The following Deep-Sky images were made with
an AstroVid StellaCam Ex and a 8" SCT:
After reading several articles on using CPU fans to air cool webcams & digital cameras,
I decided to try and reduce the 'warm pixel' problem
. . . .
CPU Fan Modification!
M01: ('crab' nebula)
12/07/2002 prime focus (f6.3) single 2 sec image, brightness/contrast adjusted with Adobe PhotoDeluxe
M02: (globular cluster)
09/04/2002 prime focus (f6.3) six 2 sec images combined with Astrostack
10/11/2004 prime focus (f10) nineteen 2 sec images combined with Astrostack
M03: (globular cluster)
03/23/2002 prime focus (f6.3) six 2 sec images combined with Astrostack
03/23/2002 prime focus (f6.3) six (2x) 2 sec images combined Astrostack
04/27/2003 prime focus (f6.3) six 2 sec images (1.5x camera) combined with Astrostack
M04: (globular cluster)
06/25/2003 prime focus (f6.3) thirty 2 sec images combined with Astrostack
06/257/2003 prime focus (f6.3) thirty 2 sec images (2x digital) combined with Astrostack
M05: (globular cluster)
05/05/2002 prime focus (f6.3) six 2 sec images combined with Astrostack
04/27/2003 prime focus (f6.3) six 2 sec images (1.5x camera) combined with Astrostack
M06: (Open cluster)
09/04/2008 prime focus (f6.3) Multiple (100+) 2 sec images using Registax
M07: (Open cluster)
09/04/2008 prime focus (f6.3) Multiple (100+) 2 sec images using Registax
M08: ('Lagoon' nebula)
08/03/2002 prime focus (f6.3) five 2 sec images combined with Astrostack
06/24/2003 prime focus (f6.3) thirty 2 sec images combined with Astrostack
06/24/2003 prime focus (f6.3) thirty 2 sec images (2x digital) combined with Astrostack
09/12/2007 (StellaCAM III Peliter at Black Forest) prime focus (f6.3) one 15 sec image processed using Registax
M09: (globular cluster)
09/02/2008 prime focus (f10) Multiple (100+) 2 sec images using Registax
M10: (globular cluster)
09/02/2008 prime focus (f10) Multiple (100+) 2 sec images using Registax
M11: (open cluster)
08/31/2002 prime focus (f6.3) six 2 sec images combined with Astrostack
M12: (globular cluster)
09/02/2008 prime focus (f10) Multiple (100+) 2 sec images using Registax
M13: (globular cluster)
06/08/2002 prime focus (f10) single 2 sec image, brightness/contrast adjusted with Adobe PhotoDeluxe
08/31/2002 prime focus (f6.3) six 2 sec images combined with Astrostack
06/25/2003 prime focus (f6.3) thirty 2 sec images combined with Astrostack
06/25/2003 prime focus (f6.3) thirty 2 sec images (2x digital) combined with Astrostack
M14: (globular cluster)
09/02/2008 prime focus (f10) Multiple (100+) 2 sec images using Registax
M15: (globular cluster)
08/31/2002 prime focus (f6.3) six 2 sec images combined with Astrostack
M16: ('Eagle' nebula)
09/04/2002 prime focus (f6.3) six 2 sec images combined with Astrostack
09/04/2002 prime focus (f6.3) six 2 sec images combined with Astrostack (2x see pillars!)
