NGC 6541 Cacciatore Globular Cluster

[Startrek]

Captured NGC 6541 Cacciatore Cluster last night. It’s located in the constellation of Corona Australis
and has a brightness of 6.5 magnitude.It was first discovered by Niccolò Cacciatore in 1826 at Palermo Sicily.James Dunlop sighted this cluster a short while later in his observatory at Parramatta Sydney

6” f6 newt on a HEQ5 mount
Canon 600D with Baader coma corrector and home made Cooling Fan ( sensor temp 19 deg C )
Bortle 8 Sydney Skies
No Filters
45 x 2 minute guided subs ( no dithering )
20 x darks
PHD2 guiding using the PPEC algorithm ( guide error 0.90 to 1.20 arc sec ) So far this algorithm is producing slightly better guiding than Hysteresis but time will tell
Mount balanced “East Heavy” on the western side meridian
First time using a JMI moto focus with remote handcontroller ( so much more accurate and a huge time saver )
Tracking and Goto EQMOD / Stellarium
Captured in BYEOS
Stacked in DSS
Processed in Startools

Thanks for looking , comments welcome

[Kev11]

Excellent as ever, Martin.
Comparison with my 6541 has made me aware I need to be careful with the orientation of my final images (I don't bother rotating the DSLR to a consistent angle for each object).
Also interested that although you have Bortle 8 light pollution, your sky must be reasonably transparent. I have nights where DSS tells me I have insufficient stars to process subs. No light pollution but a sort of incipient fog of moisture in the atmosphere.
Cheers....Kevin

[Startrek]

Thanks Kev
I have no issue resolving Stars under Sydney Bortle 8 skies
Conditions vary so stars are either tight or a bit bloated depending on Jetstream, humidity, low level wind , guiding etc....but Ive never had any issue with not enough stars in the field for DSS
Seems a bit odd in your case

[LostInSp_ce]

Your star colour is always good nice work again. Just saw your guiding stats that looks pretty good for a 6 inch newt on a HEQ5.

[Startrek]

Thanks Lost in Space
I use the scientific colour module in Startools, it works on most objects and gives you a good starting point for tweaking
My HEQ5 is carrying 9 kg so balancing slightly east Heavy on both sides of the meridian is paying dividends plus I’m using the PPEC algorithm in PHD2 which is allowing smoother guiding with slightly less error ( but it does take some time to work )
Cheers

[Icearcher]

That a rippa Martin

Iv been wanting to start imaging some clusters myself and your 600d gives me hope. :)

[Startrek]

Thanks Chris
While not as spectacular as big nebulas and wide field vistas , globular clusters can be a rewarding target if you can nail your focus and set a good capture plan
There are so many up there to choose from all year round

[glenc]

A great image Martin, and nice to see the name of the discoverer given

[LostInSp_ce]

I've never tried the PPEC algorithm but I might have a play with it sometime and see if I can fine tune the mount some more.