Graeme1858 wrote: ↑Thu Mar 21, 2024 7:42 am
Excellent EAA solar shots Pete.
Was the first image colour a result of the single frame capture and the camera's Bayer filter? And did you post process the EAA stacked image or is that straight out of the can? Sorry for the newbie questions, I'm a solar newbie!
Graeme
Hi Graeme,
Solar imaging is all new to me. I was excited to get anything at all, but that was down to the software and luck, I expect
The first image was just a straight single-frame snapshot (raw8, 11.4ms exposure, gain 900, no external processing of the image). All I did was adjust the exposure. The Altair Astro 294c has no colour controls in SharpCap (only in live stacking). The Debayer preview was on so that is what the Sun looked like before I messed with it
The yellow colour images, were the result of playing with the 'Image Adjustments' in the Live Planetary Stacking tool in SharpCap. I didn't have a clue what I was doing! I liked the yellow colour, even though it was artificial, so I went with it for the observing session. You can see the settings I used in the screenshot of SharpCap. Before posting these yellow images I used Windows Photos
app to remove the dust-motes (Retouch tool) and I did play with the Shadow and Highlight sliders. To be honest, the image coming out of SharpCap was really pleasing and I could have played with the image adjustments rather than using the Windows Photos
app. The image below is the same one from my original post, output directly from SharpCap (no external processing).
I have so much to learn. First of all I need to make a flat (and dark) for my se4 to get rid of those visual imperfections. I hope that's right, a flat does still work in solar imaging? I used a gain of 900 which is where the HCG mode kicks in and reduces read-noise. Alas, I forgot that my camera has a little problem at this gain and I should have used 950-1000. Though, is that the right gain to use!? Also, in my excitement I didn't notice that the Black Level was set to 1. I find it is usually much higher 90-100 during "night-time"
EAA. So much to try and understand!!!
I think my initial goal is to get a better handle on SharpCap's Solar Live Stacking tool and correct image problems at source. Then, learn more about this star we orbit and the features I might be able to see with my setup.
A fun journey awaits
Have fun.
Pete
EAA Observing from the Isle of Wight, UK
Telescope: Celestron CPC800, NexStar 4se -
Camera: Altair Astro Hypercam 294c PRO, ZWO ASI 533MM
Software: CPWI, SharpCap, Stellarium, TheSky, SkyChart, Starry Night 8, Aladin, ASTAP and AstroPlanner.
YouTube 'EAA with an 8-inch SCT'
https://www.youtube.com/@Xio2011