2021 June 3 - The testing continues
-
- Almost There...
- Posts: 606
- Joined: Thu Feb 25, 2021 5:43 pm
- Has thanked: 1075 times
- Been thanked: 1986 times
2021 June 3 - The testing continues
So now that I know what happens with 2 powermates stacked together (not to be confused with solar double stack), I went with just the 5x powermate to test the capture theory which worked better than i thought. Seeing was 3/5, I have included the Seeing Monitor captures from SharpCap to show how many bad frames vs good frames.
These are all shot with the Esprit 150. Look at each note for more details on each image.
500 frames out of 2000 - 2x resample
--------------------------------------------------
400 frames out of 2000
--------------------------------------------------
250 frames out of 1000
--------------------------------------------------
Invert with color similar processing as above
--------------------------------------------------
A 2x Sample to scale up requires a lot of data and a good frames. I did try with lower stack amounts but 500 frames seems to yield the best results. Since I was at 5x 1040mm focal length (theoretical 5200mm focal length, not going to get into this argument on why its not actually 5200mm), seeing was not as critical so I had to wait a long time for good moments. Also, i have to pay attention to time limits. From previous data and animations created, (https://www.instagram.com/p/CO01ALbJQsX ... _copy_link) it seems that the surface changes enough within 5 mins.
Needless to say seeing is critical since im only capturing frames rated above a specific number. Once I get some time on a 230mm scope, I will be back to report results. I know it sounds like im stating the obvious with some of these tests as they have been done before by other people.
These are all shot with the Esprit 150. Look at each note for more details on each image.
500 frames out of 2000 - 2x resample
--------------------------------------------------
400 frames out of 2000
--------------------------------------------------
250 frames out of 1000
--------------------------------------------------
Invert with color similar processing as above
--------------------------------------------------
A 2x Sample to scale up requires a lot of data and a good frames. I did try with lower stack amounts but 500 frames seems to yield the best results. Since I was at 5x 1040mm focal length (theoretical 5200mm focal length, not going to get into this argument on why its not actually 5200mm), seeing was not as critical so I had to wait a long time for good moments. Also, i have to pay attention to time limits. From previous data and animations created, (https://www.instagram.com/p/CO01ALbJQsX ... _copy_link) it seems that the surface changes enough within 5 mins.
Needless to say seeing is critical since im only capturing frames rated above a specific number. Once I get some time on a 230mm scope, I will be back to report results. I know it sounds like im stating the obvious with some of these tests as they have been done before by other people.
- Ivan
- Way More Fun to Share It!!
- Posts: 1860
- Joined: Thu Apr 08, 2021 11:50 pm
- Location: Russia, Yaroslavl
- Has thanked: 3489 times
- Been thanked: 2267 times
-
- Im an EXPERT!
- Posts: 443
- Joined: Sun Mar 08, 2020 9:25 pm
- Location: Austin Texas
- Has thanked: 150 times
- Been thanked: 295 times
Re: 2021 June 3 - The testing continues
Simon,
Those are some very nice images. The granulation is fantastic.
The inverted, colored image is beautiful.
I feel like I’m missing some interpretation of you seeing monitor data. You said seeing was 3/5, but the capture threshold is <.7 arc” and the mean is .5.
I’m also impressed that 5 minutes worth of data
can stay that sharp.
Those are some very nice images. The granulation is fantastic.
The inverted, colored image is beautiful.
I feel like I’m missing some interpretation of you seeing monitor data. You said seeing was 3/5, but the capture threshold is <.7 arc” and the mean is .5.
I’m also impressed that 5 minutes worth of data
can stay that sharp.
-
- Almost There...
- Posts: 606
- Joined: Thu Feb 25, 2021 5:43 pm
- Has thanked: 1075 times
- Been thanked: 1986 times
Re: 2021 June 3 - The testing continues
Thats the best frame, if you look carefully, im ONLY collecting 0.7 or above. Out 40,000 frames 975 are rated above the threshold. majority of the frames are below 0.55 which is horrid, in fact, most of the frames are 0.45 and below. Basically, i might get 4/5 seeing for a second or two here and there. When i get good seeing, it get on average 0.65 peaking 1.2, excellent, well its pointless using the seeing monitor.
