Astrophotography - Jupiter

Object: Planet Jupiter
Date: 28-Mar-2004
Equipment:

• Logitech QuickCam Pro, lens and casing removed, 35mm canister added to fit in the focuser
• Orion 6" dobsonian telescope

Description:

I Stacked images using RegiStax, and improved the image by using wavelet filter, contrast, etc.
I timed the imaging session with the transition of the Red Spot, which you can see here in the center, top half of the planet.

The images were taken untracked, with a dobsonian mount. The images were captured using K3CCD sofware while they drifted in the field of view. The telescope had to be manually moved after every set of exposures, and the target re-found before capturing the next set of images. This procedure requires extreme patience and a high level of skill.

Images

Stacked 12 or so images. The Great Red Spot is visible in the center near the top area.

Brightness and contrast adjusted in previous image to bring out the satellites (moons) of Jupiter.

Imaged with a 2x Barlow lens attached to Logitech QuickCam Pro; stacked 12 or so images using RegiStax, and improved the image by using wavelet filter, contrast, etc.

Brightness and contrast adjusted in previous image to bring out the satellites (moons) of Jupiter.