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Helicon's First Ever Astrophoto: Subject the Moon
Posted: Sat Feb 08, 2020 3:16 pm
by helicon
I snapped this last night at 10:07 PM Pacific utilizing my Z10 at 40x coupled with a Google Pixel XL Phone held over the path of light from the eyepiece, hence a poor man's version of eyepiece projection. It was a dewy night so there was a slight bit of condensation on the eyepiece glass, considering the moon was full and not very detailed here is the pic. (Well, at least you can tell it's the moon)
Re: Helicon's First Ever Astrophoto: Subject the Moon
Posted: Sat Feb 08, 2020 3:39 pm
by UlteriorModem
Pretty cool! Yea you can see the condensation!
And so it begins
Re: Helicon's First Ever Astrophoto: Subject the Moon
Posted: Sat Feb 08, 2020 3:53 pm
by jerrysykes
Looks good, Michael. Way better than the first picture I tried years ago.
Welcome to the dark side.
Re: Helicon's First Ever Astrophoto: Subject the Moon
Posted: Sat Feb 08, 2020 4:56 pm
by helicon
Thank You...it is a humble effort to be sure but hopefully I will improve, currently evaluating what gear to get as I transition into AP.
Re: Helicon's First Ever Astrophoto: Subject the Moon
Posted: Sat Feb 08, 2020 4:56 pm
by Thefatkitty
Nicely done Michael! A full Moon is always a challenge (at least for me), especially afocal. I think ya done good
The dark side seems to get us all, one way or another...
All the best,
Re: Helicon's First Ever Astrophoto: Subject the Moon
Posted: Sat Feb 08, 2020 5:07 pm
by UlteriorModem
helicon wrote: ↑Sat Feb 08, 2020 4:56 pm
Thank You...it is a humble effort to be sure but hopefully I will improve, currently evaluating what gear to get as I transition into AP.
Put your money where your mount is
Re: Helicon's First Ever Astrophoto: Subject the Moon
Posted: Sat Feb 08, 2020 5:41 pm
by notFritzArgelander
helicon wrote: ↑Sat Feb 08, 2020 4:56 pm
Thank You...it is a humble effort to be sure but hopefully I will improve, currently evaluating what gear to get as I transition into AP.
Nice.
While UlteriorModem is correct about "put your money where the mount is" I'm considering putting a nearly pristine, barely used Canon 60Da kit on the market.
Re: Helicon's First Ever Astrophoto: Subject the Moon
Posted: Sat Feb 08, 2020 5:52 pm
by Mac
And so it begins. Keep track of your coins now...
Re: Helicon's First Ever Astrophoto: Subject the Moon
Posted: Sat Feb 08, 2020 6:32 pm
by JimMinCT
Nice Evil Orb, Michael...
Be careful..... That first step is a doooooozy!
Looking forward to your complete transformation to the dark side like Bryan. (The forum software wants to change the "like" before Bryan, to "Luke".... )
Re: Helicon's First Ever Astrophoto: Subject the Moon
Posted: Sat Feb 08, 2020 6:37 pm
by Don Quixote
Without reference to any rabbit holes, I say you have captured a beautiful image Michael.
Rich man or poor man notwithstanding.
Re: Helicon's First Ever Astrophoto: Subject the Moon
Posted: Sat Feb 08, 2020 6:48 pm
by Ylem
Kinda cool looking, very surreal
Re: Helicon's First Ever Astrophoto: Subject the Moon
Posted: Sat Feb 08, 2020 7:42 pm
by Makuser
Hi Michael. A very nice afocal image of the moon with your Google Pixel XL Phone. This is a very good first astrophoto, and any capture that you can post is great work!
Thanks for sharing this with us on here Michael, and now on to your next astrophotography adventure.
Re: Helicon's First Ever Astrophoto: Subject the Moon
Posted: Sat Feb 08, 2020 8:01 pm
by Juno16
helicon wrote: ↑Sat Feb 08, 2020 3:16 pm
I snapped this last night at 10:07 PM Pacific utilizing my Z10 at 40x coupled with a Google Pixel XL Phone held over the path of light from the eyepiece, hence a poor man's version of eyepiece projection. It was a dewy night so there was a slight bit of condensation on the eyepiece glass, considering the moon was full and not very detailed here is the pic. (Well, at least you can tell it's the moon)
moon_image.jpg
Really nice job Michael!
Despite the condensation, your image looks really good! Maybe a little less exposure might bring out more detail.
It is really fun "capturing" stuff!
Re: Helicon's First Ever Astrophoto: Subject the Moon
Posted: Sat Feb 08, 2020 8:11 pm
by helicon
I'll try again tonight and see if I can do any better...
Re: Helicon's First Ever Astrophoto: Subject the Moon
Posted: Sat Feb 08, 2020 9:37 pm
by helicon
Hi folks. I decided to play around with another of the photos I took which I think offers more detail. I expanded and cropped the image a bit.
Re: Helicon's First Ever Astrophoto: Subject the Moon
Posted: Sat Feb 08, 2020 10:30 pm
by UlteriorModem
Not bad. It's a little cooked. I don't know if you can adjust the iso on that camera or not but if you can might want to back it off a little
Re: Helicon's First Ever Astrophoto: Subject the Moon
Posted: Sat Feb 08, 2020 10:39 pm
by helicon
Yeah Tom. I've been spending some time this afternoon googling about Pixels and AP. Apparently the Pixel 3 has a low-light level AP mode you can turn on. Can't find anything for the Pixel 1 (which I have) but I am trying to see if I can reduce exposure time slightly to avoid the image washout.
Re: Helicon's First Ever Astrophoto: Subject the Moon
Posted: Sun Feb 09, 2020 12:00 am
by Thefatkitty
Just a thought Michael, I used to use a digital point and shoot for afocal with good results. If you happen to have one laying about it might be the way to go...
Re: Helicon's First Ever Astrophoto: Subject the Moon
Posted: Sun Feb 09, 2020 12:17 am
by Bigzmey
Cool shot Michael!
Re: Helicon's First Ever Astrophoto: Subject the Moon
Posted: Sun Feb 09, 2020 12:27 am
by SkyHiker
helicon wrote: ↑Sat Feb 08, 2020 10:39 pm
Yeah Tom. I've been spending some time this afternoon googling about Pixels and AP. Apparently the Pixel 3 has a low-light level AP mode you can turn on. Can't find anything for the Pixel 1 (which I have) but I am trying to see if I can reduce exposure time slightly to avoid the image washout.
Pixel 3? Those cameras have their limitations. I recommend getting an equatorial motorized tracking mount then let's talk about pixels. Welcome to the club!
