Seeing something you are not expecting

For my advanced setup, I use my MallinCam Micro on a 50mm guide scope as a remote video finder.  I use Focal Reducer(s) and my MallinCam X2 for my main camera on my 8” Celestron.

By using the Micro as a finder camera with AGC=high and Lens at x32, it makes it easier to center your target due to the fast screen update rate.  I am not as concerned about the quality of the finder image when used this way – it just needs to update quickly.  When the target is centered in the finder image, I then switch to my main X2 camera for viewing the target through my 8” scope.

The other night I thought I would play with the Micro some while it was on the 50mm scope since it provides a really nice wide field of view. My MallinCam Extended Control application (see my Download tab) can be used to adjust the Micro’s camera settings in parallel with other programs that can enhance the camera’s image in real time.   I like using the MiloSlick MallinCam software live image filters like the Histogram Level Adjustment that can really improve the appearance of DSOs.  The MiloSlick application does not have controls for the Micro settings, so I just run my application next to the MiloSlick app and use my program to initially set the camera settings for the best picture, and then use the MiloSlick real time processing functions to improve it even more.  Here is where I am using my program on the left of the screen to adjust the camera's Gamma for the best image, and further improving the image using the MiloSlick histogram feature.

While I was doing this, I observed what I believe to be a geostationary satellite "move" through my field of view right next to the Orion Nebula.  It showed up as a short streak that moved down the screen.  The length of the streak was based on the camera's exposure time.

Even though it appears the satellite is moving through the image, a geostationary satellite is in a fixed position above the earth.  So if it is not moving, why does it appear as a streak?  This is because my telescope mount is tracking an area in the sky to keep the Orion Nebula fixed in the field of view while the earth is rotating.  So as the Orion Nebula rises in the sky, my mount is moving upward as it tracks it.  As it tracks past the area of the sky where the geostationary satellite is positioned in its fixed location, it makes it appear that the satellite is moving in the camera’s field of view.

I saw this once before a couple years back as I was just getting into Video Astronomy using my Samsung 2000 camera modified for Video Astronomy.  I actually saw five satellites “moving in formation” past the Orion Nebula.  I first noticed two coming into view on the left, and then saw five as they moved across the display. They are pretty faint in a single image, but your eye picks up the movement as you see them change their position against the background image of the stars over a short period of time.

Of course they weren’t flying in formation past the Orion Nebula, but it sure looks like it!  Fortunately I had acted quickly and captured a video clip of it.  So yesterday I rummaged around and found my old video clip, edited it and posted it on YouTube.  You can view it by clicking on the link below.

http://youtu.be/dThrTt9uNTc

Sometimes you see something you are not expecting!