Planetary Photographs
Eyepiece projection
photographs
were taken with either an 8" LX200
or a 4" Astro-Physics Traveler refractor.
Planetary photography is
tough and requires good atmospheric conditions. Further, film
does not have the dynamic range of the human eye, and considerably
more can be discerned by eye than can be recorded on film.
Compare the photos of Jupiter
and Saturn taken with the 8" SCT and the 4" refractor.
Which do you prefer?
Venus
1/8" at f/100 on Fuji 200
8" SCT
Mars 1995
4 seconds at f/100 on Fuji 400
8" SCT
Jupiter 1993
2 seconds at f/120 on Fuji 200
8" LX200 SCT
Jupiter in October
1998
1 sec at f/100 on Fuji 200
4" Traveler refractor
Saturn in 1992
5 seconds at f/120 on Fuji 400
8" SCT
Saturn in 1998
3 seconds at f/120 on Fuji 200
4" refractor
Saturn in October 1995
rings are edge-on
4 seconds at f/100 on Fuji 400, 8" SCT
Jupiter
SL9 impacts visible
as dark spots at bottom of planet
2 seconds at f/120
on Fuji 400, 8" SCT
Sun
1/60" at f/13 on Gold 100
mylar solar filter
4" Traveler refractor
Sunspots
1/15" at f/120 on gold 200
mylar solar filter
4" refractor
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Copyright 1996,
Stephen Edmondson
All images and information are the sole property of Stephen Edmondson
and may not be reproduced or used in any form without prior written
permission.