Re: Best way to photograph/image Mars

scottupnorth@xxxxxxxxx wrote:
Hello Group,

During the last Mars opposition I was able to take some digital photos
of Mars by coupling my Canon Powershot non-SLR camera to the eyepiece
using a bracket designed for this purpose.

For this next opposition I would like to get better photo/images than
just single exposure photos. I am looking for advice as to what
system/camera I should try.

Here are some of my constraints:

I have an equatorial tracking mount for the 4" refractor I'll be
using. I am anticipating a trip to Phoenix over x-mas so my travel
setup will be limited to an alt-az mount (no tracking). It would be
nice if I could collect several images of Mars before it drifts out of
my field of view while using the alt-az mount on this trip.

I have a laptop.

Right off I am not interested in buying a digital SLR....although
perhaps the cost of a system may approach the cost of a digital SLR
which may make it the best option.

I was looking at Meade's DSI pro cameras. Would they work for me?
Does anyone have any suggesions? I have a feeling that there is no
"best" solution......but whatever I come up with here may be of some
help to others.

I also don't want to sink too much money into this effort and my time
is limited.....I just would like to get a couple pictures of Mars that
are better than what I acheived last year.

Thanks in advance,
Scott

Hi Scott,

If you will be taking your laptop with you, I would think your best bet is to buy yourself something like a Philips web cam, a 1.25" adaptor and some software for processing. You total outlay would be quite small in comparison to a Meade DSI, which is aimed at deep sky work and not really ideal for planetary work.

Regards,
John.
.

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