UFO Sighting?

WCGucfa · Unread post by **WCGucfa** » Wed Mar 21, 2007 8:33 pm

Hi Guys,

I know everyone's out right now (8:00) looking at the second showing of the Moon and Venus show. Beautiful!
Here is a strange image of a UFO that turns out to be greatly overexposed
Saturn. To the left is reddish Titan at mag. 8.3. The best parts are close to the planet at the approximate 9, 12 and 3:30 positions. They are the moons Tethys 10.2mag., Rhea 9.7 and Dione at 10.4 mag.
The second picture, shot from my computer monitor, shows a satellite finder for 03/12/07 at 00:28 when the photo was taken (Skytonight - Saturns Moons). The moon Enceladus is just above and real close to Dione but is invisible at 11.7 mag.
The "blue glow" around Saturn is an artifact of overexposure, but makes for a pretty flying saucer.
Camera: Sony DSC F-707 single frame at ISO 400, f/2.0, 4 seconds. As usual through a MaxView 40mm EP with use of the camera zoom. Telescope: Orion 120mm refractor.

Bill

Dan Chieppa · Unread post by **Dan Chieppa** » Wed Mar 21, 2007 9:07 pm

Hi Bill,
Nice image. Are you hand holding the Sony camera up to the EP or are you using some type of brace or tripod? I've had limited astro-photo success with my Sony DSC-N1 because it doesn't have a very good close-up mode. I have to be at least six inches away to get it to focus. Other than that it's a great camera.

I did see the nice pairing of the Moon and Venus on the 20th and took photos with my Canon 20D. I'll post a photo later tonight.
Clear skies,
Dan

WCGucfa · Unread post by **WCGucfa** » Thu Mar 22, 2007 10:13 am

Hi Danny,

The camera is attached to the scope with a Scoptronix http://scopetronix.com/ MaxView setup consisting of a T-ring to fit the Sony and the 40mm eyepiece. This setup slides into the scope's star diagonal (1.25) most of the time, but I do shoot without the diagonal at times. I also have a 2" setup. Handheld wouldn't work at 4 seconds.

Bill

Dan Chieppa · Unread post by **Dan Chieppa** » Thu Mar 22, 2007 6:12 pm

Hi Bill,
Now I get the picture. (Pun intended

)
I have a similar attachment for my Sony camera but it doesn't attach to the EP. The camera is supported just above the EP and I can turn a knob and the camera moves up or down from the EP. I may shop around for a camera that has a closer focusing distance, something in the 2-3-inch range.
Clear skies,
Dan

WCGucfa · Unread post by **WCGucfa** » Thu Mar 22, 2007 11:43 pm

Hey Dan,

I'm not familiar with your N1 but I do think it should focus closer to the EP than it does. In the daytime, point your scope at a target. I would get the camera just above the eyepiece, as close as you can without the eyepiece touching the camera lens (1/8"?) and focus it at infinity not a close-up setting. Be sure your camera and eyepiece are perfectly in alignment. If your image still fails to focus, try focusing the scope itself. You may have already done this, but just in case.

Don't spend any money on a camera until we can check your setup out at maybe the next meeting (If we both can make it). I'll bring my rig also.
What size filter does your DSC N1 take?

Bill

Dan Chieppa · Unread post by **Dan Chieppa** » Thu Mar 22, 2007 11:47 pm

Bill,
All good advice. I will try what you've suggested when I have a little free time. I wouldn't mind not needing to buy another camera if your suggestions get the darn thing to focus. Many thanks!
Clear skies,
Dan
P.S. No idea what size filter will fit the lens. I'll have to get back to you on that.