Message #: 15534 - Thread #: 15388
From: linden_dave <d.birmingham@w...>
Date: Wed Feb 13, 2002 4:04pm
Subject: Re: QuickCam Express Mods
None taken, Dr.!
As a frequent contributor/writer at another discussion board I fully
understand ones unintentional bluntness at times, especially when a
newbie butts in.
Actually after doing some further digging I believe I would be better
off if I could find a resource for modifying an Intel model SC330
webcam which is a CCD camera. I saw on Steve Chambers web site a link
to a pictorial mod on an Intel Create & Share Pack camera, but since
no model was given (it does look the same) I'm not sure if it is the
same or not.
I am not new to hobby electronics and even after reading the
discouragement page still feel that this is something I would like to
attempt.
If it is possible to modify my Intel camera and if someone would
point out where I could go to find details, I would be most
appreciative!
Thank you,
Dave
Birmingham Astronomical Center
N 42° 59' 23.1" / W 083° 46' 29.7"
http://www.geocities.com/linden_dave2002
Message #: 29154 - Thread #: -
From: Cole <astrofirefighter@y...>
Date: Wed Oct 16, 2002 6:36pm
Subject: test
test 1,2,3...Nort Augusta, SC33.31N81.56WDo you Yahoo!?
Faith Hill - Exclusive Performances, Videos, &; more
faith.yahoo.com
Message #: 35922 - Thread #: 35845
From: Ashley Roeckelein <ashley@a...>
Date: Tue Jan 21, 2003 10:26am
Subject: Re: 424 mods first light - also binning
Now you're talking! I wonder what Steve plans
on calling this one, the "so really incredibly advanced that
it blows your mind mod", or SC3 perhaps? ;) Hmm, do
I smell a SAC9 in our future? (can't you tell I'm excited?
heh)
-ash
Message #: 35924 - Thread #: 35845
From: wlbehrens wbehrens@c... <wbehrens@c...>
Date: Tue Jan 21, 2003 11:11am
Subject: Re: 424 mods first light - also binning
If you give me a couple of weeks I will have a 1/3" color ExView HAD
mod completed and ready for your review. Although the mod itself is
more complex than the 1004X it is very much alike in as much as it
uses the same principles to integrate images.
William
PS I think this year is going to see further advancment in imaging
coming out of this group.
--- In QCUIAG@yahoogroups.com, "Ashley Roeckelein" <ashley@a...>
wrote:
> Now you're talking! I wonder what Steve plans on calling this one,
the "so really incredibly advanced that it blows your mind mod", or
SC3 perhaps? ;) Hmm, do I smell a SAC9 in our future? (can't you
tell I'm excited? heh)
>
> -ash
Message #: 35976 - Thread #: ?
From: stephen chambers <smunch@c...>
Date: Wed Jan 22, 2003 0:58am
Subject: Re: 424 mods- Colour CCD (SC3?)
Hello,
Thanks all. I have been very honoured to have my initials associated
with the modified webcams. I hope I would not be presuming too much if
I adopted a SC3 designation for this new mod. I expect to have a
number of versions of this mod, provisionally
SC3.1 - ICX424 CCD , no extended exposure control, only requires USB
connection, The most sensitive camera for streaming video at star
parties etc Much more sensitive than unmodified ex-had cameras due to
the longer individual exposures (1/5 sec vs 1/50 or 1/60 sec) stacking
would still bring many ‘m’ objects into range. Easy to make and use.
SC3.2 - As 3.1 but with exposure controlled by parallel or serial port
connection and software compatible with existing modified webcam
control programmes.
SC3.3 - As 3.2 but adds 2x1-binning option for added sensitivity.
I am sure SAC will produce a SAC9 but I don’t know what it will be (
maybe better to ask someone else on this list :) ). I have done no
deals regarding this mod so if there are any companies out there (SBIG,
Starlight, Apogee?) you have my e-mai....
On to colour. Using the primary colour mosaic filters on the colour
version of the 424 will rob the camera of 2/3 to 3/4 of its sensitivity.
However having said this the colour chip should work with the 3.1 and 3.
2 (see how useful these numbers are!!!) but might be problematic with
the 3.3. The binned mode of the 3.3 could not give coloured images.
At the moment I have the ICX424 socketed and tend to remove it while
making changes to the prototype. If the colour 424 is shown to work in
the camera then why not buy both the colour and B/W CCD’s then swap
between one shot colour and B/W keeping the same fields of view and
aspect ratios.
Cheers
Steve
> Now you're talking! I wonder what Steve plans on calling this one,
the "so=
> really incredibly advanced that it blows your mind mod", or SC3
perhaps? ;=
> ) Hmm, do I smell a SAC9 in our future? (can't you tell I'm
excited? heh=
> )
>
> -ash
Message #: 35994 - Thread #: ?
From: Leonardo Priami <L.PRIAMI@C...>
Date: Wed Jan 22, 2003 6:16am
Subject: Re: 424 mods- Colour CCD (SC3?)
Hallo Steve, Hi all,
I am very happy for the future prospects.
However I think that it is very dangerous to change icx424 color and B/W
CCD's every each shot! I suppose will be better have two separate cameras
also because the lost of 70% of sensitivity mean multiply the time of
exposure by 3-4. So the color camera needs, more than the B/W, a strong
cooling system in order to reduce thermal noise.
I think also that SC3.1 will be very useful as a guiding camera due to the
its high sensitivity in streaming video mode; this will allow us to have a
greater number of star to guiding to in the field of view!!!
Thanks all
Leonardo.
Message #: 36007 - Thread #: ?
From: Ashley Roeckelein <ashley@a...>
Date: Wed Jan 22, 2003 8:59am
Subject: Re: 424 mods- Colour CCD (SC3?)
Hi Steve,
Thanks for the reply! 2/3 to 3/4 loss? Yikes - that's not worth it I think
(at least initially:) But that is an interesting and neat idea to swap them
out. I would like to try that eventually if the 2x1 binning mode could be
switched on and off.
A few more questions?
Have you seen any "warm pixels" that cooling would help? Or would exposures
long enough to require cooling be wiped-out by sky glow, etc. because of the
increased sensitivity of the 424?
Do all the regular ToUCamPro driver controls like brightness, gain, etc.
work as before? Great trick if so!
Do you see a need for "amp-off" modification? Would that make a new series
of modification numbers, say 3.15, etc? FWIW, I like your numbering
scheme - short and sweet, unambiguous and standardized because it's straight
from the horses mouth! (no more "what's the difference between the advanced
mod and SC2", etc.)
Soon time to get the ol' iron out again! :)
Best regards,
-ash
http://astro.ai-software.com/
Message #: 36013 - Thread #: ?
From: Steve Chambers <smunch@c...>
Date: Wed Jan 22, 2003 9:56am
Subject: RE: 424 mods- Colour CCD (SC3?)
Hi Ash,
I have checked one of me 20sec high gain dark frames and counted about 30
hot pixels. Not bad for a 640x480 image from an uncooled camera.
I will take a look at an amp switch in the next few days. The points you
make are good. The sensitivity of the camera will make very long exposures
unfeasible.
Yes all the normal toucam controls work properly.
Steve
Message #: 36015 - Thread #: ?
From: Steve Chambers <smunch@c...>
Date: Wed Jan 22, 2003 10:04am
Subject: RE: 424 mods- Colour CCD (SC3?)
Hello,
Pulling and replacing chips is not ideal but is quick and easy.
Also the color element in an LRGB image doesn't have to be as good as the L
as the eye uses mostly the luminance to determine quality.
Still 2 cameras would be nice as the CCD's cost about the same as the
webcam.
After playing with the camera and a 50 mm lens streaming video at 5FPS I
think this mode has lots of potential. Both guiding and as a finder on
robotic scopes.
Steve
Message #: 36150 - Thread #: -
From: Steve Chambers <smunch@c...>
Date: Fri Jan 24, 2003 5:09am
Subject: Interested in 424/SC3 mod? - PLEASE READ ME
Hello once again,
In the next week or two I will write the details of this new down so anyone
who is interested can produce a camera for themselves. The difficulty level
of the mod is very similar to the other webcam mods.
However there is some bad news. Framos, the only supplier of the 424 CCD's
I know of, have run out!!!!
Better news is they have some on order to arrive in a months time. I have
asked the people at framos if it would be useful for them to know what the
level of demand for these CCD's might be from qcuiag and astrocam members.
The answer was yes of course! and they will endeavor to stock them for us.
The cost of the B/W CCD is 80 Euros or about 50 pounds + VAT postage etc.
The color version is a bit more, and will be less sensitive and we still
need to check that it would work but I think it should. The mod will also
require a webcam. I have been using a TouCam but they is nothing too
specific in the mod.
To get some figures I will try to set a poll up on qcuiag. If you think you
would buy a icx424 to do the mod in the next few months please register you
interest or send an email direct to me
smunch at clara.co.uk
Many of us have found Framos a great company to do business with and as they
are only supplier of these CCD's we should try to get as accurate figure as
possible.
Etienne, As Believe your French is slightly better than mine! could you
mind asking Astrocam if any of them are interested. Feel free to post the
M1 and M45 images if it would help explain anything.
Thanks
Steve
Message #: 36159 - Thread #: -
From: Ashley Roeckelein <ashley@a...>
Date: Fri Jan 24, 2003 8:37am
Subject: UK or DE members? was Re: Interested in 424/SC3 mod?
Hi List,
I just received an email back from Framos (office in UK) regarding shipment
of a single 424, and was a bit shocked to see the total price!
ICX424AL $80.00
Shipping $25
Duty of customs $67.00
Bank charges $16.00
Total $188.00
Ouch! This is for shipment to the U.S. I wonder two things... If it would
cost less for a UK or DE resident to purchase and ship, and if there are any
willing UK or DE QCUIAG members to perform this service for our little
international group?
Maybe buying in bulk could reduce the pain?
I've been scouring the web to find no other distributor of 424's, but would
be interested to hear of other options.
TIA!
-ash
http://astro.ai-software.com/
Message #: 36165 - Thread #: 36150
From: Bonduelle Etienne bondumaj@w... <bondumaj@w...>
Date: Fri Jan 24, 2003 9:33am
Subject: Re: Interested in 424/SC3 mod? - PLEASE READ ME
Hi Steve, Hi All :o)
Of course i'm Ok to ask Astrocam Friends how many of them will do the
mod and how many B/W and/or Color CCD they want :o)
(With your last M1 picture... i'm sure i'll have a lot of answers !!!)
But as i have done for the ICX098BL-6 i'll pass one order to
Framos.uk for all French people to avoid too much bank fees...
I'll tell you next week how much French people are interrested ;o)
Regards,
Etienne :o)
Message #: 36172 - Thread #: 36159
From: Steve Chambers <smunch@c...>
Date: Fri Jan 24, 2003 10:02am
Subject: RE: UK or DE members? was Re: Interested in 424/SC3 mod?
Ouch...
We should work together as Etienne says the French astrocam group do.
Steve
Message #: 36176 - Thread #: -
From: William Boyer wslboyer@n... <wslboyer@n...>
Date: Fri Jan 24, 2003 11:14am
Subject: 424 usage?
To summarize how to use the 424 chip, is the following correct:
Parts needed:
a webcam
- will a currently readily-available QC 4000 work?
a 424 chip
some other standard components
Process:
Replace the CCD that came with the web cam with the 424 CCD and make
the other SC3 mod connections, which are about as difficult as the
other SC mods.
Correct?
Thanks,
William B
Message #: 36187 - Thread #: 36159
From: bm98astro bm98@b... <bm98@b...>
Date: Fri Jan 24, 2003 0:36pm
Subject: UK or DE members? was Re: Interested in 424/SC3 mod?