06/24/2003 prime focus (f6.3) thirty 2 sec images combined with Astrostack
06/24/2003 prime focus (f6.3) thirty 2 sec images (2x digital) combined with Astrostack
09/12/2007 (StellaCAM III Peliter at Black Forest) prime focus (f6.3) one 15 sec image processed using Registax
09/19/2009 (StellaCAM II uncooled at Black Forest 09) prime focus (f6.3) six 8 sec images processed using Registax
M17: ('Swan' nebula)
08/03/2002 prime focus (f6.3) five 2 sec images combined with Astrostack
09/04/2002 prime focus (f6.3) six 2 sec images combined with Astrostack
06/24/2003 prime focus (f6.3) thirty 2 sec images combined with Astrostack
06/24/2003 prime focus (f6.3) thirty 2 sec images (2x digital) combined with Astrostack
09/12/2007 (StellaCAM III Peliter at Black Forest) prime focus (f6.3) one 15 sec image processed using Registax
09/19/2009 (StellaCAM II uncooled at Black Forest 09) prime focus (f6.3) six 8 sec images processed using Registax
'the Swan' (collage at Black Forest 09) StellaCAM EX & 24mm CCTV lens, and SCII at 8" SCT prime focus (f6.3)
M18: (open cluster)
09/02/2008 prime focus (f10) Multiple (100+) 2 sec images using Registax
M19: (globular cluster)
09/02/2008 prime focus (f10) Multiple (100+) 2 sec images using Registax
M20: ('Triffid' nebula)
08/03/2002 prime focus (f6.3) five 2 sec images combined with Astrostack
06/24/2003 prime focus (f6.3) thirty 2 sec images combined with Astrostack
06/24/2003 prime focus (f6.3) thirty 2 sec images (2x digital) combined with Astrostack
09/12/2007 (StellaCAM III Peliter at Black Forest) prime focus (f6.3) one 15 sec image processed using Registax
M21: (Open cluster)
09/04/2008 prime focus (f6.3) Multiple (100+) 2 sec images using Registax
M22: (globular cluster)
06/08/2002 prime focus (f10) single 2 sec image, brightness/contrast adjusted with Adobe PhotoDeluxe
08/03/2002 prime focus (f6.3) five 2 sec images combined with Astrostack
06/24/2003 prime focus (f6.3) thirty 2 sec images combined with Astrostack
06/24/2003 prime focus (f6.3) thirty 2 sec images (2x digital) combined with Astrostack
09/03/2008 prime focus (f10) ~150 2 sec images processed with RegiStax
09/19/2009 (StellaCAM II uncooled at Black Forest 09) prime focus (f6.3) six 8 sec images processed using Registax
M23: (Open cluster)
09/04/2008 prime focus (f6.3) Multiple (100+) 2 sec images using Registax
M25: (Open cluster)
09/04/2008 prime focus (f6.3) Multiple (100+) 2 sec images using Registax
M26: (Open cluster)
09/04/2008 prime focus (f6.3) Multiple (100+) 2 sec images using Registax
M27: ('Dumbell' nebula)
09/03/2002 prime focus (f6.3) six 2 sec images combined with Astrostack
09/19/2009 (StellaCAM II uncooled at Black Forest 09) prime focus (f6.3) six 8 sec images processed using Registax
M28: (globular cluster)
09/02/2008 prime focus (f10) Multiple (100+) 2 sec images using Registax
M29: (Open cluster)
09/04/2008 prime focus (f6.3) Multiple (100+) 2 sec images using Registax
M30: (globular cluster)
10/05/2002 prime focus (f6.3) six 2 sec images combined with Astrostack
M31: ('Andromeda' galaxy)
11/08/2002 80mm Refractor prime focus, eleven 2 sec images combined with Astrostack
11/08/2002 same as above, but overprocessed to better show the dust lanes.
