M8 Lagoon - First Light for New Scope

[xa-coupe]

I finally got the new scope out last night. I had new scope issues... making things work as I wanted them and general setup. Once that was sorted I pointed it at M8 and ran some 4 min exposures. I wanted 20 but the clouds thought otherwise so I got 14... then the battery died before I could complete the darks, let alone flats and bias so I packed it up.



I have a lot to learn about processing but here's my first real attempt with a decent scope. The difference between the entry level Saxon and this is mind blowing.



WO GT81
EQ6
APT

PHD2
EOS 1500d w/ CLS filter

[multiweb]

Nice flat field. :thumbsup:

[Ryderscope]

Nice result Jeff and welcome to the world of late night equipment problems. My small suggestions would be to move the field across to the right a smidge to bring the Lagoon and Trifid into the frame and remove some of the green in the background. Showing some nice detail in the core with the cluster well presented. You should happy with where this is going:)

[Placidus]

What Rodney said.


Good work persevering in the face of adversity. You're up and running nicely.

[xa-coupe]

Thanks guys. Marc, I got a .8 flattener/reducer which seems to work a treat.

Trifid was never my object... but since it was there I didn't want to crop it out.

I've only had 2 nights to be getting data in the last 2 weeks of the new OTA.. so I just added more to the same. Once we settle into at least a few clear nights a week I will work on better framing.