Leo Triplet Saturday night 24/03/12

[Black Knight]

Just spent another wonderful few days down at Astro Adventures in Devon. The weather was fantastic, the skies at night (especially Sunday I think) was again, fantastic. Really dark, dark skies and great seeing. So, my target for Saturday night was the Leo Triplet . We've only just got back, so not had a chance to do anything with this yet, so a WIP really.

Canon 500D, modded

Intes MN71 - 18cm f6 Maksutov-Newtonian

36 x 300s lights

Darks, bias and flats applied.

Stacked in DSS, no post-processing as yet

[Digz]

Looking good so far. Not sure if there is still a slight vignette?

[Black Knight]

Looking good so far. Not sure if there is still a slight vignette?

I think you might be right. I was using a different process for flats than I usually do, so I could well have messed them up.

[Digz]

How do you handle your flats? I always struggle with mine!

[Black Knight]

I normally use my laptop screen, and a doubled-up T-shirt over the aperture. Usually works for me. But as I said, I was away when I took this image, and er, didn't have my trusty white T-shirt handy!

[Digz]

lol, thats typical isnt it! I started to use an embroidery ring with an old pillow case stretched on it. Seemed to work well on my last shots, lets hope its not a fluke!

[Black Knight]

lol, thats typical isnt it! I started to use an embroidery ring with an old pillow case stretched on it. Seemed to work well on my last shots, lets hope its not a fluke!

An embroidery ring eh? I just use a rubber band!

[Digz]

Ah so, a rubber band, the high tech solution, lol. Seriously, why didnt I think of that!!!!!

[peter shah]

A super rendition

[Black Knight]

I have to admit, it was one of those rare moments of genius on my part! Lol!

[Black Knight]

A super rendition

Thanks Peter, you're very kind