M32: (galaxy)
09/15/2009 prime focus (f6.3) Six 8 sec SCII images using Registax
M33: (galaxy)
09/15/2009 prime focus (f6.3) Six 8 sec SCII images using Registax
M34: (open cluster)
12/07/2002 prime focus (f6.3) six 2 sec images combined with Astrostack
M35: (Open cluster)
12/27/2008 prime focus (f6.3) Multiple (100+) 2 sec images using Registax
M36: (open cluster)
12/07/2002 prime focus (f6.3) six 2 sec images combined with Astrostack
M37: (open cluster)
12/07/2002 prime focus (f6.3) six 2 sec images combined with Astrostack
M38: (open cluster)
12/07/2002 prime focus (f6.3) six 2 sec images combined with Astrostack
M39: (Open cluster)
09/04/2008 prime focus (f6.3) Multiple (100+) 2 sec images using Registax
M40: (double star)
06/19/2009 prime focus (f10) Three 8 sec images combined with Astrostack
M41: (open cluster)
03/23/2002 prime focus (f6.3) six 2 sec images combined with Astrostack
02/20/2003 prime focus (f6.3) fifteen 2 sec images combined with Astrostack
M42: ('Orion' nebula)
03/18/2002 single image at 1/60 sec
03/18/2002 six 2 sec images combined (thru clouds)
03/18/2002 homemade star trails
03/23/2002 prime focus (f6.3) six 2 sec images combined with Astrostack
12/07/2002 prime focus (f6.3) six 2 sec images combined with Astrostack
12/07/2002 prime focus (f6.3) six 1/10th sec images combined with Astrostack
12/07/2002 prime focus (f6.3) six 2 sec 'colorized' images combined with Astrostack
12/07/2002 prime focus (f6.3) six 2 sec 'negative' images combined with Astrostack
02/20/2003 prime focus (f6.3) 75 one sec RGB images combined with Astrostack & Adobe
02/20/2003 prime focus (f6.3) mosaic of images from 0 to 2 sec integration (Adobe)
02/20/2003 prime focus (f6.3) animated gif of mosaic of images
M43: (Nebula)
12/27/2008 prime focus (f10) Multiple (100+) 2 sec images using Registax
M44: (Open cluster)
12/27/2008 prime focus (f6.3) Multiple (100+) 2 sec images using Registax
M45: ('Pleiades' open cluster)
11/08/2002 80mm Refractor prime focus, six 2 sec images combined with Astrostack
M46: (Open cluster)
12/27/2008 prime focus (f6.3) Multiple (100+) 2 sec images using Registax
M47: (Open cluster)
12/27/2008 prime focus (f6.3) Multiple (100+) 2 sec images using Registax
M48: (Open cluster)
12/27/2008 prime focus (f6.3) Multiple (100+) 2 sec images using Registax
M49: (galaxy)
04/27/2003 prime focus (f6.3) six 2 sec images (2x camera) combined with Astrostack
M50: (Open cluster)
12/27/2008 prime focus (f6.3) Multiple (100+) 2 sec images using Registax
M51: ('Whirlpool' galaxy)
06/24/2003 prime focus (f6.3) thirty 2 sec images combined with Astrostack
06/24/2003 prime focus (f6.3) thirty 2 sec images (2x digital) combined with Astrostack
M52: (Open cluster)
08/18/2009 prime focus (f6.3) Six 8 sec SCII images using Registax
M53: (globular cluster)
04/10/2002 prime focus (f6.3) six 2 sec images combined with Astrostack
M54: (globular cluster)
08/20/2009 prime focus (f6.3) Six 8 sec SCII images using Registax
M55: (globular cluster)
08/20/2009 prime focus (f6.3) Six 8 sec SCII images using Registax
M56: (globular cluster)
08/31/2002 prime focus (f6.3) six 2 sec images combined with Astrostack
M57: ('Ring' nebula)
06/08/2002 prime focus (f10) single 2 sec image, brightness/contrast adjusted with Adobe PhotoDeluxe
08/02/2002 prime focus (f6.3) two 2 sec images combined with Astrostack
08/31/2002 prime focus (f6.3) six 2 sec images (2x camera) combined with Astrostack
09/12/2007 (StellaCAM III Peliter at Black Forest) prime focus (f6.3) one 15 sec image processed using Registax
09/19/2009 (StellaCAM II uncooled at Black Forest 09) prime focus (f6.3) six 8 sec images processed using Registax
