Practical Studies for Different Methods of Lunar Occultation Timing with DSLR Cameras

TL;DR

This study explores practical methods for timing lunar occultations using DSLR cameras, aiming to improve accuracy over traditional visual methods by testing continuous shooting and afocal filming techniques with GPS and internet time sources.

Contribution

It introduces and evaluates DSLR-based timing methods, demonstrating their potential as accurate substitutes for less precise visual timing in lunar occultation observations.

Findings

GPS timing is more accurate than internet clock timing.

Maximum shooting speed of 5 fps yields 0.1 seconds precision.

60 fps filming achieves approximately 0.0083 seconds timing precision.

Abstract

There are several methods for timing occultations. Many astronomers may not have access to standard video timing tools, but many of them have access to digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) cameras. In order to increase the accuracy of timing, creative methods were investigated for the DSLR camera technique. These can be a good substitute for the less accurate visual timing method. Two methods of continuous shooting and afocal filming were examined in the experimental phase, which was calculated using maximum speed sequential photography 5 shots per second, 0.1 seconds precision and 60 frames per second shooting speed resulting in 0.0083 seconds precision timing. Two different sources of time were used for video timing: Internet clock and GPS, where GPS base results were more accurate than the Internet clock.