Astro-Images

(click image to view & discuss)	Moon Feature-àà"Straight Wall" Taken 25 May '07 with a to-u-cam and Tak FS-128 from Westford.  The straight wall,  "Rupes Recta"  is slightly above the doublet crater at bottom center of this picture and a little below a similar sized crater. Submitted by John Blomquist on 05/27/2007 16:14:54
(click image to view & discuss)	Ptolemaeus Ptolemaeus is the largest crater (top center) in the chain shown in this image.  This was taken with a To-U-Cam and a Tak. FS-128 using eyepiece projection through a Nagler 9mm eyepiece. Submitted by John Blomquist on 06/12/2007 06:48:21
(click image to view & discuss)	M-42 One of my first attempts at astro-photography.  Taken with a Televue Genesis, 4", and a Hassleblad 6x6 camera body modified to accept a Nikkor 21mm lens reversed.  Camera was guided using an SBIG ST-4 autoguider. Kodak ISO 800 medium format professional film recorded the picture which was exposed for about 45 min. Submitted by John Blomquist on 06/28/2007 04:24:13
(click image to view & discuss)	Jupiter- "Transit of Europa" Yes,,,this is a shadow transit.  Europa has already moved off the edge of Jupiter when this picture was taken. Submitted by John Blomquist on 07/13/2007 11:48:08
(click image to view & discuss)	Jupiter from Westford, 16 July 07 Jupiter with Io and Callisto nearby as well as the transiting GRS.  Not the best night for pictures but not all that bad. Submitted by John Blomquist on 07/17/2007 14:01:46
(click image to view & discuss)	17P Holmes  Nov. 11,  2007. Taken at the club on Veterans day with a Tak. FS-128 and an SBIG 2000XCM camera. 10 x 30 sec. images aligned and combined in ccd-soft-5 and color processed in ccd-ops. Color balance and levels in photoshop. Submitted by John Blomquist on 11/12/2007 15:36:31
(click image to view & discuss)	First Light with Canon 5D-Mk-1 Taken at the club 17 Aug., '08 in spite of the full moon and the dampness. Taken with a Canon 5D-Mk-1 camera and a Tak. FS-128 f-8. 20 x 20sec.subs were processed in Images Plus with cropping and enlargement in photoshop.  First attempt at a deep sky image with this camera. Submitted by John Blomquist on 08/18/2008 18:15:11
(click image to view & discuss)	M-13 (first light)ààFull Frame Same as the first but without enlarging and cropping for comparison. Canon 5D,  20 x 20sec. subs., processed in Images Plus. Levels and unsharp mask in Photoshop. Submitted by John Blomquist on 08/19/2008 09:00:13
(click image to view & discuss)	Perseus Double Cluster Taken 19 Aug. 2008 under a waning moon. Canon 5D camera and Tak.  FS-128 used in imaging. 30x10sec. subs were combined in Images Plus with unsharp masking and minimal enhancement in photoshop. Submitted by John Blomquist on 08/20/2008 14:16:41
(click image to view & discuss)	M-57 Enlargement Tak. FS-128 and Canon 5D for imaging 30x50sec. subs. Images processed and combined in Images Plus. Enlarging,cropping and unsharp mask in Photoshop. Submitted by John Blomquist on 08/20/2008 14:23:48
(click image to view & discuss)	M-27ààThe "Dumbell" Nebula Taken in Westford on Aug. 22, '08 with a Tak. FS-128 and a Canon 5D camera. 45 x 90 sec. subs were aligned and combined in Images Plus. Levels and contrast adjusted in Photoshop. Submitted by John Blomquist on 08/24/2008 21:02:15
(click image to view & discuss)	M-42, and The Running Man Nebula Photo taken from Westford on 10 Sept. 08 under a bright waxing moon. Canon 5D camera and Tak. FS-128, guided with St-2000XCM 20x60sec. and 20x35sec subs were processed/aligned/combined in Images Plus with unsharp mask and levels adjusted in PhotoShop. Submitted by John Blomquist on 09/11/2008 15:49:35
(click image to view & discuss)	Andromeda Taken 10 Sept 08 from Westford under a bright moon with a Tak. FS-128 scope. A series of 25 x 200sec. subs. were aligned and combined in Images Plus with some unsharp mask and levels adjustment in photo shop. Submitted by John Blomquist on 09/13/2008 09:21:22
