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	27.12.2009 / 02.06 CET Small Mars My first image of Mars since a long time. The planets apparent size is only 12'', so it is still a tough imaging object. On this night there was strong wind and poor seeing, so I hope I can acquire some better images soon . Celestron 11 XLT+TeleVue 2.5x Powermate (F/23). TIS DMK 21AF04.AS Astronomik RGB-filters + Baader IR pass filter as luminance layer. The image was resampled to 115%.

	01.08.2009 / 1:32 CEST Jupiter, Callisto and Great Red Spot Callisto appears at the limb of the planet. Celestron 11 XLT+TeleVue 2.5x Powermate (F/23.1), TIS DMK 21AF04.AS, Astronomik RGB filters. The image is a RG+RGB composite.

	01.08.2009 / 02:20 CEST Jupiter, Callisto, Great Red Spot and Impact Region 50 minutes later than the previous image, now the impact region of the recent comet or asteroid impact comes in sight (note also the movement of Callisto). Celestron 11 XLT+TeleVue 2.5x Powermate (F/23.1), TIS DMK 21AF04.AS, Astronomik RGB filters. The image is a RG+RGB composite.

	03.07.2009 / 03:25 CEST International Space Station (ISS) I was up late this night to image the ISS... Celestron 11 XLT at F/10 and Canon EOS 450D SLR camera.

	09.04.2009 / 23:20 CEST Saturn's Moons Seeing was excellent this evening although the conditions were a little bit unfavorable due to the full Moon. With Saturn, I have also imaged four of its moons, can you find all of them in the picture? Celestron 11 XLT+TeleVue 2.5x Powermate (F/23.1), TIS DMK 21AF04.AS, Astronomik RGB filters. The image is a RG+RGB composite. Edit: This picture was published in the German magazine Sterne und Weltraum. (Edition 06/2009 on page 87).

	31.03.2009 / 23:12 CEST Saturn Compared to the image from March 20, the shadows are a little bit different, indicating that this years opposition already passed by. Celestron 11 XLT+TeleVue 2.5x Powermate (F/23.1), TIS DMK 21AF04.AS, Astronomik RGB filters. The image is a RG+RGB composite.

	20.03.2009 / 23:00 CET Saturn On this evening, the seeing was excellent, allowing me to achieve a good result. Celestron 11 XLT+TeleVue 2.5x Powermate (F/22.8), TIS DMK 21AF04.AS, Astronomik RGB+Wratten#21 filters, the image is a L (Orange+Green) RGB.

	08.03.2009 The Colors of the Moon / First Light! To the human eye, the moon appears almost without color. But if you look more closely, there are differences. In this image, I have carefully enhanced the color information. Now different hues are visible which reveal interesting information about the composition of the material on the moons surface. This picture is a first light image with my new TMB-LOMO 80/600 refractor, great result! TMB-LOMO 80/600 in prime focus + Canon EOS 450D at ISO 800 and 1/1000s exposure.

	29.12.2008 The Great Orion Nebula M42 I was just testing my new Canon EOS 450D SLR camera. The camera is "unmodified", so there is a strong IR block filter in place, making M42 rather inappropriate for this test - but the result is quite good. I noticed that the sensor has a very low noise. Takahashi FS102N at f/8 + Canon EOS 450D. Exposure: 5 x 120s.

	29.12.2008 / 22:29 CET The ASTRA Satellites The ASTRA Satellites provide Europe with TV, Radio and Internet services. The satellites are positioned in an geostationary orbit (36000 km), so they appear always at the same position in the sky. To capture these faint objects, just point your telescope to the right position and turn off the tracking, the stars will move through the field of view and only the satellites will keep position! Edit: This picture was published in the German magazine Sterne und Weltraum. (Edition 03/2009 on page 102).

	28.12.2008 / 03:30 CET Saturn Saturn now appears to us at the smallest angle of his rings - what a spectacular sight! Celestron 11 XLT and 2x TeleVue Barlow. DMK 21AF04AS and Astronomik RGB filters. The image is an R-RGB.

