Imaging the Moon
With a Basler Digital
Camera
Having tried imaging
with both a video camera and the Sony DKC-CM30 digital camera,
I wanted a combination of the two. A digital camera with higher
resolution and computer control of the functions reducing camera
shake, complete with a live image, and direct capture to PC.
I had been using a
new camera for imaging in Microscopy applications - My employer
MetPrep Ltd supplies such equipment. I also have been very lucky
to have the use of one of these camera systems to carry out my
astronomical imaging courtesy of Micromotion - the supplier of
our imaging systems.
I have built a 'transportable'
system which allows me to use the Basler camera both at the microscope
inside, and also outside for use at the telescope. It's not exactly
portable, but with everything kept together setup time is kept
to a minimum.
............... 
This is the setup as
used for imaging the Moon at full disk using the FCT76. It is
positioned here on the Vixen GP mount. The FCT76 is usually piggy
backed on the FS128. The monitor can be tilted in various positions
so that focusing on the monitor is easier. I also use a JMI NGFS
to reduce vibration.
Here you can see the
Basler camera in detail. There is a connection to the image capture
card in the PC, a power supply, and a serial cable for controlling
the camera conditions. The images are captured straight into an
archive and databasing software package called Archive4Images.
With the new software
called A4I docu released in the UK September 2002, it will be
possible to run firewire versions of this camera when available.
... 
Two prime focus images
taken with the Basler camera through a Takahashi FCT76. Reasonable
prints can obtained at about 12 -14 inches in diameter from these
images. It is proving a very versatile system
Additional Lunar observations
are detailed below
High
Resolution Lunar Images
Lunar Imaging with an Astrovid 2000 video camera
Lunar
imaging with a Sony DKC-CM30 digital Camera
Observing
the Moon... Astronomy
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