CCD ImagingThis document was updated on 4/30/2008.We will return to imaging Messier objects when the moon is not so bright. Work on the task below on a computer by yourself and check off each item as you complete it. 1. We will plan to work in the 18" dome in the order below in groups of 3. Skip to the next part if it is not yet your turn to be in the dome.
2. Locate the program called MaxIM DL under Start, Programs, or the tool bar. If it is not present then look for it in c:\Program Files\Diffraction Limited\.
3. Create a web page using Google Pages using the
username discribed in this video. You may need to adjust your audio.
http://www.physics.sfasu.edu/astro/courses/ast305/googlepages.htm
4. Email your Google Page URL (web address) to astro@sfasu.edu. It should be http://ast305bruton.googlepages.com/home with "bruton" being replaced with your last name.
Tri-Color CCD Imaging1. Most astronomical CCD cameras create color images by combining black and white images taken through red, green, and blue filters. Locate the images of the Trifid Nebula the homework directory of the course home page. You should have 3 images corresponding to images taken through a red, green and blue filter. Copy these files to the following folder on your hard drive: 2. Load the three images of the Trifid Nebula into MaxIM DL. Use the following menu selections to check the alignment of the images: Press the play button - a triangle - to animate the three images. You should notice that the stars move around. 3. To combine the images into one color image they must be aligned with each other. To do this first load the three images into MaxIM DL. Then use the following menu selections: With your mouse, carefully click on the center of bright star in the first image. The second image should automatically appear. Locate the same star and click on its center as well. Repeat this procedure for the last image as well. Then click "Ok". 4. Repeat procedure 2 above (Blink) to make sure that your alignment was successful. If it is not then repeat step 3 above. 5. To combine the red, green and blue images into one color image use the following menu selections: Selected the file names for the red, green and blue images and click "OK". 6. Use the "Screen Stretch" tool to adjust the brightness and contrast of your color image (View->Screen Stretch Window). Crop the image in order to display only the true color part of the image (Edit->Crop). Save your image at "C:\CCDImages\Yourlastname\trifid-color.jpg". Make sure that you select the "jpg" file format from the pull down menu on the "Save As" window. 7. Repeat steps 1 through 6 for the tricolor images of Jupiter that are located in the online homework directory for the course. Same the color image of Jupiter as "C:\CCDImages\Yourlastname\jupiter-color1.jpg". 8. Upload the two images from part 6 and 7 above to your Google Page. Use the following web page layout:
Your Moon Image
1. Locate your moon image from the 18" Telescope here:
2. Save the image to C:\CCDImages\Yourlastname\ and convert it to a JPEG image. Crop your image to a width of 640 pixels if your image is oversized. 3. Download and install Paint.Net on your computer. Use this image processing application to add a white label to your image giving the name of the crater or mare that you have imaged. Use the Copernicus example image as a reference for style and placement.
Your Messier Object Image
1. Locate your messier object image from the 18" Telescope here:
2. Use the tri-color image techniques used for the Trifid nebula to obtain a color picture of you Messier object. This time also use the Luminance image to improve your image contrast. 3. Save the image to C:\CCDImages\Yourlastname\ and convert it to a JPEG image. Crop your image to a width of 640 pixels if your image is oversized.
Saturn Image
1. Locate yourSaturn image from the 18" Telescope here:
2. If your image is a color image of saturn then just add it to your website after processing.
If it is a black and white image of Saturn then use Paint.Net to
label 5 of the visible moons of Saturn using these tools:
3. Add this image (with text) to the top of your google page.
Update Your Google Page
1. Now download the other tri-color images taken by all of the other students in your class.
2. Upload the images above to your Google Page. Use the following web page layout:
-- Clear Skies -- |