M58: (galaxy)
04/10/2010 prime focus (f6.3) five 8 sec images combined with Astrostack
M59: (galaxy)
04/10/2010 prime focus (f6.3) five 8 sec images combined with Astrostack
M60: (galaxy)
04/10/2010 prime focus (f6.3) five 8 sec images combined with Astrostack
M61: (galaxy)
04/10/2010 prime focus (f6.3) five 8 sec images combined with Astrostack
M62: (globular cluster)
08/20/2009 prime focus (f6.3) Six 8 sec SCII images using Registax
M63: (galaxy)
06/28/2009 prime focus (f6.3) Three 8 sec images combined with Astrostack
M64: ('Blackeye' galaxy)
06/25/2003 prime focus (f6.3) thirty 2 sec images combined with Astrostack
06/25/2003 prime focus (f6.3) thirty 2 sec images (2x digital) combined with Astrostack
M65: (galaxy)
03/23/2002 prime focus (f6.3) six 2 sec images combined with Astrostack
M66: (galaxy)
03/23/2002 prime focus (f6.3) six 2 sec images combined with Astrostack
M67: (open cluster)
03/23/2002 prime focus (f6.3) six 2 sec images combined with Astrostack
M68: (globular cluster)
05/05/2002 prime focus (f6.3) six 2 sec images combined with Astrostack
M69: (globular cluster)
09/15/2009 prime focus (f6.3) Six 8 sec SCII images using Registax
M70: (globular cluster)
08/20/2009 prime focus (f6.3) Six 8 sec SCII images using Registax
M71: (globular cluster)
09/07/2002 prime focus (f6.3) six 2 sec images combined with Astrostack
M72: (globular cluster)
10/05/2002 prime focus (f6.3) six 2 sec images combined with Astrostack
M73: (asterism)
09/16/2009 prime focus (f6.3) Six 8 sec SCII images using Registax
M74: (galaxy)
09/16/2009 prime focus (f6.3) Six 8 sec SCII images using Registax
M75: (globular cluster)
08/20/2009 prime focus (f6.3) Six 8 sec SCII images using Registax
M76: (planetary nebula)
08/18/2009 prime focus (f6.3) Six 8 sec SCII images using Registax
M77: (galaxy)
09/18/2009 prime focus (f6.3) Six 8 sec SCII images using Registax
M78: (reflection nebula)
12/27/2008 prime focus (f6.3) Multiple (100+) 2 sec images using Registax
M79: (globular cluster)
12/27/2008 prime focus (f6.3) Multiple (100+) 2 sec images using Registax
M80: (globular cluster)
08/15/2009 prime focus (f6.3) Six 8 sec SCII images using Registax
M81: (galaxy)
06/25/2003 prime focus (f6.3) thirty 2 sec images combined with Astrostack
06/25/2003 prime focus (f6.3) thirty 2 sec images (2x digital) combined with Astrostack
M82: (galaxy)
06/25/2003 prime focus (f6.3) thirty 2 sec images combined with Astrostack
06/25/2003 prime focus (f6.3) thirty 2 sec images (2x digital) combined with Astrostack
M83: (galaxy)
04/10/2010 prime focus (f6.3) five 8 sec images combined with Astrostack
M84: (galaxy)
04/27/2003 prime focus (f6.3) six 2 sec images (2x camera) combined with Astrostack
M85: (galaxy)
04/16/2009 prime focus (f10) multiple 8 sec SCII images using Registax & Astrostack
M86: (galaxy)
04/27/2003 prime focus (f6.3) six 2 sec images (2x camera) combined with Astrostack
M87: (galaxy)
05/05/2002 prime focus (f6.3) six 2 sec images combined with Astrostack
04/27/2003 prime focus (f6.3) six 2 sec images (2x camera) combined with Astrostack
M88: (galaxy)
04/16/2009 prime focus (f10) multiple 8 sec SCII images using Registax & Astrostack
M89: (galaxy)
04/16/2009 prime focus (f10) multiple 8 sec SCII images using Registax & Astrostack
M90: (galaxy)
04/16/2009 prime focus (f10) multiple 8 sec SCII images using Registax & Astrostack
M91: (galaxy)
04/16/2009 prime focus (f10) multiple 8 sec SCII images using Registax & Astrostack
M92: (globular cluster)
09/07/2002 prime focus (f6.3) six 2 sec images combined with Astrostack
M93: (open cluster)