This is not a SSM, its actually a seeing monitor trigger to only capture data above a certain point.
This is not a SSM, its actually a seeing monitor trigger to only capture data above a certain point.
DavidP wrote: ↑Thu Jun 03, 2021 11:29 pm Simon,
Those are some very nice images. The granulation is fantastic.
The inverted, colored image is beautiful.
I feel like I’m missing some interpretation of you seeing monitor data. You said seeing was 3/5, but the capture threshold is <.7 arc” and the mean is .5.
I’m also impressed that 5 minutes worth of data
can stay that sharp.
-
- Almost There...
- Posts: 606
- Joined: Thu Feb 25, 2021 5:43 pm
- Has thanked: 1075 times
- Been thanked: 1986 times
Re: 2021 June 3 - The testing continues
I am still on the fence with Topaz sharpening and denoising but this one is a little off the extreme side, until im convinced that Topaz is not destructive and just using cheap tricks such emboss, high pass and other methods im going to reserve it as an after thought.
- H-Alpha
- Almost There...
- Posts: 598
- Joined: Sun Feb 21, 2021 2:19 am
- Location: Vouliagmeni (South Athens suburbs), Greece
- Has thanked: 1674 times
- Been thanked: 982 times
Re: 2021 June 3 - The testing continues
Dear Simon your images are fantastic! You use the x5 (or even x2x5) like I have not seen before...
I was planning to buy a FFC (actually I have ordered it, but it is not available), and your images are influencing me so much that I am thinking to cancel the order and go for Powermate x5!
I am also thinking to start using the SharpCap from tomorrow, instead of FireCAPTURE!
I still do not understand very well all what you have written on your post and have some questions if you could kindly help me.
1) Do you have SharpCap Pro or the free version?
2) In the free version we do have the Seeing monitor, but not the possibility to start recording automatically above a certain threshold of seeing?
3) Do you know if the quality index that the software is crating for each frame is logged somewhere together with a time stamp and if all these data can be exported?
4) What exactly is the "2x sample to scale up" that you mention?
5) 500 is the best number of frames to stack according to you. But out of how many collected? 1000? 2000 above your threshold?
6) How have you defined your threshold in the Seeing monitor trigger, above which is valid to capture?
Sorry for the too many questions, but your results are so amazing!
For some of us that have not enough experience, your tests are not obvious but very useful and informative, so any update is very welcome! ;-)
Best wishes,
Alexandros
I was planning to buy a FFC (actually I have ordered it, but it is not available), and your images are influencing me so much that I am thinking to cancel the order and go for Powermate x5!
I am also thinking to start using the SharpCap from tomorrow, instead of FireCAPTURE!
I still do not understand very well all what you have written on your post and have some questions if you could kindly help me.
1) Do you have SharpCap Pro or the free version?
2) In the free version we do have the Seeing monitor, but not the possibility to start recording automatically above a certain threshold of seeing?
3) Do you know if the quality index that the software is crating for each frame is logged somewhere together with a time stamp and if all these data can be exported?
4) What exactly is the "2x sample to scale up" that you mention?
5) 500 is the best number of frames to stack according to you. But out of how many collected? 1000? 2000 above your threshold?
6) How have you defined your threshold in the Seeing monitor trigger, above which is valid to capture?
Sorry for the too many questions, but your results are so amazing!
For some of us that have not enough experience, your tests are not obvious but very useful and informative, so any update is very welcome! ;-)
Best wishes,
Alexandros
Alexandros
Lunt 130MT+1800BF, C8 Ultima PEC+AstroSolar, Skywatcher Mount EQ6-R Pro
Baader Solar Prism, ZEISS Abbe Barlow 2x, Celestron Barlow 2x Ultima Series
ZWO ASI290MM, ZWO ASI1600MM Pro,
Greece
Lunt 130MT+1800BF, C8 Ultima PEC+AstroSolar, Skywatcher Mount EQ6-R Pro
Baader Solar Prism, ZEISS Abbe Barlow 2x, Celestron Barlow 2x Ultima Series
ZWO ASI290MM, ZWO ASI1600MM Pro,
Greece
- DeepSolar64
- Way More Fun to Share It!!
