flare from bright stars

[funkysandman]

Is it possible to eliminate the loop flares that I'm getting when shooting images with bright stars?  happens while using dslr connect to c8 sct with focal reducer/corrector.  I've attached a picture of M 109 with a bright star out of view (Phad of Ursa Major?) mag 2.4

[happy-kat]

I found this post yesterday and it might be interesting to you.

Link here

[funkysandman]

thanks happy-kat, I read that thread and found another thread saying don't bother..but some of the results look promising

[funkysandman]

I'm also wondering if my dew shield could be the culprit?..i always have it on

[happy-kat]

Pass, I'm not experienced enough to comment just a ferret at searching or a sponge lol, but you can always experiment with it on/off it only costs clear sky I guess.

[Leveye]

It could be internal reflections. I paint everything internal of the imaging chain I can with a shine to it with flat black paint. Worked great.

[funkysandman]

it seems that the reducer is a key player, i don't get the halos/loops when i remove it.  But, I'm not sure if it is producing the reflections or amplifying what is coming off of the baffle

[funkysandman]

flocking paper in the baffle tube seems to get the flares under control..here's a before/after shot using a homemade star

[todd8137]

Sounds like you got the answer 

pat