Agenda
Friday, November
11
7:00 - 9:00
p.m.: Reception and early conference check-in
Saturday,
November 12
8:00 - 8:30:
Conference check-in
8:30 - 8:45:
Opening remarks:
Steve Mandel
8:45-9:30:
Rob
Gendler:
The
Hybrid Image: Optimizing Your Data to the Object
Rob Gendler,
one of the most prolific and best-known imagers in the world will introduce
us to a philosophy of image processing using nontraditional data combinations
to construct a hybrid image. Hybrid images can be created using data
acquired at different resolutions often using different focal length instruments.
The images can also incorporate different filtered data including traditional
and narrowband filtered data. Hybrid images include mosaics, filtered
luminance, hydrogen alpha color composites and complex composites using
all or some of these techniques. The techniques described can be
used to create a unique image where data is optimized to the object.
9:30 - 10:15:
Steve
Mandel:
The
Unexplored Nebulae Project
The AIC
conference will be the venue for revealing the existence of little-known
reflection and emission nebulae, many of them never seen in optical light
before. The location, and very unusual nature, of some of these nebulae
will surprise you. Since coming across unusual nebulae last December,
Steve has been working with professional astronomers to identify, image
and understand these interesting objects. Steve has obtained the
first-ever images of a number of these unique objects, some of which will
be shown for the first time at AIC. He will discuss the special nature
of these nebulae, talk about the professional-amateur collaboration that
he is involved in and show you how you can find, and image, these fascinating
and beautiful objects.
10:15 -
10:30: Break
10:30 -
12:00: Panel: Lisa
Frattare - Zoltan G. Levay, Space Telescope
Science Institute (Hubble Heritage Team) - Travis
Rector, Ph.D., University of Alaska:
Processing
Hubble and
Major
Observatory Images
We are
honored to have Dr. Rector return to the conference and be joined by two
members of the Hubble Heritage Team from the STScI. They will demonstrate
the process of producing full-color images from data from major astronomical
observatories including Hubble, Gemini, and Kitt Peak. A live demo
will show how exposures can be assembled into a coherent observation set,
how data are scaled using the FITS Liberator Photoshop plugin, and how
these datasets are transformed into an aesthetically pleasing color image.
In addition
to the demo, three brief talks will provide some background. They
will discuss the philosophy of astronomical color imaging, focusing on
the technical and aesthetic opportunities and limitations specific to observatories
and instruments. They will also discuss the status of the Hubble
Space Telescope mission: will another dramatic Space Shuttle servicing
mission further enhance the capabilities of the observatory?
12:00 –
1:00: Lunch - Included with registration
1:00 - 2:15:
What's
New From the Sponsors
This conference
would not be possible without the generous support of these folks.
They provide much of the equipment that many of us use to capture our images.
Each sponsor will have 10 minutes to update us on the newest products they
have to offer and to answer questions about getting the most out of their
products. We will hear from SBIG, RCOS, Software Bisque, Anacortes
Telescope, and the NASA Global Telescope Network.
2:15 - 2:30:
Break
2:30 - 3:15:
Ron Wodaski - What
Seeing is and How it Works
In this
interesting session you will learn about the different types of seeing,
which types you can control and how to exercise that control. Learn
how to optimize your site and telescope to minimize seeing effects.
Among other topics you will learn: observatory placement and design,
wind dynamics, telescope seeing issues, about active and adoptive optics
and some image processing tricks to help combat seeing effects. Ron
has been involved in a number of observatory projects and has gained valuable
knowledge in this area that he will share with us.
3:15 – 4:00:
Johannes
Schedler -
Processing
STL 11000 Images
From one
of the premier imagers in Europe: A workflow through CCD Astroimaging
with the STL-11000, comprising session preparation, target selection depending
on sky conditions, tips for optimum telescope-camera combination, image
acquisition and image processing (focusing on Photoshop CS techniques,
masks, blending, noise handling, selective sharpening, color synthesis
using LRGB and narrowband filters, preserving star colors, special final
touches).
4:00 - 5:15:
Russ
Croman - John Gleason:
Narrow
Band Imaging Techniques
Narrow-band
emission line imaging has become increasingly popular in the past few years.
It adds an exciting new dimension to imaging, and can enable very deep
images even from light-polluted locations. But emission-line images place
special demands on your equipment and your acquisition and processing skills.
We'll cover topics including how to choose good filters, techniques to
process emission-line images, and how to color balance a multiple-line
mapped-color image.
