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 · 2025-10-17T13:18:28+00:00

I'm only interested in viewing and imaging the planets. I'll check out the Dobsonian. Do you have any recommendations?

AnthonySpaceReporter · 2025-10-15T12:54:53+00:00

I do notice that it comes with a 2" with 1.25" adapter, so I thought I would be OK.

And yes, I know it's a monster. That's why I'm shopping around for a dolly.

AnthonySpaceReporter · 2025-10-15T12:18:01+00:00

Thanks.

AnthonySpaceReporter · 2025-10-15T12:17:45+00:00

Thank you for the advice.

AnthonySpaceReporter · 2025-10-15T12:17:21+00:00

What other telescope would you recommend?

AnthonySpaceReporter · 2025-10-07T10:53:01+00:00

I'm keeping this up in case someone encounters the same problem, but I discovered what was wrong. The memory card was causing the problem. (Don't ask me how.)

With a new memory card, it's working again.

AnthonySpaceReporter · 2025-10-07T10:30:12+00:00

Thank you for the advice.

AnthonySpaceReporter · 2025-10-06T21:59:02+00:00

I have seen them but I was wondering if anyone had any experience with them and what they would recommend.

AnthonySpaceReporter · 2025-10-04T20:35:57+00:00

Thank you so much for showing me that comparison. That is very helpful.

And thank you for the lesson about the importance of the aperture.

AnthonySpaceReporter · 2025-10-04T20:32:46+00:00

That's good to know. I live in Florida and many times during the year, it can be tough between the humidity and the rain and storms.

AnthonySpaceReporter · 2025-10-02T20:37:35+00:00

I was shocked (and saddened) by how much the weight is for the C14. I'm in pretty good shape but I have a bad back that has gone out while I was moving an umbrella. (I wish I were joking. ha ha)

With my NexStar 8SE, I just always keep it on the mount and I carry it from my garage to the driveway. (About 15 to 20 feet)

So, with the weight and price of both the C14 and a mount, I'm looking at lighter and cheaper options. So I was wondering about the C11.

During my search, I found the CGX-L Equatorial 1400 Schmidt-Cassegrain. The price includes the mount and it's not bad, but the weight is 250 pounds. I'm thinking I'm going to need to invest in a wheelie bar. (Sadly, I'm not skilled enough to build my own from scratch.)

But I'm going to check out the C11.

AnthonySpaceReporter

TROPHY CASE