May be you can check this one. It is listed as WhereToBuy on the US
Sony Semiconductor homepage
http://www.bellmicro.com/semiconductor/semi.asp
Otherwise they should know someone....
Martin
--- In QCUIAG@yahoogroups.com, "Ashley Roeckelein" <ashley@a...>
wrote:
> Hi List,
>
> I just received an email back from Framos (office in UK) regarding
shipment
> of a single 424, and was a bit shocked to see the total price!
>
> ICX424AL $80.00
> Shipping $25
> Duty of customs $67.00
> Bank charges $16.00
> Total $188.00
>
> Ouch! This is for shipment to the U.S. I wonder two things... If
it would
> cost less for a UK or DE resident to purchase and ship, and if
there are any
> willing UK or DE QCUIAG members to perform this service for our
little
> international group?
>
> Maybe buying in bulk could reduce the pain?
>
> I've been scouring the web to find no other distributor of 424's,
but would
> be interested to hear of other options.
>
> TIA!
> -ash
> http://astro.ai-software.com/
>
>
Message #: 36190 - Thread #: 36159
From: wlbehrens wbehrens@c... <wbehrens@c...>
Date: Fri Jan 24, 2003 0:43pm
Subject: UK or DE members? was Re: Interested in 424/SC3 mod?
Bell is a distribution channel and will not sell one offs. You will
need to order 100 pieces or more. Good luck.
Willliam
--- In QCUIAG@yahoogroups.com, "bm98astro <bm98@b...>" <bm98@b...>
wrote:
> May be you can check this one. It is listed as WhereToBuy on the US
> Sony Semiconductor homepage
>
> http://www.bellmicro.com/semiconductor/semi.asp
>
> Otherwise they should know someone....
>
> Martin
>
>
> --- In QCUIAG@yahoogroups.com, "Ashley Roeckelein" <ashley@a...>
Message #: 37942 - Thread #: 37908
From: Leonardo Priami <L.PRIAMI@C...>
Date: Wed Feb 12, 2003 3:05am
Subject: Re: More on ICX424 Mod
Hi Steve,
I am happy to hear news from You and I am sure that your modification
(SC3.x) will have success before that companies!!
Which are the real difficulty to buy the color and/or the B/W version of
the ICX424?
I am sure to buy at least one color and one B/W, but probably two color and
two B/W!!!
Which will be the delivery time of the CCDs?
Thanks a lot.
Best Regards.
Leonardo Priami.
Message #: 38262 - Thread #: 38246
From: Chip Copley <ccopley@d...>
Date: Sat Feb 15, 2003 6:30pm
Subject: Re: Logitech QuickCam Pro 4000
James, Keith -
The last QC Pro 3000 CCD I removed
was the BQ chip. I would assume that the newer 4000 has it as well,
but I haven't done a 4000 yet (and am unlikely to - waiting for the
new 424 SC3). :)
-Chip
Message #: 38355 - Thread #: -
From: Steve Chambers <smunch@c...>
Date: Mon Feb 17, 2003 3:35pm
Subject: ICX424 mod makes it on to the web
Hello,
In spite of a major drama with an xp installation the ICX424 (SC3) mod
details are now available!
http://home.clara.net/smunch/wsc3.htm
As you will see, if you follow the link, the page only contains details on
how to get the instructions (at the end of my waffle). If you can agree to
some terms on the page you can get the instructions by email. I am using
the same system that sends out data from my sky survey (
http://www.sky-survey.com ). Its fairly robust but can take a while if my
ISP gets busy.
The mod uses the ICX424 well outside of it specs so can't be guaranteed to
work! Though I have now done the mod to a ToUCam 740 and a QC4000 and its
worked with both. Until there are a few more working examples about I would
suggest only ordering a ICX424 if you can handle possible disappointment!!
I will be placing another order for a ICX424 with framos in the next few
days. If any other UK residents would like to join me and hopefully save a
little bit on framos bank charges etc then please get in touch (smunch at
clara co uk ).
Finally attached are a couple more pictures I have taken tonight while
re-installing XP. The pictures were taken with a 50mm camera lens from a
window. In both cases about 70 1 sec images were stacked with registax.
The camera was a modded qc4000 on a tripod. This little camera is great fun
to play around and even works with a nearly full moon!
Steve
Attachment 6k (image/jpeg) m31.jpgAttachment 9k (image/jpeg) m42l.jpg
Message #: 38452 - Thread #: -
From: Leonardo Priami <L.PRIAMI@C...>
Date: Wed Feb 19, 2003 6:45am
Subject: SC3 mod with Vesta 680: compatibility
Hallo all,
Great Steve Chamber has tested its new mod on QC3000-4000 and on ToUCam 740
with success.
Does someone have an idea on the probability of success to do SC3 mod on a
Vesta Pro 680-675?
Thanks,
Leonardo Priami
Message #: 38460 - Thread #: 38452
From: Chip Copley <ccopley@d...>
Date: Wed Feb 19, 2003 7:16am
Subject: Re: SC3 mod with Vesta 680: compatibility
Leonardo -
Of course the final arbiter will be
Steve, but my guess is that it's probably a 100% chance. They both use the
NEC D16510 and the same relative CCD (ICX098AL/BQ). And, IIRC, someone in
this group installed the ICX098BQ in a Vesta Pro. Of course this is just
my .02.
--Chip
Message #: 38494 - Thread #: 38452
From: Matthias Meijer <m.m.j.meijer@w...>
Date: Wed Feb 19, 2003 4:11pm
Subject: RE: SC3 mod with Vesta 680: compatibility
Hi Chip and Leonardo,
I placed the ICX098BQ chip (from a ToUcam)
in a Vesta. As the ICX098AK and BQ are in fact the same (only some different chip-manufacturing
techniques used to make them), this was not a great challenge. As soon as I can
get hold of a few ICX424 chips (a colour and B/W), the first thing I will try
is to place one inside a Vesta. After reading the schematics from Steve Chambers,
I am quite convinced the basic mod (the first two steps in the instructions
from Steve, SC3.1 and SC3.2) will work with the Vesta right away. The SC3.3 mod
might be a bit more difficult, due to the different placing of components
inside the Vesta compared to the ToUcam, but I think you should decide for
yourself if you ever want to do that mod: so read the original instructions
from Steve Chambers and see for yourself.
Regards,
Matthias Meijer
-----Oorspronkelijk bericht-----
Van: Chip Copley
[mailto:ccopley@dodah.com]
Verzonden: woensdag 19 februari
2003 16:16
Aan: QCUIAG@yahoogroups.com
Onderwerp: Re: [QCUIAG] SC3 mod
with Vesta 680: compatibility
Leonardo
-
Of
course the final arbiter will be Steve, but my guess is that it's probably a
100% chance. They both use the NEC D16510 and the same relative CCD
(ICX098AL/BQ). And, IIRC, someone in this group installed the ICX098BQ in
a Vesta Pro. Of course this is just my .02.
--Chip
Message #: 38546 - Thread #: 38523
From: Steve Chambers <smunch@c...>
Date: Thu Feb 20, 2003 9:37am
Subject: RE: ICX424 mod. Mainly directed at Steve.
HI John and All,
The PMDO emailer has held up well under the recent onslaught of not just the
SC3 stuff but also the sky survey is getting busy (big web site update
soon).
Anyway some emails were missed because of silly little things like double
spaces etc
I will send you a copy of the files manually.
Also I note that some of the email to pmdo has had messages. (Thanks for
many kind words). Please if you would like to be certain I read a message
or need a reply send to smunch at clara co uk rather than the automated sky
survey address.
Cheers
Steve
Message #: 38773 - Thread #: 38769
From: niborl2000 robin@l... <robin@l...>
Date: Sun Feb 23, 2003 9:37am
Subject: Re: faint spiral galaxies with ICX098BL-6-mod.
A very nice collection Arne,
I enjoy Galaxy hunting too :-)
Good luck with the SC3 mod. I predict some great deep sky images from
this group in the comming months as the SC3 mods come on line.
Clear Skies
Robin
http://www.leadbeaterhome.fsnet.co.uk/astro.htm
Message #: 38928 - Thread #: 38915
From: doktorklahn arne.rodemer@g... <arne.rodemer@g...>
Date: Tue Feb 25, 2003 2:13am
Subject: Re: again some galaxies with a VestaPro-SC1 ICX098BL6
Hi Gene,
thank you for your comments.
NGC2903 is a nice target, and it is not difficult to find :o)
Unfortunately i was not able to catch the outer arms of this galaxy,
they are much more fainter than the center.
Maybe it is possible with the SC3-mod...
best regards
Arne
--- In QCUIAG@yahoogroups.com, "lynol1000 <lynol1000@y...>"
Message #: 39123 - Thread #: 39102
From: Leonardo Priami <L.PRIAMI@C...>
Date: Thu Feb 27, 2003 4:48am
Subject: RE: Which one is better? 1004X or ICX424?
Hi Steve, hi all,
Me too, I hope that other opinions should soon be available!! I hope also
the mine.
My objective is also to test the color version of 424 and its sensitivity
in comparison with the icx098 of vesta.
Unfortunately Framos will have this CCD only in July.
Do you are sure that color version will not support the binning
mode?
Could you give a probability of success to do SC3 mod on a Vesta Pro
680-675? I think that Vesta electric board disposition will make easy to
design a cold chamber with respect the ToUcam. Do you agree with
me?
Thanks,
Leonardo Priami
Message #: 39173 - Thread #: -
From: Arne Rodemer <arne.rodemer@g...>
Date: Thu Feb 27, 2003 7:10pm
Subject: First-Light VestaPro-SC3 : M81
Hi All,
Oh I am so happy!
Yesterday the ICX424AL arrived, today I modified my VestaPro (that works
fine!), and tonight I was able to celebrate the first-light!
As I finished the camera the whole sky was cloudy (of course, thats
typical), but later at the time I wanted to go to bed the sky was clear.
Transparency was not very good, the Telescope was not cooled down, the
polar alignment was not perfect but I was able to capture M81.
For the image I averaged 67 frames ŕ 45s exposure time. The capture
program was cap4astro, stacked in Giotto and processed in theGimp.
Steve, thank you for the development of this modification and sharing it
with this group.
Best regards and good luck for all people trying the SC3-mod
Arne
Attachment 32k (image/jpeg) m81.jpg
Message #: 39174 - Thread #: 39173
From: Ashley Roeckelein <ashley@a...>
Date: Thu Feb 27, 2003 7:44pm
Subject: Re: First-Light VestaPro-SC3 : M81
Woohoo Arne!
That is awesome! Here's the best M81 I managed last year with a ToUCamPro
SC1:
http://astro.ai-software.com/20020118/m81b.jpg 102x30secs.
Your new CCD *really* makes those arms pop out.
I can't wait for a 424 to make it to my mailbox!
Clear skies,
-ash
http://astro.ai-software.com/
Message #: 39190 - Thread #: 39173
From: goteng goteng@y... <goteng@y...>
Date: Fri Feb 28, 2003 0:40am
Subject: Re: First-Light VestaPro-SC3 : M81
Hi Arne,
wow, very promising result :)))
thanks for sharing it with us.
regards,
Jeff
--- In QCUIAG@yahoogroups.com, Arne Rodemer <arne.rodemer@g...>
wrote:
> Hi All,
>
> Oh I am so happy!
> Yesterday the ICX424AL arrived, today I modified my VestaPro (that
works
> fine!), and tonight I was able to celebrate the first-light!
>
> As I finished the camera the whole sky was cloudy (of course,
thats
> typical), but later at the time I wanted to go to bed the sky was
clear.