	27.09.2008 / 20:16 CEST International Space Station - ATV Undocked The ATV undocked on September 5, and performed a destructive re-entry into the atmosphere on September 29. On the image one can see that the ATV is missing and at the aft port of Zvezda now docks a Progress (Progress 30). Celestron 11 XLT in secondary focus + Canon EOS 400D.

	28.07.2008 / 22:44 CEST International Space Station On that evening there was a good transparency of the sky, however the seeing conditions were unfavorable (wobbling stars and low wind on the ground). As a result, there is less detail resolved compared to the previous attempt, but some interesting detail is still visible: The JEM module now lies in the sunlight and the solar panels are in better position. Distance to the ISS was approx. 400km. Celestron 11 XLT in secondary focus + Canon EOS 400D.

	23.07.2008 / 23:45 CEST International Space Station with ATV, Columbus and JEM-Module One of my best ISS-pictures so far. Newly arrived ATV, Columbus and JEM modules are clearly visible. Celestron 11 XLT in secondary focus + Canon EOS 400D. Edit: This picture was published in the German magazine Sterne und Weltraum. (Edition 12/2008 on page 102).

	05.04.2008 / 07:55 - 09:29 UT Globular Cluster "Messier 3" (M3) This image was remotely acquired, using a Takahashi TOA 150 at f 7.0 and a SBIG ST10XME camera of GRAS, New Mexico. L=5x300s (1x1); R,G,B=4x300s (1x1) - total exposure time = 85 min. For the full res. image, please click here (1056 KB).

	16.02.2008 / 22:44 - 23:10 CET Saturn Approaching Opposition Saturn will be at opposition on Feb. 24 and is now visible the whole night - a good opportunity to practice different imaging techniques... Edit: Currently there is a discussion about a possible new storm system that recently developed in the southern hemisphere of Saturn. Click here for a contrast enhanced image that might show the storm...

	08.02.2008 / 23:30 CET Saturn and "First Light" This is my first image with the new C11 XLT! The image is a R-RGB. I was suffering some bad local seeing, but nevertheless the result is promising.

	12.01.2008 Barred Spiral Galaxy NGC 1365 This is just a preliminary result (Luminance layer) of Galaxy NGC 1365 in the constellation "Fornax". Hopefully the color series will follow soon... For more detail, please click on the thumbnail.

	21.12.2007 / 20:16 - 20:21 UT Mars at Opposition 2007 The picture reveals some fine detail, although the diameter of the planets disc was only 15.9". Celestron 8 at F/30 (3x TeleVue Barlow lens) and DMK21AF04.AS. Four different sequences for IR, R, G and B were acquired and averaged to this final image, image resized to 80%.

1024x768px (1.723KB)	05.12.2007 / 10:08-10:30-11:16 UT Asteroid 3030 Vehrenberg I have created a little GIF-animation, showing the path of asteroid 3030 Vehrenberg in a time period of a little more than one hour. The asteroids brightness was about 18.1 mag. Three images (each 240s integration time) were remotely taken using "GRAS-005" of Global Rent a Scope (Takahashi Epsilon 250, SBIG ST-10XME). Only dark subtraction was applied. Warning: Image size is 1.723KB and 1024x768 pixels.

	03.12.2007 / 16.12.2007 Galaxy "M81" in Ursa Major This is my first LRGB image of M81. The image was remotely acquired over the internet, using a Takahashi TOA 150 and an SBIG STL-11000. For more details, please click on the thumbnail-image.

	13.10.2007 / 20:14 CEST -International Space Station (ISS)- After two unsuccessful attempts of imaging the "new" ISS, finally I've got one new shot - yippee! Three frames were combined - to see the individuals, please click on the thumbnail.

	09.06.2007 / 01:13 CEST -Jupiter and Europa Shortly After Opposition- For northern latitudes Jupiter still is a difficult object to observe because it is very low above the horizon. I decided to use the TAK FS 102 for this image because it is less sensitive on seeing effects. Compared to earlier images the face of Jupiter has changed dramatically. The SEB and the GRS are very faint. The bluish dot in the upper right corner of the image is identified as Jupiters icy moon Europa. Takahashi FS 102 @ F/24 (3x Televue Barlow), ToUCam Pro webcam + Baader IR/UV cutting filter. 557/2400 frames were selected and stacked in Registax, final processing with IRIS and Photoshop.

