[John Hothersall]

EQ6, SPX350 F4.53, ATK-16HR, OAG+Mintron guidecam, Astrodon filters Ha 5nm.

My first attempt at deep space with ATK-16HR here in Oz and not the best image as I had to stretch it as it is quite faint so should have spent much longer on the Ha/colour and Lum to reduce noise. There was O3 but very faint and would have taken too long to pull out. This galaxy need a wider field or a larger sensor but I am pleased with the H Alpha smoke rings, this galaxy is continuously producing new stars in active regions within. Line of bright Ha on left pointing to 2 O'Clock position is Hubble I+III pair (middle left) and Hubble V and finally Hubble X (IC1308 - top middle of image).

Been having guiding trouble and collimation trouble, my mirror was loose so fixed that, guiding goes from very smooth to erratic. Back in UK my EQ6 could do 30min subs so will have to work on my setup here in Oz. Image should be flipped horizontally but forgot.

Ha-2.5hrs
L-2hrs
RB-8x5m each
G-6x5m

This barred irregular galaxy is some 14deg from Galactic Plane so making it visible, it is actually close to capricorn at mag 9.3 and right next to the Little Gem Planetary. At 1.6 million lyrs away and a tenth the size of our Milkyway with some 10 million stars.

Thanks, John.