> Transparency was not very good, the Telescope was not cooled down,
the
> polar alignment was not perfect but I was able to capture M81.
>
> For the image I averaged 67 frames ŕ 45s exposure time. The
capture
> program was cap4astro, stacked in Giotto and processed in theGimp.
>
> Steve, thank you for the development of this modification and
sharing it
> with this group.
>
> Best regards and good luck for all people trying the SC3-mod
>
> Arne
Message #: 39191 - Thread #: 39173
From: stephen chambers <smunch@c...>
Date: Fri Feb 28, 2003 0:40am
Subject: Re: First-Light VestaPro-SC3 : M81
Hi Arne,
Fantastic picture, I am very glad to see the mod working and its new
owner is happy with it! It kinda a worrying encouraging people to
spend money hacking webcams in case all doesn’t go well.
M81 is not an easy target to bring out detail in but you have lots of
structure in the arms. Also I would think that your polar alignment
was just fine if you could go 45 sec unguided!
Anyway I see that the time of me having the unfair advantage of the
only SC3 is now over. I do have some more ideas though :)
Congratulations
Steve
> Hi All,
>
> Oh I am so happy!
> Yesterday the ICX424AL arrived, today I modified my VestaPro (that
works
> fine!), and tonight I was able to celebrate the first-light!
>
> As I finished the camera the whole sky was cloudy (of course, thats
> typical), but later at the time I wanted to go to bed the sky was
clear.
> Transparency was not very good, the Telescope was not cooled down,
the
> polar alignment was not perfect but I was able to capture M81.
>
> For the image I averaged 67 frames ŕ 45s exposure time. The capture
> program was cap4astro, stacked in Giotto and processed in theGimp.
>
> Steve, thank you for the development of this modification and sharing
it
> with this group.
>
> Best regards and good luck for all people trying the SC3-mod
>
> Arne
>
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--
Message #: 39194 - Thread #: 39173
From: Antonio Fernandez afernan10@w... <afernan10@w...>
Date: Fri Feb 28, 2003 1:34am
Subject: Re: First-Light VestaPro-SC3 : M81
Congratulations Arne!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Waw!!!!! what an image of M81 with a webcam!
Again thanks to Steve we have not just a long exposure webcam but a
real deep sky webcam.
Now I wonder if we could replace the webcams stock CCDs not only with
the ICX424 but with bigger Sony CCDs in the near future ;-)
Best regards,
antonio
p.s. waiting for my ICX424AL to arrive and ready to do the transplant
surgery on SC1-Toucam!
Message #: 39202 - Thread #: 39173
From: Leonardo Priami <L.PRIAMI@C...>
Date: Fri Feb 28, 2003 1:39am
Subject: Re: First-Light VestaPro-SC3 : M81
Great Arne!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Your ICX424AL is arrived from FRAMOS?
Me too I would like to modify my Vesta Pro 680 but do you think that also
SC3.3 (binning mode) will work fine with Vesta?
Again, Congratulation!!
Leonardo.
Message #: 39203 - Thread #: 39173
From: doktorklahn arne.rodemer@g... <arne.rodemer@g...>
Date: Fri Feb 28, 2003 2:40am
Subject: Re: First-Light VestaPro-SC3 : M81
Hi again,
Thank you all for your comments!
Ashley, your M81 image is much better than any of my attempts with a
ToUcam-SC1. I hope you will have a SC3-cam soon and i am looking
forward to your images.
Steve, the time i captured the frames i thought that the camera is
more sensitive than my ICX098BL-mod, but not very much. Later during
processing I can't believe to bring out so much detail. the raw frames
with this cam are as detailed as processed and stacked
ICX098mod-frames :o)
I am looking forward to your next ideas, thank you again.
best regards and clear skies (for an attempt on M101 ;) )
Arne
Message #: 39204 - Thread #: 39173
From: doktorklahn arne.rodemer@g... <arne.rodemer@g...>
Date: Fri Feb 28, 2003 2:45am
Subject: Re: First-Light VestaPro-SC3 : M81
Thank you Leonardo!
Yes I purchased mine from framos. They wrote me they delivered from stock.
I don't know if the binning mode works with the Vesta. Sorry I can't
help you :(
But using the VP680 is no problem, my camera worked without any problems.
best regards
Arne
Message #: 39205 - Thread #: 39173
From: Bonduelle Etienne bondumaj@w... <bondumaj@w...>
Date: Fri Feb 28, 2003 3:14am
Subject: Re: First-Light VestaPro-SC3 : M81
WOWWWWWWWWWWW !!!
Congratulations Arne :o))))))
Beautiful M81 picture !!!
You just beat me in making the mod, i also receive my 424AL to try
the mod on a VP, (i wanted to be the first grrrrrrr ;o) ) but not
enough time for now....
By the way, with such a good picture you have posted, i'll make the
mod asap to also try DSO pictures with the 424 !!!
And i'm now sure that if i don't make mistakes, that should work with
my Vesta Pro too ;o)
Congrat's to Steve Chambers too, i'm sure you r now happy to see that
this is Ok for the VP too :o)))
Regards,
Etienne :o)
Message #: 39209 - Thread #: 39173
From: doktorklahn arne.rodemer@g... <arne.rodemer@g...>
Date: Fri Feb 28, 2003 4:36am
Subject: Re: First-Light VestaPro-SC3 : M81
Hi Etienne,
> Congratulations Arne :o))))))
> Beautiful M81 picture !!!
Thank you very much!
>
> You just beat me in making the mod, i also receive my 424AL to try
> the mod on a VP, (i wanted to be the first grrrrrrr ;o) ) but not
> enough time for now....
WANNA RACE ME?!?
*lol*, i thought the same ;-)))
I ordered the 424 the same day Steve published his modification and
received it on Wednesday. The fact that hat it was clear for two hours
after i finished the mod was really great!
>
> By the way, with such a good picture you have posted, i'll make the
> mod asap to also try DSO pictures with the 424 !!!
Yes, i hope so!
regarding to the quality of your images you have posted here you'll be
able to produce incredible images with this camera i think.
> And i'm now sure that if i don't make mistakes, that should work with
> my Vesta Pro too ;o)
Yes, i wish you the best for your modification...
best regards and CS
Arne
Message #: 39210 - Thread #: 39173
From: niborl2000 robin@l... <robin@l...>
Date: Fri Feb 28, 2003 4:52am
Subject: Re: First-Light VestaPro-SC3 : M81
Congratulations Arne and Hi Hi Etienne,
It is going to be very interesting to see how it compares with your
2005x-JG. If it is favourable I might be following you guys and
convert my Vesta Pro:-)
Has anyone considered making the chip plug in? I was thinking about
mounting the original chip and the new chip on plug in boards and
swapping them in and out using a ZIF socket
Robin
--- In QCUIAG@yahoogroups.com, "Bonduelle Etienne <bondumaj@w...>"
Message #: 39213 - Thread #: 39173
From: Wah! <wah_is_me@y...>
Date: Fri Feb 28, 2003 6:03am
Subject: Re: First-Light VestaPro-SC3 : M81
Wow! Your M81 is so beautiful!
I think I have to save money for the ICX424!!!
I have tried NeatImage to lower the noise of your
image.
Do you think it's a little bit
better?
Attachment 67k (image/jpeg) m81_filtered.jpg
Message #: 39215 - Thread #: 39173
From: ctotth ctotth@f... <ctotth@f...>
Date: Fri Feb 28, 2003 6:38am
Subject: Re: First-Light VestaPro-SC3 : M81
Hi Arne,
congratulations for your M81.
It's not only beautiful, but it also means hope for all of us, Vesta
owners.
Have you recorded any specific detail of the modification, that Steve
eventually might relay to us?(Hope Steve doesn't mind;O))I broke one
Vesta allready and I'd be very greatful for more information.
Clear skies,
Christian
Message #: 39216 - Thread #: 39173
From: doktorklahn arne.rodemer@g... <arne.rodemer@g...>
Date: Fri Feb 28, 2003 6:46am
Subject: Re: First-Light VestaPro-SC3 : M81
Hi
Message #: 39217 - Thread #: 39173
From: Bonduelle Etienne bondumaj@w... <bondumaj@w...>
Date: Fri Feb 28, 2003 7:10am
Subject: Re: First-Light VestaPro-SC3 : M81
Hi Robin :o)
That's exactly what i want to do ;o)
As i also ordered a color 424 (not yet received...), i d'like to be
able to swap easily color and B/W CCD for LRGB pictures :o)))
Regards,
Etienne ;o)
--- In QCUIAG@yahoogroups.com, "niborl2000 <robin@l...>" <robin@l...>
wrote:
> Congratulations Arne and Hi Hi Etienne,
>
> It is going to be very interesting to see how it compares with your
> 2005x-JG. If it is favourable I might be following you guys and
> convert my Vesta Pro:-)
>
> Has anyone considered making the chip plug in? I was thinking about
> mounting the original chip and the new chip on plug in boards and
> swapping them in and out using a ZIF socket
>
>
> Robin
>
> --- In QCUIAG@yahoogroups.com, "Bonduelle Etienne <bondumaj@w...>"
Message #: 39219 - Thread #: 39217
From: Leonardo Priami <L.PRIAMI@C...>
Date: Fri Feb 28, 2003 7:32am
Subject: Re: Re: First-Light VestaPro-SC3 : M81
Hi Robin, Hi Etienne,
I really think that is wonderful have the possibility of swapping CCD
using a ZIF socket, but I think is better have two separate camera:
Remember that CCD chips are very delicate and the color version will need
longer time of exposure so a cooling system is more advisable.
Framos give me July for delivery time for the ICX424AQ!!! Will you have
it earlier ?
Clear Sky
Leonardo.
Message #: 39226 - Thread #: 39173
From: lynol1000 lynol1000@y... <lynol1000@y...>
Date: Fri Feb 28, 2003 8:38am
Subject: Re: First-Light VestaPro-SC3 : M81
Hi Arne,
Outstanding results!
If interested:
I found this article published in AppJ from 1994 with deep photometry
of M81.
Go here:
http://adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-bib_query?1994ApJ...428..143H
scroll down till "Printing Options" and "Print Pages" 143-156.
It will return a PDF with the article.
In the article are images and photometry data points for about 70 stars.
Figure 1a goes with figure 1c and Table 4 - M81 Secondary Standards
Fig 1b goes with Fig 1d and Table 4-continued Hughes ET-AL.
I was able to dig out #10 from table 4/Fig 1c at mag 18.2 easy
If interested check your originals for #4 at mag 19.2
It is going to be an interesting year coming up!
Gene
Message #: 39261 - Thread #: -
From: SARL Bonduelle etCie <bondumaj@w...>
Date: Sat Mar 1, 2003 0:40am
Subject: ICX424 working in France too ;o)
Hi Steve, Hi All :o)
My old unmodded Vesta Pro successfully accept the new ICX424AL this night
:oDDD
Too much clouds to make a real test, but all is well working in my
living-room ;o)
I've made the SC3.2 mod, with the ability to easily remove the B/W 424 and
put the color 424 in less than 2 minutes when i'll have this one... so maybe
i'll be the first to test the 424 color in long exposure time :op :op :op
(private joke for Arne ;o) ;o) ;o) )
Thank's a lot to Steve Chambers, this is really impressive to see the BIG
424 on the CCD board of the VP !!!
I hope i'll have soon clear sky to make a comparison between the 2005xa-JG,
the VP-SC-BW (ICX098-BL6) and this new VP-SC3.2 !!!