(click image to view & discuss)	M-1à à Crab Nebula Taken 10 Sept at the club with a Canon 5D camera and a Tak FS-128. In spite of a waxing moon, 20x150sec. subs. were taken then combined/aligned in Images Plus.  Unsharp mask, enlargement/cropping,and levels adjusted in photoshop. Submitted by John Blomquist on 09/13/2008 10:04:59
(click image to view & discuss)	M-42 and Running Man Nebulaàà(Re-do) Went out at the club in the early hours of the 7th of Oct. 08 and took longer exposures of M-42.  This photo is a combination of 47x65 Sec. subs. combined/aligned and added in Images Plus.  Some unsharp mask in PhotoShop as well as some levels adjustment. Tak.  FS-128 at F-8 and Canon 5D, modified. Submitted by John Blomquist on 10/13/2008 11:49:18
(click image to view & discuss)	April Moon I took this image on film sometime around 2004 then digitized it.  Finally getting around to posting it here.  It was on the other gallery before. Submitted by John Blomquist on 05/15/2010 06:38:37
(click image to view & discuss)	Waxing Moon---June 19   2010 Taken at the clubhouse with a Tak-FS-128 and a Canon EOS-5d camera with a 2x tele-extender. Submitted by John Blomquist on 06/19/2010 12:00:29
(click image to view & discuss)	Jupiteràà 12 Nov. 2010 Taken from the clubhouse using eyepiece projection with a Tak. FS-128, a 9mm Nagler eyepiece, and a Luminera camera.  Processed with Regi-Stax 4.0 as well as some levels and unsharp adjustment in PhotoShop. Notice that the southern equatorial belt is apparently missing while the Great Red Spot is still there. Submitted by John Blomquist on 11/13/2010 12:04:53
(click image to view & discuss)	Ha Sun ---23 Oct. 2010 Taken with a LuCam color camera and a Tele-Vue 102i scope at the club. Submitted by John Blomquist on 01/12/2011 08:53:39
(click image to view & discuss)	Supranumerary  Rainbow This photo was taken in Fitchburg on Oct. 4, 2011 at about 10:00 AM (more or less).  One of the very few that I have seen with this much color. Taken with a Canon 5D Mk I. Submitted by John Blomquist on 10/21/2011 19:19:28
(click image to view & discuss)	SCHUPMANààFOCUSER A replacement focuser(below) for the Schupman is almost ready for installation.  Only a few more "tweaks" and a diagonal mirror (ordered) are needed.  Could be installed and tested soon. UPDATE:  The new focuser has been installed and works fine.  This focuser is capable of both MANUAL & MOTOR DRIVEN operation.  Please be careful when changing the mode of operation.  Better yet,,,leave it in motor driven operation.  It's easier to use that way.   The Schupman is, once again, producing excellent views. Submitted by John Blomquist on 11/18/2011 10:36:00
(click image to view & discuss)	Jupiter--3 Dec. 2011 Taken at the club using a Tak. FS-128, and a Luminera camera using eyepiece projection with a 10mm Nagler eyepiece.  AVI file was stacked in Regi-Stax 5 and tweaked with photoshop. Submitted by John Blomquist on 12/03/2011 23:36:03
(click image to view & discuss)	JUPITER with Schupman telescope and w/ATMOB's Imaging Source DBK camera This photo was taken on 4 Feb. 2012 using the club's DBK (Imaging Source) camera and the Schupman telescope.  The seeing on this night could best be described as "marginal".  This photo was taken as a test of the recent upgrade work to the telescope focuser.  The image "AVI" file was stacked with RegiStax 5 and marginally "tweaked" with PhotoShop.  A second look , at higher mag., shows the GRS, and two moons.  One ,moon is more obvious at about the 4:00 position, and the other is at about 11:00 just poking over the limb of the planet. Submitted by John Blomquist on 02/12/2012 10:37:18
(click image to view & discuss)	Irises atààATMOB These irises by the front porch were taken with a Sony Alpha (A-55) camera on the afternoon of the 26th. of May 2012. Submitted by John Blomquist on 05/28/2012 12:27:21
(click image to view & discuss)	May Crescentàà26 May 2012 Photo was taken on the evening of May 26th.  using a William Optics CF-98 and an unmodified Sony Alpha (A-55) camera at prime focus. Submitted by John Blomquist on 05/28/2012 12:33:21
