Web Cam & Video Astro Imaging

[AstroTasmania]

Hi Radar,

We need another topic header (Video Astro Photography).

I use film, digital SLR's, Web Cam, Cooled CCD & Video.

Hi Duncan,

The answer is yes & no. With some types of lightweight video cameras and afocal techniques Yes for bright solar system. No for deep sky. Normal video runs at 25 frames per second so each frame receives an exposure of only 1/25th second, which is too short for deep sky where you need exposures of seconds.

However, with the right gear, all is possible.

The web cam is the easiest and most low cost way to start, and a long exposure modified ToUcam $180 or so can also do deep sky with longer exposures. http://www.philips.be/Assets/Downloadablefile/LF_840-2368.pdf

Deep sky needs an integrating video camera, one that adds exposure frames together before read out, but these cameras are not the domestic video camera. They need TV monitor and a recorder if you want to save images to process in RegiStax.

Go into my Picasaweb Albums and browse through video cameras & lenses, also some of the other telescope & equipment albums. This will give you some idea what I am talking about so that you have a picture in mind to relate to my text here.

Also, check out the Australian made GStar EX video system here: http://www.myastroshop.com.au/products/gstarcam.asp

Also the very popular Mallincam range of VIDEO deep sky B&W and Colour:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mallincam
http://mallincam.tripod.com/

This will do for now, have a browse then ask some more questions, no problem for me to answer.

Clear skies...

[wakaleo]

Gidday Shevill

Am very interested in using a web cam for astro imaging, expecially since the price seems most reasonable for the results, and to get some more info I clicked the link to your picasaweb site only to be directed to the UK Yahoo web site. Tried adding .google.com to your picassaweb address and all was ok (http://picasaweb.google.com/AstroTasmania). You might want to re-post this link.

I'll be looking at your site/s a lot to help me learn the ins-and-outs of astro imaging. Thanks in advance for sharing your extensive experience.

[Duncan]

G,day Wakaleo,
I just tried with the link you put up and get google error 404. I couldn't get to it using shev's link either. Thats computers for ya. I'll try again later,lol.
Cheers,
Duncan

[Duncan]

Where is everyone!!!!

[Radar]

Where is everyone!!!! I was in bed! :Chessy_Smile:

[AstroTasmania]

Hi Wakaleo,

Thank you for the tip, it should now be fixed.

http://picasaweb.google.com/AstroTasmania

Clear skies...

[Draig]

Where is everyone!!!!

Unfortunately work insist that I spend my daylight hours actually doing something. Cheez, I mean I turn up every day isn't that enough...

Cheers Colin

[Draig]

I was in bed! :Chessy_Smile:

Lucky Bugger :Chessy_Smile:

[Duncan]

So many new toys to buy..... So little money! (One Power Ball :yesplease: )
My sentiments exactly!

[Radar]

Unfortunately work insist that I spend my daylight hours actually doing something. Cheez, I mean I turn up every day isn't that enough...


Those low lifes! :Chessy_Smile:


So many new toys to buy..... So little money! (One Power Ball :yesplease: )
My sentiments exactly!

One power ball and I would be buying some very serious astro toys Dunc. I shouldn't think about winning a power ball because I get excited and I just had my carpets cleaned, lol :duh:

[Duncan]

Hi Radar,
Mate if i got 5&1 I'd have one helluvascope in the middle of nowhere and you
would all be invited!!!!!!!!!. Come on over and set up camp.LOL.:thumbsupmate:

[beren]

The GStar EX camera looks interesting , Ive come close to ordering it a few times ...tempting :eartoear:

[Draig]

Hi Radar,
Mate if i got 5&1 I'd have one helluvascope in the middle of nowhere and you
would all be invited!!!!!!!!!. Come on over and set up camp.LOL.:thumbsupmate:

Sorry to upset you all, but this week the numbers are all mine.

However with my luck 20million other people will all win at the same and the goverment will introduce a special 200% lotto winning tax.

Cheers Colin

[phoenix]

Hey all


I came across this site, http://www.astro.shoregalaxy.com/webcam_astro.htm
I Found it interesting, I'm thinking i may have to get a cam and give it a go.:eartoear:





Cheers Jason :pipethinker:

[Draig]

Hi There,

Thanks for the link Jason.

If I am a really good boy, I should have a nice shiney new Canon 400d in my possesion in about a months time :Chessy_Smile: .

So I will need all the help I can get then.

Cheers Colin

[Radar]

Nice tutorial Jase. These things are always handy. I had a good read through that and picked up some tips. I'm attempting Jupiter this week, so hopefully will have something half decent.

Cheers

Ray

[Astrokid]

This is something I want to learn how to do. Planetary imaging. Because planets look quite small in a telescope, is there a standard aperture or focal length for planetary imaging?

[AstroTasmania]

Hi Astrokid,

For planetary work you need a telescope with a long focal ratio f/10 to start with, and this is where the SCT's & other long focal length scopes come into their own. You need to get a focal ratio at least f/20 plus to get a decent image scale, which can be done by using a 2x 3x 4x etc Barlow lens. Eyepiece projection also works. Video imaging is a very effective way to go by selecting only sharp frames and stacking with RegiStax, all very cost effective.

Web cams are a great way to start, the Phillips ToUcam 840K is now quite cheap because the next model, the NC 900 web cam has been released.

I have used Meade LPI, Phillips ToUcam 740K, 840K and a modified for long exposure 840K. The ToUcam is a CCD imager, the LPI is a CMOS detector.

I have just bought a 2 mega pixel web cam for $49, which has a removable lens and is a perfect shape for astro use. (no hacking the case apart to fit a 1.25" adaptor. I have not had a clear sky to test it with a scope yet so cannot comment on performance.

Keep asking the questions,

Clear skies...

[phoenix]

The ToUcam is a CCD imager, the LPI is a CMOS detector.
Clear skies...


Hey Shevill

With these two systems which is the better, For planetary work ?


Cheers Jason :pipethinker:

[AstroTasmania]

Hi Jason,

The consensus favour the ToUcam because it is a CCD rather than CMOS. Down at this level, the difference does matter. In use I also prefer the ToUcam, it can be used with various third party software as well as its own.

Oh for some clear skies...