Satellite Tracking and Photography Setup

Overview

• Presenter: Dave Dickenson from Aster Guys
• Topic: Setting up a low-cost way to track and photograph satellites

Equipment and Setup

Basic Gear

• Homemade Weather Station: For keeping setup portable and dew-free
  • Importance: Prevents dew formation, essential for Florida climate
• Laptop: Core of the setup, runs necessary software
  • Software: Freeware for tracking and image processing

Cooling System

• Fan Setup: Keep area cool and maintain air circulation

Eyepiece and Webcam

• Wide Field Eyepiece: Initial target acquisition (42mm)
• Webcam: Logitech 4000 ($40), modified to fit eyepiece
  • Similar brightness and size to planetary bodies like Jupiter or Saturn

Tracking and Imaging Techniques

Focus and Tracking

• Challenge: Focus and track satellites (e.g., ISS) due to rapid movement
• Scope Details: Lacks drive motors; manual tracking required

Targeting Mechanism

• Telrad Finder: For aiming and tracking satellites
• Props for Manual Guide:
  • Pot grabber, broomstick, or pool stick to manually guide
  • Works similar to old-style camera guiding

Manual Tracking Demonstration

• Method:
  • Look through reticle
  • Track satellite overhead like tracking an aircraft
  • Aim for intermittent frames: Capture 20 good frames out of 1000

Additional Tips

• Attachment Method: Use bungees to attach guiding stick to the scope
• Software Used:
  • K3 CCD Tools: Image processing and tracking (subscription-based)
  • RegiStax: Free image processing software

Practical Application

Focus Setup

• Pre-Focus Tip: Use Venus for initial focus and settings (similar brightness to ISS)
• Shutter Speed: Approximately 1/500 for capturing the ISS

Final Notes

• Cost Efficiency: Most households already have required items (telescope, webcam, laptop)
• Low-Tech Setup: Simple and accessible for amateur astronomers
• Immediate Action: Can start satellite imaging the same night if setup correctly