6/5/2016 - First Saturn Image

Seeing was no good and most of my AP friends are at BLM imaging deep sky objects... :-(

I was too tired from the camping trip (company offsite event) so decide to just do something in my front yard. Even feel too tired to move the setup to the backyard !

 Never image Saturn before so still learning...

Second try on Jupiter + New ASI224 Camera

Got an used ZWO ASI224 camera for planetary imaging.
Finally decided not to use DSLR for this job.

My friends weChat me said the seeing is excellent on 4/1 (I thought it was a April Fool joke) so I only setup the quick one.

The second day (4/2) I setup my 10" to try on Jupiter.

Borrow a 5x Powermate from a friend and get the scope to F25.
Man, it so painful to find the target as I didn't use GoTo.

New on Firecapture too...

 Install a poor-man electric focuser too.

This is the focuser looks like ...

Finally give my small refractor another try. Still cannot get to focus with 5x Powermate...

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The result is still no good but I think I am getting there... ;-)

First Planetary AP Ever ! Jupiter !

Want to see what I can do from my Fremont backyard for a long time.

I got an Orion tube ring for my 10" Dob and mount it on the Mach1.

It is heavy and I have to use all 3 counterweight plus some dummy weight from Sports Authority.

I just would like to give planetary AP a try so I use my DSLR (Canon T3i) and control with BYEOS.

With the 5x LiveView video, it gives me almost 1:1 pix scale.

Not too bad from the first try !!

Did some quick and dirty process and here is the result.
A lot more to learn.

The funny part for planetary AP is you take 1hr to setup and tear down. But only get something like 2min video...

Visual Observation

I enjoy visual observation...

I often did visual in my home (Fremont, CA) with my 10" Dob.
The light pollution is usually bad so I mainly focus on Carbon Stars or Double Stars.

I got my 10" Dob used from a local guy and it turns out a pretty good (and famous) one.
http://www.cloudynights.com/page/articles/cat/cn-reports/telescope-reports/cn-report-dba-certified-10-dobsonian-r1327

Sometimes at backyard where is a little bit darker... ;-)

Sometimes at front yard if I feel lazy to drag the scope...

My mom enjoy observing Jupiter !

I also take some photos with my iPhone...

If weather permit, I also go to the monthly SJAA event. Those events are hosted in various semi-dark sites 1hr away from my house. I usually take off from home at 6pm and arrive at 7. Setup and wait for it gets dark and start observing at 9pm, pack at 12.

More about my 10" Dob...

Some old scopes (sold)

6" Dob ...

Small AT72 refractor ...