Paul Puntin

Hi Laurence, in DSS you need to ensure you tell it you have fits files generated by a colour camera. See the screenshot here http://deepskystacker.free.fr/english/index.html otherwise you will get a grayscale image. You access this dialogue box from the options list on the bottom left of the screen. Click “Raw/Fits DPP settings” and click the fits files tab. Make sure the camera setting is rggb. A luminance filter is effectively just a clear filter that blocks light outside of the visible spectrum (UV and IR). ASI stacker probably has a similar setting somewhere.

I have the iOptron Tri Pier and love it. Would highly recommend it. It is very easy to set up and light. I have a CEM60EC and 5” refractor on it and it is rock solid even in quite breezy conditions. It is quite expensive but I bought mine second hand from Astrobuyandsell. You’ll need to determine what pier adapter would work for the AM5 (if any will). Also if you need more height there’s a pier extension you can buy. One tip if you do decide on it. Rather than keep adjusting the height of the column, I locked the column in its highest position for maximum clearance and height, and never change the column position. I loosen the leg expansion knobs and slide the legs inward to close up the tripod. It stands on its own and I store it in the upright position. When you want to set up, simply take it outside, loosen the leg expansion knobs, extend the legs, level it by moving the legs in or out and once level, tighten the knobs. CS Paul

Your thoughts on an internal reflection are probably correct. I had a similar issue with my ES127. The problem for me was the first 2 inches of the focuser weren’t blackened correctly. This could be the issue anywhere in the imaging train. See this topic on Cloudynights in which I contributed . https://www.cloudynights.com/topic/868565-rings-in-image-not-the-obvious-causes-now-what/ First time posting, so hopefully the images upload ok. Not sure if the order will be correct but I think it’s pretty obvious which ones are before the blackening applied.