From
David
M MOORE
® . . . . . . . . . . Subject:
Mars - April 25, 2003
Seeing was a touch better
this morning than last. This morning I used an Infrared Blocker (>700nms) w/
the TouCam and am pleased with the results. I believe the Blue channel is a far better
representation of what a true 400-510 nms image
should look. As you may recall, I did not use an IRB in yesterday mornings
image. The Red channel was not as hot either.
(
® . . . . . . . . . .Subject: wedge Prisms
Masatsugu: Would it be possible to get Mr. Kumamori's
email address regarding these wedge prisms?
Or could you relay a simple question.
The only wedge prisms I see available from Edmunds Optics (as pointed
out by Tom Dobbins) are 2, 4, and 6 degree (wedge angle deviation) prisms. The stated ones used by Mr. Kumamori are 3 and a 5.
Which of the above prisms would he recommend I purchase instead? Or is it that important to stay with his
stated 3 and 5?
I am always interested in
improving my images, so this may help.
(
® . . . . . . . . . .Subject: Mars - April 27, 2003
I debated whether to submit
this observation at all. Seeing was poor
throughout the session. I imaged three
separate times with this being the last and best of the three. The first two I
was only able to choose less than 20 images out of 1800!!
I have been using with
curiosity the Clear Sky Clock as described in S&T last month. It has been pretty accurate this week till
last night and this morning. Still, an interesting and useful
product.
One thing I do note this
week on Mars is the lack of much morning cloud/fog activity.
(
® . . . . . . . . . .Subject: Re: RE:Mars -
> By
the way, Okano last night informed me of his temporary analysis
> that a 30 % of ToUcam's B light is
mingled with the G light >500nm
> in conformity with Maurice's suggestion. Do you need then a G
> blocker for the B?
It's too complicated to
worry about. Even though the ToUCam probably has the
best chip going right now, it does have its limitations. I will begin imaging
in the IR and UV soon with either the HX-5 or Stellacam
EX.
® . . . . . . . . . .Subject: Mars - May 01, 2003
Seeing a
bit better this morning, close to average.
I am having a problem with my monitors. I process the images on the computer in the
observatory and they appear just right, having good brightness/color
balance. When I bring the finished
images inside to my flat screen, they are brighter and somewhat washed out/
with hot spots. Not sure which one is
right? Newer and better video cards and monitors I guess. Always something!
(2 May 2003 email)
® . . . . . . . . . .Subject: Re: Wedge Prism + ToUcam
Masatsugu: Thanks you for your reply. A very
detailed letter with lots of information. I find it very interesting and
it is noted that there appear to be several opinions as to which prisms work
best. It is further noted that placement is important as well. I have ordered a
4ﾟwedge
prism to experiment with. As soon as I figure out how to hold it in place, I
will order several others as well.
Okano's concern with Registax is justified. However, I have never relied on
software to choose my images. I do not trust it! Good images are missed and bad
ones are included. I have always previewed my images one at a time. With K3CCDTools, the images are first sorted
by quality and then it is a simple matter to only preview the first few hundred
instead of all the frames.
The HST images are
striking in showing at what band width the vapors of Mars' atmosphere
show! I think that, only after the
current opposition, will we have a better feel as to what extent color cameras
such as the TouCam can play on the study of Mars. It
is capable of such high resolution, it deserves a
place in our observatories.
Ah, the skies of
(8
May 2003 email)
® . . . . . . . . . .Date: Thu,
Subject: Re: Another
version of Mars 6th May UT
Maurice:
I am afraid that I am
unable to make such a judgment call. As
I sit here looking at your image I am overcome with emotion and envy!!
I'll call up Mars Watch
later and do a comparison.
® . . . . . . . . . .Subject: Mars - May 12, 2003
This image is a bit late. I
over processed it slightly to enhance the evening hazes over Chryse. Solis L is
prominent on the CM. Seeing conditions were not too
bad, but the overall quality of the image is a bit fuzzy.
(15 May 2003 email)
® . . . . . . . . . .Subject: Mars - May 16, 2003
Here is a
image set with the 36cm Cassegrain and HX-5. Seeing was poor and prismatic images were
prevalent. These are single images and the best out of 50 each. A fairly poor effort.
Still, a lot of familiar details are visible in the Red image. Thanks
(20 May 2003 email)
® . . . . . . . . . .Subject: Mars - 24
May, 2003
Seeing is proving too poor
to use the large Cass and HX-5 combo. So
its back to the webcam!
Seeing was poor, yet a decent image was obtained with the webcam. Sometimes the atmospheric harmonics are just
right.
In the future I am going to combine webcam
color images with those of my Stellacam in IR and
Blue. Stellacam images are proving awesome on Mars.
(25 May 2003 email)
Dave MOORE (
