Thanks Nick,

It takes a lot of practice just to learn to point a scope!. And apparently it took more than one exposure to get that image - and that is pretty technical. At least you have digital cameras and don't have to freeze an emulsion plate to "boost" it's sensitivity. Digital camera f-stop sensitivity seems to improve every day too.

I've seen some neat "nubulae" images with 8 inch scopes.

Here's a scoop - NASA will be announcing something special about a new Mars "finding" today. I've seen "smoke stacks" on the northern ice cap.

1300 EST an announcement:
http://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2006/dec/HQ_M06186_Mars_Briefing.html

Stay tuned - I wonder what it will be????


>Thanks Terry,
>
>Yes, I took the picture (or more precise the AVI file, that was post-processed and stacked into a single image). Hope to get more on my upgraded equipment this upcoming Saturn season. I am now converting Logitek Quickcam Fusion for use with the telescope.
>I built my system, but not the scope itself. No, I do not grind the mirrors/lenses. Too much work. :) There is a lot of time already that goes to images post-processing. :)
>
>Here is the full current list of equipment:
>http://www.levelextreme.com/wconnect/wc.dll?2,15,1168279
>
>I could buy a bigger scope than 8", but the limiting factors are weight and location. I wanted the system to be more or less movable. At my backyard the sky view is like from canyon between the trees and the house. So, sometimes I need to move the hole scope during the observing session. Or take it in the car to some dark place.
>
>>I bookmarked your blog - you took the picture?
>>
>>Thats a nice lens and and a good rig. Did you grind your own lens?.
>>
>>What kind of scope did you use? That is a great photo. I have a little "asmith" reflector (it was a gift and the giver thought the "equatorals" looked too complicated - even though the prices were comparable).
>>
>>I can look at saturn with low resolution - I can count the moons - so - for sure - I will be able to tell what time it is if my watch ever stopped - but, since I don't wear one it doesn't make a difference. Saturn just slides out of view in a few seconds. My asmith knob scribes a cone (I need an arc) and I have been using the tripod leg adjustments to "fiegn" a wedge. Using weights and bungie chords so it won't fall over.
>>
>>So I have been trying to figure out how to build a wedge - but those Celestrons with the digital axis drives sure look good!
>>
>>I am betting you built that scope. I will visit your Blog more often.
>>
>>I note last night the moon was staight up down here. It's position marked the prime derivative of our sky "dome" (so it seemed). I can't remember seeing it that high in the sky (ever).
>>
>>Great shot Nick - thanks!
>>
>>
>>>>Our little histry is full of bungles and mistepps - but I descendants will hold these times in awe trying to imagine how we felt when we first saw images like this:
>>>>http://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/figures/PIA08329_fig2.jpg
>>>>
>>>>WOW!
>>>
>>>Speaking of Saturn... not THAT spectacular, but the Saturn image in below link is mine:
>>>
>>>http://www.cloudynights.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=low&Number=860772&Forum=f86&Words=flying_fox&Searchpage=0&Limit=25&Main=860772&Search=true&where=bodysub&Name=&daterange=1&newerval=1&newertype=y&olderval=&oldertype=&bodyprev=#Post860772