Topic: STS-134: 20,000 photos of Endeavour's launch
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42988 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 06-04-2011 09:32 AM
NASA Ames Research Center release
Ames Imaging Experts Create Unique Views of STS-134 Launch
Imaging experts funded by the Space Shuttle Program and located at NASA's Ames Research Center prepared this video by merging nearly 20,000 photographs taken by a set of six cameras capturing 250 images per second at the STS-134 launch on May 16, 2011.
From seven seconds before takeoff to six seconds after, the cameras took simultaneous images at six different exposure settings. The images were processed and combined in this video to balance the brightness of the rocket engine output with the regular daylight levels at which the orbiter can be seen.
The processing software digitally removes pure black or pure white pixels from one image and replaces them with the most detailed pixel option from the five other images. This technique can help visualize debris falling during a launch or support research involving intense light sources like rocket engines, plasma experiments and hypersonic vehicle engines.
nasamad Member
Posts: 2121 From: Essex, UK Registered: Jul 2001
posted 06-04-2011 03:45 PM
That is sooo cool, I have wondered if anyone had taken any shots like this, not even thinking of a video in this style. In normal stills photography it is called HDR imaging (High Dynamic Range) and is great for retaining detail in images where the light values are too wide for normal display monitors.
I have been experimenting with HDR photography myself, although it is very easy to "overdo" the effect.
I'd love to see any full colour images of shuttle launches if people have taken any in this style (or even on orbit shots!).
Greggy_D Member
Posts: 977 From: Michigan Registered: Jul 2006
posted 06-04-2011 03:58 PM
Does the SRB nozzle really bounce around like that? Or is it more related to the digital processing of the images?
mjanovec Member
Posts: 3811 From: Midwest, USA Registered: Jul 2005
posted 06-04-2011 05:15 PM
It's not quite the same effect, but I've always enjoyed this photo for the detail you can see in the SRB plumes.
Greggy_D Member
Posts: 977 From: Michigan Registered: Jul 2006
posted 06-04-2011 05:56 PM
I printed that exact image poster size and hung it in my office at work. One of my friends removed the lens flare near the bottom via Photoshop.
nasamad Member
Posts: 2121 From: Essex, UK Registered: Jul 2001
posted 06-05-2011 03:21 PM
Greggy, I see what you mean about the SRB nozzle bouncing around, if you look again at the video you see other parts of the images bouncing at the same time. Considering it was made with six cameras I'd guess the would be some image alignment issues to contend with.
By the look of the video, the camera taking the shortest exposures (or having the lowest ISO setting) which recorded only the brightest highlights of the total image wasn't mounted as solidly as the others and maybe suffered from the shockwave from the launch.
posted 06-04-2011 09:32 AM
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