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Web cams are inexpensive digital video systems introduced for
the internet. More than a decade ago, they were discovered to have perfect
attributes for planetary imaging. In the amateur world, they
have practically replaced all CCD and certainly film based planetary
astrophotography because of their ease of use and good results.
Excellent control software and image processing software for
planetary web cam operation is available for free downloading
(Jones, 2002). I purchased a Philips TooUCamPro 740K web cam for
imaging Mars during its 2003 opposition, and for the first time
in my life I got recognizable (not good) results:
Mars 12 September 2003. Philips ToUCam on a
Meade LX -200 12-inch telescope with a 2X Barlow lens. T. Hunter
This image can not compare with those done by others, but for me
it was a major step forward. I can at least claim the object
imaged truly looks like Mars. Previous attempts over the years
with film and CCD's showed only enormous red elliptical blobs
that looked like a sunburned banana.
Web cams are also ideal for lunar imaging:
Copernicus at 10.33 days on the evening of June 7, 2014. Celestron 14-inch f/11 telescope, 2.5 X Barlow lens, Lumenera SKYnyx camera. T. Hunter
Conclusion
My personal recommendations for astrophotography are summarized
in Table I. For me, digital imaging is is the only way to go for most applications. Film is no longer relevant for astrophotography. Web cams are my definite
recommendation for lunar and planetary imaging. They are inexpensive, and
the software available for them is free and quite powerful.
Table I – Astrophotography Recommendations
| Film
Astrophotography |
No longer relevant for most astrophotography applications |
| CCD Imaging |
For all
applications requiring precise digital information.
For most prime focus telescopic imaging.
For imaging of faint objects.
For discovery work – supernovae, asteroids, variable
stars… |
| Digital Camera
Imaging |
Tripod mounted
or piggyback mounted telephoto imaging for bright
objects.
Prime focus telescope imaging for very bright
objects (Moon, large bright star clusters, very
bright galaxies, the Sun). |
| Web Cam |
For almost all
planetary, Moon, and Solar imaging. |
References:
Carpenter EF, Jepperson R. Color photography of faint objects
with a special fast film. AJ 1959; 64: 49-50.
Custer CP. Prime focus photography for the amateur. Sky &
Telescope May 1958; pages 352-356.
Grasslands Observatory web site: http://www.3towers.com.
Hunter TB, McGaha JM, Knauss JD. Halley's Comet, The Pleiades,
and Murphy's Law. Deep Sky, Fall 1986.
Hunter TB. Sky & Telescope October 1961; page 214.
Jones G. web cam images and discussion at: http://www.threebuttes.com/webcam.htm.
Mallas, JH, Kreimer, E. The Messier Album, Sky Publishing
Corporation, 1978, Cambridge, MA.
Miller WC. First color portraits of the heavens. National
Geographic May 1959; pages 670-679.
Palcholka W. Personal communication. Web site: http://www.astropics.com/
first posted 11 February 2005; revised 9 June 2014
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