Highlands Astro-Shack Observatory: Recently Added Galleries and Collections http://tegwilym.zenfolio.com/ en-us (C) Highlands Astro-Shack Observatory tegwilym@comcast.net (Highlands Astro-Shack Observatory) Thu, 29 Sep 2011 16:20:47 GMT Thu, 29 Sep 2011 16:20:47 GMT http://tegwilym.zenfolio.com/img/s8/v11/u393306669-50.jpg Highlands Astro-Shack Observatory: Recently Added Galleries and Collections http://tegwilym.zenfolio.com/ 120 90 ISS Images http://tegwilym.zenfolio.com/p1063322053

]]>How to do this yourself: Imaging the ISS and shuttle is actually fairly simple. Required gear and information:
  • Information on time and position of the pass over your location - Heavens Above web site.
  • Telescope - nothing fancy needed. You don't need to use the "GoTo" feature.
  • Simple webcam - I prefer the Philips Vesta Pro or ToUCam
  • Computer - something fast enough to take video from the webcam.
  • Preparation and patience - your first tries may not work!
  • AVI2BMP Software for later image separation from the .avi file.


Once you have all the basic gear, set it up well before the spacecraft come over. Give yourself enough time to set up and prepare the computer and telescope. Rushing this will just end up with nothing, a blurry image,or maybe even forget to start the computer recording! (I've done this many times)
  1. On camera software - Frames per Second: 10 - Brightness: 50% - Gain: 40% (may vary with aperture)
  2. Put mouse pointer on the start button of your recording software. Get ready!
  3. When station shows up on horizon, wait until it's about 30+ degrees high.
  4. Start recording.
  5. Hand-guide the scope keeping the bright station in the middle of the Telrad (preferred) circle.
  6. When station is overhead, knees and back must be bent in most painful position possible for best image!
  7. Stop recording when station is gone, low, behind tree or house.
  8. Play the resulting .avi video and see if station flashes through frames now and then.
  9. Separate good images using AVI2BMP software.
  10. Done! You've captured a spacecraft.

]]> tegwilym@comcast.net (Highlands Astro-Shack Observatory) ISS Images http://tegwilym.zenfolio.com/p1063322053 Thu, 29 Sep 2011 16:20:47 GMT Home-made 10 inch Dobsonian http://tegwilym.zenfolio.com/p132867253

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]]> tegwilym@comcast.net (Highlands Astro-Shack Observatory) Home-made 10 inch Dobsonian http://tegwilym.zenfolio.com/p132867253 Thu, 14 Jul 2011 03:24:44 GMT Galaxies http://tegwilym.zenfolio.com/p876616934

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]]> tegwilym@comcast.net (Highlands Astro-Shack Observatory) Galaxies http://tegwilym.zenfolio.com/p876616934 Mon, 27 Jun 2011 17:07:26 GMT Nebulae http://tegwilym.zenfolio.com/p917799693

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]]> tegwilym@comcast.net (Highlands Astro-Shack Observatory) Nebulae http://tegwilym.zenfolio.com/p917799693 Thu, 03 Feb 2011 07:10:45 GMT Observatory details http://tegwilym.zenfolio.com/p551207871

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]]> tegwilym@comcast.net (Highlands Astro-Shack Observatory) Observatory details http://tegwilym.zenfolio.com/p551207871 Sun, 28 Nov 2010 04:59:35 GMT Planets http://tegwilym.zenfolio.com/p785631986

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]]> tegwilym@comcast.net (Highlands Astro-Shack Observatory) Planets http://tegwilym.zenfolio.com/p785631986 Wed, 24 Nov 2010 18:31:56 GMT Comets http://tegwilym.zenfolio.com/p931131793

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]]> tegwilym@comcast.net (Highlands Astro-Shack Observatory) Comets http://tegwilym.zenfolio.com/p931131793 Mon, 04 Oct 2010 00:57:53 GMT Criterion RV-6 restoration http://tegwilym.zenfolio.com/p1069058305

]]>An old 60s vintage Criterion RV-6 was donated to our club a few years ago. I finally got around to restoring it, and these are a few photos of the work.

]]> tegwilym@comcast.net (Highlands Astro-Shack Observatory) Criterion RV-6 restoration http://tegwilym.zenfolio.com/p1069058305 Thu, 23 Sep 2010 06:57:33 GMT Full sky http://tegwilym.zenfolio.com/p453626671

]]>I don't do a whole lot of full sky views, but I'll try it now and then. Easy to do, just mount he camera on a polar aligned scope and let it go for a while. Here are a few of those images.

]]> tegwilym@comcast.net (Highlands Astro-Shack Observatory) Full sky http://tegwilym.zenfolio.com/p453626671 Fri, 20 Aug 2010 22:22:07 GMT Star Clusters http://tegwilym.zenfolio.com/p465591298

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]]> tegwilym@comcast.net (Highlands Astro-Shack Observatory) Star Clusters http://tegwilym.zenfolio.com/p465591298 Sat, 13 Mar 2010 18:09:10 GMT Asteroids http://tegwilym.zenfolio.com/p31490473

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]]> tegwilym@comcast.net (Highlands Astro-Shack Observatory) Asteroids http://tegwilym.zenfolio.com/p31490473 Sat, 13 Mar 2010 00:00:40 GMT