04/10/2002 prime focus (f6.3) six 2 sec images combined with Astrostack
M94: (galaxy)
06/28/2009 prime focus (f6.3) Three 8 sec images combined with Astrostack
M95: (galaxy)
04/16/2009 prime focus (f10) multiple 8 sec SCII images using Registax & Astrostack
M96: (galaxy)
04/16/2009 prime focus (f10) multiple 8 sec SCII images using Registax & Astrostack
M97: (Owl Nebula)
05/14/2010 prime focus (f6.3) five 8 sec SCII images using Registax & Astrostack
M98: (galaxy)
04/16/2009 prime focus (f10) multiple 8 sec SCII images using Registax & Astrostack
M99: (galaxy)
04/16/2009 prime focus (f10) multiple 8 sec SCII images using Registax & Astrostack
M100: (galaxy)
04/16/2009 prime focus (f10) multiple 8 sec SCII images using Registax & Astrostack
M101: (galaxy)
09/16/2009 prime focus (f6.3) Six 8 sec SCII images using Registax
M102: (galaxy)
06/28/2009 prime focus (f6.3) Three 8 sec images combined with Astrostack
M103: (Open cluster)
09/04/2008 prime focus (f6.3) Multiple (100+) 2 sec images using Registax
M104: ('Sombero' galaxy)
04/10/2002 prime focus (f6.3) six 2 sec images combined with Astrostack
04/27/2003 prime focus (f6.3) six 2 sec images (2x camera) combined with Astrostack
M105: (galaxy)
04/16/2009 prime focus (f10) multiple 8 sec SCII images using Registax & Astrostack
M106: (galaxy)
06/28/2009 prime focus (f6.3) Three 8 sec images combined with Astrostack
M107: (globular cluster)
06/28/2009 prime focus (f6.3) Three 8 sec images combined with Astrostack
M108: (galaxy)
05/14/2010 prime focus (f6.3) five 8 sec SCII images using Registax & Astrostack
M109: (galaxy)
05/14/2010 prime focus (f6.3) five 8 sec SCII images using Registax & Astrostack
M110: (galaxy)
09/02/2008 prime focus (f10) Multiple (100+) 2 sec images using Registax
Bubble Nebula: (Planetary nebula)
09/18/2009 (StellaCAM II uncooled at Black Forest 09) prime focus (f6.3) six 8 sec images processed using Registax
Blue SnowBall Nebula: (Planetary nebula)
09/18/2009 (StellaCAM II uncooled at Black Forest 09) prime focus (f6.3) six 8 sec images processed using Registax
Helix Nebula: (Planetary nebula)
09/18/2009 (StellaCAM II uncooled at Black Forest 09) prime focus (f6.3) six 8 sec images processed using Registax
NGC253: ('Sculpter' galaxy)
10/05/2002 prime focus (f6.3) single 2 sec image, brightness/contrast adjusted with Adobe PhotoDeluxe
09/18/2009 (StellaCAM II uncooled at Black Forest 09) prime focus (f6.3) six 8 sec images processed using Registax
NGC288: (globular cluster)
10/05/2002 prime focus (f6.3) single 2 sec image, brightness/contrast adjusted with Adobe PhotoDeluxe
NGC2392: ('Eskimo' nebula)
04/10/2002 prime focus (f6.3) six 2 sec images combined with Astrostack
NGC4438 &4435: (galaxy)
04/27/2003 prime focus (f6.3) six 2 sec images (2x camera) combined with Astrostack
NGC6760: (globular cluster)
09/07/2002 prime focus (f6.3) two 2 sec images combined with Astrostack
NGC6905: (planetary nebula)
10/05/2002 prime focus (f6.3) six 2 sec images combined with Astrostack
NGC6934: (globular cluster)
09/16/2009 (StellaCAM II uncooled at Black Forest 09) prime focus (f6.3) six 8 sec images processed using Registax
NGC7006: (globular cluster)
10/05/2002 prime focus (f6.3) six 2 sec images combined with Astrostack
NGC7009: ('Saturn' nebula)
08/31/2002 prime focus (f6.3) six 2 sec images (2x camera, gain at 9dB) combined with Astrostack
NGC7331: (galaxy)
09/04/2002 prime focus (f6.3) six 2 sec images combined with Astrostack
The following Deep-Sky images were taken at the Mingo Creek Park Observatory
made with a AstroVid StellaCam Ex mounted at the prime focus of the 24" OGS RC telescope.
