M20 Trifid Nebula 1st Light on new 8” f5 Klaus Helmerich Carbon fibre Newt

[Startrek (Martin)]

This is my first capture with the new 8” KH Carbon fibre Newt after a few weeks of testing off and on. Still have some minor tilt issues with the focuser and a slightly misaligned north south spider vane but I’ll sort those out soon.
Quite pleased with this first image with the new 8”. It’s definitely a lighter , faster and stronger scope with heaps more light grab than the old trusty 6” f6 metal tube newt I used for nearly 6 years

Captured over 3 nights with heavy dew ending my sessions early
New moon period
Bortle 7/8
8” f5 KH Carbon fibre Newt
Skywatcher EQ6-R pro mount
ZWO2600MC cooled to -10C , Gain 101
No filters just Internal UV/IR cut window
EQMOD and Ascom Stellarium
APT
PHD2 Multistar guiding with PPEC algorithm ( 0.45 to 0.55 arc sec total ) Guiding this bigger lighter Newt was tremendous, so smooth
200 x 60 sec subs ( dithered every second sub )
3 x 40 Flats
60 x Bias
Stacked in DSS ( OSC stacking over multiple nights)
Processed in Startools V1.8 OSC linear data set

Astrobin link below for better resolution and more info …..

https://www.astrobin.com/y3au6t/

Attached native frame and crop frame versions in reduced 200KB

Comments most welcome
Thanks
Martin

[Dave882 (David)]

Nice one Martin! How good has it been to have some clear sky in ol’ Sydney town over a new moon! Good resolution and very tight as always! Great to see your new rig putting out some great images!

[kosborn (Kevin)]

Great image Martin, especially given the light pollution you were dealing with!

[Startrek (Martin)]

Thanks Dave and Kevin,
A bit more work to do on the new scope but very pleased with its performance so far , especially guiding a physically bigger tube , Im guiding tighter than the old metal 6” , doesn’t really make sense but that’s physics I suppose
Looks like another clear weekend and some clear nights next week too
Compared to last years La Niña season , clear nights are more regular now which keeps the anxiety and frustration levels down
Clear Skies
Martin