Open cluster NGC6231 Caldwell 76

[TrevorW]

NGC 6231 is an open cluster in the southern sky located half a degrees north of Zeta Scorpii. NGC 6231 is part of a swath of young, bluish stars in the constellation Scorpius known as the Scorpius OB1 association.


Captured from my suburban backyard in Perth with the normal neighbourly light pollution and a near full moon with a QHY268c camera attached to my GSO 10" CF TRUSS RC which sat atop my trusty stead a Losmandy G11-G2 mount guided via an Orion SSAG at the end of a Svbony 60mm guide scope using PHD2, One hour of 180 second subs stacked DSS with some darks then processed in PS CS2 :)

[PKay]

Nice one Trevor.

Might give it a go one day...

[Ryderscope]

That’s a very attractive open cluster Trevor and well framed for your scope and camera combination.

[strongmanmike]

Looks just a tad out'a focus Trevor..? Still, very pretty regardless.

Mike

[TrevorW]

Thanks guys


Focus is bit soft, although this was the third of three targets for the night and I committed the cardinal sin of not refocusing for each. I really have an issue with focusing at present as my eyesight has somewhat deteriorated in the last few years anyone recommend a really good easy software/hardware tool apart from a Bahtinov mask, which I do use :)

[strongmanmike]

Ah well that would explain it. I can't help you re the focusing, I just draw a square around a star in the field, it enlarges with a close up in a new box and I press the in-out focus buttons while watching the star on the screen and just make it as small as I can, quick and simple but means you need to be with, or at least controlling, the scope of course...

Mike

[Tinderboxsky]

Trevor, the SharpCap bahtinov mask focus tool may provide the answer for you.
This tool converts the video footage of the standard bahtinov spikes into a rolling histogram on your screen. The aim is to get the histogram columns to zero for sharp focus. The display is large and very visual. I find it quick and accurate. You need the full SharpCap licence for this option to be active.