I'm really happy to have those 3 CCD's, my collection is still expanding
:o)))
Best Regards,
Etienne :o)
Site astro perso : http://www.astrosurf.com/astrobond/
Message #: 39285 - Thread #: 39173
From: doktorklahn arne.rodemer@g... <arne.rodemer@g...>
Date: Sat Mar 1, 2003 8:48am
Subject: Re: First-Light VestaPro-SC3 : M81
Hi Gene,
thank you for this link, the photometry reference image at
http://www.supernovae.net/snimages/reference/n3031.jpg
was not deep enough this time...
I was not able to find star #4 on my images, so we have to be
satisfied with about 18.5 mag this time ;o)
With my ICX098BL6-mod I reached about 17.5th magnitude.
I am curious about the limiting magnitude in the next images...
Etienne, I think I have to call framos on monday ;-)))
best wishes and clear skies
Arne
--- In QCUIAG@yahoogroups.com, "lynol1000 <lynol1000@y...>"
Message #: 39297 - Thread #: 39173
From: Bonduelle Etienne bondumaj@w... <bondumaj@w...>
Date: Sat Mar 1, 2003 10:30am
Subject: Re: First-Light VestaPro-SC3 : M81
LOL Arne ;o)
Don't be afraid, i'm not sure to have clear skies here before you to
get the color 424....... :o>
I'll try Mag 19 asap :oDDD
Best Regards,
Etienne ;o)
--- In QCUIAG@yahoogroups.com, "doktorklahn <arne.rodemer@g...>"
Message #: 39335 - Thread #: 39173
From: lynol1000 lynol1000@y... <lynol1000@y...>
Date: Sun Mar 2, 2003 7:00am
Subject: Re: First-Light VestaPro-SC3 : M81
Ok everyone,
I am waiting for a solid confirmed mag 20 or better from a dark site
via a webcam !!!! I know it can be done !!!!
Let's not disappoint and waste true dark skies!!!
ROFL :-)
Gene
--- In QCUIAG@yahoogroups.com, "Bonduelle Etienne <bondumaj@w...>"
Message #: 39337 - Thread #: 39173
From: niborl2000 robin@l... <robin@l...>
Date: Sun Mar 2, 2003 8:52am
Subject: Re: First-Light VestaPro-SC3 : M81
Hello Gene,
Do you have a suggested well documented field with V mag deeper than
mag 20 to aim at for this time of year?
Robin
Message #: 39338 - Thread #: -
From: tomhow_uk2000 tomh@t... <tomh@t...>
Date: Sun Mar 2, 2003 9:05am
Subject: Deep fields (was Re: First-Light VestaPro-SC3 : M81)
Where does one find information about such fields??
--- In QCUIAG@yahoogroups.com, "niborl2000 <robin@l...>" <robin@l...>
wrote:
> Hello Gene,
>
> Do you have a suggested well documented field with V mag deeper
than
> mag 20 to aim at for this time of year?
>
Message #: 39340 - Thread #: 39173
From: lynol1000 lynol1000@y... <lynol1000@y...>
Date: Sun Mar 2, 2003 9:14am
Subject: Re: First-Light VestaPro-SC3 : M81
Hi Robin,
If you follow the link I posted to Arne, M81 was the
subject of a photometry study in (at least) 1994.
========================from reply to Arne:
If interested:
I found this article published in AppJ from 1994 with deep photometry
of M81.
Go here:
http://adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-bib_query?1994ApJ...428..143H
scroll down till "Printing Options" and "Print Pages" 143-156.
It will return a PDF with the article.
In the article are images and photometry data points for about 70
stars.
Figure 1a goes with figure 1c and Table 4 - M81 Secondary Standards
Fig 1b goes with Fig 1d and Table 4-continued Hughes ET-AL.
I was able to dig out #10 from table 4/Fig 1c at mag 18.2 easy
If interested check your originals for #4 at mag 19.2
========================
It may not be perfect but at least it wasn't an automated scanning
engine.
I know M81's DEC is a little high at +69 for some, in fact it is just
about at my limit with trying to swing the cam head and hoses thru
the forks.
There are always the reference images on supernovae.net done by Mr
Trondal:
http://www.supernovae.net/snimages/reference/index.html
Some of the more esoteric galaxies have points to mag19+ such as
http://www.supernovae.net/snimages/reference/mp5m54m38.jpg
I do not always agree (maybe 2-3% of the time) with his measurements
but I have nothing better to offer from myself so...
Gene
--- In QCUIAG@yahoogroups.com, "niborl2000 <robin@l...>" <robin@l...>
wrote:
> Hello Gene,
>
> Do you have a suggested well documented field with V mag deeper
than
> mag 20 to aim at for this time of year?
>
> Robin
>
Message #: 39345 - Thread #: 39338
From: lynol1000 lynol1000@y... <lynol1000@y...>
Date: Sun Mar 2, 2003 9:44am
Subject: Deep fields (was Re: First-Light VestaPro-SC3 : M81)
Hi Tom ,
The deep stuff, much more than mag 16 is tougher to come by. It
requires someone doing some manual, or supervised, measurements on
the target area.
If you have a particular object of interest, a search on google with
the keyword 'photometry' or 'photometric' along with the objects
identifier can dig some of them up.
And of course:
http://www.projectpluto.com/datasets.htm
with the measurements by Mr Trondal is an awesome resource but does
not go 'super' deep.
There is this plot page available with Vizer and USNO B1.0 dataset:
http://vizier.u-strasbg.fr/viz-bin/VizieR?-source=USNO-B1.0
I realize there are mag estimates for GSC and USNO A2 and B1 but
quoting from a page on projectpluto on B1.0:
http://www.projectpluto.com/datasets.htm#b1
"I think the magnitudes may be better than those from A2.0, but
wouldn't swear to it. ("Better" is a relative term; they still
shouldn't be trusted for much.) "
and his take on mags given for all the basic catalogues:
http://www.projectpluto.com/datasets.htm
So, IMHO unless you find a field measured for a paper or one done for
mags, anything much below mag16 is suspect.
Gene
--- In QCUIAG@yahoogroups.com, "tomhow_uk2000 <tomh@t...>"
Message #: 39346 - Thread #: -
From: lynol1000 lynol1000@y... <lynol1000@y...>
Date: Sun Mar 2, 2003 9:46am
Subject: wrong link: was Deep fields (was Re: First-Light VestaPro-SC3 : M81)
Mr Trondal's work:
http://www.supernovae.net/snimages/reference/index.html
Gene
--- In QCUIAG@yahoogroups.com, "lynol1000 <lynol1000@y...>"
Message #: 39368 - Thread #: 39173
From: fmrc69 fmrc@i... <fmrc@i...>
Date: Sun Mar 2, 2003 5:55pm
Subject: Re: First-Light VestaPro-SC3 : M81
--- In QCUIAG@yahoogroups.com, "lynol1000 <lynol1000@y...>"
Message #: 39380 - Thread #: 39173
From: Jon Grove <JGrove@S...>
Date: Mon Mar 3, 2003 2:17am
Subject: RE: First-Light VestaPro-SC3 : M81
Hi Arne,
Very nice first-light image! Those spiral arms are quite hard to capture, you must be very pleased with your new camera!
Clear Skies,
Jon.
> From: Arne Rodemer
>
> Hi All,
>
> Oh I am so happy!
> Yesterday the ICX424AL arrived, today I modified my VestaPro
> (that works
> fine!), and tonight I was able to celebrate the first-light!
[snip]
Message #: 39381 - Thread #: 39173
From: Bonduelle Etienne bondumaj@w... <bondumaj@w...>
Date: Mon Mar 3, 2003 2:18am
Subject: Re: First-Light VestaPro-SC3 : M81
Mmmmhhhh.... Mag 20 is twice time more hard to catch than mag 19 !!!
I think Mag 19 will be available without any doubt this year, but i'm
not sure for Mag 20....
But as last year we were to about Mag 16... i'll don't say i'm SURE
we will not be able to have Mag 20 this year !!! ;o)
The "race" to Mag 20 with video cameras or webcams is openned :oDDD
Best Regards,
Etienne ;o)
--- In QCUIAG@yahoogroups.com, "lynol1000 <lynol1000@y...>"
Message #: 39382 - Thread #: 39381
From: KATRENIAK Peter <pk3@p...>
Date: Mon Mar 3, 2003 2:25am
Subject: Re: Re: First-Light VestaPro-SC3 : M81
Hi,
I am not 100% sure, but in my last image of M1 (http://www.pk3.org/Astro/Messier/m001.htm -
look for full size image) I was able to detect stars with 19mag and more. My
problem is, that I have not visual magnitudes data - only photographic with red
and blue components (as I remember properly...)
Can anybody confirm it?
Thank you.
Clear skies,
Peter K3
Message #: 39387 - Thread #: 39173
From: doktorklahn arne.rodemer@g... <arne.rodemer@g...>
Date: Mon Mar 3, 2003 4:19am
Subject: Re: First-Light VestaPro-SC3 : M81
Hi Jon,
thank you!
Yes, these spirals are really faint in comparison to the galaxy core.
The other problem was my telescope, with a focal length of 40" M81 was
too large to fit in the ccd field of my previous cameras.
I am very pleased with this "webcam" and hope to get clear skies soon
to capture M101, that should be a great target for my equipment.
Etienne, maybe i am able to catch mag19 then, hurry up ;-)))
best regards and CS
Arne
(waiting for clear skies in germany, the weather forecast is bad :( )
Message #: 39388 - Thread #: 39173
From: lynol1000 lynol1000@y... <lynol1000@y...>
Date: Mon Mar 3, 2003 4:23am
Subject: Re: First-Light VestaPro-SC3 : M81
Etienne,
Mag 16 is trivial with these cams :-)
Try here:
http://www.geocities.com/lynol1000/m57_photometry/preliminary.html
and
http://c3po.cochise.cc.az.us/astro/deepsky02.htm
The background sky brightness comes in to play at mag 17+ and below,
it takes a dark site to have the 'glow' below mag 21 and give us a
shot at mag 20.
The legend on the light pollution maps give an indication(scroll
down):
http://cleardarksky.com/lp/CampOnasPAlp.html
Gene
--- In QCUIAG@yahoogroups.com, "Bonduelle Etienne <bondumaj@w...>"
Message #: 39406 - Thread #: 39173
From: lynol1000 lynol1000@y... <lynol1000@y...>
Date: Mon Mar 3, 2003 8:22am
Subject: Re: First-Light VestaPro-SC3 : M81
Peter,
Here is a big long url, sorry, but if you follow it thru to the
Aladin image you will get a plot using the USNO B1.0 catalog.
http://vizier.cfa.harvard.edu/viz-bin/VizieR-5?-out.add=.&-
out.add=_RAJ2000,_DEJ2000&-source=I/284/out&USNO-B1.0===1120-0087820
It references the 'deepest' star I could spot on your image.
If you look at the photometry data for it:
First Blue/Second Blue/First Red/Second Red I think you can see why
using photometry from the USNO surveys is 'not quite optimal'.
I am still looking for a paper that only covers the M1 field itself
with hand measured or supervised photometry on it versus the basic
scan engine stuff.
If you could identify a star on the Aladin image and post's its ID in
B1.0 lets see what we can find.
Gene
Message #: 39412 - Thread #: 39173
From: KATRENIAK Peter <pk3@p...>
Date: Mon Mar 3, 2003 9:12am
Subject: Re: First-Light VestaPro-SC3 : M81
Gene,
thank you very much for your very useful
information.
The star identified by you has the following
magnitudes:
First Blue / Second Blue / First Red / Second Red
19.37 / 17.27 / 18.36 /
16.65
I am not an expert in this area, so I don't know, what
magnitude is interesting for us for measurement of the limit of our
webcams.
