Hi Nick

Great shot of Saturn. How did you manage to keep your hand steady for so long while photographing it? (just kidding). Nice and sharp.

Uranus - well I suppose it's great to get ANY image of it, esp. so ice-blue. Don't know about the pic being "actual size" though,- I'm sure it's bigger than an acid micro-tab :-)

Good jobski!

Terry

>Here are my new pictures of Saturn:
>
>http://www.cloudynights.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php/Cat/0/Number/1511237/page/0/view/collapsed/sb/5/o/all/fpart/1
>
>and Uranus:
>
>http://www.cloudynights.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php/Cat/0/Number/1520317/page/0/view/collapsed/sb/5/o/all/fpart/1
>
>Comments are welcome.
>:-)
>
>>
>>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