(SNES) Free Adaptive Optics

["Pilotstar" <pilotstar@mindspring.com>]

The Keck Telescopes, and many other large observatories, use expensive
adaptive optics to cancel out the effects of poor seeing caused by our
atmosphere. Great freeware software, such as Registax, produce the same
effect as adaptive optics by enabling the processing of images after they
have been recorded by webcams, etc.

Here is a free, real-time "adaptive optics" observing aid: Observing the
planets though a SLIGHT haze (thin clouds, light fog, etc.) often steadies
seeing to a remarkable degree! Boiling, roiling views of the planets often
calm enough to yield steady, sharp images for up to a minute or more at a
time and allow higher magnifications to be used.

I was observing Mars this morning though my 6" f/8 reflector at 200X & 300X.
300X is about the practical magnification limit for a 6" reflector.
Due to mediocre seeing, at 300X Mars drifted in and out of focus, even
though I used an orange filter. (BTW, orange filters ALSO help improve the
"seeing," especially on Mars.) Suddenly, I noticed the view of Mars became
noticeably fainter in the eyepiece and much steadier, thus sharper. Detail
on Mars I had seen only for fleeting seconds just minutes before now
remained in sharp clarity for over 60" at a time, enabling me to really
enjoy the view! Looking up at Mars with the naked eye, I saw thin clouds had
covered it.

I have been aware of the the calming affect of a slight haze on "seeing" for
quite a few years, as I'm sure many other seasoned observers are. It also
works on the moon and double stars, but right now most amateurs are
concerned with Mars.

Of course, one cannot conjure up a fog or haze to improve seeing, and
condensation may rear its ugly head, but DON'T put off viewing Mars under
these conditions--they are actually a blessing. If the view of Mars through
a haze is too dim through an orange filter, try switching to a yellow one,
or no filter at all! And don't hesitate to try a higher power that is within
the reasonable limit of your scope when viewing through a haze--a sky haze,
not a self-induced one! An increase in power from, say, 200X to 300X yields
a 50% increase in diameter for Mars and a whopping 225% in apparent surface
area, making features on Mars much easier to see and identify.

Hope this helps, post your results, pro and con.

 Ernie  (Pilotstar)
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