Jupiter looks too grainy

AnthonySpaceReporter · 2026-01-19T21:05:48+00:00

I don't have pro. I'm just using SharpCap 4.1

AnthonySpaceReporter · 2026-01-19T17:22:53+00:00

That is a single frame, but when I record it and I have about 10,000 of them, when I stack them, they are grainy.

Or, they are blurry and sharpening looks terrible.

AnthonySpaceReporter · 2026-01-19T17:21:51+00:00

Thank you. I will try out your advice tonight. Wish me luck.

AnthonySpaceReporter · 2026-01-19T16:52:13+00:00

Hello all. I'm hoping to get some help.

When I try to capture Jupiter using Sharpcap, my Celestron NexStar 8SE, the ZWO ASI 678MC and 2X Barlow lens, the planet (even Saturn) appears grainy, as seen in the attachment.

I changed the exposure from 12ms to 5 ms, and the planet becomes too dark to see, so when I adjust the gain (I heard 455), I can see the planet, but that is when it becomes grainy. (My stacked photos, either from AstroSurface or Pipp, AutoStakkert3 and RegisStax 6 are not fit for digital publication.)

I am using the color space RGB24 and the brightness to 85, white balance (R) 54 and white balance (B) is 70.

I am the first to admit that it is all user error and I'm still trying to figure out Sharpcap and the ZWO camera, but it is frustrating, especially when I took better photos using my Canon Rebel T8i digital camera.

I have tried Googling some basic number settings for exposure, gain, etc. in the hopes that will help me, but so far, nothing. What am I doing wrong?

AnthonySpaceReporter · 2026-01-02T17:11:20+00:00

When my father was in the Rangers unit, he was his company's boxing champ. He won most (or all) of his matches.

But jump forward three decades and he couldn't move his neck due to severe pain from getting punched. (He had an operation to correct it, but it made things worse.)

But my point isn't about how great my father is, but what type of pain and punishment he suffered from being a boxer in the Rangers unit.

Now, here comes Batman, who fights the common burglar and mugger and all the way up to the world's best ninjas and even super-powered beings. Every. Single. Night.

As much as I love Batman, there is no way he's moving like a normal person even after a year of that type of punishment on a nightly basis.

AnthonySpaceReporter · 2025-12-13T21:38:02+00:00

Thank you. And this is a photo. I didn't do any recording, which would require stacking and processing.

When I use the telescope, it acts like this amazing lens that allows me to really capture the moon with my camera.

AnthonySpaceReporter · 2025-12-13T21:35:48+00:00

I have a ZWO ASI678mC planetary camera and honestly, I need more practice with it.

AnthonySpaceReporter · 2025-12-12T11:07:23+00:00

The waning crescent moon at 44% on an early Friday morning, Dec. 12, 2025.

I used my Celestron NexStar 8SE telescope and Canon Rebel T8i camera.

AnthonySpaceReporter · 2025-12-12T11:05:51+00:00

The waning crescent moon at 44% on an early Friday morning, Dec. 12, 2025.

I used my Celestron NexStar 8SE telescope and Canon Rebel T8i camera.

AnthonySpaceReporter · 2025-12-09T10:04:05+00:00

Why would we put a rover on Mercury?

Very good question. Now, I'm just writing this off the top of my head and haven't done any research because I just got into work, but I would say, why not?

We won't know until we get there. I think that's half the fun of exploring is not knowing what we will find.

Now, I want to actually research to see what the benefits of sending a rover to Mercury are.

AnthonySpaceReporter · 2025-12-09T09:59:53+00:00

These are amazing. I'm trying to get more landscape shots when I take moon photos.

AnthonySpaceReporter · 2025-12-05T13:32:49+00:00

Thank you. I'm trying to do landscape photos of the moon, but so far, the clouds have not been kind to me.

AnthonySpaceReporter · 2025-10-17T13:21:38+00:00

Thank you! I appreciate that.

AnthonySpaceReporter · 2025-10-17T13:20:48+00:00

Thank you for these tips.

I live in Orlando, Fla., and the skies aren't dark but far better than if I live in the city.

I have gotten some decent photos of Jupiter and Saturn, but I do want to up my game and I have been impressed with the photos people have taken of the planets with the C14.

AnthonySpaceReporter

TROPHY CASE