I did this one in December when Mars was still a small apparent diameter and features were simply not to be observed visually with any of my scopes. When I observed Mars visually with the 60mm and Mars filter I saw a level of detail comparable to this image, the frost and clouds in the Hellas Basin appearing much more prominent. The Baader Neodymium filter does two things for me when imaging. My ASI290MC camera comes with a clear protective window without UV/IR cut. Using the filter cuts the UV and IR, which can degrade planetary images. The Baader filter also helps with a lot of the light pollution in my area, making the background darker and cutting some of the light frequencies that otherwise give my images a funky tone.



Subject: Mars
Date: 12/02/2017
Time: 05:30hr EST (10:30 UT)
Location: Miami, Florida 25.61N 80.42W
Conditions: 8/10 Pickering, excellent transparency
Instrument: 127mm Synta Mak
Camera: ZWO ASI290MC
Focal Length: f/21.5
Capture Size: 1280x960
Frames: ~1400 10% stack
Software: SharpCap 2.9, PIPP, AS!2, RegiStax 6, Photo Studio

Notes:
- Baader Neodymium filter installed on camera.
- Capture not paused, repositioned planet using manual control.
- Used sharpened image from PIPP.
- RegiStax for RGB Align, slight Wavelets, and Gamma.
- Photo Studio for cropping and converting to JPEG.
- North is at approximately 7:00 O'Clock, image inverted L to R.

 

Reggie,

I don't know which capture program you use. With SharpCap, which is the one I like with my ASI camera, I can adjust the red and blue balance. If you are using a planetary camera with a capture program, look to see if you can adjust the colors to tone down the red if using the Mars filter.

Also, for planets and the moon, make sure that UV and IR are filtered so it doesn't affect you images. Your camera may already have filters installed. DSLRs are factory equipped with UV/IR cut filters, as are some planetary cameras, such as my old ASI120MC. My ASI290MC comes with a clear filter, so I use either my Baader Neodymium filter, or an Optolong IR Cut filter.

When imaging nebulae I want the IR because a lot of the light is in the IR frequencies. When I first started I used my ASI120MC with UV/IR cut and had a devil of a time capturing the Orion Nebula. With the ASI290MC I get a lot more of the gaseous cloud that the former camera was not capturing. Live and learn!

Ed D

 

Ed -

Have you checked-out the fascinating paper that Gabby made into a Pdf. and gave us the other day? It's excellent with a lot of insider info on the quest for the perfect Mars-Filter back in 2003 and there abouts. Even the esoteric story of the history of the Sirius Optics 2003 Mars Filter that I have - which knocked me out of my mocassins during the Mars Opposition in 2003!

If you haven't, I'll post it here - with my thanks & wink to Gabby:

Non-Standard Visual Filters for Planetary Observing with Small Aperture Telescopes.pdf

I still have the Sirius Optics 2003 Mars Filter in mint condition. I'll be comparing it to the Orion Mars Filter, amongst many others! I hope Vernonscope has started working triple-shifts to produce more #30 Magenta filters!




Dave

 

Dave,

I haven't been on the forums lately. I have lots to take my time up right now, and later this week I will not be able to post for well over a week. Life can get in the way and complicated unexpectedly.

I downloaded the .pdf file and hope to get a chance to look at it later. Thanks.

Ed

 

I have a free copy of MS Office 2003 Professional I can make available to you. But don't tell anyone. I am not going to buy or use anything with Microsoft in it's name any more, no how, no way, When this laptop dies I am going to use Debian Linux. You onlyhave to pay for the disks thatyou burn it to from then on. Literally every piece of software that you want or need is absolutely free from then on, Go to hell MicroRape.

 

A little late to "Don't tell anyone." He shouts off a rooftop with a megaphone!

Have you ever used Libre Office? It does what MicroSynapse - seamlessly - and does it much better than Microsoft Orifice. As for Windows Word, I broke down and bought a copy from Microsoft itself, at the price of $89.95 + tax. And then they started telling me how much the New! Improved! Faster! 2013 Windows Word Is!

It was 2013. I was using the 2009. And suddenly - the Windows Word 2009 copy was D.O.A.! And my phone rings.Guess who? It was MicroSoft! Natch-Trips! And the Newer! Improve-a-der, and it was only $139.95! I told the scumbag (male) they'd better send me one Immediately!! FREE!!

It was during this same week that I was told about the LibreOffices stuff - either the full 'Suite' - or just the 'Word.'app. I also learned about an outfit called Sumatra - and what a neat, new one it is!

That 'Word' -----SERENDIPITY!

Description:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sumatra_PDF

This leaves Adobe - everything Adobe in the rubbish-can

One of many 'download sites.

And LibreOffice - either home or office:

https://www.libreoffice.org/

Enjoy Any & All!

 

LibreOffice is a fork of OpenOffice: https://www.openoffice.org/



I've been using OpenOffice for over ten years, portable and desktop. I've ran LibO on Windows in the past but it's buggy (I run it on Linux as it's included with Ubuntu ). Eventually I returned to OO on Windows.

 

Ed, I have the Baader Moon & SkyGlow Neodymium filter. I only do visual (gotta have those photons hitting my eyeball), and I think the M&SG is great - a veritable Swiss Army knife of filters. Increases contrast on everything - makes the GRS pop, splits the Cassini Division cleanly, and shows the albedo features on Mars.

But now you're making me think about whether or not to get a Mars filter. Help me out - was the difference between the two that much, meaning, you could see things with the MF that you couldn't see with the M&SG? (And by MF, no, I don't mean m****f****. ) Or was the difference between the two just noticeable, but not huge? Can you further describe the difference in anyway? Help!!!

 

Jon, for visual I like the Baader Neodymium as the best all purpose planetary filter. Also does a good job making the views more pleasing in heavy LP.

The Orion Mars Filter is more like using colored planetary filters. In this case, it's like using red/orange to highlight Martian Marea, while at the same time using a blue filter to highlight ice and clouds. It does give a strong magenta tone to the view.

I like both filters, but if I could only have one it would be the Baader.

Ed D

 

Awesome, Ed. Thanks.

 

The

Sensei 48-46mm Step-Down Ring SESDR4846
In Stock QTY: 1 Price: $3.95

Will arrive today from B & H Photo.

The

B+W FL-D Filter

FL-D - Used - coming from Hungary is enroute with an unknown (but within my lifetime & the Mars-Opposition) - Economy Post. I've also ordered some 2" Filter-Cases from Agena. You all alredy know about Agenas' shipping, so they're likely to arrive at Warp 9!

<POIT!>

Thanks' again, Gabby!

 

Gabby & All -

The B+W FL-D Filter I have taking a long sea-voyage from Hungary can be found stateside on ebay now. I just ordered another one (like a good Filter-Nut would) from this fellow:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/122797981649

And some rather discombobulated details (as to be expected from ebay):

Details about NEW Tiffen 49mm FL-D Glass Filter USA 18588.pdf

The Step-Down Rign is 'OUT FOR DELIVERY' and I should have in my hot little hands shortly.

<POIT!>

 

I'd like to hack the USPS computer and edit that to read:

SANTA CLAUS IS STUCK IN YOUR CHIMNEY AND CAN'T BREATHE

 

I assume you are using a focuser larger than 2" for the 49mm?
Good luck when the FL-D arrives, I have been getting some great views of the planets this week so far.

 

2" = 50.8mm.*

Measured (fancy digital calipers) many 2" filters. They measure all over the proverbial map. It should be fine.

* Lord knows where TIFFEN measured their 49mm from. What edge? Inside diam? Outside diam? So forth.