Astro-Image of the Day: Jupiter as photographed by ME!

[mckitterick]

Hooray! I've finally figured out the over-contrast issue with my CCD astro-camera (short story: don't expect the manual to help; seek info on the Web), and figured out how to get my telescope to quickly identify an object and (sort of) track it, and viola! I have my first photograph of Jupiter! Taken by me!


Photo by Chris McKitterick using Meade 12" SCT, prime focus, DSI-III CCD camera.

Notice the Great Red Spot, about in the center-bottom? Awesome! It's wider than two Earths laid side-by-side. Those varying-color bands are actually strips of atmosphere moving at hundreds of miles per hour in opposite directions. The bands' different colors come from the composition of gases in the clouds of the varying regions.

Next: Figure out how to get the telescope to properly track an object so I can combine images into a higher-res photo. The naked-eye view is much nicer than this shot, so it'll just take some practice.

Hope you like it!

Chris

Comments

[maryrobinette.livejournal.com]

Very nice shot! Good luck with the tracking, that's not easy stuff.

[mckitterick.livejournal.com]

Thanks! Yeah, it's been a real pain to get this to track properly. I'm going to see if I can re-load the software, because it seems to believe it's operating in the Southern Hemisphere....

[saycestsay.livejournal.com]

It's amazing! And my favorite color :). Very good focus, clear image... .

[mckitterick.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I took about 60 individual images, and this one was the clearest. Some day, when I get the drive to believe that it really lives in the Northern Hemisphere, I'll be able to stack images and get some really nice shots.

[chernobylred.livejournal.com]

Fantastic photo! Congratulations!

[mckitterick.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I'm so pleased to have figured out how to photograph really bright objects. Which reminds me: The Sun is out....

[purpledumbass.livejournal.com]

That is very cool! Thanks for sharing this!

[mckitterick.livejournal.com]

Thank you, sir - I'll keep posting 'em as I take 'em!

PS: LOVE your icon. LOL!

[siro-gravity.livejournal.com]

that is so kewl!

[mckitterick.livejournal.com]

Thanks!

[ericreynolds.livejournal.com]

That's an amazing photo!

[mckitterick.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I hope to improve over time....

[(Anonymous)]

Nice!

[mckitterick.livejournal.com]

Thanks! Who is this M. Anonymous, by the way?