Jupiter's Moons (XL H1 as telescope) at DVinfo.net

Chris Hurd · May 25th, 2006, 09:32 PM

Shot these with the 20x HD lens plus 1.6x extender. There was a bit of wind making a decent breeze, so I set OIS on even though mounted on sticks (after all there would be no panning, and zoom was already at full telephoto). Image #0508 was f/5.0 at 1/60th, 0db and does not show the moons, but is properly exposed for Jupiter's planetary disc (the yellowish color is just right). Image #0519 was f/5.0 at 1/4th, 0db. Planetary detail is completely lost, but clearly visible are Jupiter's four largest moons, Io, Callisto, Ganymede and Europa. The two focus assist features of the XL H1 were very useful for making these images!

Don't just look at the thumbnails; you gotta click on 'em to open them up as full-size images... and then view them at full size, 100% or 1:1 viewing size to see what I'm talking about here.

Chris Hurd · May 25th, 2006, 09:38 PM

If I had an even longer zoom, then it would have been possible to resolve Jupiter's major cloud bands. By the way, f/5.0 is the maximum aperture available with the 1.6x extender and 20x lens at full telephoto.

Craig Chartier · May 25th, 2006, 10:23 PM

Wow, I am really amazed at these images. I've gotta try this myself.

Chris Hurd · May 25th, 2006, 10:26 PM

Coming from you Craig, I really appreciate that. You might have better results with OIS off and a wind-free evening.

Pete Bauer · May 25th, 2006, 10:41 PM

Awesome, Chris! I wouldn't have thought a video camera would have that much reach. Mars and Saturn are currently evening stars in the Western sky...care to give them a go, too?

Chris Hurd · May 25th, 2006, 10:44 PM

Hmm, resolving Saturn's rings? Depends on their current declination relative to our POV, I guess... gotta research that before I drag the tripod out again... dang it, Pete, I was all set to call it a night until you posted.

*edit* oops, it's already set... will try tomorrow night, should be above the horizon for a few hours after sundown. As for Mars, I'll bet the color will shine, but I doubt it can resolve as a disc. We'll find out though!

Pete Bauer · May 25th, 2006, 11:10 PM

It'd be tough to top this one: http://skyandtelescope.com/observing...icle_297_1.asp

Here's a wiki on Saturn data: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aspects_of_Saturn

If you're interested, there are "opposing" waning and waxing crescent moons tomorrow and Saturday as well:

http://skyandtelescope.com/

In case you don't already have it bookmarked, S&T has quick links for a pretty slick Java sky chart, and an Almanac that shows upcoming ISS passes, among much more.

Well, I fell asleep on the sofa this evening which is why I'm awake now...but time to hit the rack.

Steven Dempsey · May 26th, 2006, 12:22 AM

Chris, that's awesome! I have the 1.6x extender and a 1.6x teleconverter I had modified by Century Optics (DVX to XLH1). There's lots of CA but hell, I should try the combo out on this....we haven't had a clear day in Seattle for a week now and it's not looking any better next week :(

Tim Follin · April 4th, 2007, 05:21 AM

Do you have the Canon 35mm adaptor? I bought one for the Xl1 years ago just for doing close-ups of the sun and moon, which I used with a 300mm still camera lens. But I found I had to shoot everything at f9.5 or higher to get a sharp image at full tele, so would that mean there'd be far too little light even with minimum shutter / max gain to make an image of Jupiter?

Bogdan Tyburczy · April 4th, 2007, 09:00 AM

That's what passion for videography means! Thanks Chris.
Do you do astrophotography too?