- Posts: 19071
- Joined: Thu Sep 05, 2019 12:19 am
- Location: Lowndesville S.C.
- Has thanked: 17855 times
- Been thanked: 17003 times
Re: 2021 June 3 - The testing continues
Simon,
These are absolutely incredible. The radial detail in the penumbra of the spot shows up in stark contrast and detail and the granulation is breathtaking.
I am gonna have to in time get a bigger scope or get a filter for my excellent 6"f8 newtonian so I can see/image granulation like this!
James
These are absolutely incredible. The radial detail in the penumbra of the spot shows up in stark contrast and detail and the granulation is breathtaking.
I am gonna have to in time get a bigger scope or get a filter for my excellent 6"f8 newtonian so I can see/image granulation like this!
James
Lunt 8x32 SUNoculars
Orion 70mm Solar Telescope
Celestron AstroMaster Alt/Az Mount
Meade Coronado SolarMax II 60 DS
Meade Coronado SolarMax II 90 DS
Meade Coronado AZS Alt/Az Mount
Astro-Tech AT72EDII with Altair solar wedge
Celestron NexStar 102GT with Altair solar wedge
Losmandy AZ8 Alt/Az Mount
Sky-Watcher AZGTI Alt-Az GoTo mount
Cameras: ZWO ASI178MM, PGR Grasshopper, PGR Flea
Lunt, Coronado, TeleVue, Orion and Meade eyepieces
Visual Observer
" Way more fun to see it! "
Orion 70mm Solar Telescope
Celestron AstroMaster Alt/Az Mount
Meade Coronado SolarMax II 60 DS
Meade Coronado SolarMax II 90 DS
Meade Coronado AZS Alt/Az Mount
Astro-Tech AT72EDII with Altair solar wedge
Celestron NexStar 102GT with Altair solar wedge
Losmandy AZ8 Alt/Az Mount
Sky-Watcher AZGTI Alt-Az GoTo mount
Cameras: ZWO ASI178MM, PGR Grasshopper, PGR Flea
Lunt, Coronado, TeleVue, Orion and Meade eyepieces
Visual Observer
" Way more fun to see it! "
- Carbon60
- Way More Fun to Share It!!
- Posts: 14315
- Joined: Wed Mar 07, 2012 12:33 pm
- Location: Lancashire, UK
- Has thanked: 8559 times
- Been thanked: 8297 times
Re: 2021 June 3 - The testing continues
Superb images, Simon. A master class....
Stu.
Stu.
H-alpha, WL and Ca II K imaging kit for various image scales.
Fluxgate Magnetometers (1s and 150s Cadence).
Radio meteor detector.
More images at http://www.flickr.com/photos/solarcarbon60/
Fluxgate Magnetometers (1s and 150s Cadence).
Radio meteor detector.
More images at http://www.flickr.com/photos/solarcarbon60/
- marktownley
- Librarian
- Posts: 42552
- Joined: Tue Oct 18, 2011 5:27 pm
- Location: Brierley Hills, UK
- Has thanked: 20823 times
- Been thanked: 10498 times
- Contact:
Re: 2021 June 3 - The testing continues
Very impressive Simon!
http://brierleyhillsolar.blogspot.co.uk/
Solar images, a collection of all the most up to date live solar data on the web, imaging & processing tutorials - please take a look!
- Montana
- Librarian
- Posts: 34722
- Joined: Mon Oct 17, 2011 5:25 pm
- Location: Cheshire, UK
- Has thanked: 17974 times
- Been thanked: 8907 times
Re: 2021 June 3 - The testing continues
Thanks Simon, these are indeed wonderful WL granulation images, oh yes and spot too
Alexandra
Alexandra