	15.03.2007 / 21:00 CET -First Light- The picture on the left is a preliminary result of a test run of my new DMK 21AF04.AS camera which shows Saturn with IR/UV cut filter. I am planning to use this camera together with a filter wheel (Atik) and Astronomik LRGB filter set or with the ToUCam for RGB (in this configuration the DMK will produce the luminance layer). The DMK is connected to the Laptop via FireWire (IEEE 1394) which allows a max. of 60 fps. of uncompressed data (depending on the integration time). The video stream for this image was 8 fps. Please click on the thumbnail for further info. Please click here to see the first L-RGB result with Astronomik filter set.

	26.12.2006 / 17:22 - 17:27 CET -International Space Station (ISS) after Service Mission STS-116- The sequence on the left clearly shows the newly installed P3/P4 truss and solar arrays. I think the view is from "below" the station this is why the older P6 solar array is barely visible. Click on the thumbnail for further info.

	07.09.2006 /18:54 UT -Partial Lunar Eclipse- The image shows the Moon just 4 minutes after the maximum of the eclipse. The Earth's shadow is covering about 1/5 of the moon. The detail to the lower right is an airplane crossing the view. Zeiss Diascope 85 T* FL and Sony digital camera.

	14.05.2006 / 21:23 UT -Red Spot Junior- For northern latitudes, Jupiter is difficult to observe currently. The planet was only 18° above the horizon. To the lower left of the Great Red Spot one can see another detail which is called "Red Spot Junior". This spot is known for years as "Oval BA" and recently changed color from white to orange like the GRS. Ganymede can also be seen to the lower left of the image. Takahashi FS 102 @ F/40, IR/UV cut filter, 457/1500 frames stacked with Registax. Final processing with IRIS and Photoshop. Resized to 70%.

	07.05.2006 / 20:00 UT -Approaching Moon- Zeiss Diascope 85 and Sony Cybershot digital camera. Unsharp mask with Photoshop, one single image. Click here for the full res. image (2048x1536px).

	28.01.2006 / 23:47 UT -Saturn at Opposition- The planet is now visible the whole night. Diameter is max. at 20.5''. This night was very cold (-10°C) with poor seeing conditions, but better resolution than my previous image. Note the crepe ring (faint most inner ring), Cassini Division very sharp and prominent. Takahashi FS 102 @ F/40 (TV 5x Powermate), Baader IR/UV cut filter, ToUCam pro web cam. 840/1800 images selected and stacked with registax. Final processing with Photoshop.

	14.01.2006 / 21:31 UT -Saturn- North Pole appears slightly bluish, Cassini division clearly resolved, central cloud belt prominent, nice shadow on the ring near the south pole. Full Moon was very close, -5°C outside temperature. Takahashi FS 102 @ F/24 (TeleVue 3X Barlow), Baader IR/UV cut filter, ToUCam Pro Web Cam. 372/1800 frames stacked with Registax, little unsharp mask applied.

	14.01.2006 / 21:40 UT -Saturn and it's moons Dione, Rhea and Titan- It's difficult to catch Saturn's moons with an unmodified web cam. Saturn is over-exposed to detect the faint moons. Click on the image for more detail. Takahashi FS 102 @ F/24 (TeleVue 3X Barlow), Baader IR/UV cut filter, ToUCam Pro Web Cam, 1800/1800 frames stacked, web cam in 2x2 binning mode.

	21.11.2005 / 19:20 UT (RGB) / 19:32 UT (IR) -Mars- My first shot of Syrtis Major. Also most prominent is Arabia Terra and the giant Hellas impact crater. Very faint southern polar hood, north pole haze. New Image technique: RGB with Baader IR/UV cut 300 out of 2000 frames stacked. Luminance is 300 out of 2000 frames with Baader IR pass filter. Celestron 8, eyepiece projection 20 mm TeleVue Plössl, ToUCam Pro web cam. Excellent seeing, -2.3°C outside temperature...

