Re: Best way to photograph/image Mars


<scottupnorth@xxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:1177518498.510099.295310@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
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 there, Scott:

I'd recommend Celestron's NexImage Solar System Imager, which is meant for
planterary photography. You can get it from Amazon.com for $99.95. I
bought one a couple of months ago. Installation is easy, and it comes with
Registax 4.0 for processing of your images. It's camera is the equivalent
of a 5mm eyepiece, which should tell you what magnification to expect.

Your field of view will be narrow at that high a magnification (on my 3.5"
refractor I get 200x with the camera) so you willl either want to gradually
step up to that magnification while keeping your target centered (this is
what I currently do), or buy the NexImage Reducer Lens which Celestron
claims will increase your FOV at least two times. (I haven't bought this
yet, so I can't attest to the accuracy of the claim.) This is also
available at Amazon for $23.77.


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