, as there was a few seconds gap in the clouds for each image sequence.
I then had to leave – – – !
Worth the effort? Yes, bearing in mind I will be 85 in 2032 – – -! Sporting chance I won’t be here then!
Transit of Mercury – RAG event at Rosliston Forestry Centre 11/11/2019
Many members of RAG turned up with scopes and filters to watch the planet Mercury transit the sun today.
The Met Office predicted variable weather and there was even an icon on their website showing simultaneous sun, cloud, rain and and rainbow – never seen that before! However, they were absolutely right because at one point we did indeed see all those things in the sky at the same time.
Due to cloud, we missed those few minutes when Mercury crossed onto the sun, but at various points in the afternoon were able to view it on the solar disc together with a solar prominence through gaps in the cloud. The sky improved towards the end of the afternoon but Mercury dropped behind trees at about 15:45 which meant further observations were not possible. Of course, it was followed by a clear night…..why couldn’t that have been 8 hours earlier?
Andy
