SO much better than Greg's...

[LewisM]

...NOT!!!!

Actually, this was merely a test for my new FSQ-106N on my Vixen GPD2 and peripherals. Night started nicely with NIL cloud, but soon the cloud came over and I was seeing EXTENSIVE banks of fluff - I packed up at 11pm after a mere 45 minutes exposure (rejected 1 sub due to it being SO dim from cloud cover as to be worthless). What thrilled me was the GPD2 with Synscan system tracked FLAWLESSLY (in PHD2, ALL the tracking plots were HALF of the 0.25 ring, so I assume that's 1/8th pixel guiding?) - even with the clouds, when PHD2 regained the star field, the box did not even have to move.

Anyway, NGC 246 Skull Neb, with a hand-focused (and NOT changed) FSQ-106N at f/5 with an old SBIG ST-8300C. Grainy and noisier than a halftone newspaper at full res, so you get my post card instead :P No darks, bias or flats - this is just whacked into CCDStack then out the back door straight into PS6 for mass manipulation.

Not intending to actually complete this one - it's just a test, and now I am happy enough, time to move back to my 2 year project on M78 :)

Harsh criticism will be ignored due to the completely inadequate data:P:screwy:

[LewisM]

Forgot to mention - all just 5 minute subs... had a brain fart in my rush to get imaging

And at f/5, 5 minutes subs is almost useless. MINIMUM 10 min required, preferably 20 min.

[raymo]

You're too modest Lewis, considering no darks etc: it's very nice.
raymo

[LewisM]

Nah Raymo, you are too kind!

Just for a giggle, here's a crop from 100%, BEFORE Photoshop - dusties, flecks and all (and including the sub I later chucked) :) I gotta clean this kit!

[Atmos]

I was actually going to do the same thing two nights ago but the clouds came over while I was coming to the end of the drift alignments :(
Pretty good for 45 mins without darks :)

[gregbradley]

Its starting to take shape. Nice round stars so that's the main thing with imaging.

Greg.

[LewisM]

Ta Greg, but they aren't round... there is elongation to a minor degree. Need to fix that

[raymo]

You're right, that elongation is horrendous; you'll have to do
something about that.:lol::lol:
raymo

[AlexN]

Nice one Lewis.

You imaging tonight? Sky here is sensational tonight.

[Somnium]

great job for a test ! looking good

[LewisM]

Nope - always the way, pick the WRONG night. I was just too stoofed last night to do it - I thought about it, wanted to, but the body screamed no.

Now watch tonight be clouded...

[RickS]

At least you got an image, Lewis, and it's not that shabby.

Cheers,
Rick.

[LewisM]

I think I pushed the saturation just a tad far but considering it's 45 minutes of noisy ickiness... well.. ya do what ya got to do :)