Celestron Nexstar 6 SE Looking Through Window Glass
This ongoing page is dedicated to indoor observing by looking through window glass with the Celestron Nexstar 6 SE telescope.
This ongoing page is dedicated to indoor observing by looking through window glass with the Celestron Nexstar 6 SE telescope.
Years ago when astro imaging with small telescopes, like the 2.99-inch Celestron Firstscope, it was discovered that it was possible to photo solar system objects through a closed window while the telescope remained indoors. The window was kept closed to avoid the excessive summer heat, high dew forming humidity, and deadly bugs and killer mosquitoes carry Dengue Fever. This indoor observatory also experimented with a Celestron EdgeHD 14 and 9.25-inch telescopes. Now moved to a new location with more space, more windows, and newer windows, indoor telescopes will prevail.
There are several tricks to observing through window glass to get the best results, some of which are controllable and some are not. Here's the top of the ongoing bucket list:
* Have access to new white float glass with higher precision flats
* Do not use tinted glass
* Clean the both sides of the glass just before observing
* Do not use double or triple insulated windows
* Keep the window closed
* Inspect & remove any dew, frost or dust from the glass when observing
* Do achieve indoor thermal equilibrium with indoors/outdoors
* Move the telescope as perpendicular as possible to the glass
* Measure window aperture, plot when objects will become visible using
planetarium software
* Measure & know clear sky altitude, azimuth and horizon
* Have exact latitude longitude for telescope GOTO
* Computer image "process out" window glass
* Subtract any secondary reflections from the back of the glass
* Make any color corrections necessary
* Boost compensation contrast & sharpness as necessary
* Smaller telescope apertures may minimize aberration differentials
* Move the telescope closer to the glass to increase sky viewing area
* Use lower EFRs to minimize magnifying any defects
* Avoid glass bubbles, striations or any defects
* Avoid telescope tube obstruction by window frame
* Correct for achromatic and chromatic aberrations from the window glass
How to Subtract Achromatic Chromatic Aberrations
Depending on factors (window glass type, angle of telescope relative to the plane of the window), correct for typical achromatic chromatic aberration from the window glass when the image has blue on one side and red on the opposite side by employing a ZWO ADC Atmospheric Dispersion Corrector to correct the image at the telescope. Aberration effects can also be minimized through final image processing on the computer.
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