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A blue gap opened up in this morning's cloud filled sky. So, I took advantage and grabbed a view
The image is a live stack of 107 frames, with fine and level 1 & 2 SharpCap wavelet magic. The only post-processing, was my crude attempt at dust removal and cropping/scaling. The orientation appears to match spaceweather.com.
It's all very busy up there
Have fun.
Pete
P.S. The usual Celestron 4se, Altair Astro 294c colour camera and Baader Planetarium OD5 AstroSolar film. The magic performed by SharpCap 4.1.
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
Very nice and sharp, Pete.
I was fooling around with SharpCapPro yesterday, I have the very latest Pro version, and could not figure out the Solar focusing or LiveStacking feature.
Looking at the menu, is the part where it says, "Focus on Sun, Moon, Planets or Surfaces" supposed to be selected or is that just the heading for that group of focus options such as Contrast-Histogram-Fourier?
I tried the Contrast (Edge) Detection method and it seemed to get close but I felt like I could get it slightly better adjusting by eye when I zoomed in about 150%.
The Solar LiveStacking completely eludes me. Not sure what I'm doing wrong there...
AstroBee wrote: ↑Thu Apr 25, 2024 5:11 pm
Very nice and sharp, Pete.
I was fooling around with SharpCapPro yesterday, I have the very latest Pro version, and could not figure out the Solar focusing or LiveStacking feature.
Looking at the menu, is the part where it says, "Focus on Sun, Moon, Planets or Surfaces" supposed to be selected or is that just the heading for that group of focus options such as Contrast-Histogram-Fourier?
I tried the Contrast (Edge) Detection method and it seemed to get close but I felt like I could get it slightly better adjusting by eye when I zoomed in about 150%.
The Solar LiveStacking completely eludes me. Not sure what I'm doing wrong there...
Hi,
Hi AstroBee,
Thank you.
Your SharpCap menu's look different from the version I have installed (Pro 4.1.12100). The screenshot below shows the entry you need for Solar/Lunar/Planetary Stacking. The focussing tools are independent of live stacking.
During EAA sessions, I use the Multi-Star FWHM Measurement focussing tool for deep-sky focussing. On the Solar-System oriented focussing, I'm a complete newbie. Up to now, I have not used the focussing tools on the Sun (manual eyeball focussing). Mainly because my Celestron 4se only has manual focussing. Unlike the CPC-800, that has the Celestron Electronic Focuser attached.
I did try out the focussing tools on the Moon and found Contrast (Edge) Detection worked consistently. The other focussing options were less successful. It would be interesting to know the experience of other observers using these tools.
Other interesting tools I really want to try are under the Sequencer menu item, Lunar Mosaic Tool and Solar Mosaic Tool.
I need some clear skies to try out all the features in SharpCap for Solar and Lunar imaging!
So much to explore.
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
Well done as always Pete! You're right, busy Sun indeed. I was going to get some in yesterday too, but guess who forgot to charge his laptop...
Nice you got the oppotunity, hope you get some more!
All the best,
Mark
"The Hankmeister" Celestron 8SE, orange tube Vixen made C80, CG4, AZ-EQ5 and SolarQuest mounts.
Too much Towa glass/mirrors.
Solar:
H/A - PST stage 2 mod with a Baader 90mm ERF on a Celestron XLT 102 (thanks Mike!)
Ca-K - W/O 61mm, Antares 1.6 barlow, Baader 3.8 OD and Ca-K filters with a ZWO ASI174mm.
W/L - C80-HD with Baader 5.0 & 3.8 Solar film, Solar Continuum 7.5nm and UV/IR filters with a Canon EOS 550D. Member of the RASC
