Ferrero Rocher

Ok - so its a cheesey subject line, but it does rather look like one of those yummy choccies...

Enjoy, but don't get sick

Dave

www.astroshack.net/gallery/clusters/M56.php

Ah Dave, just the one?? Considering it's probably several light years across, it's probably enough for all of us!

Oh, by the way, great image! Your images seem to be getting a bit sharper and the stars look alot less bloated than they did this time last year.

Regards,

Thanks Michael - sorry its just the one :oops:

You're right about the images being better. I think the main difference is really tweaking the mount. Polar alignment is now even better than ever - 10 minutes unguided with barely any trailing. And that's with no PEC either. That's the next one to go at.

I believe Anthony, with PEC programmed, has his AP operating sub-arcsecond. :shock:

One issue I've still to figure out is a slight westward drift (over an hour or two it amounts to no more than about 20 arcsec). But it isn't noticeable on 10 min images. There must still be some polar tweaking to do.

Another issue that I only tackled the night before last was collimation. I spent a good deal of time tweaking and making very fine adjustments. It helped a lot.

Ultimately, when I get the kit I want, I'd hope that most of these items will be dealt with easier by software - eg T-Point, PoleAignMax and CCD Inspector etc.

But clearly, in order to get good images at the focal lengths I'm working at requires a lot of tuning.

Dave

Jeez Dave, you are really spoling us
Seriously, great image, once again I see a 3D appearance.

I only wish my mount was as good as yours, I can't even get 30 seconds now, I even stripped my cg5 apart last weekend and regreased it with the good stuff, no change at all :roll:

great shot though :!:

Keith..

:lol:

I'd say your bank balance is healthier though...

It still surprises me that the smallest amount of tweaking can still give big results. Keep at it and keep trying to figure out where the issues are. It'll be worth it in the end.

Dave

A fine shot Dave. Nice focus, tracking and framing.

I'd love to see a shot like that with a UV filter, I reckon the stars would be much tighter.

Kylie is really doing the biz for you. 3 min exposures unguided, wow!!!