What do you think?
Anyway, the Aladin is really nice tool.
Clear skies,
Peter K3
Message #: 39414 - Thread #: 39406
From: SARL Bonduelle etCie <bondumaj@w...>
Date: Mon Mar 3, 2003 9:30am
Subject: Re: Re: First-Light VestaPro-SC3 : M81
Hi Peter :o)
I just put online a little work on my best M1 picture still in B/W.... ;o)
(Perl APO 4" Refractor 102/920 at prime focus with the 2005xa-JG and IRB
Filter, 33x20 seconds)
http://www.astrosurf.com/astrobond/images/peM1mm.jpg
As you can see, the Mag 18.00 and Mag 18.10 (in red because i think our CCD
catch the best in red) are reached in our two pics (i'm almost sure), but if
you look at my picture in a processing image software, you can see the in
front of the yellow lights with a "pixel color value tool", there is
"something" because the pixel value is at more than 15 on the 18.30 and
19.20 Mag star at this place on the USNO !!!
The background of the picture is at about 10 in pixel value, so i think i
"almost could just" catch a Mag 19.20 Star :o)
(but i'm not sure at all !!! ;o) )
By the way, our pictures are very similar, so if i have Mag 19, you should
have Mag 19 too but the noise in your (beautiful) color picture makes the
work more difficult to be sure of what we can detect... :o(
Mag 18, YES, Mag 19.... hard to say for me and for you at this time ;o)
To be continued !!!
Regards,
Etienne :o)
Site astro perso : http://www.astrosurf.com/astrobond/
>From: "KATRENIAK Peter" <pk3@p...>
>Date: Mon Mar 3, 2003 11:25 am
>Subject: Re: [QCUIAG] Re: First-Light VestaPro-SC3 : M81
>
>
>
>Hi,
>
>I am not 100% sure, but in my last image of M1
(http://www.pk3.org/Astro/Messier/m001.htm - look for full size image) I was
>able to detect stars with 19mag and more. My problem is, that I have not
visual magnitudes data - only photographic with red >and blue components (as
I remember properly...)
>
>Can anybody confirm it?
>
>Thank you.
>
>Clear skies,
>
>Peter K3
><><
>http://www.pk3.org/Astro/
>
Message #: 39420 - Thread #: 39173
From: Bonduelle Etienne bondumaj@w... <bondumaj@w...>
Date: Mon Mar 3, 2003 9:56am
Subject: Re: First-Light VestaPro-SC3 : M81
Thank's a lot for the link's Gene :o)))
I think you'r right, i have to move in a really dark sky to make a
good Mag 20 picture.....
Still to be continued ;o)
Regards,
Etienne :o)
--- In QCUIAG@yahoogroups.com, "lynol1000 <lynol1000@y...>"
Message #: 39470 - Thread #: 39420
From: KATRENIAK Peter <pk3@p...>
Date: Tue Mar 4, 2003 7:33am
Subject: Re: Re: First-Light VestaPro-SC3 : M81
Hi Etienne,
it is very interesting comparison. I will try to go deeper
next time.
Unfortunately, the star atlases start to be very "tight" for
us now :-(.
We need better database....
Clear skies,
Peter K3
Message #: 39586 - Thread #: -
From: SARL Bonduelle etCie <bondumaj@w...>
Date: Thu Mar 6, 2003 0:10am
Subject: 1st 424color long exposure ?? ;o)
Hi All :o)
I hope this is the first ICX424AQ-6 (color) picture from a SC3.2 mod !!! ;o)
As the clouds are still here, i just take a raw frame 60seconds exposure
time with gain at 50% (non preocessed...) of a desk door in my living-room
with a 50mm F1.7 objective in total dark but the laptop reflecting screen
light.... ;o)
( at least you can see that both the B/W and the Color 424 can work on my
last modded webcam :oD )
Thank's to Steve Chambers, all is well working ;o)
a+, Etienne :o)
Site astro perso : http://www.astrosurf.com/astrobond/
Attachment 49k (image/jpeg) test424c60s1.jpg
Message #: 39644 - Thread #: -
From: SARL Bonduelle etCie <bondumaj@w...>
Date: Fri Mar 7, 2003 0:02am
Subject: M81 in color with a ICX424AQ-6 :o)))
Hi all :o)
This night, clear sky !!!
Here is my first try on M81 with the VP-SC3.2 and the FS-102 with a 0.33
reducer and an IRB Filter...
65x60seconds with gain at 80%
Processing under Iris, PSP7 and Loreal :o)
I join also a Moon, taken with exactly the same setup, but with the VP-SC3.2
in "standard" mode !!!
(no long exposure, just the webcam in auto-mode)
1 Avi of 300 frames processed in Registrax and PSP7 :o)
THANK'S A LOT STEVE !!! ;o)
The ICX424AQ-6 is REALLY almost 2 times more sensitive than the standard
color CCD of the VP and Tuc webcams...
Best Regards,
Etienne :o)
Site astro perso : http://www.astrosurf.com/astrobond/
Attachment 32k (image/jpeg) EBLune030307.jpgAttachment 29k (image/jpeg) EBM81PSP7LOREAL.jpg
Message #: 39664 - Thread #: 39644
From: Antonio Fernandez <afernan10@w...>
Date: Fri Mar 7, 2003 3:26am
Subject: Re: M81 in color with a ICX424AQ-6 :o)))
Etienne,
What can I say?
Bravo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Cést magnifique !!!!!!
I am sure we are gonna have a great time and great images with the
SC3 mods.
Clear skies,
antonio
--- In QCUIAG@yahoogroups.com, "SARL Bonduelle etCie" <bondumaj@w...>
wrote:
> Hi all :o)
>
> This night, clear sky !!!
>
> Here is my first try on M81 with the VP-SC3.2 and the FS-102 with a
0.33
> reducer and an IRB Filter...
> 65x60seconds with gain at 80%
> Processing under Iris, PSP7 and Loreal :o)
>
> I join also a Moon, taken with exactly the same setup, but with the
VP-SC3.2
> in "standard" mode !!!
> (no long exposure, just the webcam in auto-mode)
> 1 Avi of 300 frames processed in Registrax and PSP7 :o)
>
> THANK'S A LOT STEVE !!! ;o)
> The ICX424AQ-6 is REALLY almost 2 times more sensitive than the
standard
> color CCD of the VP and Tuc webcams...
>
> Best Regards,
> Etienne :o)
>
> Site astro perso : http://www.astrosurf.com/astrobond/
Message #: 39667 - Thread #: 39644
From: doktorklahn <arne.rodemer@g...>
Date: Fri Mar 7, 2003 4:06am
Subject: Re: M81 in color with a ICX424AQ-6 :o)))
Hi Etienne,
Great M81 image!
The large field of view in your image is really awesome.
Your moon image is crazy. This camera is really much more sensitive
than a ToUcam.
Ok, you won the "424 color race" let us agree with a draw game ;-))))
best regards and clear skies soon!
Arne
--- In QCUIAG@yahoogroups.com, "SARL Bonduelle etCie" <bondumaj@w...>
wrote:
> Hi all :o)
>
> This night, clear sky !!!
>
> Here is my first try on M81 with the VP-SC3.2 and the FS-102 with a 0.33
> reducer and an IRB Filter...
> 65x60seconds with gain at 80%
> Processing under Iris, PSP7 and Loreal :o)
>
> I join also a Moon, taken with exactly the same setup, but with the
VP-SC3.2
> in "standard" mode !!!
> (no long exposure, just the webcam in auto-mode)
> 1 Avi of 300 frames processed in Registrax and PSP7 :o)
>
> THANK'S A LOT STEVE !!! ;o)
> The ICX424AQ-6 is REALLY almost 2 times more sensitive than the standard
> color CCD of the VP and Tuc webcams...
>
> Best Regards,
> Etienne :o)
>
> Site astro perso : http://www.astrosurf.com/astrobond/
Message #: 39689 - Thread #: 39644
From: Bonduelle Etienne <bondumaj@w...>
Date: Fri Mar 7, 2003 10:12am
Subject: Re: M81 in color with a ICX424AQ-6 :o)))
Thank's a lot Antonio ;o)
Yes of course, this year will be excellent for Unconventional DSO
pictures i'm sure :o)))
Regards,
Etienne ;o)
--- In QCUIAG@yahoogroups.com, "Antonio Fernandez" <afernan10@w...>
wrote:
> Etienne,
> What can I say?
> Bravo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
> Cést magnifique !!!!!!
> I am sure we are gonna have a great time and great images with the
> SC3 mods.
> Clear skies,
> antonio
>
Message #: 39693 - Thread #: 39586
From: Bonduelle Etienne <bondumaj@w...>
Date: Fri Mar 7, 2003 10:22am
Subject: Re: 1st 424color long exposure ?? ;o)
Ahhhhhh GOOD News Steve :o)))
I'm really pleased to be the first in one thing on this SC3.2
mod ;o) ;o) ;o)
And LOLLLLLL for the "haunted castle", you can't imagine how much
i'am stressed when i make the first test of each new modded
webcam :o>>>
;o)
Still Thank's a lot for this new mod,
Best Regards,
Etienne :o)
Message #: 39739 - Thread #: -
From: SARL Bonduelle etCie <bondumaj@w...>
Date: Sat Mar 8, 2003 1:08am
Subject: A little M51:o)))
Hi all :o)
Still on the clear night of 2003/03 the 6, M51 with la VP-SC3.2 color and
the FS-102 with 0.33 reducer and IRB Filter...
52x60seconds with 80% gain.
Processing under Iris, PSP7 (curves and shaded layers) and Loreal :o)
A little surprise, in the lower right corner, IC 4263, little galaxie of
15.73Mag in PGC catalog :o)))
Regards,
Etienne :o)
Site astro perso : http://www.astrosurf.com/astrobond/
Attachment 46k (image/jpeg) fsm51-52x60s-424L.jpg
Message #: 39746 - Thread #: -
From: CHAD DANIELSON <CDANIELSON111@M...>
Date: Sat Mar 8, 2003 2:56am
Subject: ICX424 (SC3) Webcam Modification???
Impressions and cost of this modification??
Message #: 39748 - Thread #: -
From: Antonio Fernández <afernan10@w...>
Date: Sat Mar 8, 2003 3:00am
Subject: Another SC3 up and running
Dear friends,
I am pleased and proud ;-) to announce the first
light of another SC3.2 (ICX424) camera.
The basis for the camera is a Toucam Pro. After
some advice from the Etienne and Michael (thanks very much folks!!!) I decided
to make a new board for the ICX424.
So, what I have a now is a three board camera
with: the original Toucam board (mother) with no
CCD, the ICX242AL B&W board (this is
"plugable" and there is a ribbon that connects this to the "mother", so in the
future, if needed, it can be replaced with the color board) and finally the SC1 board.
Next project is a second CCD board for the color
ICX242AQ. Of course, I will not start with the color board if the skies are
clear tonight!
First light subject is just the proof and is
"off-topic" (my 1/10 scale R/C Porsche 911)
Thanks very much to Steve!!!!
Clear skies!!!
antonio
Antonio Fernández, EA4LE/KC2HAXea4le@amsat.orgwww.qsl.net/kc2hax
Attachment 7k (image/jpeg) icx424al_1st.jpg
Message #: 39753 - Thread #: 39748
From: Jürgen Lemke <juergenspost@y...>
Date: Sat Mar 8, 2003 4:21am
Subject: Re: Another SC3 up and running
Hello Antonio,
could you show a picture of your three board cam? I wait also for a
424 chip.
