Planet observation with near
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Planet observation with near
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Projectmanager/Author:
Silvia Kowollik
Page 1
28.05.2007
Optical planet observation usually is done
during the night. An exception of this rule is the observation in the near infra
red between 665 and 1050 nm. This also can be done during daytime. Apart from a
longer observation possibility over the year, two further advantages arise as a
result of the larger wavelength of the electromagnetic radiation: Turbulences in
the terrestrial atmosphere obstruct the resolving power in IR not as much as in
the visual range and with ir one can look deeper into the atmosphere layers of
the other planets of our solar system.
For a successful observation within the near ir range with the 80 cm mirror telescope of the observatory extensive searches and tests are necessary in front of the observation relative :
- the selection of a suitable filter
- the selection of a camera, which is sensitive enough in the planned wavelength
coverage in order to catch the weak light.
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665 nm Longpass from Astronomik, based on Schott RG 665 | |
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800 nm Longpass from B+W # 93 | |
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Image not availiable at the time |
1000 nm Longpass from Edmond Optics | |
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Spectral sensitivity characteristics of Videomoduls SK 1004-X |
After the selection of filter and camera on june 07th 2006 a first test with an 8"Newtonian f=5 was done in eyepiceprojection. The test served for the examination of the theoretical initial considerations.
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Left of
Jupiter stays the 5.5 mag bright moon Europa, at
Jupiters surface (-2.5 mag) cloud belts, the Great Red Spot and
"Red Jr." are visible as well as right of Jupiter the 5.3 mag
bright moon Io. Capturing and Imageprocessing with Giotto 30% of 1200 Singleframes, Contrast enhanced, Seeing : 3-4/10 |
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Rotationsanimation:
51 single images from 11.06.
until 14.06.2006,
stepp: 10 minutes (= 6 °) Captured with K3CCD-TOOLS (10 f/s) |
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Filtertest 21.06.2006 with 6" Newton: This test was done at worst seeing with an filterwheel. Used filter:
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Rotationsanimation: Captured with 6" Newton and
eyepiceprojection Captured with VirtualDub (25 f/s) |
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The treatment of the pictures was divided into 3 steps:
- subpixelexact averaging
- contrast rise
- sharpening
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Saturn on 16.2.2007, with 800 nm Longpassfilter, captured with 8" Newton f/5, eyepiceprojektion, effective focal length 7,5 meter, Videomodul SK 1004-X. | |
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Saturn on 11.3..2007, with 665 nm Longpassfilter, captured with 8" Newton f/5, eyepiceprojektion, effective focal length 8 meter, Videomodul SK 1004-X. |
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Jupiter on 19.05.2007 00:32 -00:34 UT Jupiter with 8" Newton, eyepiceprojektion, effective focal length 8 meter and 665 nm Longpassfilter. Captured with Videomodul SK 1004-X in origin size. 45 % of 3.000 singleframes Captured and image processing with Giotto 2.12
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Map from two images captured on 00:33 and 01:41 UT on 19.05.2007 processed with programm WINJUPOS. This map shows fine details in the cloud belts of Jupiter. |
With IR-Images substantially more details than within the
visual range can be illustrated and maps of the cloud belts can be made.
Images made during a period of several month show changes in the cloud
structures, which can be measured very well.
These first tests with different IR - filters at amateur telescopes with 15
and/or 20 cm mirror diameters showed that the filters fulfill our
expectations.
The light of the
planet atmosphere is effectively weakened.
With suitable weather conditions further tests are
accomplished in 2008.
In September 2008 Uranus will be seen at
the night sky and we will observe Uranus
during the following month to detect clouds on the planetray disk.
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