Purpose:
Imaging supernova 2004dj and other deep sky objects
Location:
Sunrise Highway
Time:
2000 05 AUG 2004 - 0000 06 AUG 2004
Summary:
Moon 1 day before last quarter (rise 2300). Atmosphere extremely clear.
Best results:
Canon Goto Camera images: All images are oriented correct to normal view, and with horizon line level.
Supernova sn2004dj in Camelopardalis. Difficulty was anticipated in imaging this object, discovered 31 JUL by Japanese astronomer Koichi Itagaki. It and its host galaxy were only 10 degrees above the horizon. However, the atmosphere was clear enough to obtain the supernova, and structure of probable host galaxy NGC2403 (dist. 11 Mly). Preliminary spectrum indicates a Type II explosion, so the object should be bright enough to image with digital cameras for at least another month. 2004:08:05 21:39:06 400mm 45 sec, f/2.8 Mode: Manual Metering: Center-weighted average ISO: 1600 AF mode: Manual Focus Drive: Continuous (high): frame 1 White balance: Auto Color matrix 1: sRGB natural-looking hue and chroma Flash: Off File size: 5,532KB Image size: 3504 x 2336 Sharpness level: Off Custom Functions: CFn 2: No exposure without CF card CFn 10: AF point illumination: Brighter CFn 13: 11 AF points, Spot metering: Center AF point
Comet NEAT C/2001 Q4 in Ursa Major Receding into the outer solar system, still visible in larger binoculars as a hazy dot in the bowl of the Big Dipper.(the lower-right star in the bowl of the Big Dipper). 2004:08:05 21:55:32 400mm 60 sec, f/2.8 Mode: Manual Metering: Center-weighted average ISO: 1600 AF mode: Manual Focus Drive: Continuous (high): frame 1 White balance: Auto Color matrix 1: sRGB natural-looking hue and chroma Flash: Off File size: 6,054KB Image size: 3504 x 2336 Sharpness level: Off Custom Functions: CFn 2: No exposure without CF card CFn 10: AF point illumination: Brighter CFn 13: 11 AF points, Spot metering: Center AF point
Comet LINEAR C/2003 K4 in Bootis is now easily visible in the Northern Hemisphere, still fairly bright at mag 6.3 with a small tail. 2004:08:05 23:06:24 400mm 75 sec, f/2.8 Mode: Manual Metering: Center-weighted average ISO: 800 AF mode: Manual Focus Drive: Continuous (high): frame 1 White balance: Auto Color matrix 1: sRGB natural-looking hue and chroma Flash: Off File size: 3,868KB Image size: 3504 x 2336 Sharpness level: Off Custom Functions: CFn 2: No exposure without CF card CFn 10: AF point illumination: Brighter CFn 13: 11 AF points, Spot metering: Center AF point
NGC 7000 North American Nebula in Cygnus is remarkable in unfiltered raw image. With standard postprocessing will look like the shot (right) taken 17 JUNE 2004 at the new moon. Postprocessing includes rotating the image clockwise 90 degrees, increasing saturation 55 points, and contrast 50 points using JASC Paint Shop Pro. 2004:08:05 22:10:22 400mm 60 sec, f/2.8 Mode: Manual Metering: Center-weighted average ISO: 1600 AF mode: Manual Focus Drive: Continuous (high): frame 1 White balance: Auto Color matrix 1: sRGB natural-looking hue and chroma Flash: Off File size: 6,559KB Image size: 3504 x 2336 Sharpness level: Off Custom Functions: CFn 2: No exposure without CF card CFn 10: AF point illumination: Brighter CFn 13: 11 AF points, Spot metering: Center AF point
Messier 27 Dumbbell Nebula in Vulpecula imaged clearly without filtration. 2004:08:05 22:15:51 400mm 60 sec, f/2.8 Mode: Manual Metering: Center-weighted average ISO: 1600 AF mode: Manual Focus Drive: Continuous (high): frame 1 White balance: Auto Color matrix 1: sRGB natural-looking hue and chroma Flash: Off File size: 6,614KB Image size: 3504 x 2336 Sharpness level: Off Custom Functions: CFn 2: No exposure without CF card CFn 10: AF point illumination: Brighter CFn 13: 11 AF points, Spot metering: Center AF point
Asteroid 11 Parthenope in Sagittarius Bright, having just passed a favorable opposition. 2004:08:05 23:15:02 400mm 45 sec, f/2.8 Mode: Manual Metering: Center-weighted average ISO: 800 AF mode: Manual Focus Drive: Continuous (high): frame 1 White balance: Auto Color matrix 1: sRGB natural-looking hue and chroma Flash: Off File size: 4,012KB Image size: 3504 x 2336 Sharpness level: Off Custom Functions: CFn 2: No exposure without CF card CFn 10: AF point illumination: Brighter CFn 13: 11 AF points, Spot metering: Center AF point
Asteroid 4 Vesta in Cetus Bright asteroid, with opposition in early September. 2004:08:05 23:20:05 400mm 30 sec, f/2.8 Mode: Manual Metering: Center-weighted average ISO: 800 AF mode: Manual Focus Drive: Continuous (high): frame 1 White balance: Auto Color matrix 1: sRGB natural-looking hue and chroma Flash: Off File size: 3,611KB Image size: 3504 x 2336 Sharpness level: Off Custom Functions: CFn 2: No exposure without CF card CFn 10: AF point illumination: Brighter CFn 13: 11 AF points, Spot metering: Center AF point
Images are copyright ©2003 Paul C. Martinez & Philip Brents. They may be used for any educational or scientific use - however, please reference or link to this page if you do so.