Jurgen
--- In QCUIAG@yahoogroups.com, Antonio Fernández <afernan10@w...>
wrote:
> Dear friends,
>
> I am pleased and proud ;-) to announce the first light of another
SC3.2 (ICX424) camera.
> The basis for the camera is a Toucam Pro. After some advice from
the Etienne and Michael (thanks very much folks!!!) I decided to make
a new board for the ICX424.
> So, what I have a now is a three board camera with: the original
Toucam board (mother) with no CCD, the ICX242AL B&W board (this
is "plugable" and there is a ribbon that connects this to
the "mother", so in the future, if needed, it can be replaced with
the color board) and finally the SC1 board.
>
> Next project is a second CCD board for the color ICX242AQ. Of
course, I will not start with the color board if the skies are clear
tonight!
>
> First light subject is just the proof and is "off-topic" (my 1/10
scale R/C Porsche 911)
>
> Thanks very much to Steve!!!!
>
> Clear skies!!!
> antonio
>
>
> Antonio Fernández, EA4LE/KC2HAX
> ea4le@a...
> www.qsl.net/kc2hax
Message #: 39756 - Thread #: 39748
From: Bonduelle Etienne <bondumaj@w...>
Date: Sat Mar 8, 2003 5:11am
Subject: Re: Another SC3 up and running
GOOD NEWS Antonio :o)))
I think your solution of 3 boards is excellent to quickly change
CCD's with a strong connexion, i'm a little afraid with my 1.27mm
supports, i don't know if i can put in and out a lot of time CCD's
without problems...
Can you tell me the length of the ribbon between the two boards ?
I dont know what whould be the max length of wires between the CCD
and the Original CCD board...
Does anybody knows if there is a limited lenght ?
(i'm thinking of a second modded webcam with a really easy to use
exchange between color and B/W CCD's...)
Best regards, Clear Skies and i hope to see quickly a real DSO
picture :o)))
(btw, maybe your porsche is orbiting earth ???!!! ;o) )
Regards,
Etienne :o)
--- In QCUIAG@yahoogroups.com, Antonio Fernández <afernan10@w...>
wrote:
> Dear friends,
>
> I am pleased and proud ;-) to announce the first light of another
SC3.2 (ICX424) camera.
> The basis for the camera is a Toucam Pro. After some advice from
the Etienne and Michael (thanks very much folks!!!) I decided to make
a new board for the ICX424.
> So, what I have a now is a three board camera with: the original
Toucam board (mother) with no CCD, the ICX242AL B&W board (this
is "plugable" and there is a ribbon that connects this to
the "mother", so in the future, if needed, it can be replaced with
the color board) and finally the SC1 board.
>
> Next project is a second CCD board for the color ICX242AQ. Of
course, I will not start with the color board if the skies are clear
tonight!
>
> First light subject is just the proof and is "off-topic" (my 1/10
scale R/C Porsche 911)
>
> Thanks very much to Steve!!!!
>
> Clear skies!!!
> antonio
>
>
> Antonio Fernández, EA4LE/KC2HAX
> ea4le@a...
> www.qsl.net/kc2hax
Message #: 39763 - Thread #: 39748
From: niborl2000 <robin@l...>
Date: Sat Mar 8, 2003 5:33am
Subject: Re: Another SC3 up and running
Hi Antonio and congratulations
This sounds a good solution to the chip changing problem. How long is
your ribbon cable? Do you see any interference pattern problems? Any
chance of posting a picture of it?
Thanks
Robin
--- In QCUIAG@yahoogroups.com, Antonio Fernández <afernan10@w...>
wrote:
> Dear friends,
>
> I am pleased and proud ;-) to announce the first light of another
SC3.2 (ICX424) camera.
> The basis for the camera is a Toucam Pro. After some advice from
the Etienne and Michael (thanks very much folks!!!) I decided to make
a new board for the ICX424.
> So, what I have a now is a three board camera with: the original
Toucam board (mother) with no CCD, the ICX242AL B&W board (this
is "plugable" and there is a ribbon that connects this to
the "mother", so in the future, if needed, it can be replaced with
the color board) and finally the SC1 board.
>
> Next project is a second CCD board for the color ICX242AQ. Of
course, I will not start with the color board if the skies are clear
tonight!
>
> First light subject is just the proof and is "off-topic" (my 1/10
scale R/C Porsche 911)
>
> Thanks very much to Steve!!!!
>
> Clear skies!!!
> antonio
>
>
> Antonio Fernández, EA4LE/KC2HAX
> ea4le@a...
> www.qsl.net/kc2hax
Message #: 39783 - Thread #: 39739
From: wlbehrens <wbehrens@c...>
Date: Sat Mar 8, 2003 10:31am
Subject: Re: A little M51:o)))
Wonderful shot "master" bond :).
William
--- In QCUIAG@yahoogroups.com, "SARL Bonduelle etCie" <bondumaj@w...>
wrote:
> Hi all :o)
>
> Still on the clear night of 2003/03 the 6, M51 with la VP-SC3.2
color and
> the FS-102 with 0.33 reducer and IRB Filter...
> 52x60seconds with 80% gain.
> Processing under Iris, PSP7 (curves and shaded layers) and
Loreal :o)
>
> A little surprise, in the lower right corner, IC 4263, little
galaxie of
> 15.73Mag in PGC catalog :o)))
>
> Regards,
> Etienne :o)
>
> Site astro perso : http://www.astrosurf.com/astrobond/
Message #: 39786 - Thread #: 39755
From: wlbehrens <wbehrens@c...>
Date: Sat Mar 8, 2003 10:52am
Subject: Re: SAC8
Come on guys.....jeeezzz :). The camera is after all based on some
hard work by members of this group. Not everyone can weild a
soldering iron like a pro and I think Bill is just proud that SAC is
able to provide this camera to folks who do not have the DIY skills
to build one.
The information with respect to the non-relay version will be
presented in accordance with the policy of this group very soon (we
promised). The amp off portion of the camera design has already been
posted sometime ago in another camera mod (the SC1 zener). There are
many things to a solid camera design besides just a concept. built in
peltier cooling power supply, pcb design, ect. ect......there are
more things to come this spring with respect to inovations (though
not as easy as the SC3 from a build standpoint). I only hope the flow
of information will be welcomed so that you folks may continue to
utilize it.
Sorry if I seem a little nippy on this but the responses to Bill seem
have a harsh overtone....more like "go away" your not welcome. Not
productive in my opinion.
William
Message #: 39794 - Thread #: 39739
From: niborl2000 <robin@l...>
Date: Sat Mar 8, 2003 2:17pm
Subject: Re: A little M51:o)))
Another beauty Etienne :-)
A question for you, Is the modified camera still good for planetary
work? ie can the exposure still be controlled in normal mode?
Cheers
Robin
--- In QCUIAG@yahoogroups.com, "SARL Bonduelle etCie" <bondumaj@w...>
wrote:
> Hi all :o)
>
> Still on the clear night of 2003/03 the 6, M51 with la VP-SC3.2
color and
> the FS-102 with 0.33 reducer and IRB Filter...
> 52x60seconds with 80% gain.
> Processing under Iris, PSP7 (curves and shaded layers) and
Loreal :o)
>
> A little surprise, in the lower right corner, IC 4263, little
galaxie of
> 15.73Mag in PGC catalog :o)))
>
> Regards,
> Etienne :o)
>
> Site astro perso : http://www.astrosurf.com/astrobond/
Message #: 39847 - Thread #: 39748
From: Antonio Fernández <afernan10@w...>
Date: Sun Mar 9, 2003 9:10am
Subject: Re: Another SC3 up and running
Hi Juergen,
this is a picture of the three board cam, I have
blurred the SC 3 part of the mod to comply with Steve's terms.
antonio
---------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Sat, 08 Mar 2003 12:21:25
-0000 From: Jürgen Lemke Subject: Re: Another SC3 up
and runningHello Antonio,could you show a picture of your three
board cam? I wait also for a 424
chip.Jurgen
Attachment 54k (image/jpeg) sc3_af_pub.jpg
Message #: 39848 - Thread #: -
From: Antonio Fernández <afernan10@w...>
Date: Sun Mar 9, 2003 9:18am
Subject: M42 imaged with SC3 B&W
Hi gang,
this is my first DSO
image with the SC3.
Other faint fuzzies I tried aren't worth to be
shared ;-)
cheers,
antonio
Antonio Fernández, EA4LE/KC2HAXea4le@amsat.orgwww.qsl.net/kc2hax
Attachment 6k (image/jpeg) m42_icx424.jpg
Message #: 39852 - Thread #: 39748
From: Antonio Fernández <afernan10@w...>
Date: Sun Mar 9, 2003 9:37am
Subject: Re: Another SC3 up and running
Hi Robin,
Thank you!
The ribbon lenght is about 8cm (3 inches). I have
posted a picture of the camera and a picture of m42.
I have seen some interference pattern after
stacking in Registax.
I am attaching two raw frames (extracted from the
avi with K3 CCD tools) one in long exposure mode and the other streaming for
your perousal.
antonio
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Sat, 08 Mar 2003 13:33:50
-0000 From: "niborl2000"
Re: Another SC3 up and runningHi Antonio and congratulationsThis
sounds a good solution to the chip changing problem. How long is your ribbon
cable? Do you see any interference pattern problems? Any chance of posting a
picture of it?ThanksRobin
Antonio Fernández, EA4LE/KC2HAXea4le@amsat.orgwww.qsl.net/kc2hax
Attachment 24k (image/jpeg) raw frame lx.jpgAttachment 10k (image/jpeg) raw frame stream.jpg
Message #: 39857 - Thread #: 39748
From: niborl2000 <robin@l...>
Date: Sun Mar 9, 2003 10:08am
Subject: Re: Another SC3 up and running
Hi Antonio,
It does not look too bad to me, even with the length of cable. The
single frame of the moon is beautiful - It answers my question to
Etienne about using the mod as a planet camera too. Very encouraging
73
Robin (G8DVW)
--- In QCUIAG@yahoogroups.com, Antonio Fernández <afernan10@w...>
wrote:
> Hi Robin,
> Thank you!
> The ribbon lenght is about 8cm (3 inches). I have posted a picture
of the camera and a picture of m42.
> I have seen some interference pattern after stacking in Registax.
> I am attaching two raw frames (extracted from the avi with K3 CCD
tools) one in long exposure mode and the other streaming for your
perousal.
> antonio
>
>
> --------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------
> Date: Sat, 08 Mar 2003 13:33:50 -0000
> From: "niborl2000" <robin@l...>
> Subject: Re: Another SC3 up and running
>
> Hi Antonio and congratulations
>
> This sounds a good solution to the chip changing problem. How long
is
> your ribbon cable? Do you see any interference pattern problems?
Any
> chance of posting a picture of it?
>
> Thanks
> Robin
>
>
> Antonio Fernández, EA4LE/KC2HAX
> ea4le@a...
> www.qsl.net/kc2hax
Message #: 39889 - Thread #: -
From: Pete Langsford <lansma@s...>
Date: Sun Mar 9, 2003 8:09pm
Subject: Which webcams can take the ICX424 mod?
I see all the current enthusiasm about the ICX424 mod, or SC3 mod, but a search of the archives did not help me
answer this question: Which webcams can be modified with this chip?
Thank you.
Peter
Message #: 39899 - Thread #: 39748
From: michael_slusarek <michael.slusarek@u...>
Date: Mon Mar 10, 2003 0:35am
Subject: Re: Another SC3 up and running
Hello Antonio,
good to see that you have been successfull with your mod.
One suggestion: think about modifying another ToUCam for the colour
version instead of replacing the bw and the colour chip multiple
times. You avoid damaging the cam (what can happen that will happen!)
and you are able to 'seal' the ccd so that no dust can reach it.
