Jason Solar Imaging & Apophis - Day Twp - CN10

Performed some experiments at noon with solar imaging with the venerable Jason Constellation Model 311 and the SVBONY SV305 camera (with solar film clipped into place).  Used AstroDMx Capture as well as Indi/Ekos to grab snapshots as well as SER video files.  Captured flats against the basement LCD tv (white background) and then disassembled the telescope to clean the optics after noting lots of blemishes in the image.  Determined that the dust was actually on the AR coated window on the SV305 itself rather than the telescope.  Attempted to clean this up, but getting all the marks off is likely impossible w/ just a regular glasses cleaning cloth.

Afterwards, mounted the giant Orion CN10 Newtonian on the Celestron CGEM and balanced for a second attempted imaging session with Apophis.

After getting the system focused (without the Paracorr coma corrector)..which required only one small spacer for the T-mount to the Canon T3I, noted that the skies and this reflector were supporting about 120 second integration at ISO1600 (as opposed to a 300 second integration with the 8" Meade LX10 SCT at F6.3 with the focal reducer last night).  At F4.7, this would seem to make sense.  Noted similar stars (down to magnitude 15.7 when comparing with Stellarium).  Was able to spot a smudge at 1:1 that is likely Apophis.  But all-in-all, aside from much faster integration times with the C10, the overall imaging quality for this tiny, dim target is remarkably similar between the two scopes.  One major advantage with faster integration, however, is less smearing as the asteroid moves... and more frequent imaging opportunities to capture motion more smoothly.

Noted guide performance (using only a rough polar alignment with the polar scope...no phd2 drift alignment tonight) at around 1.7-2.5" total RMS after forcing a calibration step.

Again, used Stellarium to search for the RA/DEC for Apophis in the sky, then entered this into the KStars interface (Pointing menu, Set Coordinates Manually) with the telescope center radio button unpressed.  Then used moved the mount into position with Indi/Ekos.  Did plate solving on primary / Canon T3I and was able to use ASTAP to solve very rapidly.  Only two iterations needed to center the scope.

Compared captured frames in Picasa at 1:1 against Stellarium to note the smudge representing Apophis...barely visible against the bright background (even with the CLS filter in the EOS camera)... in uncalibrated frames.

Similar to the previous night, ended the session with collection on M81 overnight (centered in the frame ... since no coma corrector installed in this session since the paracor needs cleaned badly).