May 25th, 2006, 09:32 PM	#1
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,368 Images: 513	Jupiter's Moons (XL H1 as telescope) Shot these with the 20x HD lens plus 1.6x extender. There was a bit of wind making a decent breeze, so I set OIS on even though mounted on sticks (after all there would be no panning, and zoom was already at full telephoto). Image #0508 was f/5.0 at 1/60th, 0db and does not show the moons, but is properly exposed for Jupiter's planetary disc (the yellowish color is just right). Image #0519 was f/5.0 at 1/4th, 0db. Planetary detail is completely lost, but clearly visible are Jupiter's four largest moons, Io, Callisto, Ganymede and Europa. The two focus assist features of the XL H1 were very useful for making these images! Don't just look at the thumbnails; you gotta click on 'em to open them up as full-size images... and then view them at full size, 100% or 1:1 viewing size to see what I'm talking about here. Attached Thumbnails __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!

May 25th, 2006, 09:38 PM	#2
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,368 Images: 513	If I had an even longer zoom, then it would have been possible to resolve Jupiter's major cloud bands. By the way, f/5.0 is the maximum aperture available with the 1.6x extender and 20x lens at full telephoto. __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!

May 25th, 2006, 10:26 PM	#4
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,368 Images: 513	Coming from you Craig, I really appreciate that. You might have better results with OIS off and a wind-free evening. __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!

May 25th, 2006, 10:41 PM	#5
Pete Bauer Wrangler Join Date: May 2003 Location: Eagle River, AK Posts: 4,100	Awesome, Chris! I wouldn't have thought a video camera would have that much reach. Mars and Saturn are currently evening stars in the Western sky...care to give them a go, too? __________________ Pete Bauer The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and science. Albert Einstein Trying to solve a DV mystery? You may find the answer behind the SEARCH function ... or be able to join a discussion already in progress!

May 25th, 2006, 10:44 PM	#6
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,368 Images: 513	Hmm, resolving Saturn's rings? Depends on their current declination relative to our POV, I guess... gotta research that before I drag the tripod out again... dang it, Pete, I was all set to call it a night until you posted. edit oops, it's already set... will try tomorrow night, should be above the horizon for a few hours after sundown. As for Mars, I'll bet the color will shine, but I doubt it can resolve as a disc. We'll find out though! __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!

May 25th, 2006, 10:23 PM	#3
Craig Chartier DVi Contributor Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Austin Texas Posts: 374	Wow, I am really amazed at these images. I've gotta try this myself.

May 25th, 2006, 11:10 PM	#7
Pete Bauer Wrangler Join Date: May 2003 Location: Eagle River, AK Posts: 4,100	It'd be tough to top this one: http://skyandtelescope.com/observing...icle_297_1.asp Here's a wiki on Saturn data: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aspects_of_Saturn If you're interested, there are "opposing" waning and waxing crescent moons tomorrow and Saturday as well: http://skyandtelescope.com/ In case you don't already have it bookmarked, S&T has quick links for a pretty slick Java sky chart, and an Almanac that shows upcoming ISS passes, among much more. Well, I fell asleep on the sofa this evening which is why I'm awake now...but time to hit the rack. __________________ Pete Bauer The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and science. Albert Einstein Trying to solve a DV mystery? You may find the answer behind the SEARCH function ... or be able to join a discussion already in progress!

May 26th, 2006, 12:22 AM	#8
Steven Dempsey Disjecta Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Seattle, Washington Posts: 937	Chris, that's awesome! I have the 1.6x extender and a 1.6x teleconverter I had modified by Century Optics (DVX to XLH1). There's lots of CA but hell, I should try the combo out on this....we haven't had a clear day in Seattle for a week now and it's not looking any better next week :(

April 4th, 2007, 05:21 AM	#9
Tim Follin New Boot Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: MANCHESTER, UK Posts: 15	Do you have the Canon 35mm adaptor? I bought one for the Xl1 years ago just for doing close-ups of the sun and moon, which I used with a 300mm still camera lens. But I found I had to shoot everything at f9.5 or higher to get a sharp image at full tele, so would that mean there'd be far too little light even with minimum shutter / max gain to make an image of Jupiter?

April 4th, 2007, 09:00 AM	#10
Bogdan Tyburczy Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Brooklyn Posts: 161	That's what passion for videography means! Thanks Chris. Do you do astrophotography too?