'Never change a running system' ! is true even here.
btw. I would expect the colour version to be more prone to
interferences due to the long lines. I had some problems with
diagonal bands with the 098 that were gone after the preplacement
with the 424.
good luck
michael
Message #: 39938 - Thread #: -
From: Steve Chambers <smunch@c...>
Date: Mon Mar 10, 2003 9:52am
Subject: OT- Survey
Hello All
You may remember a sky survey I was setting up a few months ago. Well its
been busy collecting some 6Gb of data over the last few months and is
turning up some interesting observations
http://www.sky-survey.com/results.htm . I have compiled some lists or stars
apparently behaving strangely on http://www.sky-survey.com/inter.htm
If anyone fancies a new challenge for their webcams (or ST10's for that
matter) checking up on these stars could be fun.
Grzegorz Koralewski has written a good article on measuring variability on
http://sus.univ.szczecin.pl/~ecliptic/vesta3en.htm
Also there is now a yahoo group to go with the survey
www.yahoogroups.com\group\PMDO Its not quite as busy as QCUIAG but if you
would like get in to variables please join in.
Steve
PS those who have got the SC3 files will have already used the survey PC.
As I have been giving the survey an overhaul the distribution of the SC3
stuff has been somewhat erratic. Sorry for this and especially to the two
people who go caught in a programming loop and I accidentally spamed! From
this moment on things will work faultlessly :)
Message #: 39946 - Thread #: 39739
From: Bonduelle Etienne <bondumaj@w...>
Date: Mon Mar 10, 2003 10:52am
Subject: Re: A little M51:o)))
Thank's a lot Robin ;o)
Yes the webcam is fully functionnal with the 424 in the SC3.2 mod...,
i also make some AVI for a 3 pictures moon mosaic in "normal use",
i'll try to send you that tomorrow :o)
Regards,
Etienne ;o)
Message #: 39964 - Thread #: -
From: Antonio Fernández <afernan10@w...>
Date: Mon Mar 10, 2003 2:12pm
Subject: Yet another m42-m43 with SC3.2
Dear friends,
Sunday night was my second session with the SC3.2.
I got decent polar alignment (one minute, no guiding) and a lot of light
pollution.
The polar alignment is a variable and the LP a
constant ;-)
Anyway, I tried some DSOs starting with the best
S/N ratio DSO. Guess what? M42/43
I have been playing around with the avis captured
with K3 CCD, in Registax, iMerge (Great soft Jon!) and PSP and the attachment is
the outcome.
I am going to check if I can rescue anything from
the other raw frames, there should be some M81 signals buried in the LP noise
;-)
cheers,
antonio
p.s. I have seen some comments in the list about
Framos prices. The CCD prices seems reasonable to me, specially if I compare to
what I paid for the TC245 in my cookbook ($150 back in 1997), but their extra
charges (bank & shipping) are expensive, I even had to pay bank charges not
only to them but also to my bank :-(. After all charges the cost of the two CCDs
was roughly 300 euro.
Antonio Fernández, EA4LE/KC2HAXea4le@amsat.orgwww.qsl.net/kc2hax
Attachment 42k (image/jpeg) m42-43-icx424al.JPG
Message #: 40021 - Thread #: 39964
From: pbuglassuk <paul.buglass@b...>
Date: Tue Mar 11, 2003 10:04am
Subject: Re: Yet another m42-m43 with SC3.2
Great Image Antonio !!!
Makes it seem well worth those bank charges and shipping costs for
the ICX424 ;-)
Best wishes.
/Paul B, York, UK.
--- In QCUIAG@yahoogroups.com, Antonio Fernández <afernan10@w...>
wrote:
> Dear friends,
> Sunday night was my second session with the SC3.2. I got decent
polar alignment (one minute, no guiding) and a lot of light pollution.
> The polar alignment is a variable and the LP a constant ;-)
> Anyway, I tried some DSOs starting with the best S/N ratio DSO.
Guess what? M42/43
> I have been playing around with the avis captured with K3 CCD, in
Registax, iMerge (Great soft Jon!) and PSP and the attachment is the
outcome.
> I am going to check if I can rescue anything from the other raw
frames, there should be some M81 signals buried in the LP noise ;-)
> cheers,
> antonio
>
> p.s. I have seen some comments in the list about Framos prices. The
CCD prices seems reasonable to me, specially if I compare to what I
paid for the TC245 in my cookbook ($150 back in 1997), but their
extra charges (bank & shipping) are expensive, I even had to pay bank
charges not only to them but also to my bank :-(. After all charges
the cost of the two CCDs was roughly 300 euro.
>
> Antonio Fernández, EA4LE/KC2HAX
> ea4le@a...
> www.qsl.net/kc2hax
Message #: 40065 - Thread #: 39964
From: Antonio Fernandez <afernan10@w...>
Date: Wed Mar 12, 2003 1:44am
Subject: Re: Yet another m42-m43 with SC3.2
Thank you Paul!!!
Yeah, it is well worth. I really enjoy the "soldering iron" and the
challenges presented by the "unconventional" equipment.
I do not really think that financials are the key driver behind DIY,
with the money I and probably many others in this list have spent in
DIY CCD astrophotography we could have decent off-the-shelve
astrocameras but not so much fun ;-)
Think about the anxiety that produces the first light test when you
do or modify on your own and the pleasure you feel when you see it
working... If this happens to me, just a poor follower, the pleasure
should be huge, I guess, for the innovators that start from scratch.
cheers,
antonio
If I do the financials of m
Message #: 40071 - Thread #: -
From: SARL Bonduelle etCie <bondumaj@w...>
Date: Wed Mar 12, 2003 3:05am
Subject: Test 424 on the Moon...
Hi Robin :o)
If i remember well, you asked me about the "standard" use of the 424...
Here is the mosaic of 3 avi i made on March th 6 :o)
Not really good because of a not a all steady sky, but this is Ok for
planetary pictures too ;o)
(mosaic of 3 pictures at prime focus of my FS-102 4" refractor with the
SC3.2 mod and 424 color CCD)
Regards,
Etienne :o)
Site astro perso : http://www.astrosurf.com/astrobond/
Attachment 35k (image/jpeg) EBfslune060303.jpg
Message #: 40080 - Thread #: 40071
From: niborl2000 <robin@l...>
Date: Wed Mar 12, 2003 4:15am
Subject: Re: Test 424 on the Moon...
Thanks Etienne,
It looks like I am running out of excuses not to take the soldering
iron to my Vesta ;-)
clear Skies
Robin
--- In QCUIAG@yahoogroups.com, "SARL Bonduelle etCie" <bondumaj@w...>
wrote:
> Hi Robin :o)
>
> If i remember well, you asked me about the "standard" use of the
424...
>
> Here is the mosaic of 3 avi i made on March th 6 :o)
>
> Not really good because of a not a all steady sky, but this is Ok
for
> planetary pictures too ;o)
>
> (mosaic of 3 pictures at prime focus of my FS-102 4" refractor with
the
> SC3.2 mod and 424 color CCD)
>
> Regards,
> Etienne :o)
>
> Site astro perso : http://www.astrosurf.com/astrobond/
Message #: 40210 - Thread #: 40202
From: Steve Chambers <smunch@c...>
Date: Fri Mar 14, 2003 5:19am
Subject: RE: M101 icx424 NB :o)))
Hello,
Yet another splendid picture and of a tricky object!
Its good to see you are giving the B/W ccd a test even with the moon.
But you find the CCD is too sensitive and you have to lower the gain :)
It's kind of funny that we have cameras with more sensitivity than we can
use. Of course if the ADC had more resolution if would make taking pictures
on moonlit nights or from light polluted skies much easier. I have some
plans for a 12+ bit SC4 which might be interesting, though don't expected
the expected ;o)
I had a quick go at some windowsill astronomy last night but was beaten by
both moon and clouds. The best of an average bunch is here
http://home.clara.net/smunch/del/cloud1.jpg
40x1sec SC3.2 Toucam 7mm Fl lens.
Steve
Message #: 40228 - Thread #: -
From: Arne Rodemer <arne.rodemer@g...>
Date: Fri Mar 14, 2003 9:37am
Subject: M3, M101 & M51 with 424AL : the dark side of the moon...
Hi All,
after a week with bad weather (which can be very long with a working
SC3-cam) I had clear skies...and a very bright moon. Ok, lets take some
deep-sky images. My first target was the galaxy-group around NGC3190. 45
seconds later I had an absolutely white image on my screen. I had really
no idea why. I rebooted my PC, searched for forgotten lamps in the
telescope but found nothing. (i really did that, no joke!!!)
You know it was the moon, with my ToUcam-SC1 i had less probems like
that ;-).
Ok, I had no chance to capture these faint fuzzies, so i decided to try
a globular cluster, M3 of course... I made many images with different
exposure times from 5-25s to get some structures in the center as well
as the outer regions. This camera is not made for clusters, they are too
bright ;-)
The next target was M51. I think i reached 2 magnitudes less than in my
M81 image. I did about 100 exposures at the maximum useful exposure time
(30s) because i forgot that there is a slider to lower the gain :-(
Thank you Etienne, you opened my eyes in your M101-posting.
M101 was the next target, same settings as M51, but i wasn't able to get
more details, the sky was too bright.
Etienne, have you used a moon filer? Where can i buy it? ;-)))
best regards and 100 clear nights without moon this year
Arne
http://drklahn.de.vu/astropix
Attachment 19k (image/jpeg) m51_20030313.jpgAttachment 41k (image/jpeg) m3_20030313.jpgAttachment 26k (image/jpeg) m101_20030313.jpg
Message #: 40437 - Thread #: -
From: Jim Thommes <jthommes@n...>
Date: Sun Mar 16, 2003 4:56pm
Subject: Central California and 101
All,
Sorry for the play on words in the subject line - I
couldn't resist. For those non-Californians who are confused, There is a popular
highway in central California - HWY101.
My last trip to the desert for dark skies, I took
some images. I have attached 2 here. One is the central area of the California
Nebula (NGC1499) and the other is M101. Both were taken with the little 80mm f/5
refractor. I use it for wide fields usually with focal reducers. The California
Nebula is too big without a mosaic effort and it just takes too long to get the
nebulosity for all the frames needed for a mosaic so I got lazy and shot the
central area only.
For M101, I stuck with the 80mm f/5 at prime focus
- which in hindsight was a bad choice. I should have switched to my larger 127
Maksutov, but I was not displeased with the image given the scope was the little
80mm.
Both shots were manually guided. Camera was Vesta
690 SC1.5 - cooled the poorman's way with ice.
NGC1499 - 8x200sec H-Alpha filter, 12x60 sec IR
filter captured and stacked in K3CCDTools. H-Alpha and red combined in
astroart and RGB combined (some low pass and unsharp mask - maybe oversharpend a
bit). Touchup in Photoshop.
M101 - 8x220 sec IR filter captured and
stacked in K3CCDTools. RGB combined in astroart (some low pass and
unsharp mask). Pulled this into Registax for enhancement only and liked what I
saw, then touchup in Photoshop.
OK, I am really ready for the SC3 with the ICX424
mod so I can cut some of these exposure times down.
Jim Thommes
Attachment 53k (image/jpeg) CalNeb_ST80FR45_IRHA_2.jpgAttachment 44k (image/jpeg) M101_ST80PF_IR_REG_Lor.jpg
Message #: 40478 - Thread #: -
From: Steve Chambers <smunch@c...>
Date: Mon Mar 17, 2003 9:25am
Subject: Saturday night at the movies - Jupiter
Hello,
I spent Saturday night walking up and down the garden taking pictures of
Jupiter ever 20 min.
