Mars

21:15 12/10/2005 UTC

Well, I think I hit the right button with the color balance. I have the Optimized Non-raw macro in my camera and by hitting Factory Defaults it loads white balance setting from the camera. Now it looks like Mars as I want it to look. I did a slight balancing toward blue in GIMP afterward. Somehow it was also easier to focus also without the excess blue halo. Seeing was good with some excellent moments. RGB image (left) is quite detailed with this color balance. However there is a slight improvement in detail when IR luminance channel is added. This is my personal best so far!

Camera: Phillips ToUCam Pro II webcam | Telescope: Orion Optics Europa 200mm f6 Newtonian reflector, Televue Powermate 5x | Mount: Orion Skyview Pro, Boxdoerfer PowerFlex MTS-3SLP drive controller | Filters: Baader IR/UV block, Baader IR pass filter | Guiding: - | Exposure: 450(750) RGB + 500(1500) IR 1/10s f30 | Software: Qastrocam, Registax, GIMP | Location: 60°31'N 26°52'E (Koivula/Kotka,FI) |