A 15 second video capture via digital camcorder, and then combined using RegiStax with additional processing using AstroStack and Adobe PhotoDeluxe.
M15: (globular cluster)
M57: (Ring nebula)
M02: (globular cluster)
M42: (Orion nebulae)
NGC7331: (galaxy)
How to Observe in Zero Degree Weather
The following Deep-Sky images were taken at the Laurel Highlands Star Cruise
made with a tripod mounted AstroVid StellaCam Ex and 25mm camera lens:
2003
All are single 2 sec images (size 320x240) combined with Astrostack, adjusted with Adobe PhotoDeluxe.
M7 Milky-Way region
M8 Milky-Way region
M17 Milky-Way region
Deneb Milky-Way region
M31 region
2004
All are seven 2 sec images (size 640x480) combined with Astrostack, adjusted with Adobe PhotoDeluxe.
Scorpius 'False-Comet' region
Scorpius 'tail' region
M7 Milky-Way region' region
Scorpius 'Antaries' region
Sagittarius 'Star Cloud' region
Scorpius 'False-Comet' region
Scutum Star Cloud region
'Double Cluster' region
M31 region
2009 Manitoulin Island, Canada
All are six 8 sec SCII images (size 640x480) combined with Astrostack, adjusted with Adobe PhotoDeluxe.
M17 Milky-Way region
Scutum Star Cloud Milky-Way region
M31 wide field region
Pleaides rising
2009 Black Forest Star Party
'Milky-Way Mosaic' moasic of six 8 sec wide-field images using a StellaCAM II at Black Forest 09
'the Swan' (collage at Black Forest 09) StellaCAM EX & 24mm CCTV lens, and SCII at 8" SCT prime focus (f6.3)
'the Mothership has landed' single wide-field 8 sec image of an illuminated tent using a StellaCAM II at Black Forest 09
Here's a few images of my observatory and equipment:
8" Celestron Ultima SCT (f10)
amici prism (corrected view)
Lumicon filter slider
80mm refractor (f3.2)
28mm crosshair eyepiece (12x)
amici prism (corrected view)
8 x 50 mm crosshair finder
I have several modified security cameras that I use:
'Remington' brand B&W security camera, with 5" B&W monitor,
1/3" CCD 380 TV lines, auto shutter & auto gain.
'Ramsey Electronics' Sony Super HAD B&W security 'bullet' camera.
1/3" CCD 600 TV lines, auto shutter & auto gain.
'Adirondack' AstroVid StellaCam EX,
1/2" CCD with 600 line resolution, 0.00005 lux illumination,
and 1/60 - 1/120,000 manual shutter speed,
manual gain to 18dB, and up to a 2 second frame integration accumulation.
I also have a Toshiba 12" B&W HiRes monitor, 1000 TV lines resolution.
Finally, I use a 'Snappy' video capture box on my computer to capture
individual frames. I then use 'AstroStack' to combine and enhance the images.
You may E-mail me at:lsmch@comcast.net
This is it. Hope you enjoyed the visit. Come again soon!