This tutorial will show you how to image the Sun, Moon and Solar System objects with your Dwarf 3 / Mini in the latest version of the DwarfLab's app.
The process has changed quite considerably compared to the previous version of the app.
You need to be aware that in this version of the app, Sun and Moon focusing and imaging need to be done via the Solar System menu. You cannot focus on the Sun or Moon in any of the other modes.
The added Planetary targets are fully GoTo, but you would have had to have completed either an EQ or normal calibration before you can use the planetary GoTo function. The Sun & Moon still need to be found manually.
Imaging the Sun or the Moon is extremely simple with a Dwarf 3 / Mini smart telescope. The process is effectively the same for both targets.
Below are two examples of the Moon taken with a Dwarf 3 telescope. You will notice that the image on the left is not as good as the image on the right.
The difference between the two images is that the lefthand image is a single exposure, whereas the righthand image is stacked. The stacked image is far clearer and sharper than the single exposure.
The reason for this is down to how turbulent the Earths atmosphere is. A single exposure will (most of the time) pick up on this atmospheric turbulence which is obviously seen in the image.
The stacked image aligns many single exposures in the same way that DSO astro images are aquired. This makes the final image sharper, with much more definition.
IMPORTANT) Always ensure that the solar filter is attached to the Dwarf telescope BEFORE you attempt to find the Sun. The solar filter is not required when imaging the Moon.
Sun & Moon imaging. (See below for planetary imaging).
01) After manually finding the Sun or Moon using the joystick, Click the mode selection in the top right hand corner of the screen and select "Solar System" from the box that pops up.
02) Click on either the Sun or Moon from the list
03) It will ask you ensure that the ND filter is installed if imaging the Sun. If you have already got the Sun in the field of view, then just click "Done Already"
04) The app will centre the Sun or Moon and start tracking.
Now click "Auto Focus" to focus
05) Now that the target is centered and being tracked, click on "Function" again and click "Parameters".
Do NOT change the shutter setting as this was set to its optimal setting while auto focusing.
You will notice that the gain is set to 2. Move this to the 0 position.
06) The amount of singles that you will take is subjective, but I find that on the Moon between 150 and 200 yields a great final picture, but anything from 20 upwards will work really well.
The Sun is slightly different as it has some slow rotation, but I have found that the same amount as the Moon is usually more than enough to get a decent Sun picture.
There is no point in taking the full 999 image limit, as you get to a point where the object does not benefit from further imaging time. Also, it will take a month of Sundays to stack the full 999 singles.
Planetary GoTo and imaging
Planetary mode will require you to have already completed an EQ or Alt-Az calibration alignment.
Selecting one of the planets in the list will initiate an automatic GoTo. There is no need to manually centre these objects. This is still in the test phase and may not work as intended.
01) Click the mode selection in the top right hand corner of the screen and select "Solar System" from the box that pops up.
02) Click on any of the planets that are in the sky for your location and time from the list.
03) The Dwarf will now automatically search for the selected planet and centre it.
04) There are not many options in the Parameters yet, and none can be currently changed.
05) Now that the target is centered and being tracked, click on the red button to start the imaging run currently set at 20 exposures.
Hopefully DwarfLab's will allow for exposure and gain setting adjustments soon once the testing has been completed.
When the session has completed, the imaging will stop. A little box will appear at the bottom of the screen reminding you to edit your image in Stellar Studio.
Click the little "x" to close this box.
To access the saved image, click on the little left arrow in the top left hand corner of the screen. This will return you to the homescreen of the app, where you can view the saved, stacked image in the album.
From the album, you can download the stacked image.
