[thegableguy (Chris)]

After months of not getting anywhere, I've taken my first semi-presentable shot since hooking up a guiding rig. This is maybe attempt #6 or #7, lost count. I'm slowly finding and fixing issues as I go.

First it was the spacing for the stupid GSO coma corrector that, inexplicably, comes with ABSOLUTELY NO INSTRUCTIONS OR INFORMATION; lots of conflicting info on the interwebs about distance to sensor. Finally got it sorted.

Second was my bad polar alignment. I used the exact same mount position I always did unguided (with reasonable success), but didn't realise that adding the ED80 guidescope & camera etc and the extra counterweight slightly affected the RA. Sorted.

Third was getting the old laptop running PHD2 without drama. It's about 7 years old and recently underwent the tragedy that is Windows 10. Uninstalled basically everything and turned wifi off, and now it seems to be perfectly stable (touch wood).

Fourth was getting PHD2 working properly, connected and calibrated. It took quite a few goes but it seems to be doing its thing now.

Fifth was mounting the ED80 on the Newt so they actually pointed in the exact same direction. Not as easy as it sounds, but they're within a couple of arcminutes now.

Sixth was getting the DSLR to actually focus. Took me ages to figure it out but locking the focuser actually changes the focus slightly. Now instead of locking it I just tighten it enough to stop any possible movement.

Seventh problem was simply learning about seeing. Cloud-free nights don't necessarily mean ideal conditions.

Last night's problem was just stupidity - I had the counterweight too far up the bar, so at a certain point the OTA end became heavier and the mount started pushing instead of pulling; hence the slightly stretched stars.

I now feel extremely sheepish when I remember how cavalier I was about everyone's insistence that astrophotography is significantly harder than one might think. Good grief! So many nights spent with nothing to show for it! Satisfying when it works, though. Hoping that I'm getting closer to more consistent results. Fingers crossed.

This is 15 subs of 4 mins, Nikon D3300 at ISO 400, through 8" f/5 GSO Newt atop NEQ6, guiding through an Orion ED80. Flats darks and bias added, stacked in DSS, edited in Lightroom.

Suggestions for improvement welcome. (Encouragement also very very welcome!! Getting a bit frustrated at the moment...!)