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Old 27-12-2008, 09:06 PM
jase (Jason)
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Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Melbourne, Victoria
Posts: 3,916
Alex is on the money... in simple terms, clipping is the loss of valuable data.
White clipping = loss of details in the highlights - i.e. stellar profiles and/or bright features.
Black clipping = loss of details in the shadows - i.e. faint/dim nebulosity.

What are you using to stretch the data? Linear stretches i.e. levels is limiting as when you start to bright the image to show the faint details, it is also increasing the highlights at the same proportion/scale. You need to get comfortable with non-linear stretches i.e. curves. This will allow you to maintain the bright areas while enhancing the contrast of the faint/dim. I wouldn't recommend processing objects differently and relayering them unless you're experienced with photoshop tools. It can be difficult to get the right brightness/contrast so they integrate seemlessly. I've done it on a few images. Feathering and masking can greatly assist.

Strange you're having problems with self-guiding. Bin the guide chip 2x2 so you boost its sensitivity. Finding a guide star with the FLT132's focal length would be easy - especially with the field flattener. Make sure you calibrate regularily.
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