Jupiter with the new
DBK41 USB planetary camera
March 22, 2014
Uploaded 3/23/14


            
 First clear
            weekend evening in weeks, and the seeing was terrible! But I
            did learn how to set the color properties of this camera up right,
            and what settings are good for planets. The new camera is 1290
            x 960 resolution, and produces high resolution 24bit color images.
            Unlike the ancient Vesta Cam which I have used for nearly every
            other planetary image, this one does not show funky artifacts
            and dark shadowing around bright areas and is smooth and sharp.
            Now it the seeing would cooperate, we will try this one again...

            
So here is what
            I got with the seeing 1/5 and fading transparency. I am encouraged.

Prime Focus - 1500mm f/5
Seen here with two moons.  Ganymede is far left

Here is with the 3x Klee Barlow:

Finally, with the 5x Barlow:



Processing:
            100/1000 best frames, alignment in Autostakkert, Wavelets in
            Registax 6, Levels and Contrast Masking In Photoshop CS2,
Instrument:  12.5" f/5 with up to 5x Barlow
Platform:  Astrophysics AP1200
CCD Camera:  Image Source DBK41
Filter:  None
Exposure:  1/15 sec  15fps
Location:  Payson, Arizona
Elevation:  5150 ft.
Sky:  Seeing 1/5, Transparency 4/10
Outside Temperature:  45F