[Zuts]

Originally Posted by rustigsmed

I dont think it is overly blown out, but you may wish to alter your processing routine to keep the highlights down a tad. but i think its pretty good, not sure how low to the horizon you were shooting, would be a bit cleaner when it's higher up definitely.

Originally Posted by Startrek

Atmospheric dispersion at low altitudes won’t blow your subs out , you usually end up with poor detail and fatter stars.
In any case try to image above 30degrees to minimise low level atmospheric dispersion
My best subs have always been up nice and high as you are not trying to punch through all that thick atmosphere with contains humidity (moisture) , air pollution , dust , you name it ( worse near Cities or built up areas )
My 2 cents ......

Thanks Russell and Martin,

I am just learning PI, I agree it is rather blown out in my processing.

I should be more patient in my imaging and image in the top 2/3rds
of the sky but sometimes it's hard as I get few dark sky nights.

Originally Posted by JA

Hi Zuts,

You don't say how hard you pushed the gain, or if you did at all, but that may be a factor as dynamic range will get compressed as gain rises and thereby increase the likelihood of any blowout, (Notwithstanding that the 2600MC has a sneaky/clever high res mode evident in the gain v Dynamic Range curve at gain >= 100)

Best
JA

Thanks JA,

Yes, I image at Gain 100 to try and take advantage of that mode.

Originally Posted by cometcatcher

Sometimes M104 needs processing like the Orion nebula. You may need shorter subs for the core, or processing so the core doesn't blow out. A midtone stretch for instance.

Other than what the others have said, it okay for a 120mm refractor. Your 9.25" SCT will reveal greater detail.

Thanks Kevin,

I think you are correct, I need to crank up the 9.25. Even with better processing and more subs, I don't think I will get much more detail.