I had a short 3 hour window in which to set up and get a few subs of this tonight. For a while I was clueless as to why PHD wasnt making enough corrections in DEC (it would lose traking after about 30 seconds), at first i thought it was my polar alignment, but after 3 re-alignments - i figured that wasnt it. So I poked about in the advanced tab and bing! No probs after that.

Wish I had taken more (and longer) subs as I was starting to get a hint of nebulosity when I put it through DSS. But given the probs experienced earlier, I didnt want to push my luck. Also found the need for a coma corrector now as it shows towards the edges.

Worth keeping (until I manage something better...lol)


5x2min, 3x3min, 3x5min 10 dark 10 bias

got flats cos they will bring out the detail in that and there will be more goodness to be had

nice diff spikes too

unfortunately, I didnt have time for flats last night. If you were to see the RAW images, they are well washed out because of LP (I wasnt using any filter). But I know where I went wrong now. So next time I will be able to pass the 5min barrier.

The things was, I couldnt find a way to use the 2" LPF without the barlow as I needed a 2" filter thread. Ive got lots of 1.25", but only one 2" - which was part of the 2" barlow. Imaging M45 with a barlow is a no-go, so while in bed last night I unscrewed the filter, then the black lens part - leaving just the barrel. To my surprise the filter screwed straight into the barrel - problem solved. So next time I should get better results. Wish id have thought of it earlier though... but time was of the essence. Setting up & dodging clouds didnt leave much time for taking pics!

This is the raw image of a 290s sub, with no filter... its a bit of a shocker. Seeing conditions were not exactly great too, as there was a bit of high cloud drifting through the shot - which probably accounts for the large white patch in the final image.

just had a quick go at re-processing it, but ive had to throw the 5min subs because of the cloud.

I have had that problem too, but like you was happy to find that the filters fits the barlow thread

i can't stress enough the need for a flat honestly if done right it makes processing something like that a walk in the park