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Just ordered one from FLO so interested in your thoughts on the RASA 8 and it's images. I'll be fitting a Celestron motor focus to mine (I bought that for an Edge HD 8).

Well my final attempt on this with this data. I 've ended up in PS and using select/colour range, adjusting the slider so as not to select any background, invert the selection then desaturate the background and apply levels to the background. Sorry Peter but I find your background too sterile and a hard line between subject and background jars to me. Personally I like to see some 'noise'. I need more data to do much more with this. There's still a gradient to deal with but not today. Francis

Hi Peter - short answer No not tried it. I've just tried yet another process in PI to try and cut down the noise without over applying noise correction...

I've just added a process with PI of the same data - different!

Captured over the last few nights: Subs: 9x 600s, 10x 300s and 6x120s (152 mins - 2.53 hrs) Camera: ASI294MC-Pro (gain 122 offset 30) + Baader UV/IR cut filter (L) Scope: AA 115EDT-APO + plano star 1x FF Mount: iOprton CEM60 Standard Processing: Astro Pixel Processor, and PS CS3 extnded The above image processed in APP I felt was reasonable but I decided this morning to try and process the same data in PI without going to PS after to make tweaks:

I started with an NEQ6 Pro which rapidly needed a belt mod to get it working reasonably well. Later I had an iOptron iEQ45 Pro, that mount purred in comparison and I now have a CEM 60 Standard which is performing better still. The new GEM 45 seems to be a progression in the '45' range. Interesting.

I shot this while waiting for the Helix neb to come out to play (by that time the moon had swamped it anyway!). Kit: ASI294MC Pro - cooled to -20°C Altair wave series 115 EDT-APO iOptron CEM 60 standard Guided exposures of 120, 300 and 600 seconds (18 subs mixed lengths) Processed APP with minor tweak in PS (Darks & Bias added no flats)

NGC 6960: The Witches Broom, located in Cygnus. Bright star 52Cygnii. Mount: iOptron CEM60 Standard Scope: Altair Astro Wave Series 115 EDT-APO Camera: ASI 294MC Pro (OSC) Cooled to -15°C Guiding: TS Optics 80 guide scope with ASI 120mm guide camera, via PHD2. Processed with PixInsight 24 sub frames various exposures: 120, 180, 240, 300 & 600 seconds (more than 3 of each).

OK point in question: I spent some time yesterday evening setting up a few target sequences in SG Pro, one being the 'Butterfly nebula' so I go into CdC to find it's co-ordinates and there are 3 butterfly nebs listed (I wanted the one in Cygnus) had the image been notated with IC 1318 it would have been much easier - but then I wouldn't have fond the other two...

Hi,I'm thinking about powering my observatory kit from rechargeable batteries and those recharged via solar panel(s) but before I jump in I'd like to hear some pro's and con's of running via batteries please.I would be looking at running:CEM60 standard mountASI 294MC Pro cooled camera + asi120mm not cooleddew heaters (not got any yet but on this shopping list) 8 inch corrector largest optic to de-mist plus 80mm guider.Laptop - dimmable screen and runs for 6+ hours on full chargeI currently run from 240 V mains power to the obs.Francis

Great image Carole - second processing really improves it.

Disgusting delivery charges. Just bought a finder/guider adapter (Flo don't stock the Celestron 1mm threaded ones) £7.50 for delivery outrageous.

I'm in the process of buying (bought) a Celestron RASA 8. Initially I was going to just use it straight with my ASI294MC Pro and an UV/IR cut filter. Then a Baader filter slider came up in classifieds but that meant I could no longer use standard extension tubes to get the required 25 mm back focus from the RASA's connecting adapter to the sensor. I used the slider's existing adapter plate (48mm) as a template and made one to the same outline but with a 42mm T2 female thread. Photo shows the new adapter plate before painting and the original it replaces on the left. Waiting for the scope to arrive now.

I have a ZS73 with the flat73A field flattener. Spacing is quite critical from the back of the flattener to the sensor. You don't say which flattener or what camera your imaging with. A DSLR (Nikon, Canon etc) need the spacing set to 11.4? on the flat 73A along with their respective T adapters. Non DSLR's will probably need various extensions to obtain a flat field WO page: https://williamoptics.com/new-adjustable-flat73-for-z73 scroll down until you see the spacing details...

Definitely in need of a flat or two... Now reprocessed

Alan - I added a few more subs to the other M27 data last night before high cloud spoilt things. I processed this one in PI The second image (now reprocess to remove blue veil) has been further processed in PS: I've duplicated the colour layer, applied B&W mode to the lower layer and changed it's blending mode to luminance. Then applied clipping masks to level/curves/saturation until happy.

The tri-pier is really solid and doesn't mind uneven solid ground. Each leg is adjustable via changing it's angle (no extensions).

You could try the opposite and wrap a cold damp cloth around the shaft to make it shrink - I've done that a few times. Place a damp cloth in the fridge or freezer for a few minutes then wrap around tightly to draw the warmth out of the shaft...

Wow. Removing the star gives it such a different feel.

The Commander software (to me) is every bit as good as I remember EQMod. It's probably 5-6 years since using EQMod so it may well have evolved since then. But iOptrons Commander just works.

Alan - I have a CEM60 standard model which (I find) a real treat to use. Guiding via PHD2 is positive where ever I choose to calibrate across the sky (usually near the subject). I haven't put the sort of loading your 12" SCT but my 800mm refractor stays put even in reasonable winds. I use the USB connectors on the dec hub and find them really useful in reducing cable runs - just short usb's to focuser, filter wheel, guide camera. I run the main camera straight to the laptop giving me two cables main camera and mount. It's bigger brother the CEM120 looks good too but beyond justification for me.

Agree Alan - It was my first real trial with APP which I found 'awkward' but quite liked it anyway. Will do another process in PI to compare. APP does clean up amp glow much better than PI which I have also struggled with. Amp glow is the main reason for trying different image process software...

I've downloaded the APP Trial and trying to get my head around it's adjustments. Even now with this image I've headed for PS to get it a little nearer (Moon didn't help). ASI294NC Pro, AA115EDT-APO, CEM60 Std. APP + PS 3x 600s, 4x 300s, 8x 120s Gain 122 offset 30

Perhaps for Christmas (next year!)

My horizon and M20's path through it.... I get about 1½ hrs tops, on a good night