New Image: My first Saturn

[AstroBee]

My first planetary image. I've played around a bit in the past by snapping photos with my cellphone and such through the eyepiece but this is my first real attempt at capturing Saturn with the right gear. It just wasn't a great night of seeing. I attempted Jupiter but it looked like I was shooting a reflection in the pool it was so bad.

Celestron EdgeHD14" and ZWO678MC camera.
Only 5000 frames captured and best 10% stacked in Autostakkert 3.0
No clue really what I'm doing on the processing side of things and I wasn't even 100% sure I got the scope collimation down because the seeing was so bad.

[StarHugger]

Nice first light indeed,

Cool you got the image!

[Juno16]

That is really cool Greg!

You are off to a nice start for sure. You did capture some good detail of the cloud bands and the Cassini Division.

Thanks for posting this!

[Lady Fraktor]

A nice first attempt Greg

[starfield]

Planetary is sure a different ballgame, but with a 14 inch Edge it looks like you've got the right tool for the job. Now if you can just get the seeing to cooperate.

[jrkirkham]

Wow! That is an amazing picture for a first attempt.

[Ylem]

That came out great Greg!
Very nice!

[Richard]

C14 is a great scope , too heavy for most , you will get better , but ok, thanks for posting as you will get help here

[messier 111]

this a fine take , there are very visible details, thx.

[Graeme1858]

No clue really what I'm doing on the processing side of things and I wasn't even 100% sure I got the scope collimation down because the seeing was so bad.

Nice one Greg.

How did you process it?

Graeme

[AstroBee]

No clue really what I'm doing on the processing side of things and I wasn't even 100% sure I got the scope collimation down because the seeing was so bad.

Nice one Greg.

How did you process it?

Graeme

Poorly?
But seriously, I just ran the 5000 frame SER file through AutoStakkert 3.0 and then tried to tweek it a bit in RegiStax. First time using RegiStax and I only watch one sample video before attempting this process.
I think my limitations on this night were mainly the seeing conditions. It was completely horrible when I attempted Jupiter but it was right over my roof. So I moved on to Saturn. Still the seeing was not good.

[Bigzmey]

You are to a great start Greg! Nice details.

How do you acclimate the scope?

[AstroBee]

You are to a great start Greg! Nice details.

How do you acclimate the scope?

I brought the scope outside about 3 hours before sunset and put it in the shade on the ground. I uncap the camera end and place a pantyhose over the opening to keep dust out but let air in/out.
I didn't start shooting until around 10pm so it had a good 5 hours to acclimate. The OTA is wrapped in Reflectix.

[Bigzmey]

You are to a great start Greg! Nice details.

How do you acclimate the scope?

I brought the scope outside about 3 hours before sunset and put it in the shade on the ground. I uncap the camera end and place a pantyhose over the opening to keep dust out but let air in/out.
I didn't start shooting until around 10pm so it had a good 5 hours to acclimate. The OTA is wrapped in Reflectix.

Yes, Reflectix for the win!

[JayTee]

If the seeing was as bad as you say it was Greg, that really is quite a nice first attempt.

When Imaging Saturn, Jupiter, or Mars I try to get at least 10,000 images and like you, take just the top 10%.

On other nights hopefully you will get better seeing and so you will see better fruits for your labors.

[AstroBee]

When Imaging Saturn, Jupiter, or Mars I try to get at least 10,000 images and like you, take just the top 10%.

Yeah, I was afraid to record for longer. I'm used to doing my solar lucky imaging and for solar they tell you to keep your clips to 30secs. I was getting 5000 frames in about 28 seconds so I thought that was enough. After showing this image to a buddy of mine that is an excellent planetary imager, he too told me to try and get 10,000-15,000 frames.

[jrkirkham]

I don't know much about this, but from what I have read you can gather a lot more frames from Saturn than Jupiter because of Jupiter's rotation.