Ngl, I used a cheap Amazon webcam as a planetary camera for Jupiter and it actually worked

3 comments

3 Comments

Sticking it on with a 3D printed adapter is genius. How did you figure out the right distance from the sensor to get it to focus, or did you just have to move the telescope focuser way out?

fisher.paige22d ago

My old Logitech C270 from 2012 is my secret weapon. I took the lens off, stuck it on my telescope with a 3D printed adapter, and just stacked the best frames in Registax. Got the Great Red Spot and two bands on a really steady night. It's amazing what you can do with junk drawer tech.

jade_hernandez21h ago

Seriously, the sensor in those old webcams is the key. They have huge pixels compared to modern planetary cameras. That means each pixel gets more light. It's why you can pull out detail like the GRS with basic software. Newer isn't always better for this. That sensor tech from a decade ago has a real sweet spot.