How can I make a good video?

How can I make this video better?

• I just bought a new telescope this year and I use it about once a week or so. I have been trying to record video and take still images of different objects but have been mainly focused on imaging Saturn because I rather perfect one thing before moving on to other much harder objects. My video of Saturn http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iR8sElrhzM4 How can I get it to look like this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U1-AOp8zm94 I know the angle on the other video is a better time in the 7 years cycle but how can I sharpen the video capture of my video. I use the Phillips 900nc with a 2x barlow (which is needed to focus properly anyway). And have tried all of the 7 color filters in my Celestron kit. I have staked the photos and have gotten better results but not like the raw video from most people. Any ideas? Thanks

• Answer:

  The video you took is remarkably good. I have never seen raw video from a ten inch aperture any better. It approaches what I see by eye. The example video you linked to may have been taken with a larger scope. Definitely, it was very good live video, but not sure what camera was used. Some of the clip was made into a composite, stacked from many thousands of lousy frames, using only a few hundred or so good ones. In the last few seconds, there is no "live" action to it. That part is just one frame, repeated over and over. There are a few things you can do to capture better video to make into a stacked image. Wait for the jet stream to be somewhere else besides overhead. Wait for a dead calm night. If stars twinkle, or are not solid, bright disks to your eye at high power, stay away from planet shots. Set out your scope to equalize in temperature for several hours. Shoot over a lake, or grass, or a forest, but not rooftops or pavement. Find a valley with dead air (Pasadena CA in a valley with smog has steadier images than Palomar Mountain. It's not a dark, though). You might not need filters, but a better Barlow lens, like the Televue Powemate might benefit. Refine your collimation with a star test at highest power.