Toucam pro IR filter x2 Barlow on 20" f3.8 reflector. Each picture was 500
frames stacked with registax. Attached is one of the best showing Europa at
egress and its shadow still on the disk.
The full movie is in a 400Kb zip on
http://home.clara.net/smunch/del/movie.zip
Also in the zip is a time-lapse vid of my dome and sky at the same time.
The moon was too bright for this to really work but I will try again. This
vid was taken using the SC3.2 and a 7mm lens and astrovideo. Its called
moon crash but the moon didn't hit the earth it just set at dawn giving this
effect!!!
Hope you like the Jupiter because I am not sure how much better I can do
with out moving abroad :)
Steve
Attachment 7k (image/jpeg) jup.jpg
Message #: 40479 - Thread #: 40478
From: A. Edwards <are@t...>
Date: Mon Mar 17, 2003 9:30am
Subject: Re: Saturday night at the movies - Jupiter
Steve Chambers said
> Hello,
>
> I spent Saturday night walking up and down the garden taking pictures
> of
> Jupiter ever 20 min.
>
> Toucam pro IR filter x2 Barlow on 20" f3.8 reflector. Each picture
> was 500
> frames stacked with registax. Attached is one of the best showing
> Europa at
> egress and its shadow still on the disk.
>
> The full movie is in a 400Kb zip on
> http://home.clara.net/smunch/del/movie.zip
>
> Also in the zip is a time-lapse vid of my dome and sky at the same
> time.
> The moon was too bright for this to really work but I will try again.
> This
> vid was taken using the SC3.2 and a 7mm lens and astrovideo. Its
> called
> moon crash but the moon didn't hit the earth it just set at dawn
> giving this
> effect!!!
>
Cool - even shows the dome following Jupiter :O)
Aik
--
52:30:25N, 1:17:51E
Message #: 40781 - Thread #: ?
From: Antonio Fernández <afernan10@w...>
Date: Sat Mar 22, 2003 1:42am
Subject: Re: Webcam Autoguiding Assistance Please.
Hi Roberto,
I had (and still have) the same plans as you. In
fact I started toying with webcams in search of a cheap a guiding
solution for my CB245... and had so much fun that I still stay play around with
the webcams and do not use the CB too much ;-)
Recomendation is: use a webcam CCD based (not a
CMOS) and modify it for long exposure (SC1 mod, http://home.clara.net/smunch/wvest1.htm).
I use a modified SC1 Toucam Pro.
Another option is to
replace the stock ICX098bq color CCD chip (found in some CCD based webcams) by a
more sensitive monochrome ICX424al (this is the SC3 mod). I did this
also.
If you just plan to guide with this camera, this
all you may need. However, doing the SC1 mod in addition to the SC3 (so you
camera becomes a SC3.2 ;-)) gives you the best combination: higher
sensitivity and long exposure. Well... and a camera that in some aspects may
compete with your SL MX :-))). Don't belive me? Check Etienne Bonduelle's
site!
Then how to guide: Astroart and Astrosnap and
others will allow you to guide sending software commands directly to the LX-200
computer or if you have a CCD port (an ST4-like guiding port, I think this
standard in the LX200) you can do the Bonduelle interface (http://www.astrosurf.com/astrobond/eblxinge.htm),
I have built one and works fine (at least in indoors testing). Still not
tested outdoors... because everytime I had intended to do it I ended just
taking pics with the SC3.2 as I had not many clear nigths lately
:-)
Hope this helps,
antonio
Antonio Fernández, EA4LE/KC2HAXea4le@amsat.orgwww.qsl.net/kc2hax
> --- In QCUIAG@yahoogroups.com, "Roberto
Botero"
wrote:> > Hi All> > > > Just wondering if I could
get some advice from the group. > > > > I am thinking
about using a modified webcam as a guider for my 8in > >
LX200. I am looking for something that would reach mag 8 or 9 in a
> > 2sec exposure (if this is possible with modified webcams) -
forgive > > me, I am a complete novice to this topic. I
think I have the > > software already (AstroArt or Vega which come
with drivers for > video > > cameras and can send commands to
my LX200). > > > > I currently use a CCD camera that has
autoguider capability > > (Starlight-Xpress MX series - same chip
reads just half its > surface) > > but in return I get only 50%
of the camera's sensitivity. I was > > thinking about purchasing
a Mintron security camera (0.0001 lux) > but > > I reckon that
you guys have done so much with modified webcams that > > there is
a better way already.> > > > Any help, tips, links, etc
greatly appreciated!!> > > > Regards> > >
> > > Roberto
Message #: 40785 - Thread #: -
From: Arne Rodemer <arne.rodemer@g...>
Date: Sat Mar 22, 2003 6:37am
Subject: SC3-image: NGC3190 and friends
Hi All!
some time ago Peter Vasey has posted the
"challenge" to capture the Hickson44
galaxy-group with a webcam.
My last attempt on this object failed due
to the moonlight, but now i got it :-)
NGC 3187, 3190 and 3193 fits nice in the FOV,
but NGC3185 was a bit too far away :-(
The camera was the Vesta-SC3 with ICX424AL
CCD sensor, the telescope a 8"f/5
Synta Newton on an EQ5 mount.
I hope you like it...
best regards
Arne
http://www.drklahn.de.vu/astropix
Attachment 37k (image/jpeg) hickson44.jpg
Message #: 40790 - Thread #: ?
From: Roberto Botero <rbrrobledo@y...>
Date: Sat Mar 22, 2003 9:19am
Subject: Re: Webcam Autoguiding Assistance Please.
Thanks for the info Antonio!
I also built a CB245 some years ago but sold it to buy my
LX200...should have kept it to use it as a guider...
That solution about the chip interchange sounds interesting. I'll
read more into it.
Thanks again
Roberto
--- In QCUIAG@yahoogroups.com, Antonio Fernández <afernan10@w...>
wrote:
> Hi Roberto,
> I had (and still have) the same plans as you. In fact I started
toying with webcams in search of a cheap a guiding solution for my
CB245... and had so much fun that I still stay play around with the
webcams and do not use the CB too much ;-)
> Recomendation is: use a webcam CCD based (not a CMOS) and modify
it for long exposure (SC1 mod,
http://home.clara.net/smunch/wvest1.htm). I use a modified SC1
Toucam Pro.
> Another option is to replace the stock ICX098bq color CCD chip
(found in some CCD based webcams) by a more sensitive monochrome
ICX424al (this is the SC3 mod). I did this also.
> If you just plan to guide with this camera, this all you may need.
However, doing the SC1 mod in addition to the SC3 (so you camera
becomes a SC3.2 ;-)) gives you the best combination: higher
sensitivity and long exposure. Well... and a camera that in some
aspects may compete with your SL MX :-))). Don't belive me? Check
Etienne Bonduelle's site!
> Then how to guide: Astroart and Astrosnap and others will allow
you to guide sending software commands directly to the LX-200
computer or if you have a CCD port (an ST4-like guiding port, I
think this standard in the LX200) you can do the Bonduelle interface
(http://www.astrosurf.com/astrobond/eblxinge.htm), I have built one
and works fine (at least in indoors testing). Still not tested
outdoors... because everytime I had intended to do it I ended just
taking pics with the SC3.2 as I had not many clear nigths lately :-)
> Hope this helps,
> antonio
>
> Antonio Fernández, EA4LE/KC2HAX
> ea4le@a...
> www.qsl.net/kc2hax
>
>
> > --- In QCUIAG@yahoogroups.com, "Roberto Botero"
<rbrrobledo@y...>
Message #: 40808 - Thread #: 40785
From: neuteronstar <petevasey@b...>
Date: Sun Mar 23, 2003 4:03am
Subject: Re: SC3-image: NGC3190 and friends
Well done, Arne. Nice contrasty image with the dust lane in 3190
clear and crisp. I didn't know it was called the Hickson 44 group -
we learn something new every day!
Any more for any more :-)) (I'm at COAA next week - I'll have a go
with one of the big 'scopes, but cheat and use my MX716! I'd take my
webcam as well, honest, but I suspect I'll run out of baggage
allowance long before then!)
Claer Skies, Peter.
Message #: 40809 - Thread #: -
From: Greg Beeke <greg.beeke@b...>
Date: Sun Mar 23, 2003 5:14am
Subject: M101 and a Black Eye
Last night was once of the best imaging sessions I
can remember. I thought I'd share this image of M101 to serve a
comparison with the SC3. Cooled TouCam Sc1 BW with IRB, 23x60s, captured
in K3CCDTools, prcocessed in IRIS, and tweaked in Photoshop.
The second image, the Black Eye Galaxy, M64 has a
streak across it. I think that this is caused by the inernal reflection
from a nearby bright star. I only get this problem at f3.3 with the
LX200. Does anyone have a suggestion for reducing these
reflections?
Cheers
Greg
52N6 1W22www.greg.beeke.btinternet.co.uk
Attachment 26k (image/jpeg) m101_2003_03_22.jpgAttachment 4k (image/jpeg) m64_2003_03_22.jpg
Message #: 40988 - Thread #: ?
From: niborl2000 <robin@l...>
Date: Wed Mar 26, 2003 2:32am
Subject: Re: M3 as seen by an ETX-90
Hi Mike,
Nice M3 :-) I remember my first Unconventional Image I took almost a
year ago now was of a globular (M13)
No need to defend small apertures, they work just fine. I have many
images taken with just a camera lense that the 8 inch scope could not
manage. Did you see the images Steve Chambers posted taken with his
tiny ETX70 and his SC3 at a club night recently? Truly amazing!
I am on the look out for a cheap ETX90 to take on holidays for
imaging. I have seen RA versions selling in the US for only $170 but
they are so much more expensive here :-(
Clear Skies
Robin
http://www.leadbeaterhome.fsnet.co.uk/astro.htm
Message #: 41003 - Thread #: 40992
From: Ashley Roeckelein <ashley@a...>
Date: Wed Mar 26, 2003 8:33am
Subject: Re: a "little" M51 :o>
Hi Etienne,
A marvelous and truly stunning image (as were your recent prior postings).
Another "fall off the chair" result - you should be very happy! I hope to
compete with you soon (just assembled a cooled SC3.2 - it works! 8^)) but
will have to aquire some color filters and bone-up on LRVB method for the
beautiful colors.
Clear skies!
-ash
http://astro.ai-software.com/
Message #: 41006 - Thread #: 40992
From: Bonduelle Etienne <bondumaj@w...>
Date: Wed Mar 26, 2003 9:02am
Subject: Re: a "little" M51 :o>
Thank's a lot Ashley :o)))
I'm sure you will have soon beautifull DSO pictures with your
SC3.2 !!!
Best Regards,
Etienne :o)
--- In QCUIAG@yahoogroups.com, "Ashley Roeckelein" <ashley@a...>
wrote:
> Hi Etienne,
>
> A marvelous and truly stunning image (as were your recent prior
postings).
> Another "fall off the chair" result - you should be very happy! I
hope to
> compete with you soon (just assembled a cooled SC3.2 - it works!
8^)) but
> will have to aquire some color filters and bone-up on LRVB method
for the
> beautiful colors.
>
> Clear skies!
> -ash
> http://astro.ai-software.com/
>
Message #: 41012 - Thread #: 40992
From: Tom Gwilym <tegwilym@a...>
Date: Wed Mar 26, 2003 10:46am
Subject: Re: a "little" M51 :o>
I'm not going to say anything.
I'll just end up complaining about my lack of SC3 parts, clouds,
Seattle....
:-(
(Tom picks himself up off the floor as usual after viewing th