Planetary Imaging Primer

Course Summary

East Valley Astronomy Club (EVAC) is offering an introductory for planetary, Moon and Sun imaging.  This course consist of three 60-90 minute weekly ZOOM meetings and three two hour labs held at the Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch in Gilbert next to the Gilbert Riparian Observatory.  The focus class will cover a number of basic concepts associated with imaging the planets, Moon and the Sun.  It will review the current techniques and hardware required to get the best image possible for your system.  A telescope is required for this class but the club does have one camera and computer that can be rented for the capture sessions.

Course size will be limited and will be closed once limit have been reached.

Class Resources

• Class Material

• Lab Workbook

• Making your own Solar Filter

• Instructions on making your own filter

• Baader AstroSolar Safety Film Documentation

• Zoom Meeting Recordings (MP4 files)

• 2023-11-21 Chapter 1,2,3: Course overview, Student Introductions, Setting Expectations, Atmospheric Considerations, Optical Train and Hardware.

• 2023-11-28 Chapter 3,4,5: Hardware and accessories, Optical Tube Assembly,Mounts, Cameras, Filters.  Calculations and lucky imaging.  Bringing it all together: Two Working Examples.

• 2023-12-05 Chapter 6: Hardware and accessories, Optical Tube Assembly,Mounts, Cameras, Filters.  Calculations and lucky imaging.  Bringing it all together: Two Working Examples.

• Lucky Image Videos for practice

• Class Captures

Course Details

• 3 Zoom Classes and 3 hands-on Labs

• $15 for EVAC Members

• $25 for EVAC non-members

• Ages 15 and up

• Course Schedule

• Pre-Lab Assessment

• Prior to our regular scheduled labs Small 2-3 student sessions typically lasting 1.5 - 3 hours will be held at my house (in Chandler, near Ray and Dobson)  to cover some telescope basics.  This ensures the labs will run smothly since you will have the fundamentals of telescope setup already covered.  Students that own a telescope will be encouraged to bring it.  For students that do not own a telescope, one will be provided.

• Weekly ZOOM Class

• 3 recorded classes, 90 minutes each

• Class Meets: Weekly Tuesdays at 7pm

• First Class: November 21st

• Last Class: December 5th

• ZOOM Meeting Details

• Join: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86741583883?pwd=RkxQbGlvN3E2L3ZiVU1NNlArdFM0Zz09

• Meeting ID: 867 4158 3883

• Passcode: 966499

• Weekly Labs: 4 Labs (Gilbert Rotary Central Observatory)

• 3 Labs, 2 hours each

• 2 Groups

Student Information

The following information will be required from each student for registration:

• Name

• Contact Information

• Email Address

• Contact Phone Number

• Do you have a telescope you plan on bringing to the labs?

• Make & Model of telescope (If you own one)

• Do you have a camera you plan on using for the labs:

• Make & model of camera (If you own one)

• Any Special accommodations needed?

Contact Information

For more information feel free to email James Yoder at jty.Astro@ArtCentrics.com

Additional Resources

Additional online resources