(click image to view & discuss)	ATMOB Wild Life--Swallow at the Nest This swallow was watching me all the while I was mowing the grass around his nest.  Later,,after I had finished, he allowed me to  get close enough to take this photo as he landed at his doorway. Submitted by John Blomquist on 06/01/2012 18:35:14
(click image to view & discuss)	Saturn with the club's DBK camera This image was taken at the club on the 12th. of May 2012, using a Tak FS-128, a 10mm Nagler eyepiece for eyepiece projection, and the club's DBK camera.  It was a very clear night with good seeing.  Maybe not as good as the 9th. of this month but good enough for Regi-Stax to produce this image from the AVI file. Submitted by John Blomquist on 06/15/2012 07:58:56
(click image to view & discuss)	Sunspot #1520 from Westford Photo was taken using a Luminera camera, a Tele-Vue 102i (double-stacked Ha), using eyepiece projection through a Nagler 20mm eyepiece. Taken with a lot of help from Al T. in focusing.  Thanks Al. Submitted by John Blomquist on 07/08/2012 21:53:37
(click image to view & discuss)	SATURN--again Taken on May 20 2012 using a Luminera camera with eyepiece projection through a 20mm Nagler eyepiece and a Tak. FS-128 Submitted by John Blomquist on 07/08/2012 22:18:53
(click image to view & discuss)	June 2004 Venus Transit (White Light) Photo taken through the clouds almost exactly at third contact. Submitted by John Blomquist on 10/11/2012 08:18:44
(click image to view & discuss)	Christmas Moon and Jupiter Taken with a hand held Sony Alpha (A-55) camera from Fitchburg on Christmas night, 2012. Submitted by John Blomquist on 12/25/2012 17:21:07
(click image to view & discuss)	Prospect Hill Park star party, Waltham, MA--some time ago. I was photographed at the star party while showing a visitor where the scope was pointing. Submitted by John Blomquist on 01/24/2013 07:43:33
(click image to view & discuss)	Comet Pan-STARRSàà13 Mar. 2013 Pan-STARRS is seen at about 7:57PM from Wal-Mart Mountain in Lunenburg.  This photo was taken with a Canon 400mm DO lens at f5.6, mounted on a Canon T-3i camera body. A 3.2sec. exposure was used with the ISO set at 800.  Some minor levels adjustment done in PhotoShop. Submitted by John Blomquist on 03/14/2013 13:51:45
(click image to view & discuss)	Comet Pan-STARRSàà13 Mar. 2013 This photo was taken just 10 or so minutes after the previous one with the same equipment.  Camera was a Canon T-3i, with a 400mm DO lens set at f-5.6 and shutter setting of 3.2 seconds with an ISO setting of 800.  Minimal levels adjustments in PhotoShop. Submitted by John Blomquist on 03/17/2013 08:19:55
(click image to view & discuss)	Farewell Orion A single 35 sec. image through a Canon 5D Mk.II camera with a 70-200mm lens set at 200mm and f-3.5  Taken Sat. 20 April 2013 (NEAF Sat.) from Westford, on an unguided G-11 mount.  Image was cropped, color balance and levels adjusted in Photo-Shop. Submitted by John Blomquist on 04/23/2013 22:34:40
(click image to view & discuss)	M 42 Enlargement Same facts as above,,just a greater degree of enlargement to show the running man nebula (right). Submitted by John Blomquist on 05/05/2013 08:05:45
(click image to view & discuss)	M-81 & M-82 This single frame photo of the two galaxies was taken on 4 May 2013 under darkish (for Westford) skies.  The photo was taken with a full frame Canon 5D Mk-II fitted with an EF-400mm-DO lens. This 35 Sec. image was taken at f-5.0 and ISO 800, on a G-11 unguided mount while piggy backed on other scopes.  Image was cropped and levels adjusted in PhotoShop.  A minimal amount of P.E./trailing is evident when enlarged. Submitted by John Blomquist on 05/05/2013 12:03:22
(click image to view & discuss)	M-42ààAnother Look Taken sometime in Dec. 2008 with a Canon Camera, a Tak. FS-128, and processed in Photo-Shop.  Taken with darker frames to bring out the Trapesium. Submitted by John Blomquist on 10/21/2013 09:22:47