[PRejto (Peter)]

I would appreciate some advice re exposure strategy for M16. The attached .jpg screen capture is a 2.5 min stretched 2x2 luminance subframe from my TEC140 with a 2X AP barlow. 2x2 resolution is 1.18 arcsec.

I notice that at 2.5 min many of the stars are already blown out (never mind the egg shapes! There was no guiding). I intend to capture 1x1 at .59 arcsec so I estimate that I would need to increase capture time 3-4X to achieve the same density as the attached image. However, I'm not at all sure if this is close to the "right" subframe exposure. I could go longer but risk even larger stars, or go shorter to try to avoid saturating the stars as much. Or, is it best to just increase exposure for the nebula and try to replace (or tame) the stars later?

Thanks for any feedback!

Peter