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Lucky Imaging with Uranus

Discussion in 'Astrophotography and Imaging' started by Orion25, Nov 19, 2023.

Lucky Imaging with Uranus

Started by Orion25 on Nov 19, 2023 at 3:31 PM

12 Replies 848 Views 3 Likes

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  1. Orion25

    Orion25 Well-Known Member

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    Orion25, Nov 19, 2023
    #1
    I never tried very hard to image Uranus except when it was in conjunction with a much brighter planet using my DSLR. This particular night I decided to try my luck with the ASI 224mc/Orion 180mm Mak combo. Getting the tiny disc of light on the sensor (and with a Barlow, no less) was a bit of a challenge but doable. I wasn't expecting to get any detail but hopefully a well-resolved bluish-green disc. I think I succeeded:

    ASTRONOMY - URANUS 11-18-23.jpg

    :):)
     
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  2. Gabby76

    Gabby76 Well-Known Member

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    Gabby76, Nov 19, 2023
    #2
    Very nice Reggie. Have you tried Neptune as well?
    Visually both are fun targets
     
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  3. Ed D

    Ed D Well-Known Member

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    Ed D, Nov 20, 2023
    #3
    I think you succeeded in a grand manner. I know from experience it is challenging. Congratulations on your Uranus image.

    Ed
     
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  4. Orion25

    Orion25 Well-Known Member

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    Orion25, Nov 20, 2023
    #4
    Thanks, Gabby. I've taken pictures of Neptune when it was in conjunction with other planets using prime focus imaging; I haven't tried this method yet. My biggest limitation will be having enough aperture to get some good data. I'll give it a go though!
     
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  5. Orion25

    Orion25 Well-Known Member

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    Orion25, Nov 20, 2023
    #5
    Thanks, Ed. I've seen images using larger aperture scopes that show evidence of the polar hood. I'm happy to get the disc at all (and some hue) lol!
     
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  6. sojourneyer

    sojourneyer Well-Known Member

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    sojourneyer, Nov 20, 2023
    #6
    what equipment were you using for those photos?
     
  7. Orion25

    Orion25 Well-Known Member

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    Orion25, Nov 20, 2023
    #7
    I'm using the ZWO ASI 224 MC camera with the Orion 180mm Mak. I also used a Celestron 2x Barlow for this image to get some size. I use the same setup for most of my planetary images.
     
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  8. Ed D

    Ed D Well-Known Member

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    Ed D, Nov 23, 2023
    #8
    Reggie, I wish I could see your original image on a larger screen. The one you posted appears to show detail, including some lightening in the North polar region at 5 o'clock. Years ago the sky where I live was much better and allowed me to do this observation of Uranus:

    Uranus 2014 11-16.jpg

    I see a lot of similarity in my 2014 sketch to your image, including the lightening at the North polar region . Reading my comments in the sketch I included a comment about the extremely bad light pollution. Wow, back then I had no idea just how bad the LP would get.
     
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  9. Orion25

    Orion25 Well-Known Member

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    Orion25, Nov 23, 2023
    #9
    Thanks for posting your notes, Ed. I'm going to look at my image more closely. I wasn't expecting to get any detail with 180mm aperture. Could it be I was able to capture some evidence of the polar hood??:eek::eek:
     
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  10. Ed D

    Ed D Well-Known Member

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    Ed D, Nov 27, 2023
    #10
    I believe you definitely did capture evidence of a polar hood, as well as a light equatorial band. :)
     
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  11. Orion25

    Orion25 Well-Known Member

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    Orion25, Nov 27, 2023
    #11
    I DID???? Wow, I need to take a closer look! Thanks for pointing that out, Ed ;) I guess 180mm can gather enough light to capture that.
     
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  12. Orion25

    Orion25 Well-Known Member

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    Orion25, Nov 27, 2023
    #12
    I looked closer and I could see both evidence of the hood and a subtle striation! This is exciting! :D
     
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  13. Ed D

    Ed D Well-Known Member

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    Ed D, Nov 28, 2023
    #13
    I'm so happy for you that you took that great image. I'm excited, too!
     
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