Stephen Hamilton's Astro-Photography Gallery

Double Cluster

E2Pilot — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 17:47:43 GMT

Double Cluster

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Comet 17PHolmes - 11/9/2007

E2Pilot — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 03:19:53 GMT

Comet 17PHolmes - 11/9/2007

This image was taken with my DSI Pro III down in Coinjock NC at teh East COast Star Party on 11/9/2007. This is the first image i have captured that really starts to show a tail on the lower right side of the comet.

Comet 17pHolmes 10/31/2007

E2Pilot — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 03:19:48 GMT

Comet 17pHolmes 10/31/2007

Another image of the Comet, October 31,2007.

Comet 17PHolmes October 17-29, 2007

E2Pilot — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 03:34:10 GMT

Comet 17PHolmes October 17-29, 2007

This image shows Comet 17P\Holmes over a period of three nights between October 27th and October 19th, 2007. I captured the images with a DSI Pro III, each image is 4 second sub exposures in LRGB with about 30-50 exposures for each set. I overlaid the three images from each night matching them up on the star field. The placement for each image shows not only the increased size and increased tranparency of the comet over 3 days but also how it has traveled in that time period.

Comet 17PHolmes 10/28/2007

E2Pilot — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 03:34:07 GMT

Comet 17PHolmes 10/28/2007

Tonght I took another image of this comet. Over the past 24 hours the comet has grown in size by about 18 arc seconds or so and the coma has becoem much more translucent then last night. The outer glow seems to be less then last nights image but that could have been due to high thin clouds. This one is definately far more blue then last night as well.

Comet 17P/Holmes - LRGB - DSI Pro III

E2Pilot — Sun, 28 Oct 2007 05:23:16 GMT

Comet 17P/Holmes - LRGB - DSI Pro III

Image taken with my DSI Pro III with AstroDon LRGB Filters thru my TAK TSA-102. The LUM was ahot at 40 x 4 second exposures and 10x30 Second exposures (for the stars). The R,G, and B were each about 40 x 4 second exposures

Open Obersvatory before siding was added

E2Pilot — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 04:45:01 GMT

Open Obersvatory before siding was added

This picture shows the observatory opened right after the rails were added and before the siding was put on.

Closed Observatory Before Siding was added

E2Pilot — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 04:43:35 GMT

Closed Observatory Before Siding was added

This is the observatory before the siding was added wiht the roof closed. After the siding was added, the builder did a fantastic job of sealing off the gaps that can be seen in this picture with trim work.

Observatory Power Layout

E2Pilot — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 05:47:17 GMT

Observatory Power Layout

This diagram shows how power is distributed and utilized in the observatory. Ther are a couple of other items not shown here includin a weather station computer (wireless weather station) and an ari conditioner. The power layout for the observatory itself is broken up into 4 sections that each have thier own circuit breaker coming from the main circuit for the house.

USB and Serial Connectivity Layout

E2Pilot — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 05:43:25 GMT

USB and Serial Connectivity Layout

This diagram shows how I have the USB and serial connections layed out in the observatory. I was concerned at first by the idea of having a single USB cable coming into the computer but have found no issues. This is probably due to the fact that the main cable coming from the USB powered hub is an active extension cable and also that the hub is fully powered. So far this has worked well with no issues noted in dropped frames or download delays.

Thought I would throw in a little more info on the specific parts in this diagram. If you are thinking of putting together this same setup this should get you started. The links will probably go out of date pretty quickly but it should give you an idea at least on where to go.

7 Port Belkin USB 2.0 Hub - $49 at BestBuy
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8488772&st=belkin&lp=3&type=product&cp=1&id=1186003682248

The USB to 4 Port Serial hub - $70 at CableMax
http://www.cablemax.com/serial-adapters/usb_4-port-to-serial_converter.html

Active USB Cable (this simply means it has a built in signal amplifier but must be for 2.0, 1.1 will not work with a 2.0 port) - $17 at Sewell Direct
http://sewelldirect.com/usb2extensioncable.asp

Venus and Saturn at Conjunction

E2Pilot — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 01:58:52 GMT

Venus and Saturn at Conjunction

Taken at 9:30 PM from Chesapeake, VA with my Canon Digital Rebel at ISO 400, 2 second exposure thru a Tamron 70-300 Asherical XR Di II lens.

IC1318 in Hubble Pallet Colors

E2Pilot — Thu, 28 Jun 2007 03:39:31 GMT

IC1318 in Hubble Pallet Colors

DSI Pro II, Takahashi TSA 102 with Meade 6.3 Focal Reducer, Schuler Ha, SII, and OIII filters 120 minutes Ha, 60 minutes each in SII and OIII.

Gamma Cygni Nebula - IC1318 - Ha Version

E2Pilot — Sun, 24 Jun 2007 02:55:27 GMT

Gamma Cygni Nebula - IC1318 - Ha Version

This the is HA version of the Gamma Cygni Nebula - IC1318. 2 Hours of 5 minute exposures with the DSI Pro II, Schuler Narrowband Filters, and the Tak-TSA-102 at f5.6

NGC6888 Crescent Nebula in Ha

E2Pilot — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 00:27:08 GMT

NGC6888 Crescent Nebula in Ha

Hour and a Half of 10 minute exposures in Ha with a Schuler Ha filter and DSI Pro II. Imaged thru a Takhashi TSA-102 and Tak NJP Mount. Guided with a DSI Pro and PHD Guiding.

M101 LUM RAW

E2Pilot — Tue, 27 Mar 2007 21:06:18 GMT

M101 LUM RAW

This is basically a raw image of M101 with nothing done other then raising the curves in Photoshop. HTis was one of my first guided images on the NJP since putting the TSA-102 on there and I was really pleased with how the stars turned out in particular.

M101

E2Pilot — Mon, 19 Feb 2007 16:34:46 GMT

M101

Taken on 2/17/2007, DSI Pro II, Meade SN8 on TAK NJP. 200 minutes LUM, RGB 25 minutes each. LRG 4 minute subs, B 5 minute subs

Another Image of the LX90 from the right side

E2Pilot — Tue, 23 Jan 2007 03:29:37 GMT

Another Image of the LX90 from the right side

I posted this image because it gives a better perspective on the amount of room the LX90 on the LeSeuer Pier, even with both scopes set up.

Tak NJP with SN8 and Meade LX90 with Meade 80 ED APO

E2Pilot — Tue, 23 Jan 2007 03:25:47 GMT

Tak NJP with SN8 and Meade LX90 with Meade 80 ED APO

This image shows the two scopes set up in the observatory. As can be seen, it is a bit tight but I can actaully use both at the same time within reason. When using only one scope at a time, there is plenty of room to move around even with both set up.

Note: This image makes it look like the LX90 is just about up against the wall but in fact, it is nearly 3 feet off the right side (east) wall.

Top View of Observatory

E2Pilot — Tue, 23 Jan 2007 03:22:54 GMT

Top View of Observatory

This image shows the observatory taken from up on my house with the roof open back as far as the warm room. As can be seen in this image, though a bit tight, there is room for both scopes in there. The main room has been painted flat midnight blue but I still need to finish the warm room and put down the carpet. Mrs. Hamilton also says I need to finish the landscaping also (she apparently doesn't care for a plywood walkway LOL)

Another Comet McNaught Image

E2Pilot — Wed, 17 Jan 2007 16:58:05 GMT

Another Comet McNaught Image

Another Comet McNaught, last one of the evening, Canon Digital Rebel, ISO 100, .5 second exposure