Video Astronomy DeepSky Video Astronomy Dr Helge Binder
Video Astronomy Deep-Sky Video Astronomy Dr. Helge Binder Presented at Frühjahrstagung of Vd. S in Würzburg 1999
Video Astronomy Principles: Lens/Telescope Image intensifier tube Video camera with coupling lens AVI file Single JPEG frames Processed image Frame grabber card
Video Astronomy Hardware: Technical Details: 1. Optics: Lens / Telescope 2. Cyclop 10 A image intensifier (Russia, 2 Gen. ) 3. Coupling lens: 55 mm F/1. 4 photo lens (better is a longer focal length) 4. Video camera: Canon MV 1 - Mini. DV 5. Frame grabber card: Miro Video PCTV 6. Notebook: LION 120 P, 40 Mbyte RAM, 1 Gbyte HD with docking station Software: 1. Miro image acquisition software 2. Main Actor Editor (shareware) 3. Display 1. 83 and CCD Camera software Ver. 1. 68 (public domain) 4. Quantum Image Pro 3. 5, Astra Image 1. 5, Photoshop 5. 0 Corel. Paint 8. 0
Practical Video Astronomy M 42 - Great Orion nebula 70 mm F/1. 2 (No guiding - tripod) 1/25 s 202 x 1/25 s 500 mm F/5. 6 (No guiding - tripod) 1/6 s 122 x 1/6 s
Practical Video Astronomy M 42 and Flame nebula NGT 18 F/4. 5 (roughly aligned) 1/12 s 1/6 s 78 x 1/6 s 172 x 1/6 s
Practical Video Astronomy Pleiades / h & Persei 70 mm F/1. 2 (No guiding - tripod) 1/25 s 252 x 1/25 s 300 mm F/4. 5 (No guiding - tripod) 1/6 s 133 x 1/6 s
Practical Video Astronomy M 81 and M 82 300 mm F/4. 5 (No guiding - tripod) 1/6 s 525 x 1/6 s NGT 18 F/4. 5 (roughly aligned) 1/6 s 117 x 1/6 s
Practical Video Astronomy M 82 and NGC 3628 NGT 18 F/4. 5 (roughly aligned) 1/6 s 122 x 1/6 s 223 x 1/6 s
Practical Video Astronomy M 51 and Rosette nebula NGT 18 F/4. 5 (roughly aligned) 1/6 s 315 x 1/6 s 300 mm F/4. 5 (No guiding - tripod) 1/6 s 590 x 1/6 s
Practical Video Astronomy Problems: 760 x 1/6 s 960 x 1/6 s 1. The left image shows the effect of an unstable battery. The image intensifier changed the image scale constantly as the battery current dropped, producing a zoom effect. 2. The left image shows an accidental and unrecognized rotation of the video camera. 3. The image of Rosette nebula, on the previous page, has a very low S/N ratio. To obtain an image with a good contrast one should increase the number of single frames to at least 2000 -3000, depending on the image intensifier tube used.
Video Astronomy Conclusions: 1. Video astronomy allows not only images of solar system objects, but also deep sky imaging of low light objects as galaxies and nebulas. 2. Video imaging can be done with simple tripods, Dobsons and of course with parallactical mountings. 3. Take your desired object “online“, out of real deep sky session, without disturbing visual astronomers. 4. RGB images should be possible. Also high resolution imaging should be possible with the help of mosaic techniques. 5. One may video lots of objects in a particular session performing image processing during the many rainy nights and days in Europe. 6. Record weak stars and minor planets without tracking.
- Slides: 11