ISS and STS-132 through an LX200

[Messierhunter]

Shot this video of the space station earlier tonight. Unfortunately it's overexposed during the peak of the pass since it's the first time I've used this camera for ISS tracking. Also had just reinstalled all my software so I forgot to reset the setting on the tracking software to LX200 classic instead of LX200 gps for the first half of the pass. Anyway, at least now I know what the proper exposure setting is for next time.
[ame="http://vimeo.com/11914242"]ISS and STS-132 5-20-10 on Vimeo[/ame]

 

[tblaxland]

Nice work, Messierhunter. As a matter of interest, what is the camera?

 

[Messierhunter]

The camera is definitely not your typical astronomy camera, in fact it's a security camera not designed for astronomy at all.
http://www.samsungcctv.com/prd/pro_view.asp?pro_uid=4682&cat_uid=14&cat_biz=ctv&cat_lev=AA
I bought it without a lens and bought a C-mount to t-thread/2" adapter to put it on the telescope at prime focus.

It's kind of like when amateurs discovered that ordinary webcams could be useful for planetary imaging, some amateurs have started to realize that new security cameras with built-in frame integration could be useful for deep sky video as well (basically as a poor man's mallincam, if you're familiar with that). I decided to buy a newer version of one that someone else had previously tested and got decent results with. Turns out the new version, the SDC-435, has a lot more sensitivity since it can expose for twice as long, but it's a regular video signal you can display with anything. I removed the IR blocking filter to increase hydrogen-alpha sensitivity and strapped a fan to it to reduce the thermal noise. It can do deep space, planetary, satellites, basically anything. The beauty of it all is that it's fairly cheap; I got mine for about $150. The only real disadvantage is that the controls are right on the back of the camera, so when you fiddle with them it shakes the telescope.

 

[tblaxland]

A great idea :thumbup:

The only real disadvantage is that the controls are right on the back of the camera, so when you fiddle with them it shakes the telescope.

Perhaps one of the newer IP cameras might be the way to go - control it through a web browser.

 

[Messierhunter]

Perhaps one of the newer IP cameras might be the way to go - control it through a web browser.

That's a strong possibility for the future. Here's one with IP control that has enough sensitivity in theory:
http://www.123securityproducts.com/snc-b2315.html?CS_003=691061&CS_010=snc-b2315
Mine has .0001 lux sensitivity at maximum sense-up and I wouldn't want to go below that. This one does beat that in B/W mode. It's out of my price range especially now that I've spent my money, but it's something I'll keep in mind for next time for sure. Thanks!

 

[Yoda]

Excellent job !!!

I'm in the process of trying to take avi files of the ISS with a Phillips SPC900 for the first time (have only taken stills up to this point).

Nice work.

 

[Orbinaut Pete]

Awesome!

 

[bwog]

I wish I had a telescope that could track stuff. There is a telescope in the basement somewhere, but the box says it includes a program that has requirements of a computer from 1992.

 

[Messierhunter]

Excellent job !!!

I'm in the process of trying to take avi files of the ISS with a Phillips SPC900 for the first time (have only taken stills up to this point).

Nice work.

Thanks! Your stills are pretty impressive, can't wait to see what you can do with the phillips webcam.

---------- Post added at 03:03 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:57 PM ----------

I wish I had a telescope that could track stuff. There is a telescope in the basement somewhere, but the box says it includes a program that has requirements of a computer from 1992.

Hand tracking is doable for some people, but my hands aren't nearly steady enough for that. This telescope's design and software dates all the way back to 1996; the key is having the ability to control it from an external computer using more advanced software. Newer LX200s have built-in satellite tracking ability, but I think Brent's program still works better for that purpose. With practice it's possible to use Brent's software to keep ISS in the view practically the whole time. I was a little rusty last night; up/down and left/right on the mouse don't necessarily correspond to those directions in the camera's view due to field rotation, and since it's crossing the sky very rapidly, field rotation is also very fast.

 

[bwog]

Hand tracking is doable for some people, but my hands aren't nearly steady enough for that. This telescope's design and software dates all the way back to 1996; the key is having the ability to control it from an external computer using more advanced software. Newer LX200s have built-in satellite tracking ability, but I think Brent's program still works better for that purpose. With practice it's possible to use Brent's software to keep ISS in the view practically the whole time. I was a little rusty last night; up/down and left/right on the mouse don't necessarily correspond to those directions in the camera's view due to field rotation, and since it's crossing the sky very rapidly, field rotation is also very fast.

I need a telescope that Stellarium can control, since you can have Stellarium track a certain object.