Sharing for fun. Nothing like diving in at the deep end with a new imaging scope (SCT), new focuser (EAF), new imaging solution (ASIAIR Plus) and new guiding method (OAG). Except for the mount, the whole rig was new and very different to the 120ED/Stellarmate combo I've been using this year (and will keep using). It took me hours to just achieve PA and obtain a couple satisfactory subs, which actually weren't all that satisfactory
I learnt that imaging at f/10 is painful and while guiding was (eventually) satisfactory at ~0.5rms or less, the SCT's long focal length and ASI294's pixel size meant that guiding had to be excellent else stars weren't round. I ended up deleting half the subs as most stars were cr@p but I kinda expected that. I will get a 0.7 reducer immediately! Very grateful that I learnt the basics with a refractor/Stellarmate and could solve camera/mount/guiding/network problems as they arose.
This was another good opportunity to play in PI - it’s awesome
As a ‘before and after’, I've attached the linear stacked image (from APP), and the final image produced in PI where I put lots of lipstick on my pig ... did I mention that PI is awesome
Alex
EdgeHD 8"
46 x 240s (~3hrs) UV/IR, ASI294MC
Darks, flats, dark flats. PI and PS.