This is the first image I have posted that has been taken with the aid of my new EQ8. The guiding was almost flatline all the way and I am unable to find anything to complain about with this mount.
This is the Butterfly Cluster (M6) with relatively short exposures in LRGB (60,45,45,45) unbinned in 5 min subs. (Darks and Bias only - no flats done yet).
The scope is my little BabyQ with a reducer taking it down to a FL of 328mm and a FOV of 157x157 am and an image scale of 4.61 as/p on an ATIK LE4000 with SX FW and OAG/Lodestar and Astrodon 2c LRGB filters.
I've struggled a bit with the backfocus on this reducer and yesterday managed to gain back about 2mm bringing it to as near to the required 72.2 mm set by the boys and girls at Takahashi - minus an allowance of .3mm for the filters which are~1mm thick. I can't refine that parameter any more and yet there is still a wee bit of rotation evident in the corners. It's got me beat.
I also tried a different approach to processing these images - this time using a method mentioned in the latest edition of Astronomy (the US magazine) to preserve star colour. The exception is that I haven't been able to get my head around using the Blur routine. Perhaps some wiser heads can give me a pointer or two there.
I'll be interested to hear your thoughts on the EQ8 compared to the Titan, PMX, EQ6 you've owned sometime. Been too long since I've been able to get to 10Chain.
Stunning result Peter. M6 would have to be one of my favourite open clusters. Love the contrasting hues between the O, B and K type stars. Flats may have driven a slightly different result, likely even rich star colours. This is an amazing part of the sky in which you've done it justice. Well done and thanks for sharing.