	06.11.2005 / 20:50 UT -Mars- This image shows the famous "Eye of Mars" and the Tharsis region. The bright spot on the upper left is identified as Olympus Mons volcano. The volcano seems to be covered by orographic clouds, because it is so prominent. Faint southern polar hood is detected, northern polar haze. 160/1000 images stacked with Registax. C8 in eyepiece projection (20mm TV Plössl), Baader IR/UV cut and ToUCam Pro web cam. Resized to 80%. Strong wind this evening.

	28.10.2005 / 23:13 UT -Mars- The image on the left shows Mare Sirenum, Hespetia Planum and the Elysium Planitia (brighter spot to the north), the north pole is covered with ice clouds (bluish color). South polar hood seems to be completely melted. 400 out of 2000 images stacked with Registax. C8 in eyepiece projection (20mm TV Plössl), Baader IR/UV cut, ToUCam Pro web cam. Resized to 80%.

	16.05.2004 / 20:42 UT -Planet Venus- Low in the western evening-sky, Venus meanwhile is very close to earth. It will now leave the evening sky, and on the 8th of June passing in front of the sun as seen from earth. This is a very rare event, don't miss it!

	29.12.2003 / 21:02 - 21:30 UT -Saturn- 800/9000 frames stacked. C8 @ F/30, TeleVue 3X Barlow, Baader IR/UV cut, ToUcam Pro web cam.

	06.11.2003 / 20:10 UT -Moon- Southern highlands showing famous crater Clavius and Tycho. C8 @ f/10, 10/100 images stacked. ToUCam Pro web cam.

	23.08.2003 / 23:33 UT -Mars- Many interesting surface details. In the mid section is Sinus Meridiani, the southern regio is dominated by the polar cap and the Hellas regio (south is up). Diameter of the planets disc: 25.1''.

	09.08.2003 / 0:55 UT -Mars- Close to opposition, the diameter of the planets disc is meanwhile 23.7''. The brighter spot in the lower left area (north) can be identified as famous "Olympus Mons" Volcano.

	16.07.2003 / 01:36 UT -Mars- This image shows Sinus Meridiani (left), Aurorae Planum, Chryse and a very prominent southern polar cap (south is up). Diamter of the planets disc: 19.4''.

	31.03.2003 / 19:07 UT - 19:13 UT -International Space Station ISS- Tracking the ISS via finderscope is a big challenge! Many interesting details visible: Main solar panel, central modules, Progress docked, S1 radiator (left), installed in October '02 and P1 radiator (right) of central modules installed in November '02. Click on the image for more info.

	15.03.2003 / 21:58 UT -Jupiter with GRS, Europa and Shadow- The black dot in Jupiters atmosphere is the shadow of Europa. I have never seen such an event before! Seeing was excellent, many details are visible. 272 frames stacked with Registax, resized to 50%.

	09.03.2003 / 19:01 UT -Jupiter with GRS- The sky just cleared for a few minutes. Note the big white clouds in the SEB, many interesting details visible due to good seeing that evening. Outside temp. was +7°C.

	22.02.2003 / 20:25 UT - 20:52 UT -Jupiter: GRS transit captured- Poor seeing (low wind) but still some interesting details. 20mm TeleVue eyep., IR/UV cut. Outside temp. was -4°C.

	14.02.2003 / 23:02 UT -Jupiter with GRS- Philips ToUCam Pro in 640x480 mode; IR/UV cut; moderate seeing.

	14.02.2003 / 21:00 UT -Jupiter- 450/1600 frames stacked. Philips ToUCam Pro 640x480 mode; IR/UV cut filter was used. Good seeing, so far my best Jupiter image. Outside temp. was -9°C! This image was submitted to IOPW.

	10.02.2003 / 20:29 UT -Planet Jupiter with Great Red Spot- New IR and UV cut filter was used. 350/1700 frames. 20mm eyepiece, web cam in 320x240 mode. Poor seeing.

	11.01.2003 / 20:05 UT and -9.5°C! -Saturn- Cassini even in front of the planet visible! Eyepiece projection with new 20mm Plössl from TeleVue. Great result, but difficult processing...took me 4h!

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