Saturn
I've decided to try my hand at planetary imaging. As a long-time visual observer with my 22-year-old Skywatcher 127mm MAK, which is still going strong, I've recently upgraded my setup. I've added a Skywatcher AZ-GTI mount and a ZWO ASI 678MC USB 3 camera. While planetary imaging presents a whole new set of challenges, my setup is working well, and the tracking is solid. However, focusing on planets, especially when they're low in the sky, has proven to be the most difficult task. Saturn represents quite a challenge, below are my attempts. As I progress Im using different techniques. A peg on the focuser works well, with a light touch each time. I try to take at least 180 seconds on the target. Focus on the planetary detail as much as possible, difficult for Saturn, and look for the gap in the rings during periods of stability.
Object: Saturn
Location: Portsmouth, UK
Telescope/Mount: Skywatcher 127mm/AZ-AGI
Bortle Scale: 7
Camera: ZWO ASI 678MC USB 3 camera
Exposure: N/A
Gain: N/A
Nights: 2024-09-14T21:42:30.045Z
Total Subs Used: 50%
Seeing: OK
Fits Stacked: Astro Surface
Post-Processing Steps
Astro Surface
Zoomed in version
Capturing Details
2 x Barlow
Capture Area Size = 1600 * 900
Capture Limit = 180 s
Debayer Preview = ON
Debayer Type = RGGB
EndCapture = 2024-09-14T21:46:00.628Z
Exposure = 9.317ms
FrameCount = 6395
Gain = 410
White Balance (B) = 99
White Balance (R) = 62
Saturn - 17/09/24
Still very new to this. My third image of Saturn, but now with moons. According to Stellarium, from the left Titan, Rhea and Tethys. First time I have ever seen them, so I am happy. I don't know how people do it, and there may be an easier way. But with a crash course from my daughter using Photoshop, I essentially created two images, one overexposed to show the moons, then merged the layers to get this result. My equipment: 127mm MAK, ZWO ASI 678MC USB 3 camera, x2 economy barlow. Captured in ASI Studio, stacked and processed in Astro Surface.
Saturn - 19/09/2024
This one shows a bit more colour. I have recently purchased a UV/IR filter. I'm still playing with exposure and gain settings.
Capture Area Size = 320 * 240
Capture Limit = 180 s
Exposure = 6.061ms
FrameCount = 29322
Gain = 336
Total subs used: 50%