2021 June 3 - The testing continues

[Simon2940]

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.

seeing.png (933.43 KiB) Viewed 384 times

seeing 2.png (920.26 KiB) Viewed 384 times

001.jpg (1.94 MiB) Viewed 384 times

002.jpg (1.41 MiB) Viewed 384 times

500 frames out of 2000 - 2x resample

--------------------------------------------------

003.jpg (848.3 KiB) Viewed 384 times

004.jpg (615.06 KiB) Viewed 384 times

400 frames out of 2000

--------------------------------------------------

005.jpg (782.75 KiB) Viewed 384 times

006.jpg (600.81 KiB) Viewed 384 times

250 frames out of 1000

--------------------------------------------------

007.jpg (2.21 MiB) Viewed 384 times

008.jpg (1.45 MiB) Viewed 384 times

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.

[Astrophil]

Simon, those are really, really good!

Phil

[Ivan]

Simon, you never cease to delight with great shots.

Ivan

[DavidP]

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.

[Simon2940]

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.

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.

[Simon2940]

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.

TopazSharp.jpg (960.3 KiB) Viewed 344 times

03.jpg (1.14 MiB) Viewed 344 times

[H-Alpha]

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

[DeepSolar64]

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

[Carbon60]

Superb images, Simon. A master class....

Stu.

[marktownley]

Very impressive Simon!

[Montana]

Thanks Simon, these are indeed wonderful WL granulation images, oh yes and spot too



Alexandra