Hey thanks for all the nice comments guys, it really is beautiful here, you won't be hearing the usual complaining Mike any more (...touch wood)...I even scored myself a complete Sirius Observatory today...so things just keep getting better...luck has to run out so I better watch it....
The Wallaroo I'm at is in NSW just outside Canberra
Mario you are welcome anytime
Houghy - I'm an
ex strongman, all I can hope to do these days is lift spirits (both peoples and the liquid variety)
Greg, yes, why have a 12" F3.8 and dark skies and not get deep images..?
...There was absolutely no manual (fake) enhancement of the halo either, it was detectable in a 5min sub but in the basic 3hr median combined frame with only a normal stretch it was blow you away bright! With more exposure I could have gone smoother but not really any deeper (the halo is larger in my image than in the UK Schmidt shot!)...once I have an observatory though and no pack up is required between sessions - look out
Thanks again everyone
Mike