Anyone for a swim in my lagoon?

[LewisM]

Ihr 40min on M8 with the SXVR M25C CCD and Vixen FL102S, now reduced down to f/6.4.

CCD was running between 3° and -0.9° all night. VERY happy with the camera, but not so happy with the SX software, nor the ASCOM driver version with APT. Had to take all the images through MaxIM, which is OK, but not my favourite software for capture.

Not sure if it's my Bayer matrix arrangement (currently running it GRBG), but cannot seem to render the central environs more pink like the usual photos show of it, but am really happy with the red fringing and pink core.

Still not 100% smooth, but tonight should yield at least another 2 hrs on target. Hope for another 2 hrs on M83 too - up to 2hrs 35 min on M83 now - only taken 4 months to get there...

Hope it's OK - not posting the full size as I want to tweak it more, try to even it out some (more photons will help), and try maybe a dabble at H-a tonight. For now, I like it, but... Hopefully the IIS software won't compress my jpeg much more.

[LewisM]

The software compressed it more Anyway, you get the idea, pixel fragments and all

[Octane (Humayun)]

You're getting there, Lewis.

One suggestion, however, is to perhaps ease off on the deconvolution or sharpening routine? The stars have that very evident look about them.

Go the H-alpha -- it'll add the extra depth to the image and even out the colours once blended properly.

H

[Larryp (Laurie)]

Looking good Lewis. Did you use the new GPD2?

[LewisM]

Originally Posted by Octane

You're getting there, Lewis.

One suggestion, however, is to perhaps ease off on the deconvolution or sharpening routine? The stars have that very evident look about them.

Go the H-alpha -- it'll add the extra depth to the image and even out the colours once blended properly.

H

Actually, H, only a 20% highpass. The full version looks fine - it's my jpeg shrinking then the BBS software making it look a little like that.

Yes, going to try H-a tonight - focusing will be a new challenge for me - seeing things could be fun Might test focus on Sirius

[brian nordstrom (As avatar)]

That'sne very nice photo Lewis , it shows the stars like only a quality fluorite refractor can , I am impressed mate ! .
Brian.

[Ross G]

Great looking photo Lewis.

Ross.

[LewisM]

H, you are right - the stars are alittle too convoluted with the High Pass (always good to not look at an image for a day then come back to it). Time for a reprocess - I should have a layered version somewhere

Here's a larger scale: http://www.astrobin